Effective Presentation

The Architecture of Good Presentation: Types of Presentation: 

Formal

It's important to know the tone of the presentation in order to make the material and presentation appropriate and most effective for the purpose. A few examples of 'formal' are:

* Lecture / Educational Presentation:

Formal does not have to mean boring! The more complex and data-filled the presentation the more engaging it needs to be to capture interest and remain in mind. Variety, the use of examples, diagrams, colour, and clarity are vital. 

* Business Pitch or Proposal

The most famous example of this format is the T.V. series Dragon's Den. Many have excruciated at poor presentation in such a loaded setting with so much depending on its outcome; mumbling, fuzzy figures, errors; and cheered with along with those who have succeeded, especially if they had to work hard to win over the dragons.  

This guy was a success; he was warm, friendly, engaging, and passionate about his product; that, together with all the factual elements and research into costing, marketing, etc, made him a viable business partner. His authenticity engendered trust - the most crucial aspect in the world of business and high financial risk. 

* Press Conference

Kayleigh McEnamy, Trump's Press Secretary was so good at her job I found myself hooked on following her presentations: consummate skill in action. She was very obviously well prepared; would have an answer for every query & riposte; could be seen to be turning to relevant sections of her own notes. She handled being in the line of fire from harassing reporters exceptionally well. A joy to see. 

Informal Presentations would cover:

* Creative Pitch: Ideas & proposals to a team of colleagues as opposed to actual clients. 

Presenting an initial idea or concept with a skeleton-style structure that's open to being fleshed out by colleagues and other members of the team, before being firmed up to use with clients. 

Loose, and free-flowing, allowing for input and feedback within the process. It still requires confidence, clarity, and engaging style, interaction, eliciting responses, and open to change. 

* Funeral Celebration of Life Video Slide: 

As the approach to funerals has become more open to individuality and creativity (celebrants rather than clergy; coffins made of natural materials, even decorated or painted by friends & family), the use of a slide presentation of the life of the one who has passed is a common thing to see in the background as people meet and mingle after the service or presentation boards

with photographs or a table for albums and ephemera.

* Pecha Kucha

An interesting format that started as a craze in Japan, that's quite tight in structure, which keeps the presentation fun and flowing.

Styles of Presentation:

Lots of options and scope for variety here. Probably the most engaging would be a Visual Presentation with good use of relevant images; videos; 'props' - tangible items to handle and examine. Scientific or statistical data is more effectively shown in diagrammatic form - with color. A good time to take on board the impact color can have with a graphic presentation! [from:  https://www.presentation-process.com/powerpoint-infographics-6.html]

          

Freeform Style - for the confident and intrepid; less rehearsing, more going-with-the-flow; improvised, in-the-moment. Perhaps even inviting input and 'riffing' with it. 

Coaching & Teaching Style - which would be wise to include as much interaction and elicited response as possible; a little bit of role-playing, or question and answer opportunity, with plenty of examples to back up what is being presented. 

Story Telling Style - this might be the best approach when dealing with children, or a mixed audience of families that would engage everyone. As a narrative form, a clear linear presentation would be best with Beginning - Middle - End (not Beginning - Muddle - End).

Presentation Skills

* Technical Skills a good working knowledge of the device you're using; its tools and capabilities; keyboard shortcuts on PC/Mac. Also of the format you're using: PowerPoint or any other presentation template; good knowledge of software, such as Illustrator; In Design; Photoshop, etc. making good use of resources available.

* Design Skills - An overview at the very beginning is helpful in setting the stage for what you are about to present. Clear structure with visible text and relevant images; nothing too busy or too much text that would keep your audience reading rather than listening or switching between the two. 

Consistency - keeping the same format throughout your presentation. A good sense of order and natural flow - without needing to double back, and without repeating oneself. Less is more. 

* Performance Skills - Clear vocal presentation, not mumbling or letting sentences fade at the end. Head up; eye contact, engaging with the audience. A relaxed body stance without flapping or fidgeting, or being inward. 

Understanding the target audience is what might determine much of the above; a presentation to scientists would be very different from one made to teenagers or a room full of business clients.