How to Make A Good Presentation

Presentation is perhaps the most common method to share knowledge today.

Unfortunately, we are not formally taught the knowhow to present effectively. Herein, we
review the important elements involved in creating and delivering an elegant and effective
presentation.

Key Points for Developing an Elegant Presentation are:

1. Select a focused topic.

2. Research the topic.

3. Know the audience.

4. Identify learning objectives.

5. Organize the ideas.

6. Outline a narrative storyboard.

7. Sketch a slide storyboard.

8. Simplify the data.

9. Build the presentation, including graphics and videos.

10. Practice.

Developing the Content

To create a presentation, start with a focused topic. Too broad of a topic results in a
distracted message. After choosing the topic, research the literature and the sources of the
primary literature to fully understand the origin of topic. Decide on the 3 most important
messages you would like the audience to understand. Then, develop a story that incorporates
the 3 messages. Researching the topic extensively from multiple sources and articles allows
deeper insights and questions on the topic and, moreover, to determine the appropriate
learning objectives. Remember that the objectives that are selected will largely be influenced
by the target audience, and can change accordingly. Thus, it is critical to know the audience
and what message needs to be conveyed. For example, a presentation to arabic edicational
students that projects messages for politicion is not effective.
 Once the topic and objectives are focused to a specific audience, then the ideas can be
organized. Outline a general storyboard on paper, and then sketch a slide story board with
title slides, filler slides, video slides, and so on. Thus, by having the slide storyboard in place,
one can begin to identify specific studies, data and visuals that fit into the framework and
ultimately build a structured presentation with a compelling message. In the end, a structured
and constrained presentation will provide more guidance to the audience than a formless long
one, and allow the message to be conveyed effectively.

Creating the Visual

Stick with 1 to 3 learning objectives, and focus the talk on them. The key is to know
the message of the presentation upfront. Build the visuals of the lecture to include the
background, evidence, and conclusions for those specific messages. Too much text is
overwhelming. Rather than reading sentences from the slide, tell a visual story that makes
complex information clear. Minimize text by using keywords and replacing text altogether
with data and graphics. Images and videos, for example, often illustrate endoscopic findings
or technique significantly more effectively than text

Practice the Presentation

Once the presentation has been created, the next step is to focus on its
delivery. knowing the material is paramount. Practicing the delivery of the presentation is the
game changer for an elegant presenter. Many presenters practice improperly by reviewing the
slides and mentally rehearsing.

Variance

Presentations with diverse materials are more memorable. By varying the evidence,
the visuals, the gestures, and the voice, you engage the audience’s attention. Use expression
to emphasize the message, and when speaking vary the volume, tone, and frequency.

Emotion

Although important to master the talk, a recited presentation lacks life and responsiveness.
Do not read your presentation from complete sentences you had written on the slides.
Memorable presenters speak naturally and with expression. They use the slides to enrich their
story, rather than the slides as a teleprompter for their story. They pause to reinforce a point
and allow the audience time to observe and absorb the material.
In conclusion, to quote Steve Jobs, “Simple is hard.” There are multiple components, often
not formally taught, to create and give an effective presentation. Be focused, clear and visual
with the content, and provide variance, relevance, and emotion in the delivery. Take the
necessary time and preparation steps to make it elegant, and practice to make it memorable.