Are you preparing for a public speech or a presentation? If so, bear in mind that the way you deliver your presentation is just as important as its content. The true key to making a presentation successful lies in stories. Storytelling can transform an ordinary presentation into an experience that draws the audience in, holds their attention, and helps them truly understand and accept what you are trying to convey. Whether you are speaking at a conference, to subordinates, colleagues or the general public, stories are a tool that can elevate your presentation to a higher level.
Why are stories so popular?
According to the Harvard Business Review, people are not naturally wired to perceive and absorb abstract information. Numbers, charts and general statements tend to fade away. Stories, on the other hand, work with emotions, images and characters with whom listeners can identify.
When you tell a story, the audience can imagine the situation, empathise with the main characters and connect your message with their own lives. This makes the story understandable to listeners. A well chosen story thus gives your speech a human dimension and helps build trust between you and the audience.
What kind of stories work?
In public speaking, you can use various forms of stories. These may be personal experiences, short anecdotes from praxis, real world examples, case studies or even simplified model stories. What matters is that the story supports and complements the main message of your speech.
How to structure a story correctly?
For a story to have a real impact in public speaking, it should have a clear structure. As in classic storytelling, it needs to contain three basic parts:
- Introduction. Present the situation and the main character, ideally someone close to the audience in terms of position, experience or challenges.
- Conflict or problem. Show the obstacle, challenge or question which needs to be resolved. This is where tension and audience interest arise.
- Resolution. Offer a solution, lesson or outcome. This part should naturally lead to the main idea of your presentation.
Story as a bridge between you and the audience
Although you are the primary speaker during a presentation, public speaking is never a monologue but a dialogue. Stories act as a bridge that connect speaker and audience: they help break down barriers, capture attention from the very beginning and maintain it until the end. Try to find a suitable story that complements the idea of your presentation and tell it to the audience effectively.
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