Presentation Story Contest Sponsored by Susan Joy Schleef Founder of PresentationsWithResu lts.com July 1 – 31, 2012
Sep 03, 2014
Presentation Story Contest
Sponsored by Susan Joy Schleef
Founder ofPresentationsWithResults.com
July 1 – 31, 2012
Uncover 3 clues for making your
presentation more engaging
1st Clue: Why does storytelling work to improve your presentation results?
"Human beings have always told their histories and truths through parable and fable. We are
inveterate storytellers.” ~ Beeban Kidron
Our brain processes information differently when we are in a ‘story listening trance’
“When we read dry, factual arguments, we read with our dukes up. We are critical and skeptical.
But when we are absorbed in a story we drop our intellectual guard.”
~ Jonathan Gottschall, author ofThe Storytelling Animal
Source: http://www.fastcocreate.com/1680581/why-storytelling-is-the-ultimate-weapon
2nd Clue: What’s the difference between anecdotes and story structure?
Which one works better in a presentation?
Story structure or narrative structure applies to your presentation as a whole and adds dramatic tension that keeps your audience more engaged.
Many people tell short stories or anecdotes when they give a speech or presentation, often as a way to illustrate a point.
“Funny as it may sound, storytelling should not be confused with telling stories.”
There’s nothing wrong with telling stories. It’s a good public speaking technique. But creating a presentation with a 3-act story structure will transform your presentation and entrance the mind of your audience.
~ Alexei Kapterev, Presentation Secrets
3rd Clue: How can you apply a story structure to your presentation?
Use 3 simple ideas to give your presentation the structure and emotional affect of story:
1. Clearly differentiate the beginning, middle, and ending sections of your presentation.
Establishing Shot
Introduce Characters & Situation
Setup
Problem
Inciting Incident
Conflict
Resolution
These ‘beginning’ elements are
most important for defining a
story structure in your
presentation.
“This timeless storytelling technique of creating dramatic tension helps you quickly engage, motivate, and to further an emotional connection, and it answers another important question the audience is wondering: Why am I here? ”
~ Cliff Atkinson, Beyond Bullet Points
2. Use a familiar theme or metaphor to help your audience relate new information
to something they already understand. Apply the theme or metaphor to your key
point slides in both your language and your graphics.
“Uncover 3 clues …”
“Follow these 3 steps …”
“Here are 3 keys to unlock …”“Overcome these 3 hurdles …”
“Getting your client to yes is much easier with metaphors . . .
Metaphors help a client see possibilities he didn’t see before and they help him make the best decision. ”
~ Anne Miller, Metaphorically Selling
“The greatest thing by far is to be master of metaphor.”
~ Aristotle
3. Make your audience the hero of the story by identifying their problem or challenge right at the beginning of
your presentation.
Hmmm, this
speaker really
understands
my situation
“Structure is a selection of events from the characters’ life stories that is composed into a strategic sequence to arouse specific emotions and to express a specific view of life. ”
~ Robert McKee, Story
Now that you’ve seen some of the clues, are you ready to solve the mystery?
Are you ready to try creating your own Presentation Story?
Are you ready to enter the contest?
Let’s examine the contest rules
You must tell a story in 10 slides or less withpictures and words
Post your presentation on Slideshare.netIf you don’t already have a Slideshare account, it’s free to set one up so go ahead!
Let’s examine the contest rules
Send me the link by email to: Success@
PresentationsWithResults.com
Let’s examine the contest rules
I will display all the presentations on my website and link to them on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn when first posted.
Let’s examine the contest rules
You can share those links on social media and encourage your friends to comment on your Presentation Story.
Let’s examine the contest rules
The contest will run from July 1st through July 31st (at midnight Central Daylight Time)
Presentation Story Contest
The presentation that receives the most comments by July 31 will win a prize!
(see blog post for details)
Presentation Story Contest
Thank you for your interest in the Presentation Story Contest and good luck with your entry!
Susan Joy Schleef, FounderPresentations With Results, Inc.
http://PresentationsWithResults.com