Beyond Bullet Points Using Microsoft PowerPoint to Create Presentations That Inform, Motivate, and Inspire

by Atkinson, Cliff

• ISBN13: 9780735620520
• ISBN10: 0735620520
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-02-02
• Publisher: Microsoft Press

Summary

Praise for Cliff's successful seminars:"I completely overhauled my presentation based on Cliff's concepts. The response was unbelievable!"Pete Nelson, CEO, The Valeo GroupUnload those boring, bullet-riddled slidesand unlock the amazing story buried in your presentation! In BEYOND BULLET POINTS, communications expert Cliff Atkinson shares his innovative three-step system for increasing the impact of your communications with Microsoft PowerPoint. He guides you, step by step, as you discover how to combine the tenets of classic storytelling with the power of the projected media to create a rich, engaging experience. He walks you through his easy-to-use templates, plus 50 advanced tips, to help build your confidence and effectivenessand quickly bring your ideas to life!FOCUS: Learn how to distill your best ideas into a crisp and compelling narrative.CLARIFY: Use a storyboard to clarify and visualize your ideas, creating the right blend of message and media.ENGAGE:Move from merely reading your slides to creating a rich, connected experience with your audienceand increase your impact!Inside!: See sample storyboards for a variety of presentation typesincluding investment, sales, educational, and training.

Author Biography

Critically praised author and presentation expert Cliff Atkinson is revolutionizing the way people use Microsoft PowerPoint to communicate. He is a popular keynote speaker and consultant—teaching his innovative three-step method to Fortune 500 companies, law firms, government agencies, and business schools.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xi
Introduction	x
Chapter 1 Moving Beyond Bullet Points: A Three-Step System	1	(20)
Introducing the Scenario	2	(2)
Analyzing the Problem	4	(6)
Three Analysis Questions	5	(1)
Can I See the Focos of the Presentation by Reading Only the Slide Titles?	5	(2)
Does This Presentation Balance My Spoken Words and Projected Visuals?	7	(1)
Does This Look Interesting to My Audience?	8	(2)
Selecting a Strategy	10	(3)
Introducing the Hollywood	11	(1)
Interpreting Classical Ideas with Modern Technology	12	(1)
Aligning Your Strategy with the Research	12	(1)
Understanding the Three-Step Approach	13	(6)
Writing a Script to Focus Your Ideas	14	(2)
Storyboarding Your Script to Clarify Your Ideas	16	(1)
Producing Your Script to Engage Your Audience	17	(2)
Getting Started	19	(2)
Chapter 2 Setting the Stage for Your Story in Act I	21	(31)
The Beyond Bullet Points Story Template	22	(3)
Writing Using Three Ground Rules	25	(4)
Rule 1: Write Complete Sentences with a Subject and a Verb in Active Tense	26	(1)
Rule 2: Use a Conversational Tone That Is Simple, Clear, and Direct	27	(1)
Rule 3: Constrain the Length of Your Sentences to the Limits of the Template	28	(1)
Act I: Setting Up Your Story	29	(9)
Act I, Scene 1: Establishing Your Setting	29	(2)
Act I, Scene 2: Naming a Protagonist	31	(1)
Act I, Scene 3: Describing the Imbalance	32	(2)
Act I, Scence 4: Aiming for Balance	34	(2)
Act I, Scene 5: Recommending a Solution	36	(2)
Closing the Curtain on Act I	38	(2)
Reviewing the Five Scenes	39	(1)
Appealing to Your Audience's Emotions	39	(1)
Focusing Your Ideas	40	(1)
10 Tips for Enhancing Act I	40	(12)
Chapter 3 Fleshing Out Your Story in Acts II and III 51
Introducing Acts II and III	52	(1)
Appealing to Reason in Act III	52	(1)
Appealing to Emotion and Reason in Act III	52	(1)
Act II: Developing the Action	53	(2)
Centering on the Solution	53	(1)
Choosing from Three Levels of Detail	54	(1)
Specifying Three Main Supporting Points	55	(10)
Act II, Scene 1: Supporting the First Main Point	58	(4)
Act II, Scenes 2 and 3: Repeating the Process	62	(2)
Act II, Scene 4: Creating the Turning Point	64	(1)
Act III: Framing the Resolution	65	(3)
Act III, Scene 1: Restating the Crisis	65	(1)
Act III, Scene 2: Recommending the Solution	66	(1)
Act III, Scene 3: Setting Up the Climax	66	(1)
Act III, Scene 4: Reaching the Resolution	67	(1)
Reading Your PowerPoint Script Aloud	68	(1)
Reviewing Your Script with Your Team	69	(1)
Lowering the Curtain on Your Story Template	70	(1)
10 Tips for Enhancing Your Story Template	70	(7)
Chapter 4 Preparing and Planning Your Storyboard	77	(36)
Introducing the Storyboard	78	(1)
Transferring Your Script to PowerPoint	78	(9)
Sending the Story Template from Word to PowerPoint	80	(2)
Setting Up the Slide Master	82	(2)
Changing the Slide Layout	84	(1)
Editing the Headlines	85	(2)
Preparing Your Storyboard	87	(6)
Adding a Title and Closing Credits	87	(1)
Creating Storyboard Guides	88	(3)
Repositioning the Storyboard Guides	91	(2)
Planning Your Spoken Words	93	(5)
Setting Up the Notes Master	93	(3)
Writing Your Narrative	96	(2)
Storyboarding Using Three Ground Rules	98	(4)
Rule 1: Keep Reviewing the Big Picture	99	(1)
Rule 2: Maintain a Steady Pace	99	(2)
Rule 3: Tie Your Acts and Scenes Together	101	(1)
Rehearsing with Your Headlines	102	(1)
10 Tips for Enhancing Your Storyboard	103	(10)
Chapter 5 Choosing a Design Style for Your Storyboard	113	(36)
Designing Using Three Ground Rules	114	(4)
Rule 1: Design the Complete Experience Around the Headline	114	(3)
Rule 2: Make Your Slides Collaborative	117	(1)
Rule 3: Try Three Treatments	118	(1)
Applying a Variety of Design Techniques to Three Slides	118	(25)
Preparing a Test File	119	(1)
Beginning the Design Process	120	(2)
Filling the Screen with a Photograph	122	(4)
Ensuring That the Headline Is Legible	126	(5)
Hiding the Headlines	131	(2)
Adding a Visual Prop	133	(2)
Using Clip Art	135	(3)
Animating Your Words	138	(5)
Mixing and Matching Techniques	143	(1)
Choosing a Style	143	(1)
10 Tips for Enhancing Your Slides	144	(5)
Chapter 6 Expanding Your Graphical Options	149	(32)
Snapping a Screen Shot	150	(1)
Displaying Detailed Numbers	151	(1)
Explaining an Idea Using a Diagram	152	(9)
Creating a Diagram	154	(5)
Explaining an Idea Across Three Slides Using a Diagram	159	(2)
Explaining an idea on a Single Slide Using a Diagram	161	(1)
Explaining an Idea Across Slides Using a Chart	161	(7)
Improving Your Storyboard	168	(4)
Adding Graphics to the Title and Closing Credits	168	(1)
Reinforcing the Three Main Ideas	169	(2)
Aligning with the Research	171	(1)
Rehearsing the Presentation	172	(1)
Finalizing the Notes Pages	172	(1)
Getting Clearance and Approvals	173	(1)
10 Tips for Enhancing Your Slides	173	(8)
Chapter 7 Bringing Your Story to Life	181	(24)
Producing Using Three Ground Rules	182	(3)
Rule 1: Make Your Media Transparent	182	(1)
Rule 2: Create a Dialog with Your Audience	183	(1)
Rule 3: Improvise Within Constraints	184	(1)
Removing Distractions	185	(5)
Preparing the Environment	185	(1)
Checking the Technology	186	(1)
Planning for Problems	187	(1)
Rehearsing Away Distractions	187	(1)
Using Notes	188	(2)
Developing a Dialog	190	(4)
Being Authentic	191	(1)
Working Confidently with Your Slides	192	(1)
Enlivening the Dialog	193	(1)
Handling Q & A	193	(1)
Improvising Within Constraints	194	(3)
Keeping Control of Your Story	194	(1)
Preparing for Different Contexts	195	(1)
Turning Off Your Slides	196	(1)
Handing Out Handouts,	196	(1)
Presenting Without Being Present	197	(1)
Sending Your Notes Pages (Not Your Slides)	197	(1)
Producing an Online Presentation	198	(1)
And Now Presenting	198	(1)
10 Tips for Enhancing Your Production	199	(6)
Conclusion	205	(2)
Appendix A Aligning with the Research,	207	(10)
Reviewing Mayer's Research-Based Principles	207	(7)
Communicating with Words and Pictures	207	(1)
Avoiding the Redundancy of Narration and On-Screen Text	208	(1)
Keeping Information in Bite-Sized Segments	209	(1)
Clearly Signaling Information	210	(1)
Using a Conversational Style	210	(1)
Placing Headlines Near Graphics	211	(1)
Keeping the Screen Clear of Distractions	212	(1)
Narrating Animated Elements	213	(1)
Synchronizing Animation and Narration	214	(1)
Applying Advanced Principles	214	(1)
Learning More About the Research	215	(2)
Additional Resources	215	(2)
Appendix B Using the Beyond Bullet Points Slide Formatter,	217	(4)
Installing the Beyond Bullet Points Storyboard Formatter as the Default for New Presentations	218	(3)
Index	221