Elements of presentation designing a presentation

The Extreme Presentation method takes a marketing approach to presentation design: focusing on how to “Sell” your ideas to your audience. The method consists of the five essential elements of an effective presentation and ten practical steps to put each of those elements into practice.

The circle in the center of the Extreme Presentation method diagram, with the word “impact” in it, indicates that the entire purpose of the method is to ensure that you have impact on your audience. Around that inner circle, the next ring contains the five essential elements of an effective presentation:

• Logic: we need to make sure that there is solid logic in our presentation and that our recommendations are robust.
• Rhetoric: we must tell an interesting story, in a compelling way. Logic is important, but of no use to you if everyone has tuned out because they are bored.
• Graphics: to make sure that you are using the most effective visual elements and overall layout.
• Politics: to apply effective influence in order to get your audience to take action.
• Metrics: to be clear on what the specific objective is for the presentation, and how success will be measured.

There are two steps in each of the five elements, for a total of ten steps. These steps are:

• Audience: Identify the communication preferences of the different personality types.
• Objectives: Set specific objectives for what you want your audience to think and do differently after your presentation.
• Problem/Solution: Identify a problem your audience has that your presentation will contribute to solving.
• Evidence: List all the information that you think you may need to include in your presentation.
• Anecdotes: Identify brief anecdotes that highlight your most important points.
• Sequencing: Sequence your information so that it tells a compelling story.
• Graphics: Identify the most effective graphical elements to use in your presentation.
• Layout: Create slides that communicate your information concisely and effectively.
• Stakeholders: Identify any potential roadblocks to achieving your objectives, and make a plan to deal with each other.
• Measurement: Decide how you will measure the success of your presentation.