Preparing persuasive presentations
Objective and audience drive content What is my objective? 2. Who is my audience? What information should I give? How should my ideas be organized?
Communication objective As a result of this presentation, I want my audience to…
Presenter knows more than audience can take in capacity Presenter knowledge
Need to always carefully pick and choose content!
Typical presentation structure Effective opening Preview Main points Effective closing Gets audience interested Tells audience what is coming Present the meat Reinforces your comm. objective
Effective opening gets audience interested grab attention show what’s in it for them build your credibility, if necessary connect with PUNCH
source: www.presentationzen.com
source: www.presentationzen.com
source: www.presentationzen.com
source: www.presentationzen.com
source: www.presentationzen.com
source: www.presentationzen.com
Practice presentation openings
Preview tells audience what is coming Help audience understand and remember
Main points present the meat Limit main points to max 3 Use explicit transitions Choose main arguments from the audience’s perspective (next slide)
Choose main arguments from the audience’s perspective Ensure your objective and claims are very clear Support claims with evidence (claim-data-warrant) Stress positive benefits, opportunities Be innovative and original Present both sides of argument if needed Exploit persuasive pattern (next slide)
Persuasive pattern Attention Problem Solution Action
of your recommendation Outline options Arouse interest Show the need Suggest action Convince of importance Attention Problem Solution Action Show you understand audience position Point out benefits of your recommendation Relate to audience
Effective closing reinforces comm. obj. Let audience know you are closing Options Summarize main points Refer to your opening End with action steps Concentrate on main ideas if run out of time
Support presentation with nonverbal language Move deliberately confidence Use gestures and facial expressions Vary voice for emphasis
Impromptu presentations