p1

p1 is the basis of the presentation. It is the data, the story, the message that the presenter wishes to deliver to the audience. This section covers blog posts that address any part of the construction of p1; taking the “what” of the data and converting it into a “so what” for the particular audience. In particular, this covers audience needs, the value of a single, identifiable message, an elevator pitch, the arc of the story and development of sparklines.

The cornerstone articles on p1 are below but please surf through the links to gain a deeper understanding of why p1 (the story) is the basis of your presentation and must be the starting point in construction.

1.Hysteron proteron – the place to start with a presentation is the message.

2. It is not acceptable or valuable to just talk, you must have a message.

3. The aim and objective of a presentation are not the same thing.

4. The best presentations are planned analog. Shut the laptop and be creative.

5. Consider principally “why” you are presenting, not what to present.

p1 posts

structure

structure helps

Structure helps both the presenter and the audience. It underpins the message, the media and the delivery. Structure is essential. Without structure a presentation is challenging to deliver, seldom has…

listing facts

listing facts

Listing facts is the basis of most presentations. It is not effective teaching. The education value of such a presentation is very small, possibly even negative. As the audience read…

Structure helps retention

Structure helps retention of a message. A presentation is never a data download. It is simply not possible for an audience to retain large volumes of data delivered through a…

take home message

Take home message

A take home message can only be one item. We cannot remember more than three new items and most people at a presentation are not actively trying to memorise things.…

give message early

Give the message early

Give the message early in a talk so the audience will want to pay attention. If the message has value and relevance for them, they will follow the presentation. If…

lists of facts

Lists of facts do not make a good presentation. Sense is made by structure in an argument. Lists of facts impose a structure and hierarchy. Indenting text makes it sub-ordinate…

Be succinct

Be succinct. A great presentation has a single, portable, memorable message.

good analogy

Good analogy- guest post

A good analogy can make or break a presentation. It’s always a pleasure to share thoughts and ideas from other presenters on the site. I was pleased to receive this…

  • Design affects function

    Simple design changes in the supportive media  make…

  • Never say, “I’m sorry.”

    There is no place in a presentation for…

  • Something they will always remember

    My drive is for presentations to be remembered,…

  • Spare some time guv?

    We look past them, we try to avoid…

  • It’s a presentation not a…

    Take your phone out and have a look…

  • Plan analogue

    A major step forward in improving presentations is…

  • What are you talking about?

    Seriously, what are you talking about? If you…

  • What sort of a presenter are you?

    The quality of a presentation is the product…

  • The gift of time

    One of the reasons there are very few…

  • Where, precisely are you going?

    The key mistake made in preparing a presentation…