Storytelling with Nancy Duarte: How to craft compelling presentations and tell a story that sticks

Duarte describes story structure as a beginning, middle and end with a rise and fall of tension. A presentation can borrow that movement to help people follow a difficult change. The structure is a communication tool, not proof that any proposal deserves agreement.

She says to establish the audience's current situation before describing a possible future. That shared starting point gives listeners a reason to follow the next idea. State the reality clearly instead of assuming everyone already sees the same problem.

Her structure moves between the current state and a possible future, ending with the new bliss if the idea is adopted. The contrast creates a reason to care about change. Keep the future credible and distinguish evidence from aspiration.

Duarte calls a striking piece of data, evocative story or memorable picture a star moment. It can give an audience something concrete to remember. Choose one that supports the main point rather than adding drama unrelated to the decision.

She recommends diagrams, sketches and other visual tools when words leave people imagining different things. A shared picture can expose misunderstandings about a product or system. Verify the picture is accurate, not merely attractive.

She asks where the audience starts, where you want them to go, your point of view and what is at stake if they adopt it or do not. Those answers organize the presentation. Begin with them before assembling old slides that may not serve the purpose.

Duarte says each slide should make one point in support of the deck's big idea. Slides for reading alone and slides used in a live talk may need different amounts of explanation. Cut material that does not support the audience's understanding of the main idea.