Use stories in PowerPoint presentations to help audiences remember your message….
Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks, Hansel & Gretel are all childhood stories we remember well. We may not have heard these stories for years, yet we can still remember the general storyline. So let’s apply using stories in PowerPoint to make our presentations just as memorable. Even years later!
Well… whilst our content may not be as fairytale, we can still mimic the structure of these stories to make our presentations easier to grasp, follow and remember.
Tell a story with your presentation – blog illustration
We grew up reading stories. The classic structure of beginning, middle and end is embedded in our mental DNA.
At the beginning: set the scene and meet the main characters.
In the middle: problems arise, drama ensues and solutions found.
At the end: a summing up and sense of resolution.
Structure your PowerPoint presentations like a story and your audience is more likely to follow, understand and remember your message – and they’re more likely to enjoy it too!
So begin by setting up all the key story elements, including the main characters, the issue(s) and desired outcome. Don’t forget to make it very clear why the story is relevant to your audience (the beginning), raise and resolve all the issues one at a time (the middle), and resolve everything to summarise and wrap up concisely and clearly (the end). This will serve to reinforce your key points and also bring a sense of clarity and completeness to the overall story.
Use this familiar structure and you will be helping your audience to follow and remember your presentation. Stories in PowerPoint shouldn’t be overlooked!
Read Part 2: Stories in presentations here…
Read this article: How to Use Strategic Storytelling in Business Presentations
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why should I use stories in PowerPoint presentations?
Using stories in PowerPoint presentations helps your audience remember your message. Stories have a familiar structure with a beginning, middle, and end, making the content easier to grasp and follow. This familiarity aids in retention and engagement, ensuring your message is memorable even years later.
How can I structure my PowerPoint presentation like a story?
To structure your PowerPoint presentation like a story, start by setting the scene and introducing the main characters (the beginning). Then, present the problems, ensuing drama, and solutions (the middle). Finally, summarise and resolve all issues to give a sense of completion (the end). This clear and familiar structure will help your audience follow and remember your message.
What are the key elements to include when using stories in PowerPoint presentations?
When using stories in PowerPoint presentations, include the following key elements: the main characters, the issues or problems, the desired outcome, and the relevance to your audience. Begin by setting up these elements, raise and resolve issues one at a time, and conclude by summarising to reinforce your key points and provide clarity.
Can stories in PowerPoint presentations make the content more enjoyable for the audience?
Yes, stories in PowerPoint presentations can make the content more enjoyable for the audience. The narrative structure of stories is engaging and relatable, which helps keep the audience interested.
