Build the story before slides
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The idea in everyday life
Create a logical narrative with tension, evidence, recommendation, and next step before opening presentation software.
A deck is a sequence of answered audience questions, not a stack of topic buckets.
One step at a time.
Use the sample or information you have permission to use. Keep your work as you go. You can pause between steps.
- 1
Write the audience’s likely questions in order: why now, what is happening, why, what options exist, what should we do, and what happens next.
- 2
Create one sentence per section and test whether the sequence works without visuals.
- 3
Place strongest evidence beside the claim it supports and remove interesting material that does not change the decision.
- 4
Draft opening, transitions, recommendation, ask, and close as spoken language.
See how it works.
Priya orders the story around lost activations, two diagnosed friction points, three options, the recommended test, cost, owners, and approval request.
Did you cover these?
- Your work includes a one-page presentation outline with audience questions, each section's main point and evidence, links between sections, and your final request.
- Check this common mistake: Designing slides while the argument is still changing, producing polished repetition and missing logic.
- Another person can read the spine and accurately summarize the argument and requested action.
What to finish
A one-page presentation outline with audience questions, each section's main point and evidence, links between sections, and your final request.
Watch for this
Designing slides while the argument is still changing, producing polished repetition and missing logic.
How can I tell I understand it?
Another person can read the spine and accurately summarize the argument and requested action.
Quick knowledge check
Answer all 3 questions. Get at least 2 right and the lesson completes automatically.
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Answer all 3 questions above and get at least 2 right. You can review the explanations and try again.
Go to the knowledge checkOptional course overview video · same video as Lesson 1
How to Avoid Death by PowerPoint
From TEDx Talks. Watch here or open it on YouTube .
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