Writing Speeches That Engage Your Audience

Will anybody listen to my presentation? Will anyone remember it? The answer is yes. You need good basic presentation skills and solid presentation structure.

The Importance of Structure in Presentations

Writing a presentation can seem daunting. You might wonder: Will anybody listen to me? Will anyone remember the ideas I share? Can my presentation really make a difference? The answer to these questions is yes, yes, and yes. As long as you grasp basic presentation skills and give your presentation a solid structure, you can captivate your audience from the very beginning.

Why are presentations often so boring? Traditionally, the aim of a presentation is to convey information, and this is reflected in its typical three-part structure:

1. Introduction: Say what you’re going to say.
2. Main body: Make your key points.
3. Conclusion: Re-iterate what you said.

While this structure seems logical for sharing information, it places the burden of engagement on the audience, expecting them to stay attentive and take notes. Unfortunately, this is one of the least effective ways to ensure your audience listens and remembers your message. By presenting raw facts in a dispassionate manner, you risk encouraging your audience to tune out.

The human brain seeks connections between existing knowledge and new information. If your presentation lists out facts without context, your audience may struggle to see their relevance and may wonder, “How is this helpful to me?” Ultimately, it is your responsibility to craft a presentation that engages the hearts and minds of your listeners. As memory researchers Roger Schank and Robert Abelson put it:

“A good teacher is not one who explains things correctly but one who couches his explanations in a memorable (i.e., an interesting) format.”

Keeping Your Audience Engaged

Consider the times you’ve felt distracted during a presentation. Now, think of movies: how often have you been completely absorbed? Most movies keep viewers engaged because they tell a story where every event connects meaningfully to the next.

Communications consultant Nancy Duarte emphasizes the power of storytelling in presentations. She states:

“The way that ideas are conveyed most effectively is through story…there’s something magical about a story structure that makes it so that when it’s assembled, it can be ingested and then recalled by the person who’s receiving it.”

When information is embedded in a story, it becomes more memorable. Schank and Abelson highlight that:

“People are not really logical at all… humans are not really set up to hear logic… People need a context to help them relate what they have heard to what they already know.”

By incorporating stories into your presentation, you provide relatable content that makes your message more meaningful. Stories have a unique way of engaging not just the mind, but also the body; they evoke physical reactions, keeping the audience emotionally involved.

Structuring Your Presentation with Stories

A presentation that uses storytelling techniques will still follow the traditional structure but with a twist:

• Introduction: Open with a hook.
• Main body: Tell a story or series of stories, each with a point or purpose.
• Conclusion: Finish with a call to action, or a call to adventure.

Crafting an Effective Hook

Hooks are vital in grabbing attention. In an age where attention spans are dwindling, it’s essential to engage your audience from the outset. A hook can be a:

• Quote
• Question
• Anecdote
• Surprising fact or statistic

To create a successful hook, you need to find the gap, a concept developed by Nancy Duarte. The gap represents where your audience is currently and where they could be after your presentation. Begin by addressing their present situation and the difficulties they face. Then, hint at the better reality they could achieve by taking action based on your presentation.

For example, if you’re tasked with a talk on enhancing creativity in the workplace, instead of starting with, “I’m going to teach you some methods for being more curious,” use a hook like, “Did you know that being curious is linked to better health and happiness?” This method highlights the gap and sparks curiosity.

Engaging with Stories

Once you’ve established your hook, seamlessly transition into telling stories. The main part of your presentation should weave narratives that lead to your key points. This approach not only captivates your audience but also allows them to connect your message with their own lives.

Additionally, consider using internal hooks throughout your presentation to maintain engagement. These can be simple phrases such as, “We’ll come to that in a moment,” or by starting one story and delaying its conclusion to build anticipation.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Finish your presentation with a call to action, motivating your audience to implement what they’ve learned. Remind them of the benefits of taking action and summarize the key points to solidify their understanding.

A well-crafted presentation not only informs but inspires action. By embedding the storytelling techniques discussed, you will find your audience responding more positively, eager to engage with your message.

So, the next time you’re preparing for a presentation, consider integrating these insights about storytelling. You’ll likely find that your audience remains engaged and responsive throughout your talk.