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How to Structure your Presentation, with Examples

August 3, 2018 - Dom Barnard

For many people the thought of delivering a presentation is a daunting task and brings about a  great deal of nerves . However, if you take some time to understand how effective presentations are structured and then apply this structure to your own presentation, you’ll appear much more confident and relaxed.

Here is our complete guide for structuring your presentation, with examples at the end of the article to demonstrate these points.

Why is structuring a presentation so important?

If you’ve ever sat through a great presentation, you’ll have left feeling either inspired or informed on a given topic. This isn’t because the speaker was the most knowledgeable or motivating person in the world. Instead, it’s because they know how to structure presentations – they have crafted their message in a logical and simple way that has allowed the audience can keep up with them and take away key messages.

Research has supported this, with studies showing that audiences retain structured information  40% more accurately  than unstructured information.

In fact, not only is structuring a presentation important for the benefit of the audience’s understanding, it’s also important for you as the speaker. A good structure helps you remain calm, stay on topic, and avoid any awkward silences.

What will affect your presentation structure?

Generally speaking, there is a natural flow that any decent presentation will follow which we will go into shortly. However, you should be aware that all presentation structures will be different in their own unique way and this will be due to a number of factors, including:

• Whether you need to deliver any demonstrations
• How  knowledgeable the audience  already is on the given subject
• How much interaction you want from the audience
• Any time constraints there are for your talk
• What setting you are in
• Your ability to use any kinds of visual assistance

Before choosing the presentation’s structure answer these questions first:

• What is your presentation’s aim?
• Who are the audience?
• What are the main points your audience should remember afterwards?

When reading the points below, think critically about what things may cause your presentation structure to be slightly different. You can add in certain elements and add more focus to certain moments if that works better for your speech.

What is the typical presentation structure?

This is the usual flow of a presentation, which covers all the vital sections and is a good starting point for yours. It allows your audience to easily follow along and sets out a solid structure you can add your content to.

1. Greet the audience and introduce yourself

Before you start delivering your talk, introduce yourself to the audience and clarify who you are and your relevant expertise. This does not need to be long or incredibly detailed, but will help build an immediate relationship between you and the audience. It gives you the chance to briefly clarify your expertise and why you are worth listening to. This will help establish your ethos so the audience will trust you more and think you’re credible.

Read our tips on  How to Start a Presentation Effectively

2. Introduction

In the introduction you need to explain the subject and purpose of your presentation whilst gaining the audience’s interest and confidence. It’s sometimes helpful to think of your introduction as funnel-shaped to help filter down your topic:

• Introduce your general topic
• Explain your topic area
• State the issues/challenges in this area you will be exploring
• State your presentation’s purpose – this is the basis of your presentation so ensure that you provide a statement explaining how the topic will be treated, for example, “I will argue that…” or maybe you will “compare”, “analyse”, “evaluate”, “describe” etc.
• Provide a statement of what you’re hoping the outcome of the presentation will be, for example, “I’m hoping this will be provide you with…”
• Show a preview of the organisation of your presentation

In this section also explain:

• The length of the talk.
• Signal whether you want audience interaction – some presenters prefer the audience to ask questions throughout whereas others allocate a specific section for this.
• If it applies, inform the audience whether to take notes or whether you will be providing handouts.

The way you structure your introduction can depend on the amount of time you have been given to present: a  sales pitch  may consist of a quick presentation so you may begin with your conclusion and then provide the evidence. Conversely, a speaker presenting their idea for change in the world would be better suited to start with the evidence and then conclude what this means for the audience.

Keep in mind that the main aim of the introduction is to grab the audience’s attention and connect with them.

3. The main body of your talk

The main body of your talk needs to meet the promises you made in the introduction. Depending on the nature of your presentation, clearly segment the different topics you will be discussing, and then work your way through them one at a time – it’s important for everything to be organised logically for the audience to fully understand. There are many different ways to organise your main points, such as, by priority, theme, chronologically etc.

• Main points should be addressed one by one with supporting evidence and examples.
• Before moving on to the next point you should provide a mini-summary.
• Links should be clearly stated between ideas and you must make it clear when you’re moving onto the next point.
• Allow time for people to take relevant notes and stick to the topics you have prepared beforehand rather than straying too far off topic.

When planning your presentation write a list of main points you want to make and ask yourself “What I am telling the audience? What should they understand from this?” refining your answers this way will help you produce clear messages.

4. Conclusion

In presentations the conclusion is frequently underdeveloped and lacks purpose which is a shame as it’s the best place to reinforce your messages. Typically, your presentation has a specific goal – that could be to convert a number of the audience members into customers, lead to a certain number of enquiries to make people knowledgeable on specific key points, or to motivate them towards a shared goal.

Regardless of what that goal is, be sure to summarise your main points and their implications. This clarifies the overall purpose of your talk and reinforces your reason for being there.

Follow these steps:

• Signal that it’s nearly the end of your presentation, for example, “As we wrap up/as we wind down the talk…”
• Restate the topic and purpose of your presentation – “In this speech I wanted to compare…”
• Summarise the main points, including their implications and conclusions
• Indicate what is next/a call to action/a thought-provoking takeaway
• Move on to the last section

5. Thank the audience and invite questions

Conclude your talk by thanking the audience for their time and invite them to  ask any questions  they may have. As mentioned earlier, personal circumstances will affect the structure of your presentation.

Many presenters prefer to make the Q&A session the key part of their talk and try to speed through the main body of the presentation. This is totally fine, but it is still best to focus on delivering some sort of initial presentation to set the tone and topics for discussion in the Q&A.

Other common presentation structures

The above was a description of a basic presentation, here are some more specific presentation layouts:

Demonstration

Use the demonstration structure when you have something useful to show. This is usually used when you want to show how a product works. Steve Jobs frequently used this technique in his presentations.

• Explain why the product is valuable.
• Describe why the product is necessary.
• Explain what problems it can solve for the audience.
• Demonstrate the product  to support what you’ve been saying.
• Make suggestions of other things it can do to make the audience curious.

Problem-solution

This structure is particularly useful in persuading the audience.

• Briefly frame the issue.
• Go into the issue in detail showing why it ‘s such a problem. Use logos and pathos for this – the logical and emotional appeals.
• Provide the solution and explain why this would also help the audience.
• Call to action – something you want the audience to do which is straightforward and pertinent to the solution.

Storytelling

As well as incorporating  stories in your presentation , you can organise your whole presentation as a story. There are lots of different type of story structures you can use – a popular choice is the monomyth – the hero’s journey. In a monomyth, a hero goes on a difficult journey or takes on a challenge – they move from the familiar into the unknown. After facing obstacles and ultimately succeeding the hero returns home, transformed and with newfound wisdom.

Storytelling for Business Success  webinar , where well-know storyteller Javier Bernad shares strategies for crafting compelling narratives.

Another popular choice for using a story to structure your presentation is in media ras (in the middle of thing). In this type of story you launch right into the action by providing a snippet/teaser of what’s happening and then you start explaining the events that led to that event. This is engaging because you’re starting your story at the most exciting part which will make the audience curious – they’ll want to know how you got there.

• Great storytelling: Examples from Alibaba Founder, Jack Ma

Remaining method

The remaining method structure is good for situations where you’re presenting your perspective on a controversial topic which has split people’s opinions.

• Go into the issue in detail showing why it’s such a problem – use logos and pathos.
• Rebut your opponents’ solutions  – explain why their solutions could be useful because the audience will see this as fair and will therefore think you’re trustworthy, and then explain why you think these solutions are not valid.
• After you’ve presented all the alternatives provide your solution, the remaining solution. This is very persuasive because it looks like the winning idea, especially with the audience believing that you’re fair and trustworthy.

Transitions

When delivering presentations it’s important for your words and ideas to flow so your audience can understand how everything links together and why it’s all relevant. This can be done  using speech transitions  which are words and phrases that allow you to smoothly move from one point to another so that your speech flows and your presentation is unified.

Transitions can be one word, a phrase or a full sentence – there are many different forms, here are some examples:

Moving from the introduction to the first point

Signify to the audience that you will now begin discussing the first main point:

• Now that you’re aware of the overview, let’s begin with…
• First, let’s begin with…
• I will first cover…
• My first point covers…
• To get started, let’s look at…

Shifting between similar points

Move from one point to a similar one:

• In the same way…
• Likewise…
• Equally…
• This is similar to…
• Similarly…

Internal summaries

Internal summarising consists of summarising before moving on to the next point. You must inform the audience:

• What part of the presentation you covered – “In the first part of this speech we’ve covered…”
• What the key points were – “Precisely how…”
• How this links in with the overall presentation – “So that’s the context…”
• What you’re moving on to – “Now I’d like to move on to the second part of presentation which looks at…”

Physical movement

You can move your body and your standing location when you transition to another point. The audience find it easier to follow your presentation and movement will increase their interest.

A common technique for incorporating movement into your presentation is to:

• Start your introduction by standing in the centre of the stage.
• For your first point you stand on the left side of the stage.
• You discuss your second point from the centre again.
• You stand on the right side of the stage for your third point.
• The conclusion occurs in the centre.

Key slides for your presentation

Slides are a useful tool for most presentations: they can greatly assist in the delivery of your message and help the audience follow along with what you are saying. Key slides include:

• An intro slide outlining your ideas
• A  summary slide  with core points to remember
• High quality image slides to supplement what you are saying

There are some presenters who choose not to use slides at all, though this is more of a rarity. Slides can be a powerful tool if used properly, but the problem is that many fail to do just that. Here are some golden rules to follow when using slides in a presentation:

• Don’t over fill them  – your slides are there to assist your speech, rather than be the focal point. They should have as little information as possible, to avoid distracting people from your talk.
• A picture says a thousand words  – instead of filling a slide with text, instead, focus on one or two images or diagrams to help support and explain the point you are discussing at that time.
• Make them readable  – depending on the size of your audience, some may not be able to see small text or images, so make everything large enough to fill the space.
• Don’t rush through slides  – give the audience enough time to digest each slide.

Guy Kawasaki, an entrepreneur and author, suggests that slideshows should follow a  10-20-30 rule :

• There should be a maximum of 10 slides – people rarely remember more than one concept afterwards so there’s no point overwhelming them with unnecessary information.
• The presentation should last no longer than 20 minutes as this will leave time for questions and discussion.
• The font size should be a minimum of 30pt because the audience reads faster than you talk so less information on the slides means that there is less chance of the audience being distracted.

Here are some additional resources for slide design:

• 7 design tips for effective, beautiful PowerPoint presentations
• 11 design tips for beautiful presentations
• 10 tips on how to make slides that communicate your idea

Group Presentations

Group presentations are structured in the same way as presentations with one speaker but usually require more rehearsal and practices.  Clean transitioning between speakers  is very important in producing a presentation that flows well. One way of doing this consists of:

• Briefly recap on what you covered in your section: “So that was a brief introduction on what health anxiety is and how it can affect somebody”
• Introduce the next speaker in the team and explain what they will discuss: “Now Elnaz will talk about the prevalence of health anxiety.”
• Then end by looking at the next speaker, gesturing towards them and saying their name: “Elnaz”.
• The next speaker should acknowledge this with a quick: “Thank you Joe.”

From this example you can see how the different sections of the presentations link which makes it easier for the audience to follow and remain engaged.

Example of great presentation structure and delivery

Having examples of great presentations will help inspire your own structures, here are a few such examples, each unique and inspiring in their own way.

How Google Works – by Eric Schmidt

This presentation by ex-Google CEO  Eric Schmidt  demonstrates some of the most important lessons he and his team have learnt with regards to working with some of the most talented individuals they hired. The simplistic yet cohesive style of all of the slides is something to be appreciated. They are relatively straightforward, yet add power and clarity to the narrative of the presentation.

Start with why – by Simon Sinek

Since being released in 2009, this presentation has been viewed almost four million times all around the world. The message itself is very powerful, however, it’s not an idea that hasn’t been heard before. What makes this presentation so powerful is the simple message he is getting across, and the straightforward and understandable manner in which he delivers it. Also note that he doesn’t use any slides, just a whiteboard where he creates a simple diagram of his opinion.

The Wisdom of a Third Grade Dropout – by Rick Rigsby

Here’s an example of a presentation given by a relatively unknown individual looking to inspire the next generation of graduates. Rick’s presentation is unique in many ways compared to the two above. Notably, he uses no visual prompts and includes a great deal of humour.

However, what is similar is the structure he uses. He first introduces his message that the wisest man he knew was a third-grade dropout. He then proceeds to deliver his main body of argument, and in the end, concludes with his message. This powerful speech keeps the viewer engaged throughout, through a mixture of heart-warming sentiment, powerful life advice and engaging humour.

As you can see from the examples above, and as it has been expressed throughout, a great presentation structure means analysing the core message of your presentation. Decide on a key message you want to impart the audience with, and then craft an engaging way of delivering it.

By preparing a solid structure, and  practising your talk  beforehand, you can walk into the presentation with confidence and deliver a meaningful message to an interested audience.

It’s important for a presentation to be well-structured so it can have the most impact on your audience. An unstructured presentation can be difficult to follow and even frustrating to listen to. The heart of your speech are your main points supported by evidence and your transitions should assist the movement between points and clarify how everything is linked.

Research suggests that the audience remember the first and last things you say so your introduction and conclusion are vital for reinforcing your points. Essentially, ensure you spend the time structuring your presentation and addressing all of the sections.

The 3 parts of a presentation: introduction, main part, closing part

The task of each part for the presentation structure.

A successful business presentation requires careful planning and structuring. In this article, we will look at presentation structure, focusing on the three parts: Introduction, main body, and conclusion of a presentation. We will explore what each part does and specific tips to help structure these parts of the presentation in the best possible way.

Part 1: The introduction of a presentation

Part 2: The main part of a presentation

Part 3: The conclusion of a presentation

A successful presentation needs a well-structured agenda. It helps your audience to keep track and follow the content of the presentation. The agenda ensures that all important aspects of a topic are covered in the presentation.

An attractively designed and worded agenda can also help to capture the audience’s attention right from the start and get them excited about the presentation. For example, the agenda can be designed using images, language, or terminology that is specific to the audience’s goals and interests. In this way, the presenter signals that they value the audience’s time and interest and are tailoring their presentation to meet their needs. Read more about the importance of the agenda in presentations and learn how to use action titles profitably as well.

Part 1: the introduction of a presentation

1. Greeting:

With a friendly greeting, you create a positive atmosphere right from the start. You give the audience the opportunity to arrive, get quiet and collect themselves and signal that it’s about to start. This phase is important to establish the audience’s concentration.

2.  Introduction:

Briefly introduce yourself and your organization. Give an overview of who you are and what your role is in your organization. By doing this, you will give your audience direction and reinforce your expertise and credibility at the very beginning of the presentation.

3. Objective:

Briefly outline the topic of your presentation and explain what you hope to accomplish with the presentation. Make sure the goal of the presentation is clear and concise.

4. Context:

Explain the context in which the presentation will take place. Why is the topic important? Why is it relevant to the audience? Here you should also make sure that you connect with the audience and tailor your presentation to their needs and interests.

After the introduction, you should have achieved the following with your audience:

• The audience is focused
• They know who you are and that you bring expertise to the topic
• It knows what the presentation is about and why it is worth paying attention.

Part 2: the main part of a presentation

The main part is the most important part of your presentation from a content point of view. Here you present your information, argue for your position, try to convince the target audience or bring them to a decision. In short, the middle section is the heart of your presentation. It should be structured in a logical and comprehensible way and should be consistently oriented towards your presentation objective. The biggest challenge is to make the main part compact and not to ramble too much, but still not to make any jumps in content where you might lose your audience. Ideally, when building the main body, you follow the thought processes your audience might have and answer any questions that might pop into your target audience’s head. Of course, this requires a good knowledge of your target audience and also some experience. If you have given similar presentations before, you should take into account insights you can derive from audience reactions or questions, for example, when building your next presentation.

The main part should make up about 75% to 80% of the total duration of the presentation. These are our tips for the main body:

1. Precise headings:

Make sure the main body is clear and logical and use precise headings. They will ensure that your audience can follow your arguments. Headings that are to the point also help the speaker, for example, when you want to jump back and forth within the presentation.

2. Key messages:

Present your core messages and arguments in a logical order. Make sure to support your arguments with examples and facts to strengthen your position. Report from the field to show that you understand the needs of your target audience.

3. Visualization:

Make sure you make your information easy to grasp quickly. Whenever possible, you should make use of visualizations. Diagrams, icons, and images are quicker to grasp than columns of scrubs, and you’ll stick in their minds. Your audience is more likely to remember a good picture than the text on your slides.

After the main part, you should have achieved the following with your audience:

• The audience has understood your information and your arguments
• You have answered or anticipated your audience’s most important questions and objections
• The audience has recognized the relevance of the topic for their own needs and requirements
• The audience is ready to take the next step toward your goal.

The closing section is the last part of your presentation and gives you the opportunity to emphasize your message once again. It’s not just about leaving a strong impression. The conclusion of your presentation determines whether you have achieved your presentation goal. Were you able to find supporters for your topic? Were you able to bring about a decision? Were you able to win a new customer? In order to be able to measure the achievement of your objectives, it is important to be specific at the end of your presentation. Depending on the goal, you can give an outlook here, agree on next steps or deadlines, or already distribute tasks. Use all possibilities for a binding exit and a concrete connection. Make sure that your topic is thought about further, a project is pursued or a collaboration is started. Otherwise, unfortunately, your presentation will be forgotten very quickly or other topics will push in front of it.

The conclusion of your presentation should be about 10% to 15% of the total duration of the presentation and include the following elements:

Summarize the most important points of your presentation again in a short and concise way. This will remind the audience of the key messages and strengthen your overall impression.

2. Call-to-action

Conclude your presentation with a call-to-action that fits your presentation objective. Ask the audience to make a decision, buy a product, or schedule a follow-up appointment with you. This will create commitment and ensure that your presentation objective is achieved.

Give an outlook on future developments or projects. Show the next steps or point out follow-up topics. By doing so, you show that you know the processes and are also an expert for the next steps and implementation.

4. Thank you

Conclude your presentation by thanking the audience. Show your appreciation for the interest and time the audience invested in your presentation. You can also include your contact information and offer to answer questions or provide further information. The thank you note should come from you in person; you don’t need a slide for that. Also read our tips for PowerPoint closing slides .

• The audience follows your recommendation.
• It acts in the sense of your presentation goal.
• Your presentation is remembered and you are set with the audience as an expert on the presentation topic.

You can find many more very helpful tips on presentation structure in our blog articles on the golden thread of your presentation and presentation structure .

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Blog > How to structure a good PowerPoint Presentation

How to structure a good PowerPoint Presentation

08.09.21   •  #powerpoint #tips.

When creating presentations, it is particularly important that they are well organized and have a consistent structure.

A logical structure helps the audience to follow you and to remember the core information as best as possible. It is also important for the presenter, as a good presentation structure helps to keep calm, to stay on the topic and to avoid awkward pauses.

But what does such a structure actually look like? Here we show you how to best organize your presentation and what a good structure looks like.

Plan your presentation

Before you start creating your presentation, you should always brainstorm. Think about the topic and write all your ideas down. Then think about the message you want to communicate, what your goal is and what you want your audience to remember at the end.

Think about who your audience is so that you can address them in the best possible way. One possibility is to start your presentation with a few polls to get to know your audience better. Based on the results, you can then adapt your presentation a little. Use the poll function of SlideLizard and have all the answers at a glance. SlideLizard makes it possible to integrate the polls directly into your PowerPoint presentation which helps you to avoid annoying switching between presentation and interaction tool. You can keep an eye on the results while the votes come in and then decide whether you want to share them or not.

• an informative
• an entertaining
• an inspiring
• or a persuasive presentation?

Typical Presentation Structure

The basic structure of a presentation is actually always the same and should consist of:

Introduction

Make sure that the structure of your presentation is not too complicated. The simpler it is, the better the audience can follow.

Personal Introduction

It is best to start your presentation by briefly introducing yourself which helps to build a connection with your audience right away.

Introduce the topic

Then introduce the topic, state the purpose of the presentation and provide a brief outline of the main points you will be addressing.

Mention the length

In the introduction, mention the approximate length of the talk and then also make sure you stick to it.

The introduction should be no longer than two slides and provide a good overview of the topic.

Icebreaker Polls

According to studies, people in the audience only have an average attention span of 10 minutes, which is why it is important to increase their attention right at the beginning and to arouse the audience's interest. You could make a good start with a few icebreaker polls for example. They lighten the mood right at the beginning and you can secure your audience's attention from the start.

For example, you could use SlideLizard to have all the answers at a glance and share them with your audience. In addition, the audience can try out how the polls work and already know how it works if you include more polls in the main part.

Get to know your audience

As mentioned earlier, it is always useful to think about who your audience actually is. Ask them questions at the beginning about how well they already know the topic of your presentation. Use SlideLizard for this so that you have a clear overview about the answers. You can use both single- and multiple-choice questions or also open questions and display their results as a WordCloud in your presentation, for example.

Include a quote

To make the beginning (or the end) of your presentation more exciting, it is always a good idea to include a quote. We have selected some powerful quotes for PowerPoint presentations for you.

Present your topic

The main part of a presentation should explain the topic well, state facts, justify them and give examples. Keep all the promises you made earlier in the introduction.

Length and Structure

The main part should make up about 70% of the presentation and also include a clear structure. Explain your ideas in detail and build them up logically. It should be organized chronologically, by priority or by topic. There should be a smooth transition between the individual issues. However, it is also important to use phrases that make it clear that a new topic is starting. We have listed some useful phrases for presentations here.

Visualize data and statistics and show pictures to underline facts. If you are still looking for good images, we have selected 5 sources of free images for you here.

Focus on the essentials

Focus on what is most important and summarize a bit. You don't have to say everything about a topic because your audience won’t remember everything either. Avoid complicated sentence structure, because if the audience does not understand something, they will not be able to read it again.

Make your presentation interactive

Make your presentation interactive to keep the attention of your audience. Use SlideLizard to include polls in your presentation, where your audience can vote directly from their smartphone and discuss the answers as soon as you received all votes. Here you can also find more tips for increasing audience engagement.

Repeat the main points

The conclusion should contain a summary of the most important key points. Repeat the main points you have made, summarize what the audience should have learned and explain how the new information can help in the future.

Include a Q&A part

Include a Q&A part at the end to make sure you don't leave any questions open. It's a good idea to use tools like SlideLizard for it. Your audience can ask anonymous questions and if there is not enough time, you can give them the answers afterwards. You can read more about the right way to do a question slide in PowerPoint here.

Get Feedback

It is also important to get feedback on your presentation at the end to keep improving. With SlideLizard you can ask your audience for anonymous feedback through star ratings, number ratings or open texts directly after your presentation. You can then export the responses and analyse them later in Excel.

Presentation style

Depending on the type of presentation you give, the structure will always be slightly different. We have selected a few different presentation styles and their structure for you.

Short Presentation

If you are one of many presenters on the day, you will only have a very limited time to present your idea and to convince your audience. It is very important to stand out with your presentation.

So you need to summarize your ideas as briefly as possible and probably should not need more than 3-5 slides.

Problem Solving Presentation

Start your presentation by explaining a problem and giving a short overview of it.

Then go into the problem a little more, providing both intellectual and emotional arguments for the seriousness of the problem. You should spend about the first 25% of your presentation on the problem.

After that, you should spend about 50% of your presentation proposing a solution and explaining it in detail.

In the last 25%, describe what benefits this solution will bring to your audience and ask them to take a simple but relevant action that relates to the problem being discussed.

Tell a Story

A great way to build an emotional connection with the audience is to structure a presentation like a story.

In the introduction, introduce a character who has to deal with a conflict. In the main part, tell how he tries to solve his problem but fails again and again. In the end, he manages to find a solution and wins.

Stories have the power to win customers, align colleagues and motivate employees. They’re the most compelling platform we have for managing imaginations. - Nancy Duarte / HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations

Make a demonstration

Use the demonstration structure to show how a product works. First talk about a need or a problem that has to be solved.

Then explain how the product will help solve the problem and try to convince your audience of the need for your product.

Spend the end clarifying where and when the product can be purchased.

Chronological structure

When you have something historical to tell, it is always good to use a chronological structure. You always have to ask yourself what happens next.

To make it more interesting and exciting, it is a good idea to start by telling the end of something and after that you explain how you got there. This way you make the audience curious and you can gain their attention faster.

Nancy Duarte TED Talk

Nancy Duarte is a speaker and presentation design expert. She gives speeches all over the world, trying to improve the power of public presentations.

In her famous TED Talk "The Secret Structure of Great Talks" she dissects famous speeches such as Steve Jobs' iPhone launch speech and Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech. In doing so, she found out that each presentation is made up of 4 parts:

• What could be
• A moment to remember
• Promise of “New Bliss”

Related articles

About the author.

Helena Reitinger

Helena supports the SlideLizard team in marketing and design. She loves to express her creativity in texts and graphics.

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The big SlideLizard presentation glossary

Slide transitions.

Slide transitions are visual effects which appear in PowerPoint when one slide moves to the next. There are many different transitions, like for example fade and dissolve.

SmartArts are diagrams that convey processes, connections or hierarchies. They can also be edited individually and easily be added to your presentations.

Visual Communication

If there are used images or videos for communication, it is visual communication. Visual Communication is almost used everywhere like on television, posts on social media (Instagram, Facebook), advertisement.

Valedictory Speech

A valedictory speech is given in order to say goodbye, usually at graduation. It should inspire listeners and functions as a send-off into "real life".

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How to Structure a PowerPoint Presentation

content creator

Helen Colman See full bio →

Think of a movie that has breathtaking special effects but no storyline. Does it have any chance of becoming a blockbuster? Of course not. The same is true with PowerPoint presentations. No matter how beautiful the visuals of your slide deck are, it will never succeed with your audience if it doesn’t follow a logically sound structure.

In this post, we’ll talk about the typical structure of a PowerPoint presentation, share ideas about what sections to include, and give practical guidelines on arranging slides for better information retention and engagement.

But first, let’s see why your PPT (PowerPoint) deck needs to be guided by a structure.

Why Is Structuring a PowerPoint Presentation Important?

A clear structure of a PPT presentation is crucial to help your audience understand your message. When the information is presented logically, it’s much easier for a viewer to get the ideas you want to transmit. Research supports this idea – it shows that people are 40% more likely to retain structured information than unstructured information.

If your slide presentation will include narration, a good structure of the PowerPoint presentation is also important for you as a presenter. It will help you feel confident, stay on topic, and avoid any awkward silences, so you’re more likely to win your audience over.

What Is the Typical PowerPoint Presentation Structure?

A good PowerPoint presentation always has a story to tell. Like any narration, it consists of three basic parts: introduction, body, and conclusion. Let’s look at all parts of the PowerPoint presentation in greater detail with some examples. 

Introduction

The introduction sets the tone for the entire presentation and explains what the audience will come away with after viewing it. A strong presentation overview slide may include these key elements:

This is the main part of your presentation, where you talk about your topic and present all your information to your audience. It should fulfill the expectations you set in the introduction.

Depending on the nature of your presentation, divide it into segments or points. Arrange your points logically and then provide information to support each of them. Here are some examples of presentation logic you can follow:

• Number your points according to their priority (1, 2, 3, …).
• Place the points in a time frame (past, present, future).
• Use narration (tell a story from beginning to end).
• Present the points with a problem-solution dynamic (state a problem, describe its impact, and offer ways to solve the issue).

A good conclusion summarizes the key points you made or highlights what the audience should have learned. It clarifies the general purpose of your presentation and reinforces the reason for viewing it. List what results your audience has achieved, what knowledge they got, and how this information can help them in the future.

Prepare Your Content for the PowerPoint Presentation

Based on this survey conducted by Decktopus , 40% of creators prioritize the content of their PowerPoint slides over any other aspects. Moreover, about 25% said they focused on images, 15% on quotes, and 10% on video.

Let’s say you have a course , a set of articles, and reports or case studies. Now you need to prepare content for the PPT presentation that will resonate with your audience. This involves organizing the text, images, and videos for each slide. Focus on these key elements to ensure your presentation achieves its goals: engage your audience and help them remember the core ideas you want to convey.

• Stories . According to the Decktopus survey, people consider “the story” the most important and memorable part of a presentation. So, include stories, examples, or scenarios that help your audience connect with the content emotionally and understand complex concepts better.
• Core message . Your PowerPoint presentation content should revolve around a single central idea. Each slide should support this key message, making it clearer for your audience.
• Simplify your content . Break complex presentation content down into key points and remove unnecessary details. To identify which details are not necessary in a presentation, keep only the information that directly supports your core message and is immediately relevant to your audience’s needs and decision-making. But don’t make your PPT content too long: based on these research results from VENNGAGE , 41.2% of respondents said that they only included between 21 and 40 PowerPoint slides in their presentations.
• Insert engagement elements such as an opening hook, a memorable ending note (video, story, etc.), questions for the audience, group discussions, mini games , quick exercises, quizzes , or training activities .
• Add visuals . Substitute text with schemes, tables, quotes, screenshots , screencasts, charts, icons, or diagrams wherever appropriate.

Best Practices to Structure PPT Slide Content 

Now that we’ve covered the structure and content preparation for your PowerPoint presentation, let’s focus on how to organize each slide effectively.

Text guidelines

• Message focus: Remove any competing concepts and have only one clear idea or message per slide.
• Data presentation: Limit data to one statistic per slide for maximum impact and memorability.
• Text hierarchy: Use consistent heading and body text sizes throughout the presentation.
• Font choice: Stick to 2 complementary fonts – one for headers, and one for body text.
• Visibility: Ensure the content of the PPT presentation is large enough for the audience members in the very last row to see clearly.
• Font size: Use a 30-point minimum to ensure readability from any distance.
• Line length: Keep lines to a maximum of five words for clarity and impact.
• Text limit: Maintain a maximum of five lines of text per slide to avoid overwhelming viewers.
• Sequential density: Avoid more than five text-heavy slides in a row to maintain engagement.
• Space usage: Text should occupy no more than 25% of the slide’s space.

Visual elements

• Master the content-visual balance. Maintain a 40% text to 60% visuals ratio.
• Use one powerful, full-screen image rather than multiple smaller ones.

• Ensure all images are high-resolution (minimum 300 DPI).

Choose the right visuals for your PPT presentation content:

• Charts: Best for visualizing data and highlighting trends.
• Infographics: Ideal for explaining processes and simplifying complex concepts.
• Images: Use to create an emotional connection and illustrate concepts.
• Icons: Serve to provide quick visual cues and aid navigation.
• Diagrams: Useful for showing relationships and illustrating flow.

Use animations purposefully:

• Include animations strategically for more engagement (79% effectiveness rate).
• Limit transitions between slides to two or three different types.
• Use simple animations like “Wipe Left-to-Right” for bullet points. Avoid complex animations like “Move” or “Fly” that can slow the pace.

Core color principles:

• Limit to 3 or 4 color combinations per slide for clarity.
• Maintain a 4.5:1 minimum contrast ratio between text and background.
• Test color visibility to ensure your audience can view content across different displays and lighting conditions.

Strategic color application:

• Backgrounds: Use cool colors like blue and green, as they tend to visually recede.
• Text and foreground: Use warm colors such as orange and red, as they draw attention.
• Dark room presentations: Choose a dark background with light text for better visibility.
• Call-to-action elements: Highlight them with standout accent colors to catch the eye.
• Icons: Maintain a consistent color scheme.

Color for communication:

• Use color to guide the viewer’s attention for more impact, not to decorate.
• Create visual hierarchy through color intensity.
• Apply color psychology to evoke appropriate emotions.

Color accessibility and consistency:

• Design for color-blind people.
• Maintain the same color palette throughout the PowerPoint presentation.
• Primary brand color for titles.
• Consistent colors for recurring elements.
• High-contrast colors for text.
• Subtle shades for backgrounds.

Tips for Structuring a Presentation in PowerPoint

Now that you know which parts a typical presentation should consist of, let’s see how to structure it in PPT.

1. Combine slides into sections

When working with a large PowerPoint presentation, you can create sections that can be collapsed and expanded. Each section name should clearly indicate the topic of its slides. 

This will help you keep presentation slides organized and facilitate navigation in editing mode. To do that, follow these steps:

• To shift the position of a section in the sequence, right-click on its name and use the Move Section Up and Move Section Down options.
• To collapse or expand a certain section, click on the collapse icon to the left of the section name. You can also minimize and maximize all sections at once by right-clicking on the section name and choosing Collapse All or Expand All .

These settings can also be accessed by choosing Slide Sorter under the View tab .

This kind of segmentation is a great way to view the logical flow of your slides all at once and see if any changes are needed. For example, you might decide to break one slide into two or three, or the other way around.

2. Use the outline View

Another way to structure a PowerPoint presentation in the editing mode is to use Outline View . You can choose it from the View tab .

In this view, the outline pane doesn’t display sections, but it shows all the slide titles and main text of each slide, which can give you a quick overview of the presentation’s contents.

Here you can go through the entire text and edit it instantly. You can also work with text (on the left) and slides (on the right) simultaneously.

Note that text needs to be typed in a text placeholder, not a text box, to be displayed in an outline. A text placeholder is a box with the words “Click to add text” or “Click to add title.” It appears when you choose a standard layout.

You can also use Outline View to promote bullet text to titles and the other way around. To do that, right-click on a relevant title or paragraph and select the Promote or Demote options.

• Promoting text means moving it up one level in the hierarchy. For example, if you promote a bullet point, it becomes a slide title. This effectively creates a new slide with that text as its title.
• Demoting text means moving it down one level in the hierarchy. For example, if you demote a slide title, it becomes bulleted text on the previous slide. This removes the original slide and moves its content to the previous slide as subordinate text.

Here’s a practical example:

Slide 1: “Main Topic” (title)

• Bullet point A
• Bullet point B

If you promote “Bullet point A,” you’ll end up with: 

Slide 2: “Bullet point A” (new title)

This feature is useful when you realize that some of your bullet points should actually be separate slides, or vice versa. However, use it carefully because promoting or demoting can significantly restructure your presentation.

Be cautious when demoting a title , as this will delete the original slide and move its title and text to the adjacent slide.

PPT only allows users to promote and demote text, not entire slides. Therefore, there’s no possibility of changing the hierarchical order of slides.

3. Create a table of contents

All the aforementioned tips help you organize a presentation when formatting it. However, it’s also crucial that your viewers are able to easily navigate through the entire presentation. One sure way to make this possible is to create an interactive and structured chapter list.

Although there is no native automatic table of contents in PPT, you can add it manually:

• Press Ctrl+A to select all the names, and Ctrl+C to copy them.
• Then press Ctrl+V to paste the copied titles on the desired slide. In case there are too many titles and they don’t fit onto a single page, you can divide the table of contents into two columns or spread it out over two slides.

You’ll need to repeat this procedure to link all the chapters to their corresponding slides. For more information, read this step-by-step guide on how to add a hyperlink in PowerPoint .

Now you can access all the chapters from a single table of contents. You will also need to link chapters back to that unifying page. You can do this by inserting an Action Button on every slide of your presentation in the Slide Master mode:

Now, you can also go back to the table of contents at any time with the intuitive Home button.

The time it takes to create an interactive outline can vary according to the size of your presentation. You’ll need to add hyperlinks to each chapter manually.

Be aware that if you rename or delete a slide, these changes will not be registered in the table of contents automatically. For example, if you delete a slide, its title will still be displayed in the chapter list, but clicking on it will not lead the viewer to another point in the presentation.

This is what our sample presentation looks like:

An Automated Way to Structure a PowerPoint Presentation

Creating a table of contents manually might be fine for a small presentation, but if you have 20+ slides, it will require excessive time and energy to do so. 

In this section, we explore ways to speed up PPT presentation structuring with iSpring Suite .  

iSpring Suite

Fully-stocked eLearning authoring tool for PowerPoint. No training required to start!

Note: iSpring Suite converts slides to HTML5 format, so your audience can view them online, right in their browsers.

As you can see, the new presentation has a pop-up outline and a navigation panel. These features make it possible to move to any slide at any time without leaving the slideshow mode.

How to set up navigation

Follow these steps to create navigation in your presentation:

1. Get a free trial of iSpring Suite.

2. Open PPT and switch to the iSpring Suite tab. Then, click on Slide Properties on the toolbar.

3. Here you can see the slide titles. Unlike in PPT, you can give a slide any name regardless of the text in the placeholder. You can also organize slides into a hierarchy by changing their nesting levels. To do that, select any slide(s) and click on the Promote or Demote buttons on the toolbar.

To collapse or expand nested slides, use the “-” and “+” icons to the left of a top-level slide. The arranged slides can also be easily minimized and maximized during the presentation playback, since they appear as menus and sub-menus in the outline.

4. PowerPoint doesn’t have a specific panel where you can simply set up the navigation of all the slides. You need to configure it manually for each slide, which is awkward and time-consuming. 

With iSpring Suite, you can easily turn a linear presentation into an engaging non-linear scenario . To do that, select a slide and click on the Branching button on the ribbon. Now choose the corresponding slides for users’ forward and backward actions, or None to lock navigation.

5. When you’ve configured the Slide Properties settings, click on Save & Close in the upper-left corner.

How to configure a table of contents

Whereas PPT requires the chapter list to be designed manually, iSpring Suite has already prepared this for you. As well, you do not have to stick with the standard outline template because you can easily customize the player’s final look and feel:

1. Click on Publish on the iSpring Suite toolbar.

2. Find Player and click on Universal (Full) . 

When customizing your Outline , you can adjust the position of the Outline button using one of several options in the Buttons Position drop-down menu. To reposition buttons, simply click on the six dots next to the button and drag it to your desired spot.

If you scroll down, you’ll find more Outline settings.

We recommend leaving the Enable search  marked, as this will allow viewers to search for any content, including the texts on the slides. This is especially useful for large presentations with a lot of text.

If you have previously arranged slides into multiple levels in the Slide Properties , then leave the Multilevel outline selected. That way, the outline will display the nesting presentation in the PPT structure of the presentation, facilitating navigation.

4.  Customize your layout’s color scheme and text font using the Color Scheme and Font options in the Design tab.

5. When you’ve finished configuring the player, click on Apply & Close in the upper-left corner.

6. Now you can publish your enhanced presentation either to HTML5, to make it easily accessible via browser on any device, or to MP4 video format. If you’re going to upload your presentation to an LMS, you can publish it to any eLearning format : SCORM, AICC, Tin Can, or cmi5.

iSpring Suite saves presentation creators from the need to do a lot of manual work and viewers from having to follow a strict slide order. An interactive and searchable outline allows non-linear navigation.

Also read : → How to Convert PowerPoint to MP4 Video

Also read : →  How To Record Presentations With Audio

Bonus: choose a PPT presentation format

iSpring Suite comes with Content Library , which provides a vast collection of presentation templates and allows you to create professional-looking presentations in a matter of minutes. Each PowerPoint presentation format includes basic course elements : a title slide, a table of contents, chapters, a timeline, and info slides.

With Content Library, you can:

• Choose a format of PPT presentation out of 2,300+ templates.
• Fit your presentation format into any type of device screen.
• Enrich slide presentation format with customized characters.
• Insert icons from a collection of 3,600+ icons and UI controls to further refine your PowerPoint presentation format.
• Add ready-to-use photos of various devices, furniture, and office supplies to turn your PowerPoint presentation format into an engaging story.

FAQ on How to Structure a PowerPoint Presentation

Before we wrap up, let’s address some common questions about structuring PowerPoint presentations.

What is the second slide of a PowerPoint presentation called?

The second slide in a PPT presentation is typically called the agenda or table of contents slide. It outlines the main topics and structure of the presentation, giving viewers a clear overview of what will be covered.

What should you include in a PowerPoint presentation?

A well-structured PPT presentation should include:

1. A title slide with the presentation’s topic and presenter info

2. An agenda/chapter list

3. Clear learning objectives or results

4. Main content slides with:

• Key messages
• Supporting data/evidence
• Relevant visuals

5. A summary/conclusion slide

What file formats are supported in PowerPoint?

You can save PPT in one of the following file formats:

• PPT Presentation
• PPT Macro-Enabled Presentation
• PDF Document Format
• XPS Document Format
• PPT Design Templates
• PPT Macro-Enabled Design Template
• Office Theme
• PPT Macro-Enabled Show
• PPT XML Presentation
• MPEG-4 Video
• Windows Media Video
• GIF (Graphics Interchange Format)
• JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) 
• PNG (Portable Network Graphics) 
• TIFF (Tag Image File Format)
• Device Independent Bitmap
• Windows Metafile
• Enhanced Windows Metafile
• Outline/RTF
• PPT Picture Presentation
• Strict Open XML Presentation
• OpenDocument Presentation
• Single File Web Page

To learn more, check this Microsoft article .

We hope this post will help you develop the ideal structure for your PPT presentation and do so quickly and easily. Captivate your audience with a powerful and persuasive presentation!

Do you have any other insights on how to simplify PPT presentation design? Please share them in the comment section. We’d love to hear from you.

Create online courses and assessments in record time.

Content creator

Helen Colman

She enjoys combining in-depth research with expert knowledge of the industry. If you have eLearning insights that you’d like to share, please get in touch .

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How to Structure a PowerPoint Presentation

No matter how sleek or beautiful your slide decks appear, your presentation won’t be a success if it fails to adhere to a sound and proper structure, throughout. This is why it’s worth taking some time to learn how most effective presentations are structured.

And what could be a better way to understand the right way to design your presentations than learn it from a presentation company ? In this article, we share the standard structure of an effective PowerPoint presentation, in addition to some practical tips on how to implement this structure technically, using PowerPoint.

What Is the Standard Presentation Structure?

A decent presentation always has an important story to tell and, just like any other narration, it primarily consists of three basic sections: introduction, main body, and conclusion.

Introduction

The first section in your presentation should be an introduction. It should set the tone for your entire presentation and explain to the audience what they can expect from your presentation. Here are some of the slides you may want to add in the introduction section: 

• The title of the presentation
• The objective(s) of the presentation
• A table of contents

As you can guess, this will be the main section of your presentation, where you explain your topic of concern. Break down your content into bite-sized points, arrange them in a logical order, and then present all the information you would like to share with your audience, in order to support each of your points.

This section is to summarise all the key points or highlights from your presentation. Share with your audience how this information will help them in the future. Finally, thank the audience for viewing your presentation.

Tips for Structuring a PowerPoint Presentation

Now that you know what sections a typical presentation consists of, let’s take a look at how to structure it effectively in Microsoft PowerPoint.

Create slides and edit them in Outline View

It’s always a good idea to structure a PowerPoint presentation while in the editing mode. To do this efficiently, go to the ‘View’ tab and select ‘Outline View’. It will show you the title and main text section for each slide, and let you edit the text, while also providing an overview of the presentation’s content.

TIP: You can also use the Outline View to select a section of bullet text and promote it to slide titles, and vice versa. To do this, right-click on a relevant piece of text or title and select ‘Promote’ or ‘Demote’.

Arrange slides into sections

If you are developing a large PowerPoint presentation, it’s best to organise it by clubbing multiple slides together into sections that can be easily collapsed and expanded, whenever required.

• To create a new section, go to the list of slides, and right-click on the slide from where you want a new section to begin. 

From the drop-down menu, select ‘Add Section’ and assign a name to the section.

• To re-order the sections, right-click on the section name and click ‘Move Section Up’ or ‘Move Section Down’.
• To expand or collapse a section, click on the icons for the same on the left of the section name.

TIP: You can also access these settings by going to the under the ‘View’ tab and choosing Slide Sorter.

Create a well-organised table of contents

The aforementioned tips will help you organise a presentation’s content. However, it’s also crucial that your audience can navigate through your presentation with ease. This is why it’s always a good idea to create a structured and interactive table of contents, and place it near the beginning of the presentation.

To do this, follow these steps:

• Go to the title slide or a blank slide and insert the table of contents.
• Switch to ‘Outline View’, right-click on the outline pane, and click ‘Collapse’. Then, click ‘Collapse All’ to display only the titles.
• Select all the slide titles, copy them, and paste them on the desired slide.
• Select the title of the first slide and right-click on it. Then, click on ‘Link’.
• In the window that opens next, select ‘Place in This Document’ (from the left-hand menu), select the corresponding slide for the selected title, and click OK.

Repeat this procedure for the remaining titles and link them to the corresponding slides.

Wrapping Up

There you have it! There are many more tips to come, so, if you are interested to learn more about presentation design, don’t forget to check out our future blog posts.

Want to take your online presentation game to the next level? Contact us today!

Your Guide To Corporate Presentations From Real Presentation Expertsn

Mastering the art of pitch deck designn, how to avoid using filler words in your presentationn, a guide to slide count in presentationsn, 6 essential presentation skills for pitching successn, a guide to crafting powerful endings in presentationsn, what can our clients tell us about social media usen.

Your Guide To Corporate Presentations From Real Presentation Experts

Mastering the Art of Pitch Deck Design

How to Avoid Using Filler Words in Your Presentation

Home Blog Business Presentation Structure Guidelines for Effective Communication

Presentation Structure Guidelines for Effective Communication

In the business world, a presentation is so much more than just a bunch of slides or points—it’s a golden opportunity. It can sway decisions, propel change, or bring people together. How you structure your presentation is absolutely critical in getting your ideas across clearly and compellingly. 

When you’ve got a structured presentation just right, it’s like you’re taking your audience by the hand and guiding them through your thoughts, making sure they pick up all the important bits along the way. Moreover, it speaks of your degree of professionalism and how much knowledge you bear on the topic in question. 

Therefore, nailing your presentation structure isn’t just helpful; it’s downright necessary to get the results you’re after. Whether you’re pitching a new concept to the investors, sharing the latest findings with your team, or taking the stage at a conference, how you lay out your content becomes the language you use to interact with your audience. Get to know all that’s required to create a powerful presentation structure that will guarantee success in business meetings, academic dissertations, or motivational talks .

Table of Contents

What is a Presentation Structure

Introduction, techniques to structure your presentation, common mistakes to avoid when designing a presentation structure, final words.

Let’s compare a presentation structure to a business plan . Just as a business plan is essential for guiding a company’s strategy and ensuring all aspects of the business are aligned toward common goals, a presentation structure is crucial for organizing the content and delivery of your talk. 

The presentation structure lays out a clear and logical sequence of information, akin to the sections of a business plan that outline the company’s mission , market analysis , and financial projections. This clear sequence ensures that your audience can easily follow and understand your message, maximizing the impact your speech can deliver and influencing your target audience. 

Key Elements of a Presentation Structure

The easiest way to study a presentation structure is to subdivide it into sections. Basically, every presentation has a structure that follows this formula: Introduction > Body > Conclusion.

The introduction is the first section of the presentation and sets the tone for the rest of the presentation. It should be attention-grabbing and make the audience want to listen to the rest of the presentation.

When defining how to start a presentation , these are the best tips we recommend you implement.

Start with a Hook

Kick off your introduction with a strong hook that grabs your audience’s attention. This could be an intriguing fact, a thought-provoking question, or a compelling story related to your topic. A captivating opening will make your audience want to listen and engage with your presentation.

Clearly State Your Topic

Be clear and concise when stating your topic. Your audience should immediately understand what your presentation is about and what they can expect to learn. A clear statement of your topic sets the stage and provides a roadmap for the rest of your presentation.

Establish Credibility

Take a moment to establish your credibility by briefly sharing your qualifications or experience related to the topic. This helps to build trust and rapport with your audience, and it shows that you are knowledgeable and well-prepared.

Engage Your Audience

Make your audience part of the presentation by engaging them from the start. Ask a question, encourage participation, or invite them to think about how the topic relates to their own experiences. Engagement helps to create a connection between you and your audience. Using a surprise factor is an alternative if you feel the topic you’re about to present may not fully resonate with the target audience.

Preview Main Points

End your introduction by briefly previewing the main points you will cover in your presentation. This provides a clear structure for your audience to follow and helps them understand what to expect in the body of your presentation. An agenda slide is the perfect tool for this purpose.

The body is the main part of the presentation and provides the content and information that the audience came to hear. It should feature the main points and details supporting your presentation’s objective. Depending on your topic, this could include data, arguments, case studies, examples, or demonstrations. Each main point should be clear and distinct, with evidence or examples substantiating it. The content should be tailored to your audience’s level of knowledge and interest.

As you organize the body of your presentation, pay attention to the flow from one main point to the next. A smooth flow keeps your audience engaged and helps them follow your message effortlessly. Transitioning logically from one idea to the next ensures that your presentation is cohesive and reinforces the main points effectively.

Different presentations call for various structures. For example, a Product Presentation ’s structure should start by dividing the content into clear sections or headings. For instance, if presenting a new software tool, sections could include its features, benefits, and user feedback.

On the other hand, a Persuasive Presentation begins with stating the current situation or problem, followed by proposed solutions, evidence supporting those solutions, and the benefits of adopting your proposition.

Workshop or Training Presentations begin with an overview of what will be taught, followed by step-by-step instructions, examples, demonstrations, and summaries or quizzes after each major section.

One essential aspect is to plan the multimedia elements to include in your presentation, including audio, images, and video, depending on the presentation style you aim to deliver. Through our expertise, we want to share some tips on how to plan this kind of content:

• Using relevant content: Each image should be related to its accompanying content. Avoid using images just for decoration. If using videos, dedicate an entire slide to them rather than sticking them to a corner of your slide. Plan a powerful hook to connect your thoughts with these visual aids.
• Quality: Ensure all images are of high resolution and can be clearly viewed, even from a distance. Avoid pixelated or distorted images.
• Simplicity: Infographics and diagrams should be easy to understand. If presenting data, use simple charts or graphs instead of complex tables. Limit the amount of text on each slide to ensure clarity. This rule of simplicity also applies to written content and the structure of your speech. Use the Feynman Technique as a time-saver approach to simplify content to reach any knowledgeable audience.
• Consistency: A common cause of presentation failures is to distract the audience with an unprofessional look. Maintain a consistent style and color scheme for all images to give your presentation a polished and professional feel.

Along the path of creating these media elements, you can rethink your strategy for disclosing content. In general lines, you should present your points in a logical order, often from the most to least important or in a chronological sequence. This helps the audience follow along and build understanding step by step. Well-known practices like the storytelling technique follow this approach to maximize audience engagement. 

Transition smoothly between points. Phrases like “moving on,” “in addition,” or “on the other hand” can guide your audience through your narrative. Break up long sections of spoken content with anecdotes, questions, or short videos. Such an approach adds variety and keeps the audience engaged.

If you need a quick method to create a presentation, check out our  AI presentation maker . A tool in which you add the topic, curate the outline, select a design, and let AI do the work for you.

A well-structured conclusion is the linchpin that holds your presentation together, reinforcing your main points and leaving a lasting impression on your audience. It is your final opportunity to communicate your message and encourage audience engagement. So, before you consider how to end a presentation , here are some powerful tips to ensure you conclude your presentation with impact.

End with a Strong Statement or Quote

This technique is commonly used in motivational presentations, where the speaker leaves the audience with a slide containing a quote related to the topic of the presentation, something that evokes inner reflection about the topic discussed. 

Conclude your presentation with a strong, memorable statement or a powerful quote that ties back to your main message. This adds weight to your argument and leaves a lasting impression on your audience. If you aim to surprise your audience, silence can also be a strong statement if your presentation has to raise awareness about a problem.

Incorporate a Call-to-Action

Clearly communicate to your audience what you want them to do next. Whether it’s to adopt a new perspective, take specific action, or continue the conversation outside of the presentation, a clear call to action drives engagement and encourages your audience to act upon your message.

Ask Thought-Provoking Questions

Pose thought-provoking questions that stimulate reflection and discussion. This opens the door for audience participation and engagement and allows you to interact with the audience in a Q&A session, or reach after your presentation concluded to network.

Additional Resources and Contact Info

Offer resources such as articles, websites, or books for those interested in exploring your topic further. This not only adds value to your presentation but also encourages the audience to engage with the content beyond the presentation itself.

Consider the way you leave a communication channel open with your audience. This can be in the format of a deliverable, writing down your contact data in the “Thank You” slide , or simply via speech to inform where they can know more about you and your work.

We already discussed the basic Introduction-Body-Conclusion framework for a presentation, but there are alternative approaches that can help you structure your talk.

Problem-Solution Framework

The Problem-Solution Framework is a compelling method to structure presentations, particularly when aiming to persuade or inform an audience about addressing specific challenges. The framework operates on a simple yet impactful premise: initially, highlight a problem or challenge that needs addressing and subsequently propose a viable solution or set of solutions.

Starting with the problem establishes a context, engages the audience by highlighting pain points or challenges they may recognize, and creates a desire for resolution. It sets the stage for the solution to be perceived as necessary and valuable.

The solution phase offers that much-needed resolution. By presenting a clear, actionable solution or set of recommendations, the presenter provides a pathway to overcome the identified challenge. This structure is not only logical but also highly persuasive, as it appeals to the audience’s desire for resolution and improvement. In essence, the Problem-Solution Framework is both a guide for content organization and a psychological tool for persuasion.

Chronological Structure

The Chronological Structure is an intuitive and organized approach to presenting information based on a sequence of events or a progression in time. Whether recounting historical events, outlining the stages of a project, or narrating a personal story, this structure follows a clear beginning, middle, and end sequence. By presenting details in the order they occurred, the audience can easily follow the narrative, making connections between events and understanding causality.

This structure is especially effective when the timeline of events is crucial to the narrative or when showcasing developments, evolutions, or growth over time. It provides clarity and eliminates confusion that might arise from a non-linear presentation. Moreover, by anchoring information on a timeline, the Chronological Structure aids memory retention, as the audience can mentally “map out” the journey of events. In sum, this method offers clarity and a compelling narrative arc, ensuring audience engagement from start to finish.

Comparative Structure

The Comparative Structure is a strategic approach to presentations that hinges on juxtaposing two or more elements, ideas, or solutions side by side. By examining similarities and differences, this method illuminates unique qualities, advantages, or drawbacks inherent in each element. Often employed in business scenarios like product comparisons, market analysis, or debates, the comparative structure helps audiences critically analyze options and make informed decisions.

Presenters utilizing this structure typically start by introducing the elements for comparison. They then delve into detailed analysis, often using criteria or metrics to maintain objective evaluations. Visual aids like Venn diagrams or comparison charts can enhance clarity and visual appeal.

The strength of the Comparative Structure lies in its ability to foster critical thinking. By directly contrasting items, audiences are engaged, encouraged to weigh pros and cons, and ultimately arrive at a deeper understanding or more nuanced perspective on the subject matter.

Matrix Structure

The Matrix Structure offers an approach to organizing presentations by segmenting information into distinct categories or sections, akin to a grid or matrix. Instead of a linear flow, topics are grouped by themes, criteria, or any relevant classification, allowing for simultaneous exploration of multiple facets of a subject. Think of it as viewing a topic through various lenses concurrently.

For instance, in a business setting, a product might be examined in terms of design, functionality, market positioning, and customer feedback. Each of these constitutes a segment in the matrix.

Visually, the matrix can be represented using tables, grids, or quadrant charts, making the content easily digestible and engaging. A key advantage of this structure is its flexibility; presenters can delve deep into one segment or provide a broader overview of all areas, depending on the audience’s needs. Ultimately, the Matrix Structure ensures a comprehensive and multifaceted examination of a topic, providing depth and breadth in analysis.

Modular Structure

The final model we will study is the Modular Structure. It takes content and packs it into modules, which can be arranged at any other the presenter requires them to be. Each module addresses a specific topic or idea and is designed to be self-contained, ensuring clarity even if presented independently or in a different order. This adaptability makes the modular approach especially valuable in dynamic settings, such as workshops or conferences, where audience feedback or time constraints might necessitate adjustments on the fly.

For example, in a corporate training session, different modules could cover distinct skills or topics. Based on the attendees’ prior knowledge or the session’s time limit, the presenter can prioritize, omit, or rearrange modules without compromising the integrity of each segment.

By adopting the Modular Structure, presenters gain flexibility without sacrificing depth. This approach fosters a responsive presentation style, allowing speakers to tailor content in real-time, ensuring maximum relevance and engagement for their audience.

Even well-seasoned presenters can fall prey to these common mistakes in terms of presentation structure. Let’s learn how to prevent them.

Overloading with Information

It’s tempting to include every bit of knowledge you have on a topic. Still, information overload can quickly disengage an audience. Prioritize key points and leave out extraneous details. As famous architect, Mies van der Rohe famously coined, “Less is More.”

Overlooking Flow Between Slides

Overlooking the flow between slides can disrupt your audience’s engagement. Jumping abruptly from one topic to another can create confusion. By ensuring that each section leads naturally into the next, you maintain a narrative flow that guides the audience seamlessly through your points.

Weak Transitions

Jumping abruptly from one point to another can disrupt the flow and confuse listeners. Ensure smooth transitions between sections, signaling shifts in topics or ideas to keep the narrative cohesive.

Dull Design

While content is king, visual appeal matters. Relying solely on walls of text or bland slides can lose your audience’s interest. Incorporate engaging visuals, charts, and multimedia elements to enhance your message and retain attention.

Ignoring the Call to Action

Concluding your presentation without guiding the audience on the next steps or what’s expected of them can be a missed opportunity. Whether it’s seeking feedback, prompting a discussion, or encouraging an action, always have a clear call to action.

Good communication is all about making your point clear, especially in presentations. We’ve talked about how the right structure can keep your audience hooked. But there’s more to it. Think about your presentation. Is it telling your story the way you want? Is it reaching your audience? Take a step back and really look at how you’re laying it out. Don’t just go with the flow – choose your format wisely. Remember, every presentation tells a story, and how you set it up matters a lot.

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How to Structure a Presentation: Organizing into Three Key Sections

Author: Mehjabi Khan

Published 15 August 2024

Learn how to structure a presentation effectively into three main sections: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion for maximum impact.

Introduction: Setting the Stage

3. overview, body: the core of your presentation, 1. organize by main points, 2. evidence and examples, 3. transitions, conclusion: wrapping it up, 2. call to action, final thoughts, share on socials, create ppt using ai.

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Microsoft 365 Life Hacks > Presentations > How to structure any presentation

How to structure any presentation

No matter what your topic’s about, there are effective ways to set up your presentation structure. A well-delivered presentation is memorable, logical, and will impart your knowledge and expertise to your audience. And research backs this up : audiences retain information that’s in a properly structured presentation 40% more accurately than without an order. Learn how to structure your presentation and get the most out of presentation software , while making the most impact.

Why follow a structure?

The most compelling presentations follow a logical narrative. You begin with establishing a foundation, introducing your thesis statement, and then diving into your points.

Tell your story with captivating presentations

Powerpoint empowers you to develop well-designed content across all your devices

If this structure seems familiar, that’s because it mimics the five-paragraph essay that uses the same narrative form, except in a written versus visual context.

Start with an accurate, concise title

In your opening slide, your title, subtitle, and any other descriptions will introduce your topic to your audience. Whether it’s humorous, academic, or a little of both, it’s best to keep your title concise and therefore memorable; your subtitle can expand on more details.

If you choose, you can include a summary of your presentation as a preview of what your audience can expect and the points you aim to cover. This can touch on how long the presentation will last, what the audience will learn, and what anticipated questions you may be expecting. You can easily place this information into a table of contents in PowerPoint.

Introduce yourself to your audience

The first slides of your presentation should explain to the audience why you’re here, and why you’re the most qualified to explain this topic. Perhaps you had previously written persuasive papers on the subject or you’re the project lead on this role. A brief biographical statement with highlights to your career or expertise, punctuated by bullet points, will go a long way into touching upon your qualifications.

Bring the topic into the fold

Next, you’ll be introducing your topic to your audience—which will be an overview of the angles you’ll explore in this presentation. Discuss your thesis statement in the form of your presentation’s purpose: do you aim to refute a common misperception, or persuade the audience towards a certain way of thinking? Discuss the potential challenges to your thesis statement, and know that later in the presentation, you’ll be addressing these issues head-on in order to make your argument airtight.

State your argument in the main body

The main body of your presentation will be the bulk of your presentation, and you can make this section as long as it needs to be in order to get your point across to your audience. No matter what approach your presentation takes, it will consist of bullet points, images, and multimedia. Visual aids go a long way to helping your audience retain information, and PowerPoint makes it easy to insert images and videos into your slides.

Begin with statements that are short, memorable, and impactful. Then, back these up with facts and evidence from your research: The key to successful sourcing applies to essay research as well as presentations. Be sure to place enough separation between distinct ideas into their own slides, as too much information in one slide can become overwhelming and therefore more easily forgotten.

Sum everything up in your conclusion

To help your audience retain what they’ve learned, make sure to sum up all the key points of your presentation. Your conclusion should be brief and to the point. Make sure you don’t bring up any new information in your conclusion.

Be sure to answer questions

At the end of most presentations, there is time for questions and answers. Here, you can dive into detail with specific concerns your audience might have, while using this time as a chance to reflect your own expertise.

Be sure to budget enough time (approximately 5 to 10 minutes) for this portion, depending on the subject and response. Your audience will likely appreciate this chance of interaction, and by addressing any questions they might have, you can reinforce the merits of your presentation on a personal level.

Presentations might be difficult, but developing a well-structured presentation can impart confidence—which will be helpful in reducing the anxiety that comes with public speaking. For more tips on how to deliver a winning presentation, check out Microsoft 365 .

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How to Structure a Professional PowerPoint Presentation

Structuring your slides cohesively.

When you have a wealth of ideas in your mind, it can be challenging to put them all together in a coherent way. This is also true for designing a PowerPoint Presentation . Many people have great ideas but cannot structure them into a cohesive PowerPoint Presentation. To end this, we’ve put together a few tips on effectively structuring a PowerPoint Presentation .

An effective PowerPoint presentation structure includes: a title slide, table of contents, introduction with objectives, problem statement, analysis with data, proposed solutions, timeline, info slides, conclusion, and a Q&A slide. This format ensures clear communication, logical flow, and audience engagement, making it ideal for business and management presentations.

Creating an appealing presentation is crucial for a successful message. Design involves organizing information and engaging through elements like colour, typography, and graphics. A well-designed presentation conveys information clearly, leaving an impact. PowerPoint slide design captures attention and keeps the audience engaged. Well-crafted design enhances message delivery and aids in information retention. Consider the target audience to tailor the design. Professional design plays a key role in presentation success.

Structuring A PowerPoint Presentation – Agenda Template

Importance of PowerPoint Presentation Structure

The importance of structure in a PowerPoint presentation lies in its ability to organize key points and ensure clarity for the audience. By planning a clear structure, you can effectively guide your audience through your presentation and minimize the risk of losing your place or becoming distracted. Creating a good PowerPoint is crucial for engaging your audience. Plan content carefully and use attractive graphics. Consider your audience and customize the presentation. Use professional techniques for a polished result that resonates with viewers. A well-done presentation enhances communication.

A PowerPoint template is a pre-designed layout for creating presentations, offering customizable features for a polished look. It saves time by eliminating design work. Choosing the right template is crucial for businesses and individuals to convey their message effectively. In order to convey a message effectively, a well-designed and professional PowerPoint is crucial. This involves high-quality images, consistent formatting, and clear, concise content. Using design options and templates can create a polished presentation. Animations and multimedia can capture the audience’s attention and deliver the message effectively. Planning and organizing content, design, and delivery are important in creating a PowerPoint.

10 qualities of a Good PowerPoint Presentation

1. Clear and logical organization:  A good presentation should have a clear flow, with each section building upon the previous one for the audience to follow and understand.

2. Introduction:  A strong presentation structure starts with a clear and engaging introduction that grabs the audience’s attention and provides an overview of what will be covered.

3. Main points:  The presentation should have a limited number of main points, typically three to five, that are clearly stated and supported with relevant information or evidence.

4. Supporting evidence:  A good presentation structure includes supporting evidence, such as data, examples, or case studies, to back up the main points and make them more convincing.

5. Visual aids:  Effective use of visual aids, such as slides or props, can enhance the presentation structure by providing visual representations of key points or data.

6. Transitions:  Smooth transitions between sections or points help the audience understand how each part of the presentation relates to the overall topic and keeps them engaged.

7. Conclusion:  A strong conclusion summarizes the main points and provides a clear and memorable ending to the presentation. It may also include a call to action or a key takeaway for the audience.

8. Engaging delivery:  A good presentation structure is enhanced by an engaging delivery style, including eye contact, vocal variety, and body language that keeps the audience interested and focused.

9. Time management:  A well-structured presentation takes into account the allotted time and ensures that each section or point is given appropriate attention without rushing or going over time.

10. Adaptability:  A good presentation structure allows for adaptability by adjusting content or delivery based on audience needs or feedback, demonstrating flexibility and responsiveness.

Standard Presentation Structure

A Standard Presentation Structure will have the slides including: 1. Introduction, 2. Agenda, 3. Background, 4. Main Points, 5. Conclusion, 6. Q&A, and 7. Closing. Every PowerPoint presentation must have 3 important sections: 1. Introduction, 2. Body, and 3. Conclusion.

1. Introduction:  The intro of a presentation is crucial. It grabs attention, gives an overview of the topic’s importance, and sets the tone. It should make the audience interested in listening. A strong intro sets the presentation’s tone, making it more likely for the audience to pay attention and remember the content. It provides a snapshot of what to expect and the objective. Include the title and a brief overview.

2. Body:  Key points of PowerPoint should be covered in the talk body. Provide info/explanation in sections for audience understanding. Cover all key points with detail/examples. Prepare to answer questions. Conclude by summarizing main points & key message. When creating a PowerPoint, consider key points for the main body of your talk. Include essential aspects to ensure audience understanding. Covering key points in the main body helps keep the presentation focused.

3. Conclusion:  The conclusion sums up the main points and message of your presentation. End your PowerPoint presentation with a clear, concise conclusion. It should not introduce new information, but reiterate key points. Include a thank you slide to show appreciation to your audience and provide contact details for future opportunities. Now that you know what’s covered in your presentation, it’s time to create it.

Structuring A PowerPoint Presentation – Standard Presentation Structure

When making a presentation, focus on these key areas:

1. Content:  Presentation idea and concept are ready. Craft presentation content in three sections – intro, body, conclusion. Cover all arguments you wish to convey. Content is crucial for an excellent presentation. Ensure a well-crafted presentation covering all points for the audience. Plan, write, and organize your presentation. After planning content, create slides or visuals to convey your message effectively. Keep the audience in mind. Great content ensures a successful PowerPoint presentation.

2. Text:  Slides need clear & easy-to-read text in sans serif font (e.g. Arial/Helvetica) for body & serif font (e.g. Times New Roman) for headers. Font size should be legible from a distance & text concise with bullet points & short sentences. Align text well for neatness & utilize white space to highlight key elements.

3. Sequence:  Next step in PowerPoint: organize info into subsections, consider audience’s understanding. Outline is vital: intro, body, conclusion. Organize thoughts, ensure flow, boost audience engagement.

4. Narrative:  You need a strong narrative for an impactful presentation. Conveying info isn’t enough – be creative. Make your message memorable for the audience. A great story makes your presentation unforgettable. You need a powerful narrative to impact your presentation. Tell a story that engages and keeps the audience wanting more. A good narrative helps make complex concepts more relatable. Focus on clarity, conciseness, and engagement.

Get started with your Presentation

PowerPoint slides are crucial for effective presentations. They captivate audiences and communicate ideas. Professional slides go beyond text and images, conveying messages clearly. Well-designed slides improve presentation quality. It’s essential to choose slides that align with the presentation’s message. Easier to structure your presentation with content, sequence, and narrative. Choose layout and begin slides. Follow planned sequence and maintain continuity. Engage audience and deliver message effectively. Keep consistent look while making some slides stand out. Ensure all slides align with presentation flow.

Slide Design

A slide presentation effectively conveys information visually. Plan content carefully for a smooth flow and clear message. Choose graphics, fonts, and colors thoughtfully. Include engaging visuals and concise text. Seek help from experts for a professional presentation. Professional PowerPoint design includes creating visually appealing presentations to effectively communicate information. A designer formats slides, selects images, and maintains an engaging flow. Well-designed templates enhance presentation impact and leave a lasting impression. Designers create customized templates aligning with branding. With expertise in visual communication, designers play a crucial role in successful presentations.

7 Design Rules to Follow

1. 7 X 7 rule:  The 7×7 Rule in PowerPoint: each slide should have 7 lines or bullets with 7 words or less. This helps keep your presentation concise and clear for the audience.

2. 6 x 6 rule:  To avoid overcrowding, use the 6 x 6 rule. Each slide should have 1 main idea with up to 6 bullet points. Keep bullet points concise to engage audience.

3. 5/5/5 rule:  To improve presentations, follow the 5/5/5 rule: limit words per line to five, lines per slide to five, and avoid overloading slides. This keeps presentations concise, visually appealing, and easy to follow.

4. 10 20 30 rule:  The 10/20/30 rule for presentations: 10 slides, max of twenty minutes, minimum font size thirty points; prevents death-by-PowerPoint.

5. 2 4 8 rule:  The 2-4-8 rule guides effective presentations. Each slide: 2 minutes, 4 points, 8 words/point. Ensures concise, focused, engaging presentations.

6. 3 second rule:  In PowerPoint, follow the three-second rule. Slides should convey the main point quickly, similar to billboards for drivers. Be concise and clear.

7. Thumb rule of making PPT:  When making a PowerPoint, try one slide per minute. For a 15-minute speech, aim for 15 slides. If lots to share, focus on key points.

6 effective ways to improve Slide Designs

PowerPoint services are essential for businesses and professionals to communicate effectively. The demand for visually appealing presentations has increased with virtual work. Professional services offer expertise in creating dynamic presentations. They design templates and include multimedia elements to elevate presentations. Skilled designers ensure each presentation meets client needs. Designing slides professionals, often asked best ways make slides effective. Here are a few tips:

Structuring a PowerPoint Presentation – 6 Tips To Improve Presentation Design

1. Alignments:  The key to a successful presentation is alignment. Your audience’s perception depends on the quality of alignment. Misaligned elements make your PowerPoint appear unprofessional.

2. Readability:  When designing a presentation, prioritize readability over trendy fonts. Ensure fonts are legible and large for audience comprehension. Font choice reflects professionalism and credibility. A good font conveys trustworthiness, while a bad one may make you appear unprofessional and untrustworthy. Using a sans-serif font (Arial or Helvetica) and a dark color on a light background, or vice versa.

So, how do you choose the right font for your PowerPoint presentation? There are a few things to consider:

• Think about what kind of message you want to convey. Are you looking for something formal or informal?
• Consider your audience. What kind of font will they be most comfortable reading?
• Make sure the font you choose is easy to read.
• The last thing you want is your audience to strain their eyes trying to read your slides.

If you keep these things in mind, you should be able to find the perfect font for your PowerPoint presentation. To discover the best fonts you can use in a presentation, check out Compelling Fonts for Impactful Presentations .

3. Use Minimal Text: Text on slide overwhelms audience. Focus on key phrases & bullet points.

4. Use Slide Transitions sparingly: Stick to basic transitions like fades or wipes, and avoid using too many different types of transitions in one presentation.

5. Use Images of various shapes: Square and rectangle pics are dull for a presentation. To make yours stand out, use various shape images, remove backgrounds, or cut images into desired shapes. Ditch unnecessary elements for striking images. Avoid stock photos, use relevant, high-resolution pictures.

6. Use Maps & Charts: Maps & Charts play a vital role in improving slide designs. 

Let us see in brief, the uses of Maps & Charts in improving slide design process:

10 amazing uses of incorporating Charts in a PowerPoint Presentation

1. Visualize Data:  Charts are an excellent method of displaying data visually for easy comprehension. They assist in conveying sales, survey data, or any information efficiently.

2. Highlight Trends:  Charts show trends in data. A bar or line chart can display trend direction and magnitude, helping audience interpretation.

3. Compare Data:  Charts great for comparing data. Whether sales for products or department performance, charts help identify similarities, differences, and trends.

4. Summarize Complex Information:  Charts simplify complex info by condensing it visually. Instead of overwhelming with text or numbers, a chart offers a concise summary that’s easier to remember.

5. Enhance Visual Appeal: Let’s face it, PowerPoint with just text is boring. Charts add visual interest and make presentations engaging. They break up slides and keep audience attention.

6. Facilitate Decision Making:  Charts help decision making by offering a clear data overview. They assist in presenting options for strategies or assessing project success, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions.

7. Support Persuasive Arguments:  If you’re convincing your audience of a point, charts are powerful. By presenting visual data, evidence and support are provided for your claims, making your argument compelling.

8. Track Progress:  Charts track progress over time, for sales growth, project milestones, or any progress. They help visualize the journey and celebrate achievements.

9. Simplify Complex Concepts:  Sometimes, concepts or processes are hard to explain with words only. Using charts simplifies complex ideas and aids in comprehension. Flowcharts and diagrams are examples of simplifying information.

10. Improve Retention:  Visual aids such as charts improve retention. They help in recalling key details. Charts enhance PowerPoint presentations by visualizing data, highlighting trends, simplifying concepts, and improving appeal. They engage and persuade audiences effectively.

7 creative ways Map can influence your PowerPoint presentation

1. Visual Aid:  One primary purpose of map slide is as visual aid. Maps visually represent data, locations, trends, helping audience understand PowerPoint.

2. Geographic Information:  A Map slide provides geographic information to the audience. It shows specific place locations, highlights regions, or displays routes in a clear and concise manner.

3. Data Visualization:  Maps visualize data using various colors, symbols, or shading to represent data points, aiding interpretation and analysis.

4. Comparison and Analysis:  Map slides help compare and analyze regions. Showing maps side by side highlights differences or similarities, aiding in a thorough analysis and topic comprehension.

5. Storytelling:  Maps in PowerPoint are a great storytelling tool. They guide the audience through events and key locations in the story.

6. Planning and Strategy:  Maps show planning and strategy in presentations like business plans, marketing strategies, or project timelines. They help visualize steps, locations, and goals, making it easier for the audience to understand the plan in a PowerPoint.

7. Engaging the Audience:  Map slides engage audience & make presentation interactive. Ask audience to identify locations, trace routes, or analyze data to encourage participation.

Professional Presentation Design

Knowing how to structure a PowerPoint presentation well is crucial for impactful delivery. Confidence stems from a flawless flow. While organizing and aligning slides is doable, nailing the design is tougher. Design pros like Visual Sculptors infuse creativity that boosts visual impact. Mastery of impactful presentation structuring is vital for success. An organized presentation aids confident error-free delivery. While slide alignment is manageable, design finesse is challenging.

Structuring a PowerPoint Presentation – Professional Presentation Design

Having an impactful structure for your presentation is crucial for success. A well-organized PowerPoint ensures confident delivery without errors. While you can align and structure slides well, mastering the design aspect is more challenging. Freelancing platforms like Upwork , Fiverr , and Guru provide the options to explore the best design talents online that best suit your budget delivering top-quality designs. Professional presentation designers like  Visual Sculptors  can introduce creative design elements that enhance your presentation’s look and empower its visual impact.

1. What are the five rules of PowerPoint?

The five rules of PowerPoint presentations are: keep it simple, use high-quality images, limit text on each slide, use consistent formatting, and practice your delivery. By following these rules, you can create effective and engaging presentations that will keep your audience interested and focused.

2. What is PowerPoint and How is it Used?

PowerPoint is a software program developed by Microsoft that allows users to create visual presentations. It is commonly used in business and educational settings to present information in a clear and organized manner. PowerPoint presentations can include text, images, videos, and other multimedia elements to enhance the message being conveyed. They are often used for training sessions, sales pitches, and academic lectures.

3. What are the features of PowerPoint?

Some of the top features of Microsoft PowerPoint include slide templates, animations and transitions, multimedia integration, collaboration tools, presenter view, and the ability to add notes and comments. Other features include the ability to create charts and graphs, use SmartArt graphics, and customize the design and layout of your slides.

4. What are the 4 types of presentation?

The four types of presentations are informative, persuasive, instructional, and entertaining. An informative presentation provides information on a specific topic, a persuasive presentation aims to convince the audience to take a certain action, an instructional presentation teaches the audience how to do something, and an entertaining presentation is meant to be enjoyable and engaging.

5. What are the 5 parts of a presentation?

The 5 parts of a presentation are the introduction, agenda, main content, summary, and conclusion. The introduction should grab the audience’s attention, the agenda should outline what will be covered, the main content should provide the bulk of the information, the summary should recap the main points, and the conclusion should leave a lasting impression.

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