how to write presentation outline

How to Write an Effective Presentation Outline

• By Herwin Jose
• April 17, 2024

Key Takeaways:

• A presentation outline is a structured plan that helps you organize and deliver a well-structured presentation.
• Creating an outline is important for organizing your ideas, ensuring clarity, and engaging your audience.
• Identify your objective, gather content, organize ideas, add supporting details, create an introduction, develop the body, and summarize with a conclusion.
• Tips for creating a compelling outline include keeping it concise, using bullet points, visualizing with headings and subheadings, including engaging elements, and practicing and revising.

What Is a Presentation Outline

A presentation outline is a structured plan that helps you organize and deliver a well-structured and engaging presentation. It serves as a roadmap, guiding you through the content, flow, and key points of your presentation. By creating an outline, you can ensure that your ideas are organized, your message is clear, and your audience remains engaged.

Importance of Presentation Outline

A presentation outline plays a crucial role in ensuring the success of your presentation. Here are some key reasons why having a well-crafted outline is important:

• Organization: A presentation outline will help you structure your thoughts and ideas in a logical and coherent way. It ensures that your presentation flows smoothly and that your main points are effectively conveyed to the audience.
• Clarity: By outlining the main ideas and supporting details of your presentation, you can clarify your message and avoid confusion. It helps you stay focused and deliver a clear and concise presentation.
• Engagement: An outline allows you to plan engaging and interactive elements , such as visual aids, examples, and audience participation. It helps you maintain your audience’s interest throughout the presentation.

Without an outline, your presentation may lack coherence and direction, leaving your audience confused and disengaged. By creating an outline, you can strategically plan the flow of information, ensuring that each point builds upon the previous one.

Elements of an Effective Presentation Outline

A well-crafted presentation outline consists of several key elements. In this section, we will discuss the essential components that make up an effective outline, including the introduction, body, and conclusion. Discover how to structure your outline to create a cohesive and impactful presentation.

• Introduction: The introduction sets the stage for your presentation and grabs the attention of your audience. It should include a compelling opening statement, an overview of what will be covered, and a clear thesis statement that highlights the main purpose of your presentation. By crafting a strong introduction, you can captivate your audience from the start.
• Body: The body of your presentation outline is where you will present your main ideas, supporting evidence, and arguments. Break down your content into logical sections or subsections, making it easy for your audience to follow along. Each point should be clearly articulated and supported by relevant examples or data. Use headings and subheadings to create a structured flow of information.
• Conclusion: The conclusion is your opportunity to wrap up your presentation and leave a lasting impression on your audience. Summarize the main points discussed in the body of your presentation and reiterate your key message. If writing a brief yet information-rich conclusion seems hectic to you, then simply go for an AI conclusion generator to get the job done. It will promptly summarize all the key points of your presentation and write a concise conclusion. Additionally, you can provide a call to action or offer a thought-provoking question that encourages further reflection or engagement. A strong conclusion ensures that your presentation ends on a high note.

Tips for Creating a Compelling Presentation Outline

Crafting a presentation outline requires careful consideration of various elements. To enhance your outline and ensure a compelling presentation, it’s important to organize your ideas effectively, incorporate visual content strategically, and engage your audience from start to finish. Here are some practical tips and techniques to help you create an outline that captivates your audience:

Outline Organization

Start by identifying your main points and structuring your presentation in a logical order. Use headings and subheadings to create a clear hierarchy of ideas. This will help your audience follow along and comprehend the flow of your presentation.

Structure your Content

With your main ideas and supporting evidence in hand, it’s important to structure your content in a logical and coherent manner. This can be done by organizing your ideas into sections or segments that flow smoothly from one to the next.

“A well-structured presentation will capture the attention of your audience and keep them engaged throughout.” – John Smith, Speaker and Presentation Expert

Incorporate Visual Content

Visuals can significantly enhance the impact of your presentation. Consider using images, graphs, charts, and videos to support your key points. Visual content not only adds interest but also helps reinforce your message and make it more memorable.

Engage Your Audience

A successful presentation is interactive and engages the audience throughout. Incorporate interactive elements such as polls, Q&A sessions, or group activities to encourage participation. This will not only keep your audience engaged but also make your presentation more memorable and impactful.

“A well-structured presentation outline acts as a roadmap to guide both the presenter and the audience. It helps maintain a logical flow of ideas and ensures that key messages are effectively communicated.” – Jane Smith, Presentation Expert

Learn from Presentation Outline Examples

Take inspiration from real-life examples of effective presentation outlines. Analyze how others have organized their content, used visuals, and engaged their audience. By studying successful presentation outlines, you can gain valuable insights and ideas to enhance your own.

Pay Attention to Color and Design

Creating a presentation outline is crucial when it comes to making a good presentation. Start by brainstorming ideas on color and design that will create an impact. Using a presentation outline template helps in organizing your thoughts and structuring the main body of your presentation. When creating your outline, make sure to include a slide for each point you want your audience to take away. Consider the font and design of your presentation slides to ensure your audience stays engaged.

Including a Call to Action

To ensure your presentation design is on point, you should make a presentation outline that includes a call to action. When you have created your presentation outline, you can use presentation templates to help you make a presentation that is both visually appealing and engaging for your audience.

When writing a presentation outline for a new product, it’s a good idea to answer these questions:

What should be included in your outline to make a creative presentation? How can you make a presentation that leaves a lasting impact on your audience? By including a call to action as a part of your outline, you can create an effective presentation that encourages your audience to take action after the presentation is over.

Review, Revise, and Refine

Once you have created your initial outline, review it carefully. Ensure that it aligns with your presentation goals, effectively communicates your message, and maintains a logical flow. Revise and refine as needed, keeping your audience’s perspective in mind.

Step-by-Step Guide to Create an Effective Presentation Outline

Creating a presentation outline is an essential step in delivering a successful and impactful presentation. A well-structured outline helps you organize your thoughts, maintain a logical flow, and ensure that you cover all the key points you want to communicate to your audience.

Brainstorm and Define Your Objectives:

Start by brainstorming ideas and determining the main objectives of your presentation. Consider what information you want to convey, the key messages you want to deliver, and the desired outcomes you want to achieve.

Identify Your Main Points:

From your brainstorming session, identify the main points you want to address in your presentation. These should be the key ideas or concepts that support your objectives and help you effectively convey your message to the audience.

Organize Your Thoughts:

Once you have identified your main points, organize them in a logical sequence that flows naturally. Consider using headings and subheadings to create a hierarchical structure that guides your audience through the presentation.

Add Supporting Content:

Think about the supporting content that you need to include for each main point. This can be facts, statistics, examples, case studies, or visuals that help reinforce your message and provide additional context to your presentation.

Summarize Key Takeaways:

At the end of each main point or section, summarize the key takeaways or messages you want your audience to remember. These should be concise and impactful statements that leave a lasting impression.

Review and Refine:

Once you have created a draft of your presentation outline, take the time to review and refine it. Ensure that the structure is clear, the content is well-organized, and the flow is logical. Make any necessary adjustments or additions to improve the overall effectiveness of your outline.

1. What is a presentation outline?

A presentation outline is a roadmap or blueprint that helps you organize your ideas and content for a presentation. It outlines the structure, flow, and key points of your presentation, ensuring a logical and cohesive delivery.

2. How can I engage my audience throughout my Business presentation?

To engage your audience throughout your presentation, consider using storytelling techniques , interactive elements, or thought-provoking questions. Encourage audience participation through activities, discussions, or Q&A sessions. Use visual aids, such as images, videos, or graphs, to enhance understanding and maintain interest. Finally, deliver your content with enthusiasm, clarity, and confidence.

3. What are the three basic parts of a presentation outline?

When creating a presentation outline, it is crucial to include three essential components. The first part is the introduction, which sets the stage for the presentation and provides background information. Following the introduction is the body, where the main points and supporting details are discussed in depth. Finally, the outline should include a conclusion that summarizes the key points and reinforces the main message.

4. What are the 5 pieces of presentation Outline? The 5 key pieces of an outline include the introduction, main points, supporting information, visuals, and conclusion. Each section plays a vital role in delivering a clear and impactful message to the audience.

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How to Write an Effective Presentation Outline

Written by: Unenabasi Ekeruke

Creating a presentation can be nerve-wracking, especially when you're staring at a blank slate.

You’ve probably got tons of ideas bouncing around, but turning them into a slick, impressive presentation is proving a hard nut to crack.

News flash: You’re not alone.

About 80% of presentations fail to deliver their objectives due to poorly organized information, a lack of preparation and scruffy slide decks.

So, how do you avoid this disaster? It all boils down to having a solid presentation outline. Think of it as a roadmap that helps you organize and share your ideas in a clear and logical way.

With the right presentation outline, you can stay on track, keep your audience hooked and ultimately convey your message with clarity and impact.

So whether you're pitching to investors, partners or clients or preparing a presentation for a conference, this article has everything you need to know about writing an effective presentation outline.

Let’s get to it!

Table of Contents

What is the outline of a presentation, why is a presentation outline important, how to write a presentation outline, how to execute your presentation outline with visme.

• A presentation outline will help you organize your thoughts to communicate with your audience clearly and easily. It clarifies the presenter’s primary ideas and organizes the flow of your presentation.
• A presentation outline consists of critical components that are logically arranged for coherence. Utilize best practices, including formatting, audience analysis and visual cues, to deliver the message with impact.
• Use interactive elements from Visme, such as hotspots, polls, animations and links, to add interactivity to your presentation outline.
• Create a presentation outline by signing up for Visme's extensive online presentation tool without dealing with complicated tool setup or program installation issues.

A presentation outline refers to the barebones version of a talk or a speech that summarizes the main points and takes the general direction of the pitch. It allows presenters to structure the flow of information in a manner that is easy to understand.

Without an outline, your presentation can be a nightmare. You could end up shuffling slides around indefinitely and appearing confused. To avoid this situation, the outline clearly lists out everything you want your presentation to achieve.

Before creating your outline, consider the goal of your presentation, who will listen to it, and what interests them. This will help you organize your content to keep them engaged.

Here’s an excellent example of a presentation with an outline.

An outline for presentation is a valuable tool that can assist you in several ways:

• You can ensure that your thoughts flow smoothly and that important points are highlighted and not overlooked.
• Creating an outline for a presentation can help you generate ideas for your presentation and give you a clear notion of what to focus on.
• A presentation outline acts as a foundation for your speaking notes, allowing you to rehearse and prepare effectively.
• It helps you stay more confident because of your polished presentation.

Now that we know why we need to make a presentation outline, let’s dive deeper into how you can write a presentation outline.

1. Decide the Purpose of the Presentation

Decide on the goal of your presentation before you start writing any notes. It serves as a base for the remainder of your outline. Your presentation may have one of the following six objectives: to inform, convince, motivate, inspire action or entertain.

A business, for instance, might use presentations for various reasons. A sales presentation outline would try to convince potential customers to buy a product, while a training presentation might educate staff members on new techniques.

Once you determine this, answer the following questions to specify the purpose.

• What is the main message you want to convey to your audience?
• What problem are you trying to solve and how can your presentation help?
• What is the desired outcome of your presentation and how will you measure its success?
• What key takeaways do you want your audience to remember after your presentation?
• What challenges or objections may your audience have and how can you address them in your presentation?

Upon answering them, write your purpose and summarize it into one or two sentences, then put that on your first slide.

2. Prepare a Structure

Making an excellent presentation starts with a great outline. But the structure is what amplifies the impact of your delivery.

An eye-catching introduction, a body and a conclusion emphasizing your primary ideas are the three essential components of a successful speech .

Here’s what you should include while creating the structure of your presentation .

• An introduction

3. Flesh out Your Outline

Now that you know what to include in the structure, let’s break it down step by step about how to write the outline.

Gather Ideas

When brainstorming, consider the most important things you want to discuss. These could be key points, stories to share, or facts and numbers you want to tell your audience. Write them all down, even if they initially seem a bit random.

Organize your ideas and determine the main message

Armed with a bucket list of ideas, you must later organize and group them. Look for patterns, connections and relationships between your ideas.

Find the most important idea—the main thing you want to tell your audience. Make sure it's clear, short and something they'll find interesting. Recheck your ideas and remove anything that doesn't match your main message or the people you're talking to.

Create a Skeleton Outline

Now that you’ve gathered ideas, it's time to build the framework for your presentation.

Introduction

Begin by introducing your topic and explaining why it's essential. Think of it as the curtain-raiser that gets your audience's attention. Also, clearly state the main point you'll discuss—your "thesis" or purpose for the presentation.

Create a skeleton outline of your presentation by breaking down this main message into smaller parts. Use bullet points or headings to organize these bits of information.

Think of the main points as the big chapters and the subpoints as the smaller sections within those chapters.

To make your presentation flow smoothly, add transitions between your points. These can be simple phrases like "Let's move on to the next point" or "Now, let's build on what we've just discussed." And when you're nearing the end, use a transition like "In conclusion."

Once you have your skeleton outline, add supporting evidence to each point. It could include statistics, case studies, quotes, images, or videos. Make sure whatever you add fits well and backs up your main message.

As you reach the end of the presentation, tie everything together with a solid conclusion. Start by recapping the main points you covered throughout your presentation. It helps reinforce what you've shared and ensure your message sticks.

Next, emphasize the key takeaways—those crucial nuggets of wisdom you want your audience to remember long after the presentation.

Now, consider including a call to action. It is where you invite your audience to do something based on what they've learned. It could be as simple as asking them to share their thoughts, sign up for more information or even take a specific action related to your topic.

If you're feeling creative, create a unique call to action that inspires your audience to engage further.

For instance, if you’re presenting a project presentation to a group of people, you might seek to win their support for your idea or get them involved in its execution. Your audience should know what they get from taking action.

If you need help generating ideas for your presentation, Visme AI writer can help. You can enhance your outline content with fresh angles, Call to Action (CTAs), examples and data points.

Remind the audience of your central point and express gratitude for their attention in the conclusion if the presentation doesn't require a call to action.

As your presentation winds down, open the floor to questions or discussion. It encourages interaction and lets your audience clarify any doubts they may have.

Lastly, list the sources you used in your presentation and acknowledge any individuals or organizations that contributed to your research or material development. It adds credibility and respect to your work.

Read our guide to learn more about how to close a presentation with style . Also, watch this video to learn how to create CTAs that make your audience do your bidding.

4. Add Visual Content

Consider adding visual content, as it has a higher recall rate than text based or video content. It can add meaning to your message, increase interest and invite the viewer to click and consume your content.

Here’s an example of a presentation outline with a colorful image that makes the slide pop.

Visuals can be anything from infographics, videos, photos, GIFs or memes, screenshots or illustrations. However, if you’re including statistics and research findings in your presentation outline slide, consider creating a visual representation of that data.

Visme’s data visualization tools make this easy. They take your data and turn it into beautiful and comprehensive visuals.

Whether you want to create bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs, area charts, histograms, or donut charts, Visme has a wide range of options.

Remember that you don’t need to include all of these visuals while creating the outline. Just mention where and on which slide you’d place the visual elements. It’ll help you organize your ideas as you dive into the body of the presentation.

5. Pay Attention to Color and Design

You must pay attention to the colors, design, layout and style to capture the audience's attention and interest. It must look consistent to give a neat look and feel.

When creating an outline, finalize what color combination and typography you'll use throughout your creative presentation .

Below are the tips you should consider when deciding on it Use color moderately

Everyone enjoys color; that is obvious. Nevertheless, using too many colors might result in chaotic, unattractive presentations.

Your audience's understanding and reaction to your presentation may depend on your color scheme. For instance, choosing dark and subdued colors when discussing a serious subject may be effective. Bright and bold colors may be preferable if your theme is engaging or imaginative.

You don't want the colors in your design to appear intimidating or overpowering to your audience since every color has both good and bad connotations. Hence, understanding marketing color psychology becomes essential.

Watch this video to learn more about color psychology and how to use it in your upcoming presentation design.

Make use of clear and consistent typography

Optimizing your typography can impact how people interpret your message. Therefore, ensure your presentation slide looks well-organized and polished and conveys the intended information.

Here's how you can accomplish that:

• Use fonts that reflect your brand's essence.
• Throughout your presentation, maintain consistency in your text styles. We advise you to use up to three typefaces.
• Avoid using intricate fonts and small, difficult-to-read text. Use readable fonts like Arial, Times News Roman and Calibri for tiny and large screens.
• For titles and at least the body content, use a font size of 34–36.

When putting out your presentation outline, using a tool like Visme can significantly improve your ability to create visually appealing and polished presentations quickly.

The templates from Visme are professionally designed to help you save hours and effort.

Hear what one of our customers has to say about our designs:

Web Designer & Digital Marketing Specialist

Let’s get started on how you can make a presentation outline.

1. Log in to Visme & Choose a Template

Log in or Sign up free to Visme and then click the "Create New" button.

Select "Presentations" from the "Project" menu to browse through Visme's collection of presentation templates. Use a blank or pre-designed template to start from scratch with your presentation design.

Visme offers 500+ presentation templates split into 20+ topic categories, including pitch decks, interactive, business and more. So even if you have no prior knowledge of presentation design, you will likely find an excellent template to use as a starting point.

2. Find the Right Visuals and Design Assets

After you select the template, decide what visuals you will use in the presentation outline. The visuals you select will significantly impact the presentation's overall appearance and feel

Visme gives you access to thousands of high-quality, royalty-free photos and design assets To find your preferred image, browse and select using a particular keyword.

And still, if you don’t find the perfect image for your design needs, you can use Visme's AI image generator to generate professional-quality photos, graphics, art, drawings and paintings.

You simply need to input an accurate prompt that describes what you want. The wizard will automatically generate and present multiple options for you. Additionally, you may use the Visme AI image photo editor to transform your photos into a masterpiece.

3. Choose Legible fonts

Selecting the right brand fonts for your presentation outline holds the same importance as choosing your brand colors .

If the chosen typefaces are of high quality, i.e., easy to read, it can positively impact the audience's understanding of the presentation's context.

But a font that’s too small or hard to read can lead to waning interest and the oversight of essential information. To overcome this situation, we recommend you check out the list of 20 best fonts for presentations for your upcoming one!

Remember to limit the fonts you use to three: one for the title, one for the subheaders and one for the body of your text.

When creating a presentation outline, use your brand fonts to ensure the presentation better reflects your brand voice. This helps maintain consistency and uniformity.

You can easily create and save your branding elements with the brand kit. Or use paste your website URL into Visme's brand wizard to automatically extract your brand assets (fonts, color and logo).

Moreover, to ensure that your key brand information is accurate across all slides while doing the outline, simply create new dynamic fields or edit existing ones. You can assign values and your data will update in real time, speeding up your editing process.

4. Make your Presentation Interactive

One of the most challenging tasks for a presenter is keeping their audience intrigued and engaged. Adding interactivity to your presentation can help attract and hold your audience's attention throughout the presentation.

The best part is that it doesn’t have to be a tough task. If you’re looking to create an immersive experience for your audience and increase engagement, Visme offers interactivity and animation features such as hotspots, hover effects and clickable menus.

You don't need to do everything while making your presentation outline; just remember where to place interactive elements to create an engaging experience for your audience.

5. Revise the Outline Flow

Once you have finished creating the outline, review your slides again to ensure each section flows into the next without disruption. This step is crucial for creating a smooth presentation overview and maintaining audience engagement.

Additionally, if you want to inform viewers about a new idea between portions, use visual cues. For instance, use an eye-catching design element or an inverted color scheme for every transitional slide.

Employee feedback across the company is often needed while creating a presentation outline. The marketing team may want to highlight your growing customer base, while the finance team may add some income and spending numbers.

After the review, feel free to eliminate any redundant or unnecessary information.

You can collaborate with your team and improve your project with Visme’s collaboration tools . Collaborators can access the document and pin, circle, annotate, highlight, add comments and more. This way, you can see your team members' feedback and resolve the comments in real-time.

6. Share It With the Team

We understand the frustration of investing hours of hard work into crafting a presentation only to have it rejected by our superiors or boss.

Sharing and showcasing your work can be beneficial for getting feedback on your presentation outline. You can easily share and publish your presentation online using Visme. It opens the door for simple access and review by enabling you to distribute it quickly using a generated URL or simply embed it on your website.

Watch this video to learn how to collaborate using Visme.

Presentation Outline FAQs

Q. what are the 5 steps to outlining a presentation.

Creating well-structured presentation outlines is essential for successful presentations. Here are the 5 steps:

• Define Your Presentation Goal: What do you want your audience to learn or do after your presentation?
• Brainstorm Ideas: Generate a list of main points and supporting ideas related to your goal.
• Organize Your Thoughts: Arrange your ideas in a logical flow, considering what information builds upon the previous.
• Create a Clear Structure: Craft a compelling introduction, a well-organized body with your main points, and a concise conclusion that reinforces your message.
• Refine and Polish: Review and revise your outline to ensure clarity, conciseness and a smooth transition between sections.

Q. What Are the Three Basic Parts of a Presentation Outline?

A presentation outline typically consists of three main parts:

• Introduction: Hook your audience, introduce your topic, establish your credibility and clearly state your main message or thesis.
• Body: This is the heart of your presentation, where you present your main points and supporting evidence. Use clear transitions between points and maintain a logical flow to keep your audience engaged.
• Conclusion: Briefly summarize your key points, repeat your main message for reinforcement and end with a strong call to action or a memorable takeaway for your audience.

Q. What is a Presentation Script Outline?

A presentation script outline is a detailed, word-for-word plan for your presentation. It includes everything you'll say, from opening to closing remarks. This outline helps ensure you deliver your message smoothly and stay on track, especially if you feel nervous or working on complex information.

Q. What Is the Difference Between a Presentation Outline and a Speaking Outline?

A presentation outline is your presentation's comprehensive blueprint, covering all the main points and supporting details. A speaking outline, or speaker note, is a shorter version used as a reference while presenting. It typically includes key phrases, cues and transitions to guide you through your talk.

Level Up Your Presentations with Visme

As we have explored the ins and outs of making a presentation outline, it's clear that this process goes beyond just putting bullet points in order.

By organizing each part of your outline, arranging sub-points and adding visuals, you're crafting an immersive experience for your audience. This experience grabs attention, helps them understand and keeps them engaged.

With Visme, you can create an impressive presentation outline with an intuitive editor and advanced features. Additionally, if you want your audience to watch your presentation at their convenience, you can use Visme's presentation recording software .

Visme offers a wide selection of templates to take your presentation outline to the next level. There are millions of pixel-perfect graphics, icons and design elements to make your presentation come to life.

Sign-up today and make your presentation shine.

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About the Author

Unenabasi is a content expert with many years of experience in digital marketing, business development, and strategy. He loves to help brands tell stories that drive engagement, growth, and competitive advantage. He’s adept at creating compelling content on lifestyle, marketing, business, e-commerce, and technology. When he’s not taking the content world by storm, Unenabasi enjoys playing or watching soccer.

How to Create a Presentation Outline: A Step-by-Step Guide with Examples

Master presentation outlines with our easy, step-by-step guide, complete with practical examples.

Why Should You Write a Presentation Outline?

• Enhanced Focus: It helps keep you focused and prevents you from straying off topic.
• Time Efficiency: You save time when creating the actual presentation because you have a clear plan to follow.
• Audience Engagement: A well-organized flow helps maintain the audience's interest throughout the presentation.
• Stress Reduction: Having a structured plan in place can significantly lower anxiety by making you feel prepared.

Method 1: Create Your Outline from Scratch

• Identify Main Points: Begin by determining the three to five central messages you wish to convey. These should form the backbone of your presentation.
• Support with Details: For each main point, include supporting sub-points or data. This might consist of statistics, case studies, or other relevant information that reinforces your primary arguments.
• Introduction and Conclusion: Craft an engaging introduction that captures your audience's attention right from the start. You might use a striking statistic or a pertinent quote to do this. Conclude with a strong summary of the key takeaways and a compelling call to action.
• Introduction: Begin with a surprising statistic or a relevant quote to grab attention.
• Main Point 1: The importance of digital literacy.
• Sub-point: Provide current statistics on global digital literacy rates.
• Sub-point: Discuss a case study on successful digital education programs.
• Main Point 2: The benefits of improving digital literacy.
• Sub-point: Highlight economic benefits.
• Sub-point: Discuss social implications.

Method 2: Use an AI Presentation Maker

• Provide a Prompt: Enter a brief description of your presentation topic into the AI tool.
• Customize the Output: Examine the generated outline. You may need to modify the titles of the slides and their order to better suit your needs.
• Generate Presentation: Utilize the tool to transform the outline into a preliminary draft of your presentation.
• Introduction to Renewable Energy
• Benefits of Renewable Energy
• Challenges and Solutions
• Case Studies
• Conclusion and Future Outlook

Method 3: The Mind Mapping Technique

• Central Idea: Begin by placing the central topic of your discussion at the center of your map.
• Branch Out: Extend branches from the central idea to outline each primary point or theme.
• Sub-branches: Append sub-branches to these main branches to include supporting details, examples, and data.
• Visual Elements: Incorporate colors, symbols, and images to highlight and distinguish various ideas.
• Importance of Sustainability
• Strategies for Implementation
• Future Trends
• Green Energy
• Waste Management
• Sustainable Supply Chains

Method 4: The Storyboard Approach

• Sketch Scenes: Draw or describe each slide or section of your presentation as a panel in a storyboard.
• Narrative Flow: Arrange the panels to ensure a logical progression of ideas.
• Detailing: Add notes for key points, transitions, and how you plan to engage the audience.
• Feedback: Review and rearrange the panels as needed to improve storytelling and impact.
• Panels: Introduction, Definition of Key Terms, Benefits, Challenges, Solutions, Case Study, Conclusion
• Details for 'Benefits' Panel: List of major benefits, supporting statistics, visual graph

Method 5: The Reverse Engineering Method

• Define Objective: Clearly state what you want your audience to learn or do after your presentation.
• Outcome-based Sections: Create sections that directly contribute to achieving the objective.
• Supporting Information: Add information that reinforces each section.
• Logical Sequence: Arrange sections in a way that naturally leads to your conclusion.
• Objective: Convince stakeholders to invest in renewable energy.
• Sections: Introduction, Benefits of Renewable Energy, Investment Opportunities, Success Stories, Call to Action

Method 6: The Comparative Layout

• Identify Topics: List the topics or elements you will compare.
• Comparison Criteria: Define the criteria or parameters for comparison.
• Matrix Setup: Set up a matrix or table in your outline to systematically compare each element.
• Conclusions: Summarize insights or recommendations based on the comparison.
• Topics: Traditional Marketing vs. Digital Marketing
• Criteria: Cost, Reach, Engagement, ROI, Adaptability
• Matrix: Create a table with criteria as rows and marketing types as columns, filling in details for each.

How to create a Presentation from an Outline?

How to use ai to create presentations from outline.

• Install MagicSlides Extension: Start by installing the MagicSlides extension from the Google Workspace Marketplace.
• Open Google Slides: Launch Google Slides where you’ll create your presentation.
• Activate the Extension: Open the MagicSlides extension within Google Slides.
• Enter Presentation Details: Input the topic of your presentation and specify the number of slides you need. This helps MagicSlides understand the scope of your presentation.
• Customize Your Content: You can also input specific text you wish to include on your slides. This step is optional but helps in personalizing the slides to better fit your presentation's theme and content.

Tips for Great Presentations

• Visual Appeal: Use high-quality images and consistent fonts.
• Conciseness: Keep slides concise; aim for no more than six words per bullet point.
• Engagement: Incorporate stories or questions to engage the audience.
• Practice: Rehearse your presentation multiple times to ensure smooth delivery.

Sanskar Tiwari

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December 4, 2023

How to create a presentation outline (with examples)

Four methods to create a presentation outline and example outlines for inspiration

Co-founder, CEO

Like it or not, if you work in an office environment or go to school, you'll probably have to make a presentation at some point. But creating a great presentation can be challenging, especially when you're short on time or suffering from writers' block.

Luckily, there are lots of ways to get a head start on your presentation outline, and in this article we'll walk through four options for creating a presentation outline and show you several examples of great presentation outlines.

Why should I write a presentation outline?

An outline helps you organize your ideas in a clear and logical way . Instead of getting bogged down on details like formatting or word choice, an outline presents the overarching story of your presentation with just a few main points. This helps to make sure you have a cohesive narrative before you dive in to the nitty gritty work of wordsmithing individual bullet points or selecting the perfect slide theme.

If this sounds like a lot of work, it often is! But spending time writing a great outline will save you time and effort down the road because it will be easier to organize your work and create each slide when you understand how it fits in to the broader presentation.

Here are four ways you can get a start on creating your next presentation outline.

Method 1: Create your outline from scratch

Creating an outline from scratch may sound intimidating if you have never written a presentation outline before, but this is the most straightforward way to get started.

Start by jotting down the three main points you want to make in your presentation. Once you have your main ideas in order, write down a few supporting details and examples for each point.

Then, add an introduction (find an interesting image, quote, or question to help grab the audience's audience) and a conclusion (decide on the best way to summarize the takeaways from your presentation) to the outline, and you are ready to go.

This method is great for those who prefer to have complete control over their presentation and want to create a custom outline that works best for their needs.

Method 2: Create a presentation outline using an AI presentation maker

If you're short on time or looking for a quick way to get a first draft of a presentation outline that you can then refine, using an AI presentation maker is a great option.

Plus AI lets you type a short prompt like "Create a presentation that provides an overview of the Norwegian oil industry," and it will automatically generate an outline of a presentation for you. After Plus creates the outline, you can change the titles of slides, rearrange slides, and remove any pieces of the outline that are not necessary.

From there, once your outline is created, you can click the "Generate presentation" button, choose a template, and let the AI create the first draft of your entire presentation.

This method is a good option for those who want to create a polished presentation without getting stuck with a blank piece of paper. Instead, it frees you up to take a first draft presentation and customize it for your needs.

Method 3: Create a presentation outline using ChatGPT

ChatGPT is an AI chatbot that can help with a wide variety of tasks - everything from acting as a therapist, to sharing recipes, to helping you come up with presentation ideas and creating content for a presentation .

To have ChatGPT help you generate a presentation, you can take two different approaches:

• Use a custom GPT that has been trained to help people create presentations or
• Ask the general ChatGPT interface to "Create a presentation outline for me on the topic of [XYZ]."

Both approaches will yield similar results, but a custom GPT like Plus AI presentation maker will be more fine-tuned to helping people create presentations. It will also provide additional functionality like providing a visual preview of the slides and feedback on how to improve your presentation.

Method 4: Create a presentation outline using a template

Last but not least, using a template is a good way to speed up the process of creating a new presentation outline. Similar to using an AI presentation maker, a template can give you a first draft of an outline that is easier to edit and refine than starting from scratch.

Presentation templates often come pre-designed with example text and images, so all you have to do is fill in your own content. For example, this TED Talk presentation template provides some instructions on how to create an outline for a TED Talk-style slide deck.

The secret to using this method is to find the closest template to the type of presentation you want to create. You should use detailed search terms to and look across multiple sites and resources to find one that matches the content and style that you would like.

Once you have your template, start by reviewing the overall outline or structure and tweak it to meet your needs. Then, you can fill in the specific content (e.g., text and images) with your materials to make it your own to quickly make a beautiful presentation.

Presentation outline examples

Basic presentation outline example.

Let's take a look at a presentation outline and accompanying notes for a persuasive presentation on encouraging people to meditate every day:

I. Introduction

• Hook - find a striking image and tell a story
• Thesis statement - everyone should meditate for 10 min per day

II. Main point 1 - Meditation is one of the easiest ways to improve your health

• Physical health
• Mental health

III. Main point 2 - Meditation is backed up by thousands of years of practice and research

• One anecdote from antiquity
• One anecdote from recent research

IV. Main point 3 - You can get started with meditation today

• Basic technique
• Tips for newcomers

V. Conclusion

• Summarize key points
• Call to action

As you can see, this is a relatively lightweight plan for the presentation, but it provides an easy-to-understand framework that we can fill in with slides.

There are rough notes on specific content for the different points in the presentation, but we don't need to write out everything in fine detail, just the broad strokes.

Pitch deck outline example

Now let's review an outline for a pitch deck that someone might use to present their startup idea to prospective investors. This is for a startup that uses autonomous food trucks to deliver meals to people's homes and workplaces.

I. Problem statement - "Food delivery sucks, and here's why"

• Hook - pictures of typical food delivery headaches (e.g., late/no show, bad selection, etc)

II. Value prop - "FoodDrive revolutionizes the food delivery model"

• Compare value chain of FoodDrive to traditional restaurant and delivery service
• Show how $50 order gets allocated to different people

III. The product - "Customers love our trucks"

• Picture of food truck and menu
• Customer quotes and reviews

IV. Why now? - "Our self-driving technology is ready for prime-time"

V. Business model - "Each truck can generate $2-3M of revenue per year with a 60% gross margin"

• Show high-level financial forecasts on unit basis

VI. Competitive landscape - "FoodDrive's closest competitors don't come close"

• Comparison table with delivery services, in-house delivery, eating out-of-home, etc.

VII. Go to market strategy - "We've tested FoodDrive in 2 markets so far. Here's how we win in new markets"

• Overview of social media strategy
• Case study on new market launch

VIII. Team - "Our team has experience in autonomous vehicles, food delivery, and quick service restaurants"

IX. Traction - "We generate $5M of revenue per year with our 2 trucks, and we can ramp up new trucks immediately"

• Show revenue growth chart with focus on time to ramp new trucks to productivity

X. Fundraising goal - "We are raising $50M to expand FoodDrive to 10 more markets"

• Highlight key milestones we aim to reach with additional funding

Even though a pitch deck is a specialized type of presentation that often requires specific content, it's helpful to start with an outline to build out the 'story' behind the content. That way, you have a cohesive story rather than a set of disparate slides.

How can I create a presentation from an outline?

Once you have your presentation outline written, it's time to start writing your slides. Since you already know the main points you are trying to make in your presentation, the main decisions here are

• What type of visual style you want to follow
• How many slides you want in your presentation
• How you will present or share the slides

To get a head start on creating a first draft of your presentation, you could enter your outline into an AI presentation maker.

This will provide a first draft of the slides so that you can focus on making sure they tell a cohesive story or tweaking individual slides to leave a memorable impression.

Other tips and tricks for great presentations

Here are some resources to help you create great presentations:

• Make slides look good - Here are six tips for making visually appealing slides.
• Number of slides - Here is a calculator that can help you calculate how many slides you need for a presentation depending on how long you need to present.
• Unique presentation ideas - Here are 250 ideas for presentation topics that will help you create a great presentation.

Creating a presentation outline can be one of the most time-consuming parts of the creative process for making a new slide deck. Luckily, there are many tools and templates that can help you kickstart this process.

With these four methods, you can choose the one that works best for your needs and get started on your presentation outline today.

And once you have your outline, make sure to try out a tool like Plus AI presentation maker to quickly get your slides as well!

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How to Outline a Presentation: A Complete Guide From a Pro

• Filed under: Public speaking articles , Speaking tips , Speech preparation

When you’re writing an important speech, you must start with a clear outline. However, I find that many speakers are uncertain of how to write a good outline for their presentation. This is why I decided to write a guide for you, in hopes that learning to perfect your outlines will help you give better presentations in the future.

How do you outline a presentation? Always start with your introduction and end with your powerful closing. Flesh out the body by listing topics in the order that you want to cover them in. Never skimp on the important details of your speech. Remember that an outline is only a draft.

I know at this point that you still have questions, and that you still be confused at how to write the best outline for your speech. But writing a good outline for your presentation does not have to be stressful! This is my complete guide from a pro for you, in hopes that you can take the stress out of this important step.

Table of Contents

How to Outline a Presentation

Outlining a presentation can be done with a regular piece of paper, or on a word processing program on your computer. If you are hosting a PowerPoint presentation, you may prefer to do the entire thing from the comfort of your computer. But if you do decide to write your outline on a piece of paper, make sure you use a pencil and eraser so that you can make changes as you go along.

The very first step in creating an outline is to ask yourself what the purpose of your presentation is.

Write your main message or a one-sentence summary of your thesis at the top of your outline when you get started. This may help you stay on task, and it will keep the purpose of your speech right in your eye’s sight. After all, you don’t want to stray too far off the main topic of your presentation !

Remember, a quality outline is meant to enhance the purpose of your presentation. If you do not write a proper outline, you may risk not properly conveying the right message to your audience.

Or you may even forget to cover essential points that you wanted to talk about. A thorough outline is especially important if you are planning to speak without notes.

You should remember to properly summarize what you want to say with every sentence of your outline. After all, this is not a full script, so a summary is all you really need. Remember to rehearse and practice with your outline, so that you can remember what you have written.

Start With a Strong Beginning

Your introduction is where you start strong by grabbing your audience’s attention from the very beginning. But if that makes you feel stressed out, just remember to stay calm! Creating a great first impression from the beginning of your speech is not as difficult as you might be worrying.

When you create a strong beginning, you should try some of the following:

• Start with an attention-grabbing statement that captures your audience from the start. If you have a few ideas but are not sure what to use, try running your ideas by a trusted friend or mentor.
• Give a strong signal that you are beginning your speech. You don’t want your audience unsure of whether you’ve actually begun or not.
• Give the main thesis statement about the purpose of your presentation.
• You could start by giving a brief preview of all of the things that you are going to talk about in the body of your speech.
• Talk about your credentials at the beginning. However, you should make sure to find a way to do it that is entertaining. You don’t want to risk boring your audience from the very beginning of your speech!
• Thank your audience from the very beginning! This is not only a good way to begin your speech, but a good way to end it, as well.
• If there are any current events or famous historical events that relate to the purpose of your presentation, you can start by talking about these. However, pick only one so that you do not draw your introduction out too long.
• Ask your audience a question at the beginning. You could draw out their interest by answering this question at a later point in your speech.
• Whenever possible, make sure you begin your speech on a positive note . This sets a good tone for the rest of the presentation.
• Start by telling a story that relates to your presentation. A good reason to start with a story is that it helps you form a strong connection with your audience from the beginning. Write some of the main details of your story in your outline so that you remember them.

Be reminded thought, that sometimes it is wise to write your introduction last as only you know what you’ll be introducing. This way, you’ll also avoid including something in your introduction that you won’t be actually talking about.

Once you have written out your introduction, you have completed the first step in creating an excellent outline for your presentation.

Create a Powerful Ending

In my experience, it can be easier to create ending before you flesh out the body of your presentation. However, it is up to you if you prefer to create your outline in a different order.

If you are a regular reader, you might have realized that I already posted an in-depth article here about how to end a presentation in a powerful way . Right now we are going to talk about the same thing in somewhat less detail.

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Just like with your beginning, make sure that you’ve made it obvious you are ending. After all, few things are more awkward than your audience sitting there long after you’ve finished, feeling confused about whether they should leave or not.

If the point of your speech is to motivate your audience to do something, you might consider ending your speech with a call to action . A call to action is simply an instruction that you give your audience about something you want them to do.

You could also potentially end your presentation with a powerful quote or an entertaining story . And if you have a unique tagline that exists to help promote your personal brand, consider ending with it.

But if you are planning to have a question and answer period at all, make sure you are not directly ending with one. Plan to wrap up your question and answer period before delivering your speech’s closing at the end.

This is because ending with a question and answer period is not only not memorable, but a negative question from an audience member can leave a bad taste in everyone’s mouth . This is not the last thing you want your audience members to remember as they’re leaving!

And as always, you should thank your audience at the end of your speech. This will make them feel valued, and impressed with your gratefulness.

Flesh Out the Body of Your Presentation

So, you’ve got your beginning and ending all figured out, but now what else do you do with your outline? This is the stage where you work on the body of your speech. That is, you will want to think about what you want to say in between your beginning and end. Here are some speech writing tips I have written about previously.

Write the main points of your outline in order

It may be easier for you to write bullet points or even a numbered list. List your main points in order of what you want to talk about. If at first glance the topics don’t seem to flow, it is okay to re-arrange them.

You can also decide at this point if there is anything you want to add or subtract. If you feel like you’ve made a mistake, don’t worry! It is okay to make any changes along the way.

Add sub-points and transitions to your topics

Add sub-points to your main points in order to further flesh out your outline. Even if you want to keep it simple, sub-points may help you to stay on track and remember what you were going to say.

You can also add to the ideas that your main points present. Make sure that the transitions from one point to another flow smoothly from one thing to the next.

Don’t forget the essential details!

Are there any special details that you need to remember for your presentation? Put these in your outline so that you don’t forget them. This can include important names, dates, and locations that you need to remember.

Write down how long will it take

If your speech is supposed to cover a certain amount of time, try listing times for each of your main points. This may help you not go over or under your time.

Also, take a look at these articles:

• 11 Great Tips How to Write a Great Persuasive Speech
• How to Deliver a Perfect Elevator Speech

How to Outline a PowerPoint Presentation?

You may be thinking that you don’t need an outline for your PowerPoint presentation. However, don’t rely on your slides alone ; you need a proper outline, too. An outline for a PowerPoint presentation should also include images that you intend to use for your slides.

Fortunately, the PowerPoint program itself also allows you to view an outline of your slides. This can help give you a visual of your overall presentation.

Remember, This is Only a Draft!

If your outline isn’t the way you want it to be, remember that it is only your very first rough draft. Your outline doesn’t have to be perfect, because it is not your final product. While you should work hard to make your outline as good as possible, you don’t need to stress about it.

And remember that if you finish your outline, and you are not satisfied with how it looks? It is okay for you to scrap it and start all over again. There is no reason that you should stick with an outline that you don’t feel confident about.

An outline is a great place to start whether you intend to read from a full script, read from cue cards, or speak without notes. If you are an avid reader of Speak and Conquer, you’ll remember that I recommend creating an outline in many of my articles.

Get Feedback From Others About Your Outline

There is no reason that you have to go any of this by yourself. If you have a friend or mentor who is experienced with public speaking , why not ask them to take a look at your outline for you? They may see something that needs to be changed that never even occurred to you.

You could also give a practice round of your speech in front of a friend, family member, or mentor. Give them a chance to make suggestions about whether or not there’s anything that you should change. After all, it’s better for you to realize if something needs to be done differently before the actual day of the presentation.

If you don’t have someone who you can rehearse in front of in person, try recording your presentation in front of a video camera . Show it to someone you trust via email or social media. If they have any suggestions for change, you can alter your outline accordingly.

Why is a Presentation Outline so Important, Anyway?

While reading this article, you may be wondering why you even need an outline for your presentation. This may be especially puzzling to you if you are planning to give a speech without notes . But I find that an outline can be incredibly useful no matter what kind of presentation you are planning to give to your audience.

Like I said before, the main point of an outline is to enhance the main purpose of your speech further. But I’m also going to give you a list of some more reasons why I believe an outline is absolutely essential.

Some other good reasons for creating an outline for your presentation are:

• You will have an easy visual to look at the order of the topics you are talking about. This way, you can see if anything looks out of place.
• The proper outline will help to keep your speech organized.
• You will be able to look at the connections between your ideas . This may even help you realize you need to add or subtract certain things from your speech.
• A good outline will help you remember to t ouch on every important point that you need to cover in your presentation.
• Outlining helps you see whether or not your main points and sub-points flow smoothly . If you create your outline and realize that some of your points do not flow, you can easily re-write key parts.
• Using an outline instead of a full script will give you more freedom to improvise during your presentation. This is why creating an outline is a great first strategy if you are speaking without notes, or trying to memorize a speech in a short period of time.
• If you’re not sure where to start preparing for your speech, then writing a loose outline is a good first step to help you out.
• Practicing with an outline will help enhance your memory about the main points and sub-points of your presentation.

No matter what kind of presentation you are planning to give, a solid outline with help you be prepared and ready to go.

Conclusion: How do you make an outline for a talk?

Today, I have compiled a thorough guide about writing a quality outline. We discussed creating a good beginning, ending, and body of your presentation. We have even talked about why a good outline is important, too. If you have any other tips to share about creating an outline for your presentation, make sure to share them in the comments section.

If you are looking to improve your public speaking and presentation skills, check out the rest of my articles on Speak and Conquer. The purpose of my site is to help you succeed in becoming a better public speaker. For example, I have covered popular topics such as how to memorize a speech in less than an hour , and how to use hand gestures effectively during a presentation .

Related Questions

What software should I use to outline my speech? Preferably, you should have a program that allows you to use bullet points or numbered lists. Bullet points and lists are a good place to start when you are outlining. Microsoft Word, Word Processor, or Notepad are acceptable for basic outlines.

How do I decide what the purpose of my speech is? Decide if you are there to inform, educate, motivate, or entertain your audience. When you have narrowed it down to just one of those, you will be able to decide the main idea of your speech. You should preferably speak about a topic that you are well-educated about.  

How do I write a speech? Start with a purpose, and then create a detailed outline. Flesh out the points and sub-points from your outline. Decide very early on if you want to give your speech with or without notes. Revise your drafts as much as possible until you have created a full speech. If you are going to speak with notes, write some of the information from your outline onto cue cards.

Useful reading

• 16 secret ways how to speak to a bored audience
• How to Use Your Voice Effectively in a Presentation?
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My name is Janek Tuttar , and I am the founder and author of Speak and Conquer website.

I have been teaching public speaking at Estonian Entrepreneurship University of Applied Sciences

Here, I am sharing the wisdom of how to cope in different public speaking situations.

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I have been teaching and blogging about public speaking since spring 2007. Here, I am sharing the wisdom of how to cope in different public speaking situations.

Send me an e-mail: [email protected]

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How to make a presentation outline: a step-by-step guide

Georgina Guthrie

May 24, 2024

Whether you’re building a house, baking a cake, or creating a killer presentation — having a plan in place before you begin work will make the task much easier. Planning saves time and enhances the quality of your work. This is especially true for business presentations, which is why you should always start with a presentation outline.

A presentation outline is a streamlined version of your talk, capturing the general direction and key points. Its purpose is to shape your thinking, organize your thoughts, and ensure your material is presented logically.

In this article, we’ll explore what a presentation outline is, how storytelling can engage your audience, and how to create a flawless outline. Let’s dive in.

Defining your presentation’s goal

What are you trying to achieve with your presentation? A good starting point is to think about the overall purpose.

Types of presentation goals

There are six main types of presentation goals:

• Inspire action
• Inspire or motivate

In a business setting, ‘to inform’ is most common, but it’s usually coupled with at least one other. For example, if you’re there to talk about quarterly results, then you’ll want to inform and motivate. However, if you’re a business coach, your goals will likely be to inspire, motivate, and entertain.

Once you’ve defined your goal, you’ll want to understand the impact you hope to have on your audience. To answer this, ask these questions:

• What do I want people to take away from my presentation?
• How will what I talk about help others in the room?
• What do I want people to do after my meeting?

From here, you should be able to create a summary of your presentation’s goals and purpose in one or two sentences. Put that on your first slide for easy reference.

Understanding your presentation’s audience

Knowing your audience is crucial for crafting a presentation that resonates. Consider their knowledge level, interests, and what they hope to gain from your presentation. Tailoring your content to meet their expectations will make your presentation more engaging and effective.

Questions to understand your audience

• What is the demographic makeup of your audience (age, gender, profession)?
• What are their roles in the organization or industry?
• How familiar are they with the topic you will be presenting?
• Do they have any preconceived notions or misconceptions about the topic?
• What are their primary interests related to the topic?
• Why are they attending your presentation? What do they hope to gain?
• What are their current pain points or challenges related to the topic?
• How can your presentation address these challenges?
• Do they prefer visual aids, interactive sessions, or straightforward lectures?
• Are they more inclined towards data-driven insights or anecdotal evidence?

Choosing your story structure

Stories are powerful tools for bringing people and ideas together. Great stories persuade and inform; the best stories inspire and stay with us. But we don’t often see this happening enough in the boardroom.

Stats and numbers are important for supporting claims, but if you want to inspire your audience, you need to weave those stats into a story. T he truth is, most stories are formulaic, so once you’ve chosen your formula, filling in the blanks is pretty easy.

Let’s look at a few popular story structure formulas below.

1. Fact and story

Mixing storytelling with facts works in a kind of mutually supportive cycle. Facts add substance to the story; the story adds interest to the facts.

In this structure, you weave the two together and move back and forth between the two.

• Start with a ‘what if’ question. For example, if you were pitching a vacuum cleaner, your initial sales pitch might be ‘what if you didn’t have to lose suction?’
• Add facts that illustrate the current state of things. To continue with our example, it might be current stats on traditional vacuums losing suction. Keep alternating facts with fiction throughout the body of your presentation.
• End on a high note that makes the listeners feel like they learned something and want to move to action because of it. For example, to invest in your new product, or to sponsor your new app .

2. The hero’s journey

From Odysseus to Chihiro , adventure stories typically feature a hero who goes on a journey fraught with peril and learns a vital lesson at the end of it. It’s a formula employed by thousands of writers — and you can draw from it to add some drama to your presentation.

This structure works really well for inspirational personal stories, or tales about a company from its humble beginnings to the success it is today.

• Begin somewhere neutral. The situation is neither ideal nor unbearable.
• Introduce a challenge — one that needs to be solved.
• Present a worsening situation. The problem is being addressed, but things are still getting worse.
• Define rock bottom. The situation seems impossible; there is apparently no way forward and all seems lost. Until…
• Introduce a new discovery that offers hope.
• Show your work. Armed with your new abilities, you tackle the issue head-on.
• Resolve the problem, but instead of returning to the way things were before, the hero (you) discovers an even better way of living.
• Finish with a lesson, which you can share to inspire your audience.

3. The pitch

The ‘pitch’ style of presentation is commonly used by salespeople. The goal is to show how a product or idea can help an individual overcome a hurdle toward a positive outcome. The story should be relatable, so the audience can picture themselves in the situation and, therefore, benefitting from the solution.

• Start with a summary of the way things are in simple terms.
• Introduce the problem or hurdle that needs solving. Make it relatable to help your audience put themselves in the situation.
• Introduce a solution: give your audience a glimpse into a possible solution.
• Create a fork in the road: Give your audience a couple of options for solving the problem. Offer an average option first, then follow up with a better one.
• Close: Choose the better option and explain why that’s the best one (and only real suitable choice).
• Finish up by telling the audience exactly how to solve the problem , step by step.
• Talk about extra benefits that extend beyond simply solving the problem. Finish on an uplifting high.

4. The explanation

This presentation format is for when you want to teach your audience something — whether that’s a process, a new skill, or a way to overcome a problem. It has similarities with the fact and story structure, insomuch as facts should weave into the story.

• Explain how things are at the moment , what the goal looks like, and how you plan to get there. You can even start with a story to add emotional interest from the get-go.
• Take your first step on the journey toward the final destination.
• Add more steps that build on this.
• Take a moment to recap the points you’ve covered so far while tying them to the main point. This will help your audience visualize the ground you’ve covered and see where you’re heading.
• Add the finishing pieces to the puzzle and lead your audience to the end.
• End your journey so your audience feels as though they’ve learned something new.

5. The opportunity

A close relative of the pitch, this three-part structure swaps a hurdle for an opportunity. Here, you want to show your audience that a problem they thought they had actually had an easy fix.

• Start with the situation as it is now.
• Next, add a ‘but’ — this could be a small hiccup that stops things from being as good as they could be. For example, our chocolate pudding company is doing really well. But we could be doing better if we changed supplier.
• Talk about the opportunity, with as many facts and stats as possible to make it feel achievable and real.
• Add a conclusion.
• Explain why the product or service meets the challenges raised. Add more stats and facts to support your point.

Storyboarding your presentation outline

Now you’ve worked out your structure, it’s time to start building your presentation. Storyboarding is the best way to do this. In the same way that directors use storyboards to map out their films scene-by-scene, you’re going to use it to map out your presentation slide-by-slide.

(Don’t worry, you can do stick people and squiggles if drawing isn’t your strong point.) Image Source

The trick here is to avoid adding too much detail too quckly. Ideally, have one or two sentences on each slide summarizing what each one will address. Stick to one main point per slide and no more than 3 subpoints.

You can do this with pen and paper, but since you’ll likely end up going digital eventually, you might as well start there. It looks far neater, and it means that if you need to change something, it’s as simple as deleting or editing a cell or slide rather than starting over.

If you don’t want to start from scratch, a business presentation template is a great place to start. You can storyboard directly on the template, and then flesh out each of the slides in more detail once you’re ready.

Once you’ve got your storyboard mostly ready, all that’s left is to fill in the details! And of course: make it look great.

Formatting your presentation

Proper formatting is crucial to ensuring your presentation is visually appealing and easy to follow. Effective formatting helps to highlight key points, maintain audience engagement, and enhance overall comprehension. Here are some guidelines and best practices for formatting your presentation:

Choose a consistent theme

• Use a professional and clean template that aligns with your topic and brand.
• Ensure the template is consistent throughout the presentation to maintain a cohesive look.
• Choose a color scheme that is visually appealing and easy on the eyes.
• Stick to 2-3 primary colors to avoid visual clutter.

Organize your slides

• Include a title slide with the presentation topic, your name, and date.
• Add a relevant image or graphic to set the tone.
• Provide an agenda or outline slide to give the audience an overview of what to expect.
• Use section divider slides to clearly separate different parts of your presentation.
• Include a brief title for each section.

Keep text clear and concise

• Use easy-to-read fonts such as Arial, Helvetica, or Calibri.
• Avoid overly decorative fonts that can be hard to read.
• Ensure the font size is large enough to be readable from a distance.
• Titles should be at least 24-30 points, and body text should be 18-24 points.
• Use bullet points to break down information into digestible chunks.
• Keep each bullet point concise, ideally one line each.

Visual elements

• Include high-quality images, charts, and infographics to illustrate key points.
• Ensure visuals are relevant and add value to the content.
• Maintain consistency in the style and size of images and graphics.
• Align visuals properly to avoid a cluttered appearance.
• Use white space effectively to prevent slides from looking overcrowded.
• White space helps to highlight key elements and improves readability.

Multimedia and animation

• Embed short videos to demonstrate concepts or provide visual examples.
• Ensure videos are of high quality and relevant to the content.
• Use animations sparingly to emphasize important points without distracting the audience.
• Stick to simple transitions and avoid overly complex animations.

Data presentation

• Use charts and graphs to present data clearly and concisely.
• Label axes and include legends for clarity.
• Avoid overwhelming the audience with too much data.
• Highlight key data points and trends.

Final touches

• Review the presentation for spelling and grammatical errors.
• Ensure all information is accurate and up-to-date.
• Rehearse your presentation multiple times to ensure smooth delivery.
• Check the flow of slides and the timing of animations and transitions.

By following these formatting guidelines, you can create a presentation that is not only visually appealing but also effective in communicating your message. Proper formatting helps to keep the audience engaged and ensures that your key points are clearly conveyed.

Presentation tools

For those looking for an intuitive and efficient way to create professional presentations, consider using Cacoo , our online diagramming tool. Cacoo allows you to collaborate in real time, offering a variety of templates and design tools that make planning, designing, and presenting a breeze. Whether you’re working solo or with a team, Cacoo helps you streamline the presentation creation process, ensuring that your final product is polished and impactful.

Ready to take your presentations to the next level? Try Cacoo for free today and experience the difference it can make in your workflow.

This post was originally published on April 07, 2021, and updated most recently on May 24, 2024.

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• Communication

How to Write Powerful PowerPoint Presentations Fast With Outlines

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to write a PowerPoint outline for a presentation . You'll see a presentation outline example that shows how beneficial the process can be. It might seem like an extra step while building a presentation. But creating a presentation outline saves you time in the long run.

Presentation outlines are a great way to save time. So are advanced PowerPoint templates. You'll see examples of professional PowerPoint templates from Envato Elements (unlimited downloads)  in this tutorial while you learn how to write a presentation outline.

Why Should You Write a PowerPoint Presentation Outline?

You might think that learning how to write a presentation outline is an  extra  step. Writing a presentation outline takes time. But you might be surprised by how much time it ultimately saves in later steps.

It's important to see writing a presentation outline as a helpful step instead of extra work. Investing time in creating a PowerPoint outline helps you avoid rewriting and reworking your presentation.

When I was a rookie presenter, I made a lot of mistakes while writing a presentation. I'd open PowerPoint, spend too much time picking a theme, and then start writing my content. I jumped back and forth between slides adding points.

In short: this created an unfocused presentation. You could tell that there was a scatterbrained approach to writing content. When I started using outlines, the presentation felt more cohesive, and every point fell naturally into place.

But don't think that a PowerPoint presentation outline will be tossed in the trash when your presentation is finished. With a bit of creativity, PowerPoint presentation outlines can serve multiple purposes:

• Use an outline as a slide of its own  to give your audience a sneak peek of the presentation's path.
• Send your outline as a pre-read  with critical details to build anticipation for your presentation.
• Print your outline  and keep it nearby to help you stay on topic while presenting.

Think of writing a presentation as a series of steps. Writing a presentation outline is the first step that saves time on all future steps. Learn how to do a presentation outline and more in our tutorial below:

Now, let's dive into our tutorial on PowerPoint presentation outlines.

How to Write a PowerPoint Presentation Outline

Once you've committed to writing a PowerPoint presentation outline, you might be wondering what the process looks like. Let's learn the keys to writing a presentation outline. Then, you'll learn how to incorporate that presentation outline into your PowerPoint.

The PowerPoint screenshots that you'll see in this section use a template called Brusher from Envato Elements . 

Now let's look at how to create PowerPoint outlines:

1. Close PowerPoint (If It's Already Open)

If PowerPoint is open, close the application! If it's not open, don't even think about heading for the Start menu to launch it.

That's right. The most important part of writing a PowerPoint presentation outline is to leave out the app for the time being. If you don't do this, you risk spinning your wheels and redoing parts of your presentation over and over. 

You might be surprised at how much focus a presentation outline brings to the process of learning how to write a presentation outline.

How many tutorials tell you to close the app while learning how to make a presentation outline? Well, this one just did, and it's crucial to the process of writing a presentation outline.

2. Set a Presentation Goal

It's vital that every presentation has a single, unifying goal. A PowerPoint presentation is a series of slides with supporting points that all tie back to that goal.

This goal is the guiding principle for everything you write. Setting the presentation's goal is the  first  step for writing your PowerPoint outline. 

As you set your presentation's goal, it's also crucial to think about the  type of presentation that you're giving. I divide presentation purposes into three key types, each with their nuances when it comes to writing. Here are the three types of presentation goals:

• To  educate  the audience on ideas and topics.
• To  update  colleagues on the latest status of a critical project or event (think of a meeting at work where you share a project update, for example).
• To  persuade  the audience to agree with and embrace your idea or position on an idea.

Before you start filling in the presentation outline, make sure that you've set this singular goal. Otherwise, you risk your presentation diverging into many ideas that don't support a common cause.

In summary, your first outline step is to  write your presentation's goal . It's that singular measuring stick that you use as you add more content. Every time you add a new slide or supporting point, ask yourself, " does this content support my presentation's goal? "

Supporting points help reiterate the presentation's goal. But you can't support the key goal if you don't define the goal! Learning how to do a presentation outline comes back to setting a goal.

3. Add Headers for the Key Sections

Now that you've set your presentation's " north star ," you can begin to block in the critical sections that support the goal. Each section should give a new angle but play a part in reinforcing the central goal.

I tend to aim for three or four key sections per presentation. Each of those sections might include multiple PowerPoint slides.

This is commonly called the " body " of the presentation. It's the meat and bones of the presentation with the content that helps you drive your key point home. Fill in a goal as you see in the presentation outline example below:

Let's walk through an example. Let's say that I'm attempting to inspire my audience to learn Power Query, a popular Excel data tool. The goal is to encourage them to action. I'll use three key sections that support the goal:

• What's Power Query?  It's best not to assume that your audience already knows. 
• Why should you use Power Query?  In a section like this, show the  benefit  of taking action. In this case, I'd show the audience how much faster data imports and transformations are when you use Power Query. This potential will inspire action.
• How to learn Power Query.  Once I've given the audience a taste of the power of the tool at hand, it's essential to provide them with a " next step " as well. A few primary resources of tutorials can serve as a launching pad.

No two presentations are the same. The way that you support your points will vary based on the presentation's goal. Remember: Y ou're the presenter. It's your story to tell.

Now, start filling in the details for each supporting section. Just as we expanded on the goal with crucial sections, each  section  should have supporting points.

In your medium of choice, write several supporting sentences for each of your key sections. This gives you several points that support your idea. Use these support points to create individual slides.

See the screenshot below for a sample presentation outline in progress:

Learn more about the writing process in this tutorial:

4. Write the Supporting Points

"You can't boil the entire ocean... The best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time... Divide and conquer the task at hand..." 

All these phrases mean the same thing: the best way to tackle a project is to divide it into parts. When you're creating a PowerPoint, writing a  presentation outline first is the best way to break the project into easy-to-conquer tasks.

5. Open PowerPoint and Add Your Outline

Once you've finished writing your PowerPoint presentation outline, it's time to jump back to the app finally. You've laid the groundwork for writing a presentation rapidly. Now, it's time to drop it into PowerPoint.

There are many ways to approach this task. For me, I paste the entire outline on the first slide. Then, I'll start carving that outline up, pasting the sections, and supporting points out to their slides. I use this PowerPoint outline slide to plan my presentation.

Now, start pasting those sections to their own sections. Using Outline view in PowerPoint or another tool, gradually pull your outline apart into unique sections. Instead of typing them one-by-one, just paste the sections onto new slides.

You don't have to stick with the exact text you wrote. Instead, paste the sections out and use them as the inspiration for content. By doing this, your presentation stays true to the original outline and on topic!

PowerPoint even has a helpful feature to focus on outlines in the app. Learn more about Outline view in PowerPoint in the tutorial below:

It might seem odd that we saved this step for last, but this approach helps you stay focused. Instead of jumping around inside PowerPoint while writing a presentation outline, consider using a separate tool.

5 More Powerful Presentation Writing Tips

Before writing your presentation outline think consider the following:

1. Have One Idea Per Slide

Your slides should just have your main points. If there's too much on your slide, it can be overwhelming for your audience. It can also be distracting. Instead of listening to you, your audience might be reading the text on the slide.

2. Simplify Your Sentences

Instead of having complete sentences on your slide, you can reduce text by having simple sentences.

For example, instead of saying, " When you study before a test, you will remember the material, raise your grade and be knowledgeable about the subject. " You can simplify the statement to look like this:

Benefits of Studying

• Remember Material
• Raise Your Grade

Simplifying your sentences, as shown above, makes it easier to follow the rules on minimizing text on your slides.

3. Have Powerful Visuals

Visuals engage your audience, especially when they're eye-catching. They can also show what you’re discussing in the presentation.

If you want to add an emotional element to your presentation, a high-quality image is a great way to do that. If the image is low-quality or irrelevant, it can distract the audience. It’s best to think carefully about your visuals and what you want to add to the presentation.

4. Remember Your Audience

While writing your outline, remember who you’re writing for. One of the things you need to know about your audience is their knowledge of the subject you’re discussing. Are you speaking to a group of professionals who understand the terminology and the subject well? Or are you talking to a group of students who don’t know much about the subject?

You must also keep your audience in mind if you’re adding humor to your presentation. If you offend your audience, even accidentally, they'll stop listening to you.

5. Don’t Use Your Slides as Notes

Don’t read off your slides. This is a common mistake that people can make. The audience can read your slides, so it can be boring to hear you repeat what’s written on the slide.

It’s more effective when you give the audience new information. If you want to have notes, you can use the speaker notes tool in PowerPoint. This tool lets you add notes that the audience won’t see.

The Best Source for PowerPoint Presentation Templates (With Unlimited Downloads)

Before we dive into how to write presentations quickly, let's take a look at another timesaver: presentation templates . PowerPoint templates already have most of the design work done for you.

On Envato Elements, you can source unlimited  PowerPoint templates  for a flat rate. The singular subscription gives you everything you need to create a presentation—fast! Many of these options include PowerPoint outline templates already built.

Explore PowerPoint Templates

Not only will you unlock unlimited PowerPoint templates, but you'll also gain access to many other creative assets. That includes stock photos, graphics, illustrations, and more!

Top Envato Elements Presentation Templates

As you finish up your PowerPoint outline, why not pair it with a presentation outline template to rapidly craft your presentation? Here are three of our favorites in the Envato Elements library, all included as a part of the subscription!

1.  Outline - PowerPoint Template

The name might be a coincidence, but this PowerPoint presentation titled Outline is a perfect choice for many purposes. You've got 30 slides across five color schemes that are ready for practically any topic.

Flexible PowerPoint templates like this make it easy to adapt your presentation outline easily thanks to their well-designed structure.

2.  Business Strategy Two PowerPoint Template

The strategy is the unifying direction for a business or project plan. They work well with PowerPoint outlines thanks to the focused approach. This template captures many of the most popular strategy deliverables like:

• triple bottom line analyses
• and so much more

3.  Creativeplus - Agency PowerPoint Template

Are you running a creative agency? This PowerPoint template is sure to be a hit. It's useful for pitching projects or showing off your design chops. It's easy to update and has a fresh design that's certainly on-trend.

If you're still looking for presentation outline templates that save you time, Envato Elements might be right for you. Grab a template and design it rapidly!

More PowerPoint Presentation Templates

We've just scratched the surface of what's possible with templates for PowerPoint. Templates are the best way to save many hours of design work. Here are several articles with the best selection of PowerPoint templates:

More Powerful PowerPoint Resources

Learning how to write a presentation outline is just one of the many skills you need to become a confident presenter. Think of your learning journey in PowerPoint as a series of building blocks. Each skill gives you a steadier foundation.

Also, check our top-rated learning resource, How to Use PowerPoint (Ultimate Tutorial Guide.) It's a comprehensive source of the best learning materials to master PowerPoint.

You've already learned how to write an outline for a presentation. Keep learning with these three excellent tutorials:

Start Writing Your PowerPoint Presentation Outline Today

You learned how to make a PowerPoint outline for a presentation. Writing a PowerPoint outline is a surefire way to save time and improve your presentation. It brings a focus and consistency to the content.

Every presentation is different. That means that every PowerPoint outline will differ. This guide offers general guidelines to help you. But remember to be confident in your subject knowledge.

Before you start writing a presentation, remember that writing an outline first is the best way to do it. Set a goal, write a few key sections, and fill in your supporting details. Then, rapidly build the slides with your content.

Don't forget! PowerPoint presentation templates from Envato Elements are major time-savers too! Use them alongside your outline to write presentations quickly. 

Editorial Note : This post was originally published in February of 2020. It's been updated for accuracy with help from Sarah Joy .

Google Slides

Create Effective Presentation Outlines: A Step-by-Step Guide with Tips & Examples

Table of Contents

What is a presentation outline.

A presentation outline is like a roadmap for organizing your thoughts and delivering your message smoothly during a presentation. It helps you structure your content logically, ensuring that your audience can follow along easily. By providing a clear framework, an outline enhances the clarity and effectiveness of your presentation.

Importance of Presentation Outline  

1. Clarity and Focus

Using an outline keeps your presentation organized and focused, preventing you from going off track. It ensures that your presentation has a clear purpose and that all the information you share is relevant to your main points.

2. Logical Structure

A well-crafted outline ensures that your presentation flows logically, guiding your audience smoothly from one point to the next. This helps your audience follow your train of thought and understand your message more easily.

3. Enhanced Delivery

Having a clear outline can boost your confidence and make your delivery smoother. With a structured plan, you’re less likely to forget important points or ramble on, resulting in a more professional presentation.

4. Time Management

An outline helps you manage your time better by estimating how long each part of your presentation will take. This ensures that you stay within the allotted timeframe, keeping your presentation on track and engaging for your audience.

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How to Build Strong Presentation Outline s?

1. Purpose of Presentation

Understanding why you’re giving your presentation is crucial for planning its structure. Identifying your goal means thinking about what you want your audience to get out of it. This clarity forms the basis of your whole presentation. There are six potential reasons you might be presenting:

• Sharing information
• Teaching something new
• Making it enjoyable
• Inspiring action
• Convincing people of something
• Motivating them

Thinking about your goal will help you make a presentation that really grabs attention. Answering these questions can help you figure out what your goal is:

• What do I want people to learn or understand from my presentation?
• How will my presentation make a difference to those listening?
• What do I want people to do after my presentation?

Once you have the answers, you’ll have a good idea of what your presentation should cover and where to start.

2. Consider Color and Design

How you present your pitch matters just as much as what you say. Take a moment to think about the fonts and colors you’ll use on your slides. Research suggests that red can convey excitement and grab your audience’s attention, while white gives off a sense of simplicity and clarity.

3. Establishing Structure: Arrange Your Ideas in a Logical Order

When crafting your presentation, it’s important to structure your ideas in a clear and logical sequence. Start with an introduction to set the stage, followed by the main body where you delve into your key points, and wrap it up with a conclusion to summarize your main ideas.

4. Engaging Your Audience

When you’re getting ready for your presentation, think about how you can start off in a way that grabs everyone’s attention. You could ask a thought-provoking question, share an interesting story, or begin with a meaningful quote. The main thing is to get your audience interested right from the beginning and set the tone for the rest of your talk.

5. Adding Visuals

Give some thought to whether you want to include pictures, videos, or other visual stuff in your presentation. Even if your outline doesn’t mention exactly what visuals to use, you can suggest where they might fit in to help explain your ideas.

6. Encouraging Action

Come up with a clear and compelling message to encourage your audience to take action. Whether it’s encouraging customers to try out a new product or inviting people to join a demo, make sure they understand what’s in it for them. And if your presentation doesn’t really need a specific call to action, just wrap up by summarizing your main points and saying thanks for listening.

Alternatively, you can skip the hassle of crafting a presentation outline manually – try SlidesAI for seamless assistance .

Strategies for Crafting an Engaging Presentation

1. Understanding Your Audience

Take some time to know your audience by researching beforehand. This helps you adjust your presentation to connect with them better.

2. Enhance with Quotes, Testimonials, or Data

Make your presentation more interesting by adding extra info like quotes, testimonials, or data. It can make your audience more engaged and reinforce your message.

3. Visualize Your Concepts

How you show your ideas matters a lot. Tools like SlidesAI can help you express your concepts clearly and effectively.

4. Highlight Key Takeaways

Figure out the most important points you want your audience to remember. This makes it easier for them to recall and understand your message.

5. Seek Feedback

Ask for feedback to improve your presentation. It’s a good way to make sure it connects better with your audience.

Presentation Outline Example

Topic: The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

Target Audience: College students

Time Limit: 15 minutes

I. Introduction (2 minutes)

Attention Grabber : Briefly discuss a real-life example of how social media can negatively impact mental health (e.g., cyberbullying, unrealistic beauty standards).

Introduce the topic : Clearly state the topic and its significance (e.g., “Today, I’ll be talking about the increasing impact of social media on mental health, particularly among young adults like yourselves”).

Preview : Briefly outline the key points that will be covered (e.g., “We’ll explore the positive and negative aspects of social media use, discuss common mental health concerns associated with it, and offer some tips for healthy social media habits”).

II. Main Body (10 minutes)

Positive aspects of social media:

Connection and community : Highlight how social media can help people connect with friends and family, build communities based on shared interests, and combat feelings of loneliness.

Information and self-expression : Discuss how social media can be a source of information, news, and inspiration, and provide a platform for self-expression and creativity.

Negative aspects of social media:

Social comparison and envy : Explain how constant exposure to curated online profiles can lead to social comparison, feelings of inadequacy, and envy.

Cyberbullying and harassment : Discuss the prevalence of cyberbullying and online harassment, their potential to significantly impact mental health, and the importance of online safety.

Addiction and anxiety : Explain how excessive social media use can lead to addiction, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.

III. Conclusion (3 minutes)

Summary : Briefly recap the key takeaways discussed in the presentation.

Call to action : Encourage the audience to be mindful of their social media usage and offer practical tips for developing healthy habits, such as setting time limits, curating their feed, and prioritizing real-life interactions.

Question and Answer : Allocate time for audience questions and address them thoughtfully.

• No design skills required
• 3 presentations/month free
• Don’t need to learn a new software

This is just a sample outline, and you can adapt and modify it based on your specific topic, audience, and time constraints. Remember, a well-structured and engaging presentation will effectively communicate your message and leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can ai help you create a presentation outline .

With the assistance of AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini, crafting outlines becomes a breeze. Furthermore, you can utilize user-friendly online AI presentation tools such as SlidesAI to effortlessly generate your presentations.

Why is putting your outline on a slide a good idea?

Using a presentation outline can be helpful. It makes things clearer, boosts the speaker’s confidence, and helps manage information better. It also keeps the audience more engaged. But, if your presentation is fast-paced, casual, or focused on a specific area of expertise, you might want to keep the outline short and sweet. Just pick what works best for your situation and audience.

What is the format of the presentation outline?

There are various formats, but a common approach is using bullet points, numbered lists , or headings and subheadings. Choose the format that best suits your content and visualizes your information.

How can I adapt my presentation outline for different audiences?

Adapt your presentation outline by tailoring:

• Content : Depth, complexity, and examples based on audience expertise.
• Language : Formality, jargon, and storytelling to match audience and occasion.
• Visuals : Complexity and style to suit audience understanding.
• Delivery : Pace, volume, and even body language to audience energy.
• Focus : Highlight information most relevant to specific interests.

How long should a presentation outline be?

There’s no set rule; it depends on the complexity of your topic and presentation length.

Can I use a mind map to create a presentation outline?

Yes, mind maps can be a good way to visually brainstorm and organize presentation ideas.

What tools can I use to create a presentation outline?

You can use pen and paper, a word processing software like Microsoft Word, or dedicated outlining tools. Presentation software like PowerPoint also offers built-in outlining features.

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Every presentation is different, reflecting your unique business and the information you share. But, some common presentation types are used across various fields and teams. Before diving into specific slides or organization, consider the type that best suits your audience.

How to Create a Table of Contents for PPT: Step-by-step Guide

Have you ever encountered a lengthy PowerPoint presentation where finding specific information felt like a challenge? Tables of contents (TOCs) are a common feature in various writing formats, helping users navigate content easily. Similar to Microsoft Word’s TOC functionality, PowerPoint offers methods for creating your own TOC. This guide will explore these methods, enabling you […]

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• Alternatives

How To Write A Presentation 101 | Step-by-Step Guides with Best Examples | 2024 Reveals

Jane Ng • 05 April, 2024 • 9 min read

Is it difficult to start of presentation? You're standing before a room full of eager listeners, ready to share your knowledge and captivate their attention. But where do you begin? How do you structure your ideas and convey them effectively?

Take a deep breath, and fear not! In this article, we'll provide a road map on how to write a presentation covering everything from crafting a script to creating an engaging introduction.

So, let's dive in!

Table of Contents

What is a presentation , what should be in a powerful presentation.

• How To Write A Presentation Script
• How to Write A Presentation Introduction 

Key Takeaways

Tips for better presentation.

• How to start a presentation
• How to introduce yourself

Start in seconds.

Get free templates for your next interactive presentation. Sign up for free and take what you want from the template library!

Presentations are all about connecting with your audience. 

Presenting is a fantastic way to share information, ideas, or arguments with your audience. Think of it as a structured approach to effectively convey your message. And you've got options such as slideshows, speeches, demos, videos, and even multimedia presentations!

The purpose of a presentation can vary depending on the situation and what the presenter wants to achieve. 

• In the business world, presentations are commonly used to pitch proposals, share reports, or make sales pitches. 
• In educational settings, presentations are a go-to for teaching or delivering engaging lectures. 
• For conferences, seminars, and public events—presentations are perfect for dishing out information, inspiring folks, or even persuading the audience.

That sounds brilliant. But, how to write a presentation?

• Clear and Engaging Introduction: Start your presentation with a bang! Hook your audience's attention right from the beginning by using a captivating story, a surprising fact, a thought-provoking question, or a powerful quote. Clearly state the purpose of your presentation and establish a connection with your listeners.
• Well-Structured Content: Organize your content logically and coherently. Divide your presentation into sections or main points and provide smooth transitions between them. Each section should flow seamlessly into the next, creating a cohesive narrative. Use clear headings and subheadings to guide your audience through the presentation.
• Compelling Visuals: Incorporate visual aids, such as images, graphs, or videos, to enhance your presentation. Make sure your visuals are visually appealing, relevant, and easy to understand. Use a clean and uncluttered design with legible fonts and appropriate color schemes. 
• Engaging Delivery: Pay attention to your delivery style and body language. You should maintain eye contact with your audience, use gestures to emphasize key points, and vary your tone of voice to keep the presentation dynamic. 
• Clear and Memorable Conclusion: Leave your audience with a lasting impression by providing a strong closing statement, a call to action, or a thought-provoking question. Make sure your conclusion ties back to your introduction and reinforces the core message of your presentation.

How To Write A Presentation Script (With Examples)

To successfully convey your message to your audience, you must carefully craft and organize your presentation script. Here are steps on how to write a presentation script: 

1/ Understand Your Purpose and Audience

• Clarify the purpose of your presentation. Are you informing, persuading, or entertaining?
• Identify your target audience and their knowledge level, interests, and expectations.
• Define what presentation format you want to use

2/ Outline the Structure of Your Presentation

Strong opening.

Start with an engaging opening that grabs the audience's attention and introduces your topic. Some types of openings you can use are: 

• Start with a Thought-Provoking Question: "Have you ever...?"
• Begin with a Surprising Fact or Statistic: "Did you know that....?"
• Use a Powerful Quote: "As Maya Angelou once said,...."
• Tell a Compelling Story : "Picture this: You're standing at...."
• Start with a Bold Statement: "In the fast-paced digital age...."

Main Points

Clearly state your main points or key ideas that you will discuss throughout the presentation.

• Clearly State the Purpose and Main Points: Example: "In this presentation, we will delve into three key areas. First,... Next,... Finally,.... we'll discuss...."
• Provide Background and Context: Example: "Before we dive into the details, let's understand the basics of....."
• Present Supporting Information and Examples: Example: "To illustrate...., let's look at an example. In,....."
• Address Counterarguments or Potential Concerns: Example: "While..., we must also consider... ."
• Recap Key Points and Transition to the Next Section: Example: "To summarize, we've... Now, let's shift our focus to..."

Remember to organize your content logically and coherently, ensuring smooth transitions between sections.

You can conclude with a strong closing statement summarizing your main points and leaving a lasting impression. Example: "As we conclude our presentation, it's clear that... By...., we can...."

3/ Craft Clear and Concise Sentences

Once you've outlined your presentation, you need to edit your sentences. Use clear and straightforward language to ensure your message is easily understood.

Alternatively, you can break down complex ideas into simpler concepts and provide clear explanations or examples to aid comprehension.

4/ Use Visual Aids and Supporting Materials

Use supporting materials such as statistics, research findings, or real-life examples to back up your points and make them more compelling. 

• Example: "As you can see from this graph,... This demonstrates...."

5/ Include Engagement Techniques

Incorporate interactive elements to engage your audience, such as Q&A sessions , conducting live polls, or encouraging participation. You can also spin more funs into group, by randomly dividing people into different groups to get more diverse feedbacks!

6/ Rehearse and Revise

• Practice delivering your presentation script to familiarize yourself with the content and improve your delivery.
• Revise and edit your script as needed, removing any unnecessary information or repetitions.

7/ Seek Feedback

You can share your script or deliver a practice presentation to a trusted friend, colleague, or mentor to gather feedback on your script and make adjustments accordingly.

More on Script Presentation

How to Write A Presentation Introduction with Examples

How to write presentations that are engaging and visually appealing? Looking for introduction ideas for the presentation? As mentioned earlier, once you have completed your script, it's crucial to focus on editing and refining the most critical element—the opening of your presentation - the section that determines whether you can captivate and retain your audience's attention right from the start. 

Here is a guide on how to craft an opening that grabs your audience's attention from the very first minute: 

1/ Start with a Hook

To begin, you can choose from five different openings mentioned in the script based on your desired purpose and content. Alternatively, you can opt for the approach that resonates with you the most, and instills your confidence. Remember, the key is to choose a starting point that aligns with your objectives and allows you to deliver your message effectively.

2/ Establish Relevance and Context

Then you should establish the topic of your presentation and explain why it is important or relevant to your audience. Connect the topic to their interests, challenges, or aspirations to create a sense of relevance.

3/ State the Purpose

Clearly articulate the purpose or goal of your presentation. Let the audience know what they can expect to gain or achieve by listening to your presentation.

4/ Preview Your Main Points

Give a brief overview of the main points or sections you will cover in your presentation. It helps the audience understand the structure and flow of your presentation and creates anticipation.

5/ Establish Credibility

Share your expertise or credentials related to the topic to build trust with the audience, such as a brief personal story, relevant experience, or mentioning your professional background.

6/ Engage Emotionally

Connect emotional levels with your audience by appealing to their aspirations, fears, desires, or values. They help create a deeper connection and engagement from the very beginning.

Make sure your introduction is concise and to the point. Avoid unnecessary details or lengthy explanations. Aim for clarity and brevity to maintain the audience's attention.

For example, Topic: Work-life balance

"Good morning, everyone! Can you imagine waking up each day feeling energized and ready to conquer both your personal and professional pursuits? Well, that's exactly what we'll explore today – the wonderful world of work-life balance. In a fast-paced society where work seems to consume every waking hour, it's vital to find that spot where our careers and personal lives harmoniously coexist. Throughout this presentation, we'll dive into practical strategies that help us achieve that coveted balance, boost productivity, and nurture our overall well-being. 

But before we dive in, let me share a bit about my journey. As a working professional and a passionate advocate for work-life balance, I have spent years researching and implementing strategies that have transformed my own life. I am excited to share my knowledge and experiences with all of you today, with the hope of inspiring positive change and creating a more fulfilling work-life balance for everyone in this room. So, let's get started!"

🎉 Check out: How to Start a Presentation?

Whether you're a seasoned speaker or new to the stage, understanding how to write a presentation that conveys your message effectively is a valuable skill. By following the steps in this guide, you can become a captivating presenter and make your mark in every presentation you deliver.

Additionally, AhaSlides can significantly enhance your presentation's impact. With AhaSlides, you can use live polls , quizzes , and word cloud to turn your presentation into an engaging and interactive experience. Let's take a moment to explore our vast template library !

Frequently Asked Questions

How to write a presentation step by step .

You can refer to our step-by-step guide on How To Write A Presentation Script: Understand Your Purpose and Audience Outline the Structure of Your Presentation Craft Clear and Concise Sentences Use Visual Aids and Supporting Material Include Engagement Techniques Rehearse and Revise Seek Feedback

How do you start a presentation? 

You can start with an engaging opening that grabs the audience's attention and introduces your topic. Consider using one of the following approaches: Start with a Thought-Provoking Question: "Have you ever...?" Begin with a Surprising Fact or Statistic: "Did you know that....?" Use a Powerful Quote: "As Maya Angelou once said,...." Tell a Compelling Story : "Picture this: You're standing at...." Start with a Bold Statement: "In the fast-paced digital age...."

What are the five parts of a presentation?

When it comes to presentation writing, a typical presentation consists of the following five parts: Introduction: Capturing the audience's attention, introducing yourself, stating the purpose, and providing an overview. Main Body: Presenting main points, evidence, examples, and arguments. Visual Aids: Using visuals to enhance understanding and engage the audience. Conclusion: Summarizing main points, restating key message, and leaving a memorable takeaway or call to action. Q&A or Discussion: Optional part for addressing questions and encouraging audience participation.

A writer who wants to create practical and valuable content for the audience

Tips to Engage with Polls & Trivia

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How To Make an Effective Presentation Outline

Edraw content team, do you want to make presentation outline.

EdrawMind helps move ideas forward, faster and better. Learn from this complete guide to know how to make a perfect Presentation Outline. Just try it free now!

1. What is a Presentation Outline?

A presentation outline presents a comprehensive idea of what you plan to share with the audience. It is a synopsis of a talk, pitch, or subject matter under discussion. It serves as a guide for writing a paper, publishing a study, or building a presentation and enables you to structure your information in a way that is easy to understand. Making a presentation outline is similar to having all the necessary pieces in place before building a house. It may appear counter-productive to spend time and resources sorting things in the form of an outline. However, outlining saves time and gives clarity on a particular topic.

2. Why Should You Create a Presentation Outline?

A presentation outline assists you in preparing for your pitch or speech. It provides a clear path to take your audience from where it is to where you want it to be. It plays an important role in positively shaping people's perspectives about your planning and execution skills. There are several other advantages associated with creating a presentation outline which includes:

• It helps in brainstorming your presentation and saves time by giving a clear idea of what you need to focus on.
• It helps structure ideas so that they appear in a logical order.
• It enables you to determine the main points you need to keep in your presentation.
• You can categorize ideas into groups and create separate slides for each group for further clarity.
• It helps you rehearse your presentation while going over the important points.
• It provides a visual aid to help people understand your topic in a better way.

3. How to Create a Presentation Outline?

The following steps will help you create a presentation outline:

1 Considering the Purpose of Presentation

Determination of your presentation goal is fundamental to creating an outline. To find the purpose, you need to think about what you want from your audience. Finding this out will enable you to build your whole presentation. There are six purposes your presentation possibly have:

• Entertaining
• Inspiring to act

Considering the purpose will help you build an impressive presentation. The following few questions will enable you to figure this out:

• What do I want people to take away or understand from my presentation?
• How will my talk help those attending the presentation?
• What do I want people to do after the presentation is over?

Answers to these questions will help you create a summary of your presentation and will serve as a fine starting point.

2 Creating Structure

Creating a structure implies considering where different points belong in your discussion and where to use the supporting material. There are three main components of a presentation:

• Introduction

Structuring your points and arguments in these parts will enable you to transition from one part of the presentation to another without creating any trouble.

3 Using an Attention Grabber

Thinking about how you want to open your topic is an integral part of planning a presentation. If you want your audience to get engaged with what you are talking about, you can ask an interesting question, share a related story or quote something entertaining. It sets the tone for the rest of your discussion.

4 Considering Visual Content

You can add images, videos, or other visual content to your presentation to convey what you want to. It helps you to communicate emotions, excitement, passion, and experiences effectively. You can also focus on using different fonts and colors to make your presentation more interactive and interesting.

5 Including a Call to Action

A creative call to action will inspire your audience to take appropriate action. It will show what you want your audience to do after the presentation. Let your audience know what it will get from performing the required action.

4. How to Make a Presentation Outline?

You can make a presentation outline in the following two ways:

With PowerPoint and Word

1 creating an outline in word.

• Open Word document.
• Select View > Outline. This will automatically generate an outline and open the Outlining tools.
• If there are headings in your document, you will witness those headings organized by level (from H1 to H9). If there are no headings in the document, the outline will appear as a bullet list. You can assign or edit headings, and heading levels. You can also set up the structure of your document.
• Select a bullet item.
• Select a heading Level 1 for slide titles, Level 2 for bullet points on that slide from the Outline Level box.
• When the work is done, select Outline View to edit your document.
• Select Save to save your document, name your file, and then select Save once more.
• Select Close to close the document.

2 Importing a Word Outline into PowerPoint

• Open PowerPoint and select Home > New Slide.
• Select Slides from Outline.
• In the Insert Outline dialog box, find and select your Word outline. Select Insert.

With EdrawMind

5. Presentation Outline Template

This presentation outline template describes three components of the outline: The introduction, the main body, and the conclusion. The introductory part opens the topic with an attention grabber and summarises the importance of the topic and its relevance of the topic to the audience. It also includes learning objectives that points out what the audience is going to learn from this presentation. The main body part constitutes the main idea of the topic. This idea is substantiated by supporting material. The concluding part constitutes a summary of the topic discussed and what the audience learned from it. It reviews the main points and calls the audience to take appropriate action.

6. Key Tips for Creating a More Effective Presentation

Here are some important points to consider to create an effective presentation:

• Know Your Audience. Get to know your audience by researching ahead of time so that you can make your presentation relatable.
• Add Quotes, Testimonials, or Data. Adding additional information to your presentation can help you engage your audience better.
• Visualize Your Ideas. The way you present your ideas is fundamental to the success of those ideas. EdrawMind helps you to create and present your ideas most effectively and efficiently.
• Identify Key Takeaways from Your Presentation. It will enable you to recall, review, and reassert what you want to communicate with your audience.
• Gather Feedback. Gathering honest feedback will help you make further improvements and adjustments to your presentation to make it more effective.

7. Key Takeaways

A presentation outline is a tool to communicate your ideas precisely. It helps you brainstorm and plan your presentation in a logical flow. Moreover, it helps to grab the attention of your audience by providing it with a visual depiction of what you are going to talk. If you want to create an impressive and creative presentation outline, EdrawMind will help you in this regard. It has a variety of functions and tools which enable you to create a dynamic outline suited to your topic. It enables you to brainstorm and present your ideas most effectively by using different diagrams, charts, graphs, clipart, etc. EdrawMind provides the best solution to your presentation problems.

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A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating an Effective Presentation Outline

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Whether you are solving a puzzle, cooking a meal, or writing an article – the tasks can be significantly easier if all the pieces are present before you start. A presentation outline is a tool that will help a presenter arrange the ideas and make the conversation flow logically to give an efficient and effective presentation.

It may feel like wasting time planning the presentation when you could get started directly. But the facts and experience of great presenters in history give premises for the opposite. Planning saves time, and the same applies to business presentations or writing a speech. Start with planning; start with the presentation outline.

In this article, we’re going to understand the presentation outline, discuss its significance, provide a step-by-step guide on how to create one, and provide some expert advice.

What is a Presentation Outline?

A presentation outline is a simplified summary of your speech. Its purpose is to help you shape your thinking, make your presentation presented in the most logical manner, and organize the material in the most efficient way. It should follow the basic structure of your presentation and include concise summaries of your major points.

Why create a Presentation Outline?

A presentation outline can guide you in preparing for your presentation or speech. It provides you with a simplified version of the synopsis of your thoughts and a direct route for moving your audience from where they are now to where you desire them to be. Some of the key advantages of the presentation outline are:

·         Helps the speaker review the content’s scope and check the applicability of supportive arguments

·         Helps organize a message that the audience can understand by creating a visual aid showing the balance and proportion of a speech

·         Saves time by helping you brainstorm the presentation

·         Assisting with what ideas to keep in the presentation

·         Gives general direction to your presentation

How to Create a Presentation Outline

“A person without a plan is lost before they start.” – Lewis K Bendele

Here is a step-by-step guide to creating the outline for your presentation:

1. Know the Purpose of Your Presentation

The essential part of creating a presentation outline is to determine the goal of your presentation. To find this, consider what you want your audience to learn or support following your talk. For example, a non-profit organization that takes care of street dogs may give a presentation to persuade listeners to take care of street dogs by giving them some food. The goal for the presentation should be very concise and measurable so you can have a particular point of focus for your presentation. The most common goals for presentations include:

·         Motivating

·         Educating

·         Inciting an action

·         Informing

·         Entertaining

·         Persuading users to do something specific

2. Build a Structure

To build a great skyscraper, make sure the structure is right! The same goes for building an efficient presentation outline. While building the structure of your presentation outline, consider in which direction each of your discussion points is going in your talk and what premises you can use to support those points. The most popular way to organize the structure is by writing each point on sticky notes so that they can move around and see how each point contributes to the purpose of the presentation. To make better use of the audience’s time, you can also write how much time each segment of the presentation takes. The three major segments into which a presentation is divided are:

·         Introduction

·         Body

·         Conclusion

3. Outline the Start of Your Presentation

Have you wondered why great presenters always start their presentations with a rhetorical question, or share a relatable story, or use a quote? The answer to this is they create a backstage for their presentation and engage their audience early on by setting the tone they want for the rest of their presentation. These are the ways they grab the attention of the audience, which leads to better engagement and response.

When you plan your presentation outline, always plan how you want to start the presentation, as it will set the tone and backstage of your presentation.

4. Use Visual Aids

We’ve all been there; those long lectures and corporate meetings, where you give it all to stay attentive to the data being shown and slowly being read off of a boring spreadsheet.

Don’t make that same mistake in your presentation. Incorporate your data in a visual and engaging way. Take a thought about adding pictures, videos, or other content to your presentation. The style and color scheme you choose for the text on your slides should be taken into account as additional visual material. You can communicate some emotions through color; for example, the color red portrays passion.

While outlining your presentation, mention which visual aids you want to use, where, and how you want to use them.

5. Include a Call-to-Action

Add a call-to-action for your audience to get a better outcome from your presentation. For example, a businessman in a presentation to the audience will try to persuade them to buy his company’s product. Call-to-action brings the audience to the desired place that you want them to. Make your audience aware of the benefits they will get by coming to your desired place.

Clearly mention in your presentation outline which CTA you will be using.

A presentation outline is a tool that can be used for creating a presentation in the most logical manner. It helps improve the presentation on an all-rounder basis. Moreover, it gives your audience a visual representation of what you will be talking about and supports in capturing their interest.

It takes meticulous planning, close attention to content details, and a keen eye for design to produce an effective presentation outline. If not properly outlined, even the best presentations can be disastrous.  

“Practice makes a man perfect,” as they said. “Practice can make your presentation perfect,” we implied.

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How to Create a Powerful Presentation Outline

Crafting a presentation outline can often feel like navigating through a maze—confusing and daunting. Yet, the secret to a powerful presentation lies in organized preparation and a clear main message. Whether you’re gearing up for a boardroom pitch or an academic lecture, the foundation of your success rests on how well you can outline your ideas.

This article is designed to transform that overwhelming maze into a straightforward path, ensuring your presentation resonates with your audience and leaves a lasting impact.

• Define Objective : Start by pinpointing the main message or action you want your audience to take away, ensuring your presentation is goal-oriented and impactful.
• Know Your Audience : Customize the content, tone, and examples in your presentation to match the background, expectations, and interests of your audience for greater engagement.
• Structured Outline : Develop a solid framework for your presentation, beginning with a hook in the introduction, followed by a detailed exploration of topics in the body, and wrapping up with a memorable conclusion.
• Engage with Transitions : Seamlessly connect different sections of your presentation with thoughtful transitions, making it easier for your audience to follow and stay engaged with your narrative.
• Iterative Refinement : After drafting your initial outline, seek feedback from peers or mentors and be prepared to revise and rearrange content to enhance the clarity, flow, and overall effectiveness of your presentation.

What is a presentation outline?

A presentation outline summarizes your entire presentation or talk and highlights the key message you want to convey. This strategic framework provides a clear structure, guiding you from the initial introduction to the concluding remarks.

Turning your ideas into a cohesive outline ensures that every presentation element is aligned and purposeful. Think of it as the blueprint that will shape your narrative, keeping your content focused and your audience engaged every step of the way.

Why is it important to create a presentation outline?

Creating a presentation outline is important because it helps you organize your ideas into a logical order, ensuring that your audience can follow along easily. It also helps clarify your thoughts and highlights the key takeaways you want your audience to remember.

You increase your chances of delivering a more impactful and memorable presentation by thinking through and laying out all the key points you want to make in a structured and logical order. It’s an essential part of preparation .

How to create a Presentation Outline

Use the following steps to create an effective presentation outline.

Identify Your Main Objective

At the heart of every impactful presentation is a clearly defined main objective. This is what you want your audience to learn, feel, or do by the end of your talk. Defining this goal early on can help you better tailor your presentation outline to support this objective. This focus ensures that every element of your presentation, from the introduction to the conclusion, is designed to engage your audience and drive home your key message. An outline rooted in a well-defined objective is the blueprint for a presentation that captures attention and precisely achieves its intended effect.

Analyze Your Audience

At the heart of every impactful presentation is a clearly defined main objective. This is what you want your audience to learn, feel, or do by the end of your talk. Defining this goal early on can help you better tailor your presentation outline to support this objective.

This focus ensures that every element of your presentation, from the introduction to the conclusion, is designed to engage your audience and drive home your key message. An outline rooted in a well-defined objective is the blueprint for a presentation that captures attention and precisely achieves its intended effect.

Imagine you’re presenting to a group of seasoned professionals in the tech industry. Knowing their depth of knowledge and experience, you would craft your presentation outline to dive deeper into advanced topics, skip over basic concepts they’re likely already familiar with, and incorporate industry-specific examples that resonate with their expertise.

This tailored approach might include case studies of recent technological breakthroughs, discussions on emerging trends, and data-driven insights that challenge and engage such an informed audience. Your outline would be structured to facilitate a more technical dialogue, encouraging interaction and leveraging their expertise to enrich the discussion.

This level of customization ensures that your presentation not only captivates but also adds value to your audience’s professional interests.

Draft a Basic Structure

Start by outlining your presentation with a clear structure using the following sections:

Introduction

Then, add each of your talking points under the corresponding section. As you slot your main points into each section, keep your primary objective and audience in mind. Whether you’re drafting on paper, crafting slides in PowerPoint, or jotting down ideas on sticky notes, focus on pinpointing your key messages and arranging them for maximum impact. This step is about organizing your content in a way that flows logically and resonates with your listeners, ensuring your key points are delivered effectively.

Outline the Introduction

Crafting an engaging introduction is your golden ticket to capturing your audience’s attention from the beginning.

Start with a compelling hook: a surprising statistic, a thought-provoking question, or a relatable anecdote. This sets the stage for your main message, creating a connection that draws listeners in. Your outline should briefly map out this opening gambit, laying the groundwork for the journey you’re about to take your audience on.

An introduction isn’t just about starting strong; it’s about laying a pathway that makes every listener eager to follow along.

Detailing the Body of Your Presentation

When outlining the main body of your presentation, the focus is on the main content, where you dive into the heart of your topic. Break down complex ideas into digestible chunks, organizing them in a logical sequence that builds on each piece of information.

Use bullet points or numbered lists to arrange your key points, ensuring clarity and flow. This structure not only aids in your delivery but also helps your audience grasp and retain the material. Think of the body as a series of stepping stones, guiding your audience through the intricacies of your subject with ease and precision.

Concluding Your Presentation

In concluding your presentation, your outline should summarize the journey you’ve taken your audience on. Highlight the main point of each section to reinforce your key messages, ensuring they leave a lasting impression.

Then, seamlessly transition to your call to action, guiding your audience towards the next steps, whether to reflect, discuss, or take specific action. This final part of your outline is your opportunity to leave your audience with a clear understanding of what they’ve learned and what they’re encouraged to do next, making your presentation memorable and impactful.

Incorporate Transitional Elements

Smooth transitions are the glue that holds the sections of your presentation together, creating a cohesive narrative that’s easy for your audience to follow. In your outline, identify natural bridges between topics, using phrases like “Building on this idea” or “This leads us to the next point” to guide listeners from one section to the next seamlessly.

For example, after discussing a problem, you might transition to the solution section with, “Having understood the challenges, let’s explore potential solutions.” These transitional elements should be woven into your outline, ensuring a fluid progression of ideas that enhances your presentation’s overall clarity and impact.

Refine and Rearrange

Refining your presentation outline is essential to ensure your message is delivered as clearly and effectively as possible. After your initial draft:

• Take a step back and review your work with fresh eyes.
• Look for opportunities to improve the information flow, ensuring each section logically leads to the next.
• Feel free to revise parts that seem unclear or redundant; clarity is key.
• Consider rearranging points if it enhances the narrative or makes the key takeaways more impactful.

This iterative refinement process ensures that your final presentation is polished, cohesive, and ready to make a lasting impression on your audience.

Feedback and Finalization

Seeking feedback on your presentation outline can be a game-changer in fine-tuning your content. Don’t underestimate the value of a second opinion; fresh eyes can spot areas for improvement that you might overlook.

Share your outline with a trusted colleague, mentor, or friend, ideally someone familiar with your topic or audience. Encourage them to provide honest feedback on your points’ clarity, flow, and impact.

This collaborative review process can unveil new perspectives, highlight gaps in logic, or suggest enhancements that elevate the quality of your presentation. Incorporating this feedback into your final outline ensures it’s robust, audience-tailored, and ready for delivery.

Use a Presentation Outline Template

Here is a presentation outline example template that you can use to create a great presentation outline.

Title of Your Presentation

• Main Objective : [Briefly state the main goal or message of your presentation.]

Audience Analysis

• Target Audience : [Describe who your audience is.]
• Audience Needs/Expectations : [List what your audience expects to learn or gain from your presentation.]
• Opening Remarks : [Start with an attention-grabbing statement or question.]
• Context Setting : [Provide a broad overview of the topic.]
• Purpose of Presentation : [Clearly state why this presentation matters to your audience.]
• Overview of Main Points : [Briefly outline the main points you will cover.]
• Subpoint A : [Detail]
• Subpoint B : [Detail]
• Transition to Next Point : [How you’ll lead into the next main point.]
• Transition to Next Point : [Method of transition.]
• [Continue as needed for additional main points.]
• Summary of Key Points : [Recap the main points you’ve discussed.]
• Final Message or Call to Action : [Conclude with a strong statement or action you want your audience to take.]
• Closing Remarks : [End with a memorable remark or a thought-provoking question.]

Interaction (If applicable)

• Engagement Points : [Opportunities during your presentation where you might engage the audience for comments or questions.]

Final Thoughts

Creating a powerful presentation is an art form that begins with a meticulously crafted outline. By taking the time to define your main objective, understand your audience, and structure your content thoughtfully, you’re laying the groundwork for a presentation that engages and inspires your audience.

Remember, the strength of your presentation lies in its clarity, coherence, and ability to resonate with your listeners. Use the guidelines outlined in this article to refine your approach, seek feedback, and continually improve. With each step, you’re not just preparing a presentation but setting the stage for a meaningful dialogue with your audience.

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"Tell them what you are going to tell them; tell them; tell them what you have told them“

The number of points in the body of your lecture can expand and contract as required.

• average adult attention span is 15-20 minutes: divide the body of your talk into 15-minute sub-topics
• give each sub-topic a short introduction, conclusion, and transition into the next sub-topic
• vary the pace: for example, have question periods at the end of each sub-topic, or alternate 15-minute lectures with 15-minute interactive activities or audio-visual presentations

I. Introduction (2-3 minutes)

• Opener Or Attention Getter
• Significance of topic
• Relevance to Audience
• Thesis and Preview (Tell your audience “the big picture”; give them a roadmap to their learning)  
• Support material

(sign post - words that indicate that you are going to make a point - initially, finally, next.)

TRANSITION and CONNECTION

(sign post - words that indicate that you are going to make a point - initially, finally, next)

III. Conclusion (2-3 minutes)

• Summary of topic and what was learned
• Review the main points or your learning objectives
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Presentation Outline Example and Template

How to create a presentation Outline

A presentation outline is a roadmap to a more successful business pitch — a general plan that summarizes what you want to say to prospective customers, clients or investors. It lets you organize your thoughts, group ideas into main points and present your material logically. But what should you include in your slides?

We've compiled 11 tips for more effective pitch prep.

If you came here looking for presentation templates , here's an a couople of examples from of our most popular ones. If not, just carry on.

Browse our PRESENTATION TEMPLATES

What is a presentation outline.

An outline for a presentation is a helpful tool that organizes the main points and flow of the presentation. It acts as a guide for the presenter, outlining the order in which information will be presented and the main ideas that will be covered. A good outline should include headings and subheadings that outline the main topics and supporting details, ensuring a clear and logical arrangement of information. Creating a presentation outline helps the presenter stay organized and focused, and makes it easier for the audience to follow the content and understand the main concepts of the presentation.

11 tips to create more effective presentations

1. decide on a goal.

Before you brainstorm, and before you scribble down any notes, come up with a goal for your presentation. What do you want your pitch deck to say to your audience? What message do you want to convey? What do you want it to achieve?

Perhaps you want your pitch to raise seed funds. Maybe you want to introduce a new product or service to customers. Whatever the reason for creating your pitch, decide on a specific, measurable goal. This will guide the rest of your preparation.

2. Create a Structure for Your Presentation

Every good presentation includes an introduction, main body, and conclusion. These three components form the "skeleton" of your presentation — the bare bones of your pitch. You don't need to think about all the small details at this stage — you can flesh out your presentation slides at a later date.

Your introduction is probably the most important part of your pitch. After all, you only have seven seconds to make a good first impression, according to research. Use your intro to introduce your brand, greet your audience and give a taster of what's to come.

The body of your presentation includes your main ideas and any supporting ideas. Use it to feature testimonials, financials and fundraising info, traction and milestones, and, of course, your marketing plan.

Finally, your conclusion summarizes all your points in a few slides. This should leave your audience wanting more.

3. Think About Visual Content

Visual content is an essential ingredient. The human brain processes visuals 60,000 times faster than regular text, so including images in your pitch is a great idea. Don't forget about videos, either. Consumers are 64 percent more likely to purchase a product after watching an online video, making visual content a good choice if you want to generate leads and boost sign-ups.

The most successful pitch decks incorporate striking visuals. Others have fancy fonts and graphics. All of this visual content demands attention from your audience and creates a cool aesthetic that will help you outrank your rivals.

At this early stage of pitch deck preparation, you don't have to finalize the images you are going to include in your pitch. However, we think it's a good idea to point out where you are going to use images in your presentation. This way, you can organize your ideas and make sure everything flows properly.

4. Understand What Makes a Good Presentation — and a Bad One

No two presentations are the same. The most successful pitch decks, however, certainly have a lot in common. When creating your outline, discover what makes a brilliant pitch. The University of Hawaii says great presentations rarely cover more than five points. The University of Cambridge in England says there should be four key points in every 45-minute presentation.

Here at Slidebean, we think one idea per slide, good design, lots of images, and quotes all make presentations so much more interesting. We're not fans of the 'thank you' slide, though — the one that recognizes your audience for sitting through your presentation. It's completely unnecessary.

5. Include a Call-to-Action

A call-to-action is much better than a 'thank you' slide. This encourages your audience to take action after your presentation. When creating your outline, think of a short, snappy call-to-action that prompts a response. A call-to-action is your final chance to engage with your audience during your presentation. You might want to encourage people to sign up to your mailing list, for example. Alternatively, you can include a link to your website so people can download a trial version of your product.

"No matter what form your CTA takes, the most important aspect is the copy," says growth marketing expert Sujan Patel and Voila Norbert co-founder, writing for Forbes magazine . "You’re telling the visitor what you want them to do, so it needs to be persuasive. Remember, your audience is looking for an answer or a solution to a problem. Connect with them by telling them exactly what they’re going to get if they take action."

6. Identify a Solution to a Problem

Every day, more than 30 million presentations are created on PowerPoint alone. Then there are the hundreds of thousands of pitches designed in Keynote, Prezi, and Slidebean. With so many presentations out there, how do you inspire people to invest in your services? One way to create a successful pitch is to identify a solution to a problem that your audience might have.

Slidebean recently reviewed some of the best presentation examples from successful startups. Most of them provide solutions to common problems early on in their respective pitches. Customer messaging platform Intercom, for example, says analytics, customer base browsing, and customer research is the answer for businesses who find it hard to engage with customers. They include these solutions near the beginning of their pitch deck.

If you want to have a more successful presentation, think about solving problems in your niche when creating your outline.

7. Use Quotes, Testimonials and Statistics

Quotes from senior management help you convey abstract ideas and make your presentation more engaging. You should obtain any quotes you want to use in your presentation during the planning stage. Testimonials from customers and clients also prove popular. Research shows that positive reviews influence purchasing decisions and increase trust.

Finally, statistics add some depth to your presentation. Industry facts and figures back up any claims you make and increase engagement. Discover relevant statistics when creating your outline. You don't need to include any actual quotes, testimonials or statistics yet. Just jot down where you want to place them in your presentation.

8. Think About Color and Design

The way you present information in your pitch is just as important as the information itself. Now is the time to start thinking about the font/s you want to use or the color of your slides. Research shows that red conveys passion and excitement and catches the attention of your audience. White, on the other hand, conveys simplicity and purity.

Slidebean has a range of color palettes that transform the look of your slides. You can choose up to three color sets and play around with different text, backgrounds, and highlights.

9. Plan the Order of Your Slides

Think of your presentation outline template as a very rough first draft. Decide on what types of slides you want to use, and decide on a final running order. You might feature quotes early on in your presentation, for example, and leave testimonials until the end. Don't forget to include a slide with your contact details — website, phone number, address, etc. — and your brand values.

Your presentation outline should be a group effort, too. Ask your colleagues for input.

10. Identify Key Takeaways From Your Presentation

Your outline should include enough information so you can visualize what your final presentation will look like. Once you have finished your outline, read it back and identify the key takeaways from the document. Is the structure of your presentation clear, for example? Does it convey your brand message? Will it engage your audience?

Every slide in your presentation should achieve the goal you created at the beginning of your outline. If something isn't working, make changes. You might want to switch slides around or remove unnecessary information, for example.

11. Use a Presentation Template

Once you have completed your outline, it's time to start putting everything together. Yes, you could create a PowerPoint pitch deck from scratch, but this is often time-consuming and complicated. Instead, use a template, which provides you with all the presentation slides you need.

Here at Slidebean, we have presentation templates for business of all sizes, including startups and scaleups. You can create a professional pitch deck in just a few minutes by following the on-screen prompts. Everything's included — bullet points, graphics, headers, footers, and more. Take the time to plan your pitch to produce a powerful sales document that helps you communicate with your audience.

Once you have created your presentation outline template, sign up to Slidebean and design a pitch that provides you with a huge return on your investment.

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Comprising 10-20 slides, a pitch presentation highlights key aspects like the business model, traction, and roadmap. This guide outlines the essential structure of a pitch deck, including sections like introduction, status quo, product, market, why us, and the ask. It emphasizes the importance of narrating your company's story, persuading investors of its profitability, and achieving this within 4 minutes.

We've collected over 30 pitch deck examples and templates from successful startups like Airbnb, Uber, and Tesla. Free PDF downloads included.

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How to Outline a Presentation – A Complete Step By Step Guide

It is inevitable that on certain occasions we would be asked to give a presentation. Some people may find this terrifying and become hesitant, especially when the topic assigned is unfamiliar to them. However, acing a presentation is possible if you would prepare properly. Mostly overlooked, and a step that many skips but this is the key to saving yourself from having self-doubt and anxiety caused by i nsufficient readiness. If you are wondering how to begin, then it’s best to start digging for information to draft your outline.   

A presentation outline is a blueprint or framework of your speech. It is a  textual arrangement that gives a picture of the entire speech you are preparing.  It is an important planning tool which guides you logically through all the aspects that you need to consider prior to writing the presentation itself. It helps you to think of the elements to include and how do they correspond to one another. It also allows you to analyze and test the order of arrangement of your ideas and makes identifying weak and unnecessary points in your speech easier. Thus the preparation outline helps in giving your speech a structure.

Outline Structure

Since outlines are used to arrange all the elements in a presentation, it has organizational hierarchy and a common format There are a variety of outline styles, however, they all generally follow the same pattern. Below is a sample of a generic speech outline that can support your core message and works for a wide range of speech topics.

Outline Formatting Guidelines

As shown in the generic outline structure above, the following basic principles can be observed when organizing ideas and preparing your outline.

• Depending on your preference, your speech details may be preceded by the title, topic, specific purpose statement, thesis statement plus additional information you may want to add. As you develop and organize your speech this will help you to be on track on the purpose and main theme of your speech.
• When writing your outline follow the suggested simple formula for any presentation: (1) Tell them what you are going to tell them (2) Tell them (3) Then, tell them what you told them. In your presentation’s outline, this is your introduction , body , and conclusion . Dividing your presentation into main headings will ensure a logical and orderly development of the subjects 
• In sequencing the ideas in your outline, observe the principles of unity, coherence, and emphasis. Try to avoid random order and focus instead on seeking and extracting meaningful relationships on the materials you gathered.  Arrange it according to their meaningfulness and usefulness in the speech.
• Include only the essentials. If you have covered too much, narrow it down and sift out irrelevant materials to keep your focus on pertinent details. Distinguish clearly between important ideas and less important ones and rearrange your points if needed. If some of your main points are sufficiently supported while others are lacking, you may add or subtract supporting material to polish your presentation. 
• The body of the speech contains the main ideas about your topic.  To help your listeners easily understand and remember your main points, group your facts into a few main topics. If possible, limit it to three then start with the strongest and most supportive argument. 
• Under each main point, write down the supporting information. These subordinate ideas should develop the main points above them. Also, each division of the outline should contain only one idea. Make sure that the supporting details you are going to add are placed under the appropriate main point.
• When preparing the outline, focus on the body of your speech first to make writing the introduction and closing easier. 
• After carefully planning your body, identify how you would like to begin your presentation. Write an introduction that would arouse the attention of your audience then provide a  general view of the speech.
• Pull together all your main points, subordinate points and supporting materials in your conclusion to give a final impact on your proposition
• Use transitional statements between elements to hint your audience that you are moving from one point to another. Write it in parenthesis and place it between the main points
• To indicate the main and subordinate ideas, use a consistent set of symbols and numbers. Also, make sure that your subordinate points are properly indented under its main idea. Indenting makes identifying your main points, sub-points, and examples easier. 
• Write each heading or subheading in complete sentences using the active voice. It should contain the words of the actual speech that helps to somewhat complete the script of your entire speech. Writing your points in full-sentence will help you to remember the easy to forget significant points. 
• At the end of the outline, include bibliographic information for any outside resources you will mention during your presentation. This will help you to easily find the sources you will use.

Some may be writing their presentation without an outline, however, having it saves time. The speech you are writing will almost develop itself by having an adequate and detailed outline, therefore allowing you to craft a coherent and more focussed presentation. Exceptional English presenters and public speakers understand the value of having an outline. They know that is an effective device to write and deliver a successful presentation. 

Special Bonus Tip: Writing a presentation outline is often perceived to be reserved for planning purposes only.  However, your outline can function both as a tool when organizing your points and as a reference when delivering your speech. The only difference is that with your preparation outline you utilize full sentences. If you decide to convert it as a speaking outline then you just have to tweak it and use words or short phrases instead of full sentences. 

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An effective presentation starts with an effective presentation outline

Reading time: about 7 min

A presentation outline is an organizational tool that will help you organize your thoughts and summarize what you want to share in your presentation. A well-written outline can help you create a logical flow for the information you present and keep you on track as you present. This can also help you make your message more clear and keep your audience interested in what you have to say.   

Chances are that at some point in your career, you will be asked to give a presentation to your team, department, or senior management. And that’s a good thing because presentations are a great way to share your ideas and communicate important information in a compelling, visual format.

An essential but sometimes overlooked part of an effective presentation is an effective presentation outline. A well-crafted outline can help you to:

• Organize your thoughts.
• Determine how information will flow.
• Keep your overall message clear and easy to understand.

Ultimately, an effective outline will help you create an effective presentation that will get the support you need from your intended audience.

What is a presentation outline?

Before a director shoots a frame of a movie, they first create a storyboard that outlines the sequence and flow of the movie’s story. In a similar way, you can create a presentation outline as a blueprint for the story you want to tell your audience. A presentation outline can help you to stay on message during your presentation, keep your audience engaged, and make the information you share easier to understand.

Why is it important to create a presentation outline?

Some people don’t like to create outlines because they think of them as time-consuming and tedious, but taking the time to create a well-structured presentation outline is important. An outline can help you:

• Brainstorm ideas : Quickly gather and prioritize ideas that you want to share with your audience. 
• Organize content : Create a sequential flow that helps you to clearly present your ideas in a logical order. 
• Manage time: Estimate how long your presentation will last during the outlining phase. You might want to assign a specific amount of time to each section. This can help you spend enough time on more important or complex ideas while not spending too much time on easy-to-understand concepts.
• Engage your audience : A good presentation outline helps you create a good presentation, which is more likely to keep your audience engaged.

How to write an outline for a presentation

The following steps can help you to create a presentation that will keep your audience engaged and informed.

Step 1: Define the purpose and the audience

It’s hard to create an outline for a presentation if you don’t understand why you are making the presentation, what it’s about, or who your audience is. To understand the presentation’s purpose and its audience, answer these questions:

• What is the main message you want to convey?
• What is your goal for this presentation? This is the outcome you expect, which can include entertaining, educating, informing, persuading, motivating, or inspiring an action.
• Who is your target audience? Knowing your target audience is critical to shaping the tone of your presentation. For example, a presentation to executives might have a more formal tone than a presentation to your team. Consider what your audience is interested in, their level of expertise, and their expectations. 

Step 2: Choose a structure

A structure helps you determine how and where to present your key points. There are several different structures you can use in your presentation, including:

• Chronological : Information is presented in chronological order. This structure is good for presenting historical information and for listing step-by-step processes.
• Topical : Your information is organized by topic or theme. This is good for presenting different topics that are related to each other.
• Problem/solution : This structure lets you present and describe a problem followed by possible solutions. This structure can be helpful if your purpose is to persuade your audience to adopt specific solutions.
• Compare and contrast : Used to compare and contrast ideas, products, concepts, etc. This is good for discussions about the pros and cons of various items.
• Cause and effect : This structure helps you to explore the cause and effect of various events. It can help you to explain the impact that decisions or actions might have on the solutions you choose.   

Choose the structure that works for your needs. You can also mix and match structures to customize your outline. It doesn’t matter which structure you choose. Just understand that the structure needs to include an introduction, main body, and conclusion.

Step 3: Use an attention grabber

This is where you consider how you want to start your presentation. Grabbing your audience’s attention will help them to engage early and remain interested in your presentation. For example, you can ask questions that lead into your subject, share a related story, or tell an amusing anecdote. Your opening can help to set the tone for the presentation.

Step 4: Use visuals 

Step 5: include a call to action.

The goal of a call to action is to motivate the audience to take a particular action when your presentation is completed. 

For example, if your presentation is about the importance of writing weekly progress reports, your call to action should motivate your audience to make the process of writing progress reports a standard procedure in their work week. The presentation itself should illustrate why you need their reports and help them understand what’s in it for them if they write their reports.

Step 6: Leave time for questions and answers

In a perfect world, your audience will understand everything in your presentation and there will be enthusiastic applause when you finish. But in case that doesn’t happen, make sure you include in your outline some time to address any questions your audience might have.

Step 7: Review and refine

After you’ve created your presentation outline, you might want to review it with other people to see if they catch something you missed. 

Tips for creating an effective presentation 

When your outline is completed, it’s time to create your presentation. Here are a few tips that can help you to make your presentation more effective.

• Incorporate storytelling elements : Telling a relevant story has the potential to connect with your audience on an emotional level. Indicate in your outline where you will tell stories that can make information more relatable and memorable.
• Practice, review, and refine : Practice your presentation, pay attention to its timing and flow, and identify areas that need to be refined. Get feedback from trusted co-workers or mentors who can help you to identify problem areas.
• Keep your outline separate from your presentation : The outline provides the structure of your presentation, but it is not the presentation itself. You should keep it separate from the presentation so you can refer to it as needed during the presentation.
• Be flexible : Expect the unexpected. Audience reactions and questions could lead your presentation down an unexpected path. Be adaptable and flexible to keep your presentation relevant. 

Using a presentation outline template

Templates are a great starting point for creating documents like a presentation outline. You can create your own template or use an existing template. A basic presentation outline example is:

[Presentation Title]

• Attention grabber
• Purpose of presentation
• Subtopic 1.1
• Subtopic 1.2
• Subtopic 2.1
• Subtopic 2.2
• Summary to recap main points
• Question and answer session
• Call to action

Want to create even more engaging presentations? Lucid should be your go-to app rather than PowerPoint.  

About Lucidspark

Lucidspark, a cloud-based virtual whiteboard, is a core component of Lucid Software's Visual Collaboration Suite. This cutting-edge digital canvas brings teams together to brainstorm, collaborate, and consolidate collective thinking into actionable next steps—all in real time. Lucid is proud to serve top businesses around the world, including customers such as Google, GE, and NBC Universal, and 99% of the Fortune 500. Lucid partners with industry leaders, including Google, Atlassian, and Microsoft. Since its founding, Lucid has received numerous awards for its products, business, and workplace culture. For more information, visit lucidspark.com.

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Blog Beginner Guides How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]

How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]

Written by: Krystle Wong Jul 20, 2023

A top-notch presentation possesses the power to drive action. From winning stakeholders over and conveying a powerful message to securing funding — your secret weapon lies within the realm of creating an effective presentation .  

Being an excellent presenter isn’t confined to the boardroom. Whether you’re delivering a presentation at work, pursuing an academic career, involved in a non-profit organization or even a student, nailing the presentation game is a game-changer.

In this article, I’ll cover the top qualities of compelling presentations and walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to give a good presentation. Here’s a little tip to kick things off: for a headstart, check out Venngage’s collection of free presentation templates . They are fully customizable, and the best part is you don’t need professional design skills to make them shine!

These valuable presentation tips cater to individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, encompassing business professionals, sales and marketing teams, educators, trainers, students, researchers, non-profit organizations, public speakers and presenters. 

No matter your field or role, these tips for presenting will equip you with the skills to deliver effective presentations that leave a lasting impression on any audience.

Click to jump ahead:

What are the 10 qualities of a good presentation?

Step-by-step guide on how to prepare an effective presentation, 9 effective techniques to deliver a memorable presentation, faqs on making a good presentation, how to create a presentation with venngage in 5 steps.

When it comes to giving an engaging presentation that leaves a lasting impression, it’s not just about the content — it’s also about how you deliver it. Wondering what makes a good presentation? Well, the best presentations I’ve seen consistently exhibit these 10 qualities:

1. Clear structure

No one likes to get lost in a maze of information. Organize your thoughts into a logical flow, complete with an introduction, main points and a solid conclusion. A structured presentation helps your audience follow along effortlessly, leaving them with a sense of satisfaction at the end.

Regardless of your presentation style , a quality presentation starts with a clear roadmap. Browse through Venngage’s template library and select a presentation template that aligns with your content and presentation goals. Here’s a good presentation example template with a logical layout that includes sections for the introduction, main points, supporting information and a conclusion: 

2. Engaging opening

Hook your audience right from the start with an attention-grabbing statement, a fascinating question or maybe even a captivating anecdote. Set the stage for a killer presentation!

The opening moments of your presentation hold immense power – check out these 15 ways to start a presentation to set the stage and captivate your audience.

3. Relevant content

Make sure your content aligns with their interests and needs. Your audience is there for a reason, and that’s to get valuable insights. Avoid fluff and get straight to the point, your audience will be genuinely excited.

4. Effective visual aids

Picture this: a slide with walls of text and tiny charts, yawn! Visual aids should be just that—aiding your presentation. Opt for clear and visually appealing slides, engaging images and informative charts that add value and help reinforce your message.

With Venngage, visualizing data takes no effort at all. You can import data from CSV or Google Sheets seamlessly and create stunning charts, graphs and icon stories effortlessly to showcase your data in a captivating and impactful way.

5. Clear and concise communication

Keep your language simple, and avoid jargon or complicated terms. Communicate your ideas clearly, so your audience can easily grasp and retain the information being conveyed. This can prevent confusion and enhance the overall effectiveness of the message. 

6. Engaging delivery

Spice up your presentation with a sprinkle of enthusiasm! Maintain eye contact, use expressive gestures and vary your tone of voice to keep your audience glued to the edge of their seats. A touch of charisma goes a long way!

7. Interaction and audience engagement

Turn your presentation into an interactive experience — encourage questions, foster discussions and maybe even throw in a fun activity. Engaged audiences are more likely to remember and embrace your message.

Transform your slides into an interactive presentation with Venngage’s dynamic features like pop-ups, clickable icons and animated elements. Engage your audience with interactive content that lets them explore and interact with your presentation for a truly immersive experience.

8. Effective storytelling

Who doesn’t love a good story? Weaving relevant anecdotes, case studies or even a personal story into your presentation can captivate your audience and create a lasting impact. Stories build connections and make your message memorable.

A great presentation background is also essential as it sets the tone, creates visual interest and reinforces your message. Enhance the overall aesthetics of your presentation with these 15 presentation background examples and captivate your audience’s attention.

9. Well-timed pacing

Pace your presentation thoughtfully with well-designed presentation slides, neither rushing through nor dragging it out. Respect your audience’s time and ensure you cover all the essential points without losing their interest.

10. Strong conclusion

Last impressions linger! Summarize your main points and leave your audience with a clear takeaway. End your presentation with a bang , a call to action or an inspiring thought that resonates long after the conclusion.

In-person presentations aside, acing a virtual presentation is of paramount importance in today’s digital world. Check out this guide to learn how you can adapt your in-person presentations into virtual presentations . 

Preparing an effective presentation starts with laying a strong foundation that goes beyond just creating slides and notes. One of the quickest and best ways to make a presentation would be with the help of a good presentation software . 

Otherwise, let me walk you to how to prepare for a presentation step by step and unlock the secrets of crafting a professional presentation that sets you apart.

1. Understand the audience and their needs

Before you dive into preparing your masterpiece, take a moment to get to know your target audience. Tailor your presentation to meet their needs and expectations , and you’ll have them hooked from the start!

2. Conduct thorough research on the topic

Time to hit the books (or the internet)! Don’t skimp on the research with your presentation materials — dive deep into the subject matter and gather valuable insights . The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel in delivering your presentation.

3. Organize the content with a clear structure

No one wants to stumble through a chaotic mess of information. Outline your presentation with a clear and logical flow. Start with a captivating introduction, follow up with main points that build on each other and wrap it up with a powerful conclusion that leaves a lasting impression.

Delivering an effective business presentation hinges on captivating your audience, and Venngage’s professionally designed business presentation templates are tailor-made for this purpose. With thoughtfully structured layouts, these templates enhance your message’s clarity and coherence, ensuring a memorable and engaging experience for your audience members.

Don’t want to build your presentation layout from scratch? pick from these 5 foolproof presentation layout ideas that won’t go wrong. 

4. Develop visually appealing and supportive visual aids

Spice up your presentation with eye-catching visuals! Create slides that complement your message, not overshadow it. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words, but that doesn’t mean you need to overload your slides with text.

Well-chosen designs create a cohesive and professional look, capturing your audience’s attention and enhancing the overall effectiveness of your message. Here’s a list of carefully curated PowerPoint presentation templates and great background graphics that will significantly influence the visual appeal and engagement of your presentation.

5. Practice, practice and practice

Practice makes perfect — rehearse your presentation and arrive early to your presentation to help overcome stage fright. Familiarity with your material will boost your presentation skills and help you handle curveballs with ease.

6. Seek feedback and make necessary adjustments

Don’t be afraid to ask for help and seek feedback from friends and colleagues. Constructive criticism can help you identify blind spots and fine-tune your presentation to perfection.

With Venngage’s real-time collaboration feature , receiving feedback and editing your presentation is a seamless process. Group members can access and work on the presentation simultaneously and edit content side by side in real-time. Changes will be reflected immediately to the entire team, promoting seamless teamwork.

7. Prepare for potential technical or logistical issues

Prepare for the unexpected by checking your equipment, internet connection and any other potential hiccups. If you’re worried that you’ll miss out on any important points, you could always have note cards prepared. Remember to remain focused and rehearse potential answers to anticipated questions.

8. Fine-tune and polish your presentation

As the big day approaches, give your presentation one last shine. Review your talking points, practice how to present a presentation and make any final tweaks. Deep breaths — you’re on the brink of delivering a successful presentation!

In competitive environments, persuasive presentations set individuals and organizations apart. To brush up on your presentation skills, read these guides on how to make a persuasive presentation and tips to presenting effectively . 

Whether you’re an experienced presenter or a novice, the right techniques will let your presentation skills soar to new heights!

From public speaking hacks to interactive elements and storytelling prowess, these 9 effective presentation techniques will empower you to leave a lasting impression on your audience and make your presentations unforgettable.

1. Confidence and positive body language

Positive body language instantly captivates your audience, making them believe in your message as much as you do. Strengthen your stage presence and own that stage like it’s your second home! Stand tall, shoulders back and exude confidence. 

2. Eye contact with the audience

Break down that invisible barrier and connect with your audience through their eyes. Maintaining eye contact when giving a presentation builds trust and shows that you’re present and engaged with them.

3. Effective use of hand gestures and movement

A little movement goes a long way! Emphasize key points with purposeful gestures and don’t be afraid to walk around the stage. Your energy will be contagious!

4. Utilize storytelling techniques

Weave the magic of storytelling into your presentation. Share relatable anecdotes, inspiring success stories or even personal experiences that tug at the heartstrings of your audience. Adjust your pitch, pace and volume to match the emotions and intensity of the story. Varying your speaking voice adds depth and enhances your stage presence.

5. Incorporate multimedia elements

Spice up your presentation with a dash of visual pizzazz! Use slides, images and video clips to add depth and clarity to your message. Just remember, less is more—don’t overwhelm them with information overload. 

Turn your presentations into an interactive party! Involve your audience with questions, polls or group activities. When they actively participate, they become invested in your presentation’s success. Bring your design to life with animated elements. Venngage allows you to apply animations to icons, images and text to create dynamic and engaging visual content.

6. Utilize humor strategically

Laughter is the best medicine—and a fantastic presentation enhancer! A well-placed joke or lighthearted moment can break the ice and create a warm atmosphere , making your audience more receptive to your message.

7. Practice active listening and respond to feedback

Be attentive to your audience’s reactions and feedback. If they have questions or concerns, address them with genuine interest and respect. Your responsiveness builds rapport and shows that you genuinely care about their experience.

8. Apply the 10-20-30 rule

Apply the 10-20-30 presentation rule and keep it short, sweet and impactful! Stick to ten slides, deliver your presentation within 20 minutes and use a 30-point font to ensure clarity and focus. Less is more, and your audience will thank you for it!

9. Implement the 5-5-5 rule

Simplicity is key. Limit each slide to five bullet points, with only five words per bullet point and allow each slide to remain visible for about five seconds. This rule keeps your presentation concise and prevents information overload.

Simple presentations are more engaging because they are easier to follow. Summarize your presentations and keep them simple with Venngage’s gallery of simple presentation templates and ensure that your message is delivered effectively across your audience.

1. How to start a presentation?

To kick off your presentation effectively, begin with an attention-grabbing statement or a powerful quote. Introduce yourself, establish credibility and clearly state the purpose and relevance of your presentation.

2. How to end a presentation?

For a strong conclusion, summarize your talking points and key takeaways. End with a compelling call to action or a thought-provoking question and remember to thank your audience and invite any final questions or interactions.

3. How to make a presentation interactive?

To make your presentation interactive, encourage questions and discussion throughout your talk. Utilize multimedia elements like videos or images and consider including polls, quizzes or group activities to actively involve your audience.

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How to Create an Effective Presentation Outline

It is well-known that a well-structured outline is the backbone of any impactful presentation. It serves as a roadmap, guiding you and your audience through the information you want to convey through your presentation. Here’s a step-by-step approach to writing an effective presentation outline. 

Define Your Objective:

Start off by clearly defining the purpose of your presentation. Ask yourself the following question: 

What do you want your audience to understand, learn, or do after seeing your presentation? Knowing this objective will guide the content you include and the overall structure. Once your objective is clear, move on to identifying your audience. 

Identify Your Audience:

Who are you presenting to? Understanding your audience’s knowledge level, interests, and expectations will help you tailor your content and language accordingly. This is usually a step that is overlooked by many presenters, but careful planning and studying your audience can really help your presentation shine. 

Brainstorm Key Points:

Now take a pen and paper, (it’s just an expression, use anything) and list down the essential points you want to communicate to achieve your objective. Focus on the big ideas rather than getting bogged down in details at this stage. 

Structure Your Outline:

Organize your main points into a logical flow. This typically follows a three-act structure: 

Introduction: Grab your audience’s attention, introduce yourself and the topic, and clearly state your objective. 

Main Body: Present your key points in a clear and concise manner. Use storytelling techniques and visuals to engage your audience.

Conclusion: Summarize your main points, reiterate your objective, and leave a lasting impression with a call to action. 

Refine and Enhance:

Once you have a basic structure, you can expand and refine your outline by: 

Adding sub-points. Break down each main point into supportive details, arguments, or examples. 

Estimating timing. Plan and allocate time for each section based on the complexity of the information and your overall presentation length. 

Some Tips to Follow: 

Use bullet points for concise and easily digestible information. 

Number steps if there’s a specific order to follow. 

Keep the outline concise and clear. Aim for an outline that is easy to understand and navigate. 

Your outline is a guide, not a script. Be prepared to adapt and adjust based on your audience and the flow of the presentation. 

By following these steps and incorporating these tips, you can craft an effective presentation outline that serves as a powerful tool for delivering impactful and engaging presentations. 

At SlideBazaar, we help you create engaging and memorable presentations. Choose from our collection of professional templates or opt for our custom design services for a personalized touch. Your presentations deserve to be elevated to new heights, and we’re here to help you achieve just that!

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• Presentation

How to creating an effective presentation outline

• June 12, 2022

Ineffective communication and a well-structured presentation can be a game-changer. It has the potential to inform, persuade, inspire, and captivate your audience. However, the road to a successful presentation is not paved with improvisation and haphazardly organized content. Instead, it begins with a solid presentation outline—a roadmap that guides you through your topic, ensuring clarity, coherence, and impact. In this article, we will explore how to make a presentation outline, from its fundamental components to the reasons why it is an indispensable tool for presenters across various Presentation design services .

Table of Contents

Understanding the Presentation Outline

A presentation outline is like the skeleton of your presentation. It serves as a blueprint that defines the structure and flow of your content. While the exact format may vary depending on the nature of your presentation and personal preferences, a typical outline consists of key components that help you organize your thoughts and ideas logically. Here’s a breakdown of these components:

Title and Introduction:

Your title previews what the audience should anticipate during your presentation. The introduction, often including a hook or attention-grabbing statement, engages your audience and establishes the context of your topic.

Main Points or Sections:

These are the core sections of your presentation, each addressing a distinct aspect of your topic. Each main point should be clear, concise, and supported by evidence, examples, or data.

Subpoints and Details:

Subpoints elaborate on the main points, offering additional information, explanations, or examples. They provide depth and context to your presentation.

Transitions:

Transitions are bridges that connect one point to the next, ensuring a smooth flow of ideas. They guide your audience through your presentation and make it easier to follow.

Supporting Material:

This section includes any visuals, multimedia elements, or references you plan to incorporate into your presentation to enhance understanding and engagement.

focus on Conclusion:

The conclusion summarizes your key points, reinforces your main message, and leaves a memorable impression on your audience.

What is outline?

An outline is a tool used to organize your thoughts and ideas before writing a paper or presentation. It helps you to determine the main points of your talk and organize them in a way that will be easy for your audience to understand. There are many different ways to create an outline, but there are some common elements that should be included in all outlines.

The first step in creating an outline is to decide on the main points you want to include in your presentation. These points should be related to the overall topic of your talk and should be arranged in a logical order. Once you have determined the main points, you can start to fill in the details.

When creating an outline, it is important to be as specific as possible. Include all of the details you will need to make your presentation successful. For each main point, list the evidence or supporting information you will use to illustrate that point. Be sure to include any visual aids you will use, such as charts or graphs.

Once you have created your outline, you can use it as a guide when creating your presentation. Be sure to refer to your outline often, especially when you are first starting out. As you become more comfortable with the material, you may find that you do not need to refer to it as often.

Creating an outline is a helpful way to make sure your presentation is well-organized and informative. By including all of the necessary information in your outline, you can be sure that your presentation will be a success.

Why we need a presentation outline?

A presentation outline is a valuable tool that can help you plan and organize your thoughts before creating a presentation. By including all of the necessary information in your outline, you can be sure that your presentation will be a success. An outline can also help you to determine the main points of your talk and to organize them in a way that will be easy for your audience to understand.

The Importance of a Presentation Outline

Now that we have a clear understanding of what a presentation outline entails let’s explore why it is such a vital component of any successful presentation:

Organization and Clarity: Having good outlines help you write your ideas in a logical manner. By doing so, it allows the flow of the presentation thus simplifying the understanding of the message by the audience.

Time Management: Having an outline ensures that one distributes their time effectively between sections of a presentation. This helps you not run out of time, and avoid wasting a lot of time on the same topic, therefore ensures that you are on target.

Reduced Anxiety: Knowing you have a well-thought-out roadmap reduces anxiety and boosts your confidence as a presenter. You’ll feel more prepared and in control.

Audience Engagement: An organized presentation is more engaging for your audience. It keeps their attention and makes them more likely to absorb and retain the information you share.

Adaptability: A presentation outline is not set in stone. It provides flexibility, allowing you to adapt to changes or unexpected developments during your presentation while still maintaining a coherent structure.

Enhanced Credibility: An organized and structured presentation reflects professionalism and competence. It enhances your credibility as a presenter and instills trust in your audience.

Creating an Effective Presentation Outline

Crafting a compelling presentation outline is a step-by-step process that begins with understanding your audience and your message. Here’s how you can create an effective presentation outline:

Choose a topic

In order to make your presentation as effective and engaging for the audience, it is important that you choose a topic with which they can connect. From there on out depends on how much time will be allocated towards entertaining or educating them – so think carefully!

Come up with a catchy title

Come up with a catchy title that accurately reflects the content of your talk!

Make a list of the main points

This is a crucial point – the more concise your list, the better! Your audience will thank you for it later.

Decide on the order of your points

One of the most important decisions you make when giving a presentation, especially one with many points or details to cover in order from start to end, is how they will be structured. Will your audience get their attention drawn out by starting off slow and building up? Or do what feels right for them – whether that means going into depth on some topics before moving on to others matter more immediately at hand In any case, though there isn’t necessarily a “right” answer here as every situation calls for something different.

Create a rough outline of your talk

Outline your talk so you can be prepared and confident. Outlines are a great way to organize thoughts, especially when it’s time for public speaking! From this outline, you’ll know what points need more attention than others or which order works best with the audience – all without having spent hours wasted on preparation because there was no plan beforehand.”

Polish up your outline until it’s perfect

Your outline should be as perfect and concise for this type of audience. If you’re giving a presentation, make sure there are no mistakes in your speech before it’s delivered so that the grading criteria will reflect positively on you!

Practice makes perfect! The more you do it, the better your performance will become. You’ll know exactly what to say and how much time each section should last without any hesitation at all because every detail has been planned out beforehand – this is one skill that can’t be learned through natural talent alone; practice works wonders on these kinds of things too (in addition with other skills such as research).

How to make a presentation outline?

To make a presentation outline, start by deciding on the main points you want to include in your talk. These points should be related to the overall topic of your presentation and should be arranged in a logical order. Once you have determined the main points, you can start to fill in the details. When creating an outline, be as specific as possible. Include all of the evidence or supporting information you will use to illustrate each point. Be sure to also include any visual aids you will use, such as charts or graphs. Once you have created your outline, you can use it as a guide when creating your presentation. Refer to your outline often, especially when you are first starting out. As you become more comfortable with the material, you may find that you do not need to refer to it as often. Creating an outline is a helpful way to make sure your presentation is well-organized and informative. By including all of the necessary information in your outline, you can be sure that your presentation will be a success.

But if you want these things in 8 steps you can also use these steps:

• Decide on the overall topic of your presentation.
• Brainstorm the main points you want to include in your talk.
• Arrange your main points in a logical order.
• Begin filling in the details for each main point.
• Include evidence or supporting information for each main point.
• Plan any visual aids you will use to illustrate your points.
• Write a conclusion for your presentation.
• Refer to your outline often as you create your presentation.

Tips for creating a more effective presentation outline:

• Start by deciding on the overall purpose or goal of your presentation. What do you want your audience to remember or take away from your talk?
• Next, brainstorm the main points you want to include in your presentation. These should be related to the overall purpose of your talk and should be arranged in a logical order.
• Once you have determined the main points, begin to fill in the details. Include all of the supporting information and evidence you will need to make your points effectively.
• Be sure to include any visual aids you will use, such as charts or graphs. These can be a helpful way to illustrate your points and make them easier for your audience to understand.
• As you create your outline, be as specific as possible. This will help you to stay on track when creating your presentation.
• Once you have created your outline, refer to it often as you begin to create your presentation. This will help you to stay focused and on track.
• As you become more comfortable with the material, you may find that you do not need to refer to your outline as often.
• Remember that your outline is just a tool to help you create a successful presentation. By including all of the necessary information in your outline, you can be sure that your presentation will be a success.

Here are some extra tips for creating an effective presentation outline:

• Keep it short and sweet. Outlines should be brief and to the point.
• Include only the most important points. Don’t try to cram too much information into your presentation.
• Be clear and concise. Outlines should be easy to understand and follow.
• Use keywords and key phrases. This will help you remember what you want to say, and make it easier for your audience to follow along.
• Organize your thoughts. Outlines should be organized in a logical manner so that your ideas flow smoothly from one point to the next.
• By following these tips, you can create an effective presentation outline that will help ensure your presentation is a success!

Ineffective communication, a presentation outline is your North Star. This hand guide takes readers through the dynamics of the topic; it makes certain that the intended message has been clearly put across and leaves the audience interested. Whether you are a business professional, an educator, or even a presenter, making a good presentation outline is a skill that will add on to your communication skills. Therefore, take it into consideration that in case of the upcoming presentations the map or an outline which will guide you to the point of understanding, inspiration, and persuasion, is an essential tool for success because it will lead both you and your audience on a fruitful journey towards desired goals.

How do you structure an outline for a presentation?

Like other forms of academic writing, a presentation can be divided into three parts: an introduction detailing the purpose and structure of the talk, a body covering the main points, and a conclusion summarizing and highlighting the significance of your talk.

How do you outline slides in a presentation?

In a new PowerPoint presentation file, click the first slide. Or, in an existing presentation file, click the slide that you want the Outline to appear after. Click the arrow next to New Slide on the Home tab, then click Outline.

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Few of us feel entirely comfortable writing a presentation. There is something very daunting for many people about the process of moving your thoughts from your head to paper (or a series of slides on the computer).

However, there are things that you can do to help yourself. These include knowing your material well and taking time to consider what you want to say.

This page provides advice on how to write a presentation. It discusses the initial writing, and then also explains how to review and edit your work. This will help to ensure that your presentation is as effective as possible.

Before you start...

Before you start to write your presentation, you need certain information: the objective, the subject, and details of the audience, for example. For more about this, see our page on Preparing Your Presentation .

Based on the information you have gathered, you should also have started to develop your ideas and select the main points to include. For more about this, see our page on Organising Your Material .

Some basic starting points

There are two really important things to remember when starting to write a presentation:

1. Give your presentation an introduction, a main message, and a conclusion.

Some people summarise this as ‘say what you’re going to say, say it, then say what you’ve said’ .

However, that is not the whole story. Your introduction needs to ‘set the scene’ a bit and give a broad outline of what you are going to cover in your presentation. If you are using presentation software such as PowerPoint, this should be a single slide. Your conclusion needs to sum up and present your main message to your audience, probably again in a single slide.

If you are taking questions after your presentation, and you are using PowerPoint, you will probably have a slide up on the screen during questions. You could, of course, have a final slide that says something like “Thank you for listening, any questions?”, or gives your contact details.

However, you could also leave up a final slide that highlights your conclusions.

This will help to ensure that your key messages remain in the minds of your audience.

2. Think about using stories to get your message across

We are hard-wired by thousands of years of evolution to listen to stories. Stories helped us survive by reminding us about important behaviours. We therefore tend to remember them much better than dry lists of facts or bullet points.

It is much easier to work with this than ignore it.

There are two aspects of this.

First, you should try to think about your presentation as telling a story to your audience. What is the point that you are trying to make, and how can you best get it across?

Second, it is helpful to use stories as part of your presentation . For example, if you start by telling a story or anecdote, it will act as a ‘hook’ to draw in your audience. You can also use stories to illustrate each point you want to make. Of course, your story has to link to your main message, because you can pretty much guarantee that your audience will remember the story much longer than the conclusion!

Structuring Your Presentation

The structure and content of your presentation will of course be unique to you.

Only you can decide on the best way to present your messages.  However, you might like to consider some standard presentation structures for inspiration:

1. Harnessing the Power of Three

In public speaking and rhetorical debate, as well as in much communication, three is a magic number.  The brain finds it relatively easy to grasp three points at a time.

People find three points, ideas or numbers, easier to understand and remember than four or more. 

You could therefore structure your presentation using the magic number of three.

For example, your presentation should have three main elements: the introduction, middle and conclusions. Within the main body of your presentation, divide your key message into three elements and then expand each of these points into three sub-points.  If you are using a visual aid such as PowerPoint, limit the number of bullet points to three on each slide and expand on each of these as you go along.

What should you do if you have more than three points to make?

Reduce them until you don’t have more than three points!

Your audience will probably only remember three of your five or six points anyway—but which three? Do the work for them, and identify the three most important points, and leave the others out.

2. What, Why, How?

An alternative structure uses the questions “What?”, “Why?” and “How?” to communicate your message to the audience. In a way, this also harnesses the power of three, but is a special case for driving action.

“What?” identifies the key message you wish to communicate. Think about the benefit of your message for your audience. What will they gain, what can they do with the information, and what will the benefit be?

“Why?” addresses the next obvious question that arises for the audience .  Having been told “what”, the audience will naturally then start to think “why should I do that?”, “why should I think that?” or “why should that be the case?”. Directly addressing the “why?” question in the next stage of your presentation means that you are answering these questions and your talk is following a natural route through the material. This will ensure that you have the audience on your side immediately.

“How?” is the final question that naturally arises in the audience’s mind . They want to know how they are going to achieve what you have just suggested.  Try not to be too prescriptive here. Instead of telling people exactly how they should act on your message, offer suggestions as to how they can act, perhaps using examples.

You should try to back up what you say with evidence. You can use case studies, personal examples or statistics here, but try to ensure that you use them in the form of stories.

There is more about this on our page Presenting Data .

Editing Your Content

Once you have a first draft of your presentation, it is important to review and edit this.

This will help to ensure that it really does get your message across in the most effective way.

When editing presentation content, you should consider:

The language . Make sure that what you are saying will be clear to your audience. Remove any jargon and try to use plain English instead. If necessary, explain terms when you first use them.

Sentence structure .  Use short sentences and keep the structure simple. Remember that you will be talking through your ideas and that the audience will be listening rather than reading.

The flow . Make sure that your presentation structure leads your audience through your ideas and helps them to draw your conclusion for themselves.

Use metaphors and stories to aid understanding and retention.

‘Hooks’ to get and hold the audience’s attention . Ensure that you have included several ‘hooks’ at various points in the presentation. This will help you to get and then keep the audience’s attention. These might be stories, or audience participation, or some alternative visual aids , such as a short video.

Check, and double check, for spelling and grammar . Make sure that any presentation slides or illustrations, titles, captions, handouts or similar are free from spelling mistakes.

Ideally, you should take a break from the presentation before editing so that you can look at your writing with a fresh pair of eyes.

You might also want to ask a friend or colleague to have a look, particularly at the flow and the language. If possible, ask someone who is not familiar with the material .

A final thought

The actual writing of your presentation is really the final stage of your preparation.

If you have done your homework, you will already be clear about the reason why you are presenting, the subject matter, and the main points you want to make. Actually putting it down on paper should therefore be relatively straightforward.

Continue to: Deciding the Presentation Method Preparing for a Presentation

See also: Organising the Presentation Material Working with Visual Aids Coping with Presentation Nerves Dealing with Questions

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How to Make a “Good” Presentation “Great”

• Guy Kawasaki

Remember: Less is more.

A strong presentation is so much more than information pasted onto a series of slides with fancy backgrounds. Whether you’re pitching an idea, reporting market research, or sharing something else, a great presentation can give you a competitive advantage, and be a powerful tool when aiming to persuade, educate, or inspire others. Here are some unique elements that make a presentation stand out.

• Fonts: Sans Serif fonts such as Helvetica or Arial are preferred for their clean lines, which make them easy to digest at various sizes and distances. Limit the number of font styles to two: one for headings and another for body text, to avoid visual confusion or distractions.
• Colors: Colors can evoke emotions and highlight critical points, but their overuse can lead to a cluttered and confusing presentation. A limited palette of two to three main colors, complemented by a simple background, can help you draw attention to key elements without overwhelming the audience.
• Pictures: Pictures can communicate complex ideas quickly and memorably but choosing the right images is key. Images or pictures should be big (perhaps 20-25% of the page), bold, and have a clear purpose that complements the slide’s text.
• Layout: Don’t overcrowd your slides with too much information. When in doubt, adhere to the principle of simplicity, and aim for a clean and uncluttered layout with plenty of white space around text and images. Think phrases and bullets, not sentences.

As an intern or early career professional, chances are that you’ll be tasked with making or giving a presentation in the near future. Whether you’re pitching an idea, reporting market research, or sharing something else, a great presentation can give you a competitive advantage, and be a powerful tool when aiming to persuade, educate, or inspire others.

• Guy Kawasaki is the chief evangelist at Canva and was the former chief evangelist at Apple. Guy is the author of 16 books including Think Remarkable : 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference.

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Presentation Outline

The thought of giving a presentation in front of other people is enough to make your hands sweat and knees shake. Being tasked to do a project presentation can cause a person to overthink and worry about things. What happens if you forget what to say next? What happens if you end up giving a poor performance? Erase all these negative thoughts by preparing a presentation outline.

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What Is a Presentation Outline?

A presentation outline is a document that will list the organized flow of a presentation. You can use this outline as a guide or as a note in planning for your presentation. In addition, you can also use this in case you forget something when presenting in front of the audience.

How to Construct an Organized Presentation Outline

Both students and business professionals would have to give a class or sales presentation more than once in their lives. If you have given one, you surely have realized the importance of preparing an outline before your presentation. To learn how to create a reliable one,  continue reading this article and learn presentation outline writing tips .

1. Choose a Software

In reporting, it is always better to use creative visual aids such as a PowerPoint presentation. Generating visuals can help in capturing the attention and increasing the clarity of the topic you are presenting. There are plenty of presentation tools and software you can choose from in generating your business presentation or academic report , but you should go for the one you’re most familiar with and comfortable using.

2. Compose an Introduction

Before composing your introduction, it is advisable to conduct your audience analysis and write your presentation agenda . Undergoing these steps will help you determine whether your audience already has prior knowledge about the topic you are about to present and will give an idea of where to start. After this, you can proceed with coming up with a brief introduction speech.

3. Structure Your Presentation

Split your topic into separate slides. In deciding the order of your slides, make sure the sequence makes sense. After organizing your content, create your outline following the order in your visual slides. Label each slide in your presentation outline with the necessary things you should include in your discussion. Setting how long you should discuss each concept would also be helpful. You can use a blank outline template, process flow chart , or roadmap to make it easier to review.

4. Devise Your Conclusion

Your presentation would be incomplete unless you wrap everything up. In devising the conclusion to your project outline , you don’t have to go through everything in detail again. You should summarize and reiterate only the main points of your presentation. You should ensure to meet the objectives that you set beforehand. Don’t forget to note to let your audience ask if they have any questions regarding your discussion.

What do you mean by the 10,20, 30 rule?

The 10 20 30 rule means that an oral presentation should have a maximum of ten slides and not last more than twenty minutes. The thirty in 10 20 30 stands for the rule of not using fonts smaller than thirty. Assuming that an adult’s attention span lasts for 15-30 minutes, this rule is widespread in the business world.

What are the elements of a presentation?

There are components a speaker should consider to make his or her presentation effective. The first one is to establish a connection with your audience. Don’t look at your slides too much. It is necessary to maintain eye contact. Also, you should choose a design that’s not too distracting. Lastly, try considering using diagrams and charts that would better present data and ideas.

What are the necessary skills of a presenter?

A good presenter should be confident and should also know how to command the room. Being good at using gestures and facial expressions are also necessary characteristics of a presenter. Aside from that, they should also be enthusiastic, good at delivering their presentation speech , and they should also have a vast knowledge about what they are discussing.

Aside from your nervousness, other factors can also affect your presentation. Despite that, a good outline can combat them all. You know, you can never be too prepared. If your presentation outline is reliable enough, you can be more ambitious of your end goal and aim to deliver a presentation that would leave them in awe of your presentation skills.

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How to Write a Business Plan Outline in 9 Steps (Example Included!)

Starting a business often begins with writing a business plan , especially if you need funding . It acts as a roadmap, guiding you through each stage of launching and managing your company, and it presents a clear, compelling case to potential investors and partners. But here's the thing: not everyone finds this step intuitive. That's where a business plan outline can be incredibly helpful.

Creating a detailed business plan outline helps you organize your thoughts and ensure you cover all the key aspects of your business strategy. Plus, it might be just what you need to overcome that blank page and start typing.

Below, you'll find an easy-to-follow guide on how to craft your business plan outline, and an example to show you what it should look like.

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What is an outline of a business plan?

Think of a business plan outline as the skeleton of your entire business plan. It gives a high-level overview of the main sections you'll need to flesh out later. It's not the final document but a crucial step in getting you there.

Simply put, it's like creating a detailed table of contents for your business plan, showing you exactly what information to include and how everything fits together. A well-structured business plan outline also helps you plan things ahead, saving time and effort.

Writing a business plan outline in 9 steps

Follow these steps to build your business plan outline and learn exactly what each section should include.

(Bear in mind that every business plan is unique, tailored to the specific needs and goals of the business. While the structure below is common, the order of sections may vary—only the executive summary will always come first.)

1. Executive summary

Imagine you have just 60 seconds to convince someone to invest in your business. That's the essence of a strong executive summary. Although it appears first on your business plan, this section is often written last because it sums up the entire plan. Think of it as your elevator pitch . This section gives a quick overview of your entire business plan, highlighting key points that grab the reader's attention.

Keep it clear and concise. Start with a brief overview of your business, including its name and what it offers. Summarize your mission statement and objectives, and don’t forget to mention crucial aspects like financial projections and competitive advantages.

2. Company description

Here's where you provide detailed information about your company. Begin with the business name and location. Describe the legal structure (e.g., sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation) and ownership. If your business already exists, share a brief history.

For new ventures, explain the business's nature and the problems you aim to solve. Go into more detail about your vision and mission statements, outlining your goals and the principles guiding your business. This section helps potential investors and stakeholders grasp your company’s identity and purpose.

3. Market research and analysis

This section shares insights into your company’s industry. Start with a landscape analysis to give an overview of the market, including its size, growth rate, and key players.

Next, define your target market and customer demographics—age, location, income, and interests—detailing who your ideal customers are. Identify market needs and trends your business will address, and highlight customer pain points your product or service aims to solve.

Consider conducting a SWOT analysis to evaluate your business's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and gain a strategic view of where your business stands in the competitive landscape.

4. Organization and management

Describe how your business is structured and who runs it. Outline the organizational structure, and if helps, include a chart. Introduce the leadership team and key personnel, highlighting their qualifications and roles. If you have a board of directors, mention them and briefly explain their involvement.

Then, outline your production processes, detailing how your product or service is (or will be) created—from sourcing materials to delivery—to give a comprehensive view of your operational capabilities.

5. Products and services

This section of your business plan outline is crucial for showing potential investors what makes your products and services unique and valuable.

Clearly describe what your business offers, emphasizing your unique selling propositions (USPs) and the benefits and features that set you apart from the competition. Talk about the product life cycle, including any plans for future updates.

If your business holds any intellectual property or proprietary technologies, detail them here to underscore your competitive advantages.

6. Marketing strategy

Having a fantastic product or service is just half the battle. The marketing plan section should outline how you'll reach your target market and convert them into customers.

Begin with market positioning and branding, explaining how you want your brand perceived. Detail your marketing and promotional strategies, including specific tactics to reach your target audience.

Discuss your sales strategy, focusing on how you'll convert leads into customers. Lastly, include your pricing strategy and provide a sales forecast, projecting your expected revenue over a certain period.

7. Operations plan

Here, the goal is to give a detailed overview of the physical and logistical aspects of your company. Start with the business location and facilities, describing where it operates and any significant physical assets. Detail the technology and equipment needed for daily operations.

Briefly describe your supply chain and logistics processes to illustrate how you manage inventory, procurement, and distribution. Finish it by outlining your production process and quality control measures to ensure your products or services consistently meet high standards.

8. Financial plan

Use this section of the business plan to show how your company will succeed financially. Include financial projections like income statements and cash flow statements. Specify how much capital you need and how you plan to use it, discussing funding sources.

Conduct a break-even analysis to estimate when your business will become profitable. Be transparent and address any financial risks and assumptions, outlining how you plan to mitigate them.

9. Appendices and exhibits

In this section, include any additional information that supports your business plan. This might be resumes of key personnel to highlight your team's expertise and experience, or even legal documents and agreements.

Include market research data and surveys to back up your market analysis. Add financial statements for a detailed look at your financial plan. Also, provide detailed product specifications to give a clear understanding of your products and services.

Here's a business plan outline example

Not quite there yet? Take a look at this business plan outline example—it will make everything clear for you.

3.1 Executive Summary

• Overview of the business
• Key points of the business plan

3.2 Company Description

• Business name and location
• History and nature of the business
• Legal structure and ownership
• Vision and mission statement

3.3 Market Research and Analysis

• Industry analysis
• Target market and customer demographics
• Market needs, trends
• Customer pain points
• SWOT analysis

3.4 Organization and Management

• Organizational structure
• Leadership team and key personnel
• Roles and responsibilities
• Board of directors (if applicable)
• Production processes

3.5 Products and Services

• Description of products or services offered
• Unique selling propositions, benefits, features
• Product lifecycle and development plans
• Intellectual property and proprietary technologies

3.6 Marketing Strategy

• Market positioning and branding
• Marketing and promotional strategies
• Sales strategy and tactics
• Pricing strategy and sales forecast

3.7 Operations Plan

• Business location and facilities
• Technology and equipment
• Supply chain and logistics
• Production process and quality control

3.8 Financial Plan

• Financial projections (income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements)
• Funding requirements and sources
• Break-even analysis
• Financial risks and assumptions

3.9 Appendices and Exhibits (if applicable)

• Supporting documents and additional information
• Resumes of key personnel
• Legal documents and agreements
• Market research data and surveys
• Financial Statements
• Detailed Product Specifications

Bonus tips on how to write a winning business plan

Once you've done your business plan outline, it's time to fill in the gaps and craft a winning business plan. Here are some bonus tips to keep in mind:

• Tailor it to fit your business : Customize sections to meet industry-specific needs and highlight what makes your business unique.
• Keep it clear and concise : Use straightforward language and support your points with data to ensure easy understanding and avoid any confusion.
• Set actionable and realistic goals : Define measurable objectives with clear timelines and milestones to track your progress.
• Update regularly : Keep your plan dynamic by making regular updates to reflect changes in goals, market conditions, and strategies.
• Seek feedback : Gain insights from mentors and advisors to refine your plan.

Read this next: How to Start a Business in 8 Steps: A Comprehensive Guide from Concept to Launch