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

Georgina Guthrie

Georgina Guthrie

April 07, 2021

Whether you’re building a house, baking a cake, or writing an essay — having all the necessary pieces in place before you begin will make the task much easier.

It may seem counterproductive to spend time sorting things out when you’re in a rush… After all, why spend time organizing when you could dive straight in? But the fact is, the opposite is true: Planning saves time, and the same goes for creating a business presentation. Start with a presentation outline.

A presentation outline is a bare-bones version of your talk. It should take the general direction of your pitch, plus summaries of your key points. Its purpose is to help you shape your thinking, organize your thoughts, and make sure your material is presented logically.

In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at what a presentation outline is, how storytelling can help engage your audience, and how to create a flawless outline of your own. Let’s get stuck in.

What’s the purpose of your presentation?

This is the foundation on which you will build your whole presentation — so make sure you know the answer to this question. A good starting point is to think about the overall purpose. There are six possible purposes your presentation might have:

  • Inspire action
  • Inspire or motivate

In a business setting, it’ll usually be ‘to inform,’ along with one or two others. If you’re there to talk about quarterly results, then you’ll want to inform and motivate. If you’re a business coach, your goals will likely be to inspire, motivate, and entertain.

Once you’ve worked this out, you’ll be one step closer to working out the purpose of your pitch. Here are some questions to help you find an answer to this question:

  • 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?

Note down your ideas and start creating a topline summary of your presentation purpose. Summarize it into one or two sentences, then put that on your first slide. You can change it later, but this is a good starting point.

Create a story arc for your presentation

As humans, we love a good story. We’ve been doing it since, well, forever. The earliest cave paintings helped the painters and those who saw the paintings make sense of the world.

Interesting things happen when you start telling a story. Your brain’s auditory cortex (aka the bit that helps you listen) switches on. This helps you imagine the activities being described. Meanwhile, the frontal and parietal cortices are fired up, which helps us emotionally engage with what’s being said.

How Story Telling Affects the Brain

Stories have been, and will always be, a powerful tool for bringing people together. Great stories persuade and inform; the best stories inspire and stay with us. But we don’t often see this happening in the boardroom, where graphs and quarterly results preside.

Stats and numbers suck the life out of a presentation. We think these details will speak for themselves. But… they don’t because, well… they’re boring, and they make us switch off. If you want to inspire your audience, you need to weave those stats into a story . But where do you begin, and how do you start?

Storytelling isn’t something only a few select people are good at. Anyone can master the art with a little practice. It doesn’t even require heaps of creativity because the truth is, stories are formulaic, and once you’ve got the formula down, the rest runs on autopilot.

Let’s look at how to build your notes and ideas into a compelling story using one of the 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?’
  • From here, work in facts that illustrate the way things currently are. 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.
  • Talk about rock bottom. The situation seems impossible; there is apparently no way forward and all seems lost. Until…
  • Talk about a new discovery that offers hope.
  • Armed with your new abilities, you can tackle the issue head-on.
  • Talk about resolving 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 a way that’s easy to relate to.
  • Introduce the problem or hurdle that you need to solve. Make it relatable to further help your audience put themselves in the situation.
  • The solution: give your audience a glimpse into a possible solution.
  • The 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.
  • But that’s not all: Before you finish, 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 on the points you’ve covered so far while tying them into 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.
  • By the end of your journey, your audience should feel 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 has 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.

How to plan your presentation

Now you’ve worked out your structure, it’s time to start building your presentation, pulling in all your points and forming them into a story.

Storyboarding is the best way to do this. 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.

Toy Story Storyboard

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

The trick here is to use broad strokes without adding too much detail. Make it too wordy and you’ll lose your top-level view, which is important for assessing the arc of your story. Ideally, have one or two sentences on each slide summarizing what each one will address.

You can do this with pen and paper, but when it comes to final drafts and editing, it’s a good idea to move your drawings over to a digital format. 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 you having to start over.

Once you’ve got your rough storyboard more or less ready, it’s time to start building your presentation.

Your presentation outline

Using a presentation template will be a big help here. First, choose your template — then start adding pre-made slides according to your storyboard. For those who didn’t plan, this can be a bit of a nightmare that usually ends up with you shuffling slides around indefinitely. For those who planned, it’s simply a matter of putting all your hard work in place, then spicing it up with pictures, video, and audio.

Top Tip : If your slides are there to support your spoken words, try not to make them too wordy. Talking too much will distract your audience, whose attention will be split between what’s on screen and your voice. Instead, opt for images and video. If you’re sharing your presentation slides without presenting them, keep your communication simple and succinct. A wall of text is never engaging.

Finally, rehearse your presentation. According to experts, 10 is the magic number when it comes to practicing speeches . The more you practice, the better it’ll flow, the easier it’ll be for your listeners to get sucked into your story. And when it comes to persuading, inspiring, informing, or selling — having a captive and engaged audience is half the battle.

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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.

outline of a presentation template

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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Google Slides

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

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.

women with mic and notes presenting

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 .

women presenting in frint of business leaders

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.

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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Practical Presentation Outline Examples For Success (+ 8 Must Have Elements)

Practical Presentation Outline Examples For Success (+ 8 Must Have Elements)

Jane Ng • 06 Nov 2023 • 6 min read

Looking for Presentation Outline Examples ? Do you want to take your presentations from mediocre to magnificent? The secret weapon in achieving that transformation is a well-crafted presentation outline. A clear and organized outline not only guides you through your content but also ensures your audience stays captivated throughout your talk.

In this blog post, we’re going to share practical presentation outline examples and 8 key elements for constructing your own outlines that will leave a lasting impression.

Table Of Contents 

What is presentation outline, why is presentation outline important, 8 key elements of presentation outline , presentation outline examples, key takeaways , faqs about presentation outline examples.

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outline of a presentation template

A presentation outline is a plan or structure that helps you organize and deliver a presentation or speech. It’s like a map that guides you through your talk. 

  • It outlines the main points, ideas, and key elements you intend to cover during your presentation in a logical and organized sequence.
  • It ensures that your presentation is clear, logical, and easy for your audience to follow. 

In essence, it’s a tool that helps you stay on track and communicate your message effectively.

A presentation outline is a valuable tool that enhances both the organization and delivery of your presentation. 

  • It benefits you as a presenter by reducing stress and improving focus, while also benefiting your audience by making your message more accessible and engaging. 
  • If you’re using visual aids like slides, an outline helps you synchronize your content with your visuals, ensuring they support your message effectively.
  • If you need to make last-minute changes or adapt your presentation, having an outline makes it easier to identify and adjust specific sections without overhauling the entire presentation.

Whether you’re giving a business presentation, a school lecture, or a public speech, an outline is a key element in ensuring your presentation’s success.

outline of a presentation template

A well-structured presentation outline should include the following key elements:

1/ Title or Topic: 

Begin your outline with a clear and concise title or topic that represents the subject of your presentation.

2/ Introduction:

  • Hook or Attention-Grabber: Start with a compelling opening statement or question to engage your audience.
  • Purpose or Objective: Clearly state the purpose of your presentation and what you aim to achieve.
  • Main Points or Sections : Identify the major topics or sections that you will cover in your presentation. These are the core ideas that support your thesis statement.

3/ Subpoints or Supporting Details: 

Under each main point, list the specific details, examples, statistics, anecdotes, or evidence that support and elaborate on that main point.

4/ Transition Statements: 

Include transition phrases or sentences between each main point and subpoint to guide the flow of your presentation smoothly. Transitions help your audience follow your logic and connect the dots between ideas.

5/ Visual Aids: 

If your presentation includes slides or other visual aids, indicate when and where you plan to use them to enhance your points.

6/ Conclusion:

  • Summary: Recap the main points you’ve discussed during your presentation.
  • Include any final thoughts, a call to action, or a closing statement that leaves a lasting impression.

7/ Q&A or Discussion: 

If applicable, mention when you’ll open the floor for questions and discussion. Be sure to allocate time for this if it’s part of your presentation.

8/ References or Sources: 

If you’re presenting information that requires citations or sources, include them in your outline. This ensures you give credit where it’s due and can reference them during your presentation if needed.

Here are some additional tips for creating a Presentation Outline

  • Time Allocation: Estimate how much time you intend to spend on each section of your presentation. This helps you manage your time effectively during the actual presentation.
  • Notes or Reminders: Add any reminders, cues, or notes to yourself that will help you deliver your presentation effectively. These can include tips on delivery, body language, or specific points to emphasize.

outline of a presentation template

Here are a few presentation outline examples for different types of presentations:

Example 1: Sales Pitch Presentation – Presentation Outline Examples

Title: Introducing Our New Product: XYZ Tech Gadgets

Introduction

  • Hook: Begin with a relatable customer problem.
  • Purpose: Explain the presentation’s goal.
  • Thesis: “Today, I’m excited to introduce our innovative XYZ Tech Gadgets designed to simplify your life.”

Main Points

A. Product Features

  • Subpoints: Highlight key features and benefits.

B. Target Audience

  • Subpoints: Identify potential customers.

C. Pricing and Packages

  • Subpoints: Offer options and discounts.

Transition: “I’m glad you’re interested in our product. Let’s talk about the different ways you can purchase it.”

Purchase and Support

  • a. Ordering Process
  • b. Customer Support
  • Recap product highlights and benefits.
  • Call to action: “Visit our website or contact our sales team to get your XYZ Tech Gadgets today.”

Q&A Session.

outline of a presentation template

Example 2: The Evolution of Jazz Music – Presentation Outline Examples

Title: The Evolution of Jazz Music

  • Hook: Begin with a famous jazz quote or a snippet of iconic jazz music.
  • Purpose: Explain the goal of the presentation.
  • Thesis: “Today, we’ll take a journey through time to explore the fascinating evolution of jazz music.”

A. Early Origins of Jazz

  • Subpoints: African roots, New Orleans as a melting pot.

B. The Jazz Age (1920s)

  • Subpoints: Swing music, jazz legends like Louis Armstrong.

C. Bebop and Modern Jazz (1940s-1960s)

  • Subpoints: Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, experimental jazz.

Transition : “Let’s now turn our attention to the diversity of jazz styles, which is as vast and complex as the history of the music itself.”

Different Styles of Jazz

  • a. Cool Jazz
  • b. Fusion Jazz
  • c. Latin Jazz
  • d. Contemporary Jazz

Influence of Jazz on Popular Music

  • Subpoints: Jazz’s impact on rock, hip-hop, and other genres.
  • Summary of the evolution of jazz music.
  • Call to action: “Explore the world of jazz, attend live performances, or even pick up an instrument to contribute to this ever-evolving art form.”

Presentation outlines are indispensable tools that can elevate your presentations from good to great. They provide structure, organization, and clarity, ensuring that your message reaches your audience effectively. No matter if you’re delivering an educational presentation, a convincing sales pitch, or an interesting speech, these presentation outline examples aim to offer you valuable information.

To take your presentations to the next level, leverage AhaSlides. With AhaSlides , you can seamlessly integrate interactive features into your presentation, such as live polls, surveys, quizzes, and audience feedback features. These interactive features not only enhance audience engagement but also provide valuable insights and real-time interaction, making your presentations more dynamic and memorable.

So, let’s explore our template library !

What should a presentation outline include?

Title, Introduction, Key points, subpoints, transitions, visuals, conclusion, Q&A, and time allocation.

What are the 5 parts of a presentation?

Introduction, main points, visuals, conclusion, and Q&A.

How do you outline a project presentation?

Define objectives, list key topics, organize content logically, and allocate time.

Do you need an outline for a presentation?

Yes, an outline helps structure and guide your presentation effectively.

Ref: Indeed | EdrawMind

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More from AhaSlides

An Example of a Persuasive Speech Outline to Win Over Your Audience in 2023

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.

outline of a presentation template

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.

Image contains a person writing on a paper

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

Image contains a phone over a laptop on the table

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

Image contains a market share graphic

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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Free Printable Presentation Outline Templates [Word, PDF]

Unveiling a brilliant idea or sharing knowledge effectively hinges on the structure and clarity of your presentation. An integral part of this process is crafting a well-organized presentation outline , a roadmap guiding your audience from introduction to conclusion.

This article will delve into the art of designing a persuasive, engaging presentation outline , providing you with tools and techniques to ensure your audience remains engaged, understands your key points, and takes away the intended message. Whether you’re an industry professional preparing for a corporate meet , a student gearing up for a thesis defense, or a novice speaker looking to make an impact, understanding how to create a compelling presentation outline is a skill that pays dividends.

Table of Contents

What is a Presentation Outline?

Presentation Outline

A presentation outline is a structured framework that organizes the main points and sub-points of your presentation, akin to a roadmap guiding the journey of your speech or presentation. This crucial tool sets the course for your narrative flow, ensuring your content is logically organized, relevant, and easily understood by your audience.

It helps you stay on track, minimizing the risk of veering off-topic, and provides your audience with a clear, coherent message. In essence, a presentation outline serves as the backbone of your presentation, lending structure to your thoughts and ideas while making it easier for you to deliver your message and for your audience to absorb it.

Presentation Outline Templates

Basic Editable Presentation Outline

Presentation outline templates serve as a comprehensive guide to help plan and organize a presentation effectively. They play a crucial role in structuring information in a logical sequence, enabling the presenter to deliver a compelling and coherent narrative.

These templates come in various formats, but most generally comprise of a header, main points, sub-points, and a conclusion. The header typically states the presentation topic and purpose, giving a snapshot of what to expect. Main points , marked by Roman numerals or bullet points, highlight the essential themes or ideas. Sub-points provide further details, elaborations, or examples related to the main points. The conclusion summarises the entire presentation and restates the main ideas or findings.

Depending on the complexity of the presentation , these templates can be expanded to accommodate more layers. They can feature as many sub-points as necessary, each nested under the relevant main point. Some templates also include space for references, footnotes, or annotations to help the presenter remember additional details, relevant anecdotes, or statistical data .

What are the key benefits of creating a detailed presentation outline?

Creating a detailed presentation outline offers several substantial benefits that enhance not only the presenter’s experience but also the audience’s reception of the material.

Structure and Flow

A presentation outline ensures that your thoughts and arguments are arranged logically. This structure aids in maintaining a natural and coherent flow, keeping your audience engaged and improving their understanding of your content . It helps prevent you from jumping haphazardly between topics, which can confuse or lose your audience.

Clear Message

By clearly defining your main points and sub-points, an outline ensures that your core message is explicit and unambiguous. It guides you in developing and presenting your ideas systematically to avoid misinterpretation.

Preparation and Practice

A well-defined outline serves as a guide during your preparation and rehearsal stages. It helps you familiarize yourself with the content, sequence, and timing of your presentation, boosting your confidence and effectiveness.

Time Management

Outlines assist in effectively managing and allotting time to each segment of your presentation, ensuring you cover all points adequately within the given timeframe. They allow you to allocate more time to complex topics and keep the presentation on schedule.

Reduced Anxiety

Knowing you have a well-organized outline can significantly reduce presenter anxiety. It acts as a safety net, preventing you from forgetting important points, ensuring smooth transitions, and boosting your confidence.

Audience Engagement

Outlines help in designing interactive elements in your presentation, like Q&A segments or activities, at appropriate intervals. These can make your presentation more engaging and encourage audience participation.

Flexibility

An outline also offers flexibility. If a particular section sparks interest and requires more time, you can quickly adjust by reducing less critical segments. It’s easier to make such adjustments when you have an overview of your entire presentation .

Effective Recap and Summary

Finally, an outline simplifies creating a recap or summary towards the end of your presentation. You can quickly glance at your outlined points to ensure you’ve covered everything and to remind your audience about the key takeaways.

How to create a presentation outline

Creating a well-structured presentation outline involves a series of steps that ensures your content is presented in a logical and engaging way. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create an effective presentation outline:

Step 1: Understand Your Audience

Begin by identifying and understanding your audience. What is their knowledge level on the topic? What are their interests? What are they hoping to learn from your presentation? This step allows you to tailor your content to meet the needs and expectations of your audience.

Step 2: Define Your Purpose

Every presentation has a purpose, whether it’s to inform, persuade, or entertain. Clearly define what you aim to achieve by the end of your presentation. This purpose will guide the content of your presentation.

Step 3: Identify Your Main Points

Identify the key points that will form the backbone of your presentation. These are the primary pieces of information or arguments that support your purpose.

Step 4: Expand on Your Main Points with Sub-points

For each main point, identify sub-points or supporting details. These could include examples, statistics, case studies, or anecdotes that give more depth and meaning to your main points.

Step 5: Organize Your Points

Arrange your main points and sub-points in a logical sequence. This could be chronological, based on importance, or in a problem-solution format. The structure will depend on your content and purpose.

Step 6: Develop Your Introduction

Plan an engaging introduction that grabs your audience’s attention and sets the tone for your presentation. Your introduction should also briefly outline the purpose and content of your presentation.

Step 7: Plan Transitions

Think about how you will move smoothly from one point to the next. Effective transitions keep your audience engaged and help them follow your train of thought.

Step 8: Prepare Your Conclusion

Your conclusion should summarize your main points and reinforce your purpose. This is also a good place to include a call-to-action, if applicable.

Step 9: Include Interactive Elements

Depending on your presentation setting, consider adding interactive elements such as Q&A sections, polls, or activities. These can increase engagement and facilitate learning.

Step 10: Practice and Refine

Once you have created your outline, practice your presentation. This will give you an opportunity to refine your outline and make sure your content flows logically and smoothly. It also helps you identify any areas where you might need to clarify or expand on your points.

Example of a presentation outline

Title: The Impacts of Climate Change

I. Introduction

A. Attention Grabber: Share a startling statistic about climate change. B. Briefly introduce the topic of Climate Change. C. Thesis Statement : “Climate change impacts the planet in three significant ways: environmental degradation, effects on human health, and economic consequences.” D. Briefly outline what will be covered in the presentation.

II. Environmental Impact of Climate Change

A. Main Point: Rising global temperatures 1. Explanation of the greenhouse effect. 2. Data on global temperature rise. 3. Impact on polar ice caps and sea levels.

B. Main Point: Loss of Biodiversity 1. Discuss how climate change affects different ecosystems. 2. Provide examples of endangered species due to climate change. 3. Explain the long-term implications of reduced biodiversity.

Transition: Discuss how these environmental changes lead to human health effects.

III. Human Health Impact of Climate Change

A. Main Point: Spread of diseases 1. Explanation of how changing climates can expand disease vectors. 2. Discuss examples, such as increased incidence of Malaria.

B. Main Point: Food and Water Security 1. Discuss how climate change affects crop yields and water supply. 2. Describe the health implications of food and water insecurity.

Transition: Discuss how these health and environmental issues then lead to economic consequences.

IV. Economic Impact of Climate Change

A. Main Point: Damage to Infrastructure 1. Discuss how climate events like flooding and wildfires can cause infrastructure damage. 2. Share data on the costs of such damages.

B. Main Point: Increased Healthcare Costs 1. Discuss the financial implications of increased disease spread and health issues due to climate change. 2. Share data on projected healthcare costs due to climate change.

Transition: Summarize the main points and move to the conclusion.

V. Conclusion

A. Recap Main Points: Summarize the environmental, health, and economic impacts of climate change. B. Restate the Thesis: “As we’ve seen, climate change drastically impacts our planet in a multitude of ways.” C. Call to Action: Encourage audience to take individual actions against climate change. D. Closing Statement: End with a hopeful message for the future if actions are taken now.

VI. Q&A Session

Remember, this is just one way to structure a presentation outline. The specific details and order may vary depending on the nature of your topic and the purpose of your presentation.

Is there a specific format to follow when creating a presentation outline?

Presentation outlines often follow the traditional structure of an introduction, body, and conclusion. Within the body, points are typically structured from most to least important, or in a logical sequence that makes sense for the topic. Some people prefer bullet points, while others may use a more narrative structure. The format can be flexible as long as it aids in understanding and organizing your content.

How detailed should my presentation outline be?

The level of detail in your outline depends on your needs. Some presenters prefer a high-level outline that includes only the main points, while others might need a more detailed outline with sub-points and notes. A good rule of thumb is to include enough detail that you feel prepared, but not so much that the outline becomes difficult to navigate during your presentation.

Can a presentation outline be used for all types of presentations?

Yes, an outline can be used for any type of presentation. Whether you’re giving a business presentation, an academic lecture, a workshop, or a speech, an outline can help you organize your thoughts and deliver a well-structured presentation.

How can a presentation outline aid in time management during the presentation?

An outline can help you allocate time to each point or section of your presentation. By roughly estimating how long you’ll spend on each part, you can ensure you cover everything you need to within the time you have.

What’s the difference between a presentation outline and a script?

An outline provides the structure and key points of your presentation, while a script is a word-for-word write-up of what you plan to say. An outline offers more flexibility as it allows you to adapt your speech to the audience’s reactions and time constraints, while a script might make your delivery seem rehearsed or rigid.

What is the difference between a topic outline and a sentence outline?

A topic outline consists of short phrases and focuses on the main points of your presentation, while a sentence outline uses full sentences to express the details of each point. A topic outline is generally more flexible and easier to modify, while a sentence outline provides more detail and can serve as a script if necessary.

Should a presentation outline include references or sources?

Yes, it can be helpful to include references or sources in your outline, especially if you’re presenting complex data, statistics, or information that isn’t widely known. Including these in your outline will ensure you remember to credit your sources during your presentation and provide the audience with accurate information.

What is a speaking outline and how does it differ from a preparation outline?

A preparation outline is a detailed outline used to organize all the information in your speech. It includes the title, specific purpose, central idea, introduction, main points, subpoints, transitions, and conclusion. A speaking outline, on the other hand, is a brief outline that serves as a reminder of what you need to say and in what order. It’s used while delivering the speech.

Should a presentation outline include visual aids?

While the outline itself might not include visual aids, it’s often helpful to note down where you intend to use them. This can ensure that your visual aids are well integrated with your speech and serve to enhance the points you’re making.

How can I use my presentation outline effectively during my presentation?

You can use your outline as a roadmap to guide you through your presentation. It can remind you of the points you need to cover and the order in which to cover them. However, it’s important not to read directly from your outline. Instead, use it as a guide while still connecting directly with your audience.

Should I share my presentation outline with my audience?

In some cases, it might be helpful to provide your audience with a copy of your outline. This can help them follow along with your presentation, take notes, and remember key points. However, this depends on the context of your presentation and the preferences of your audience.

What should I do if I’m going over my allotted time during the presentation?

If you find that you’re running over time during your presentation, your outline can help you quickly identify points that can be shortened or skipped. However, it’s important to practice your presentation beforehand to ensure it fits within the allotted time.

Can the presentation outline help in reducing public speaking anxiety?

Yes, having a well-prepared outline can certainly help reduce public speaking anxiety. It serves as a safety net that you can refer to if you lose your train of thought, ensuring that you can always get back on track.

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

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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Janek Tuttar

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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.

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Presentation outline design ppt templates

Represent your topic of discussion with an apt background using this Presentation Outline Design PPT Template. Improvise your presentation with this professionally formatted PowerPoint template. Make the process of creating PPT easy and fast with this editable slide. It allows superior quality pictures, icons, and graphics to make the display impactful. With the presentation outline PPT design, give your audience a clear idea of the topic you are talking about. Help your audience to visualize the steps of the process in an easy to understand manner. Depict the steps of acquiring knowledge and synthesizing content to represent an outline. Present a simple version of detailed information with high-quality background images. Give a visually appealing look to your mundane presentation with this background information PPT template. Our designers at SlideTeam have exclusively designed this PPT template for your comfort. Incorporate it in your PowerPoint presentation to make it more effective.

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Presenting a PowerPoint slide named Presentation Outline Design PPT Templates. Choose from an array of icons offered by our designers at SlideTeam. Font style, color, and size are all customizable. Insert the desired data to obtain a well-organized informational pattern. The compatibility with Google Slides makes it easily accessible. Conversion of the slide to PDF as well JPG formats are possible. Save time by creating a layout with this PPT template.

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Description:.

The image shows a PowerPoint slide titled "Presentation Outline Design", which is likely used as a template for planning and structuring a presentation. The slide is divided into five sections, each represented by a different colored circle and labeled with a key component of the presentation development process: Knowledge, Content, Synthesis, Outline, and Design.

1. Knowledge: The yellow circle, accompanied by an icon of a house with a graduation cap, possibly represents foundational knowledge or context setting for the presentation topic.

2. Content: The orange circle has a clock icon, suggesting this part focuses on the timely delivery or the core material that will be covered in the presentation.

3. Synthesis: The green circle with a test tube icon indicates the integration or combination of ideas to form the presentation's core message or conclusion.

4. Outline: The blue circle featuring a document icon signifies the stage of creating an outline, which serves as the skeleton or structure of the presentation.

5. Design: The darker blue circle with a presentation icon represents the final stage of adding visual elements to enhance the presentation's effectiveness.

Each section has bullet points emphasizing that the slide is "100% editable" and can be adapted to the presenter's needs to capture the audience's attention. The slide is designed to be a guide, helping to ensure that presentations are well-prepared and effectively communicate the intended message.

This slide template is a universal tool, applicable across various industries, to organize and present information effectively.

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Lessons Learned 11 PowerPoint Template & Google Slides Theme

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Outline powerpoint templates for presentations:.

The Outline PowerPoint templates go beyond traditional static slides to make your professional presentations stand out. Given the sleek design and customized features, they can be used as PowerPoint as well as  Google Slides templates . Inculcated with visually appealing unique and creative designs, the templates will double your presentation value in front of your audience. You can browse through a vast library of Outline Google Slides templates,  PowerPoint themes  and  backgrounds  to stand out in your next presentation.

What Is A Outline PowerPoint Template?

A Outline PowerPoint template is a ready-made presentation template that provides a structured framework for creating professional Outline presentations. The Outline PPT presentation template includes design elements, layouts, and fonts that you can customize to fit your content and brand.

What Are The Advantages Of Outline Presentation Templates?

Outline PPT presentation templates can be beneficial because they:

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  • Enhance the overall visual appeal of the content.
  • Save you a lot of time as you don’t have to start editing from scratch.
  • Improve the professional outlook of your presentation.

How To Choose The Best Outline Presentation Templates?

Keep the following points in mind while choosing a Outline Presentation template for PowerPoint (PPT) or Google Slides:

  • Understand your presentation goals and objectives.
  • Make sure the Outline template aligns with your visual needs and appeal.
  • Ensure the template is versatile enough to adapt to various types of content.
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Can I Edit The Elements In Outline PowerPoint Templates?

Yes, our Outline PowerPoint and Google Slides templates are fully editable. You can easily modify the individual elements including icons, fonts, colors, etc. while making your presentations using  professional PowerPoint templates .

Are Outline PowerPoint Templates Compatible With Google Slides?

Yes, all our Outline presentation templates are compatible and can be used as Outline Google Slides templates.

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Free Project Outline Templates

By Kate Eby | November 10, 2021

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Choose from a selection of the ultimate project outline templates designed for business projects and academic research. 

On this page, you’ll find a mix of document and presentation templates, including a one-page project outline and a sample project outline template with example text, as well as a format template for a research project outline .

Business Project Outline Template

Business Project Outline Template

Download Business Project Outline Template

Microsoft Excel | Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF | Google Docs

Construct a detailed outline for any business project. This template provides example headings for each outline section, along with bullet points and tables for listing subtasks. Add a brief executive summary describing the project, followed by the reasons for doing it and add broader context in the background section. Describe the scope of work and list project objectives, constraints, and assumptions. Identify members of the project team, including key stakeholders. In the timeline section, list important milestones, projected dates, and the contact person for each item. Under resource requirements, create a basic budget with estimated costs for the tools, equipment, and labor your project requires.

Simple Project Outline Template

Simple Project Outline Template

Download Simple Project Outline Template

Microsoft Word | Google Docs | Adobe PDF

Create a basic project outline with this one-page, blank document template. Write your project summary, list key deliverables, and define metrics for measuring success. Break down your project timeline into phases and milestones. Identify roles and responsibilities for stakeholders and team members. This template’s simple layout helps ensure that your project outline remains succinct and focuses on key details. The outline should provide a high-level view of how your project will play out.

Project Outline Presentation Template

Project Outline Presentation Template

Download Project Outline Presentation Template

Microsoft PowerPoint  | Google Slides

Turn your project outline into a presentation using this preformatted slide deck. Each slide covers an essential element of the outline, from the project overview and goals to deliverables and scheduled milestones. The template breaks up the information into digestible pieces and adds visual interest to keep viewers engaged. Enter your text on each slide, and edit the headings or slide formatting to create a customized template.

Sample Project Outline Template

Sample Project Outline Template

Download Sample Project Outline Template

Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF

This project outline example gives you an idea of how a template might look after you fill it out. The template is fully customizable, and you can replace all sample text with your original content. Each section in the outline expands as you add text, allowing you to create a longer document. Insert the details you want to track in the project timeline, such as specific due dates or milestones. Use bullet points to accentuate important points and increase readability.

Design Project Outline Template

Design Project Outline Template

Download Design Project Outline Template

Microsoft Excel | Microsoft Word  | Adobe PDF

Similar to a design brief , this template covers primary elements of a design project. However, the project outline is less comprehensive, providing a higher-level overview of the design project’s purpose and process. Use this template for in-house planning or in the initial stages of client communication. Include a project description , list of objectives, problem statement, and design concept and style. Add a projected time frame and deliverable dates, meetings, and other events. Itemize costs to estimate budget needs.

Research Project Proposal Outline

Research Project Proposal Outline

Download Research Project Proposal Outline Template

Microsoft Word  |  Google Docs

This template provides a basic outline for a science, academic, or other research project proposal. Fill out each portion of the outline, using the numbered headings as a guide. Discuss the research problem, the rationale for the project, and the significance of the study. Cite sources for literature review topics, and describe your hypothesis and research methodology. Use the template like a worksheet to help you organize your project proposal.

For business project proposals, see our roundup of the top project proposal templates , including proposals for specific products and services.

Research Project Outline Sample Format

Research Project Outline Sample Format

Download Sample Research Project Outline Format

Microsoft Word | Google Docs

Use this template to create an outline for an academic research paper or a capstone project. The template provides a sample format with numbered headings and sub-items. For example, the introduction features subsections for a problem statement, research review, study significance, and thesis statement. If you are conducting original research as part of the project, list your research methods for a further level of organization. The outline offers example headings and subheadings to guide you through the process of developing your outline. Edit the text to suit your project type and requirements.

What Is a Project Outline Template?

A project outline template breaks down the parts of a project into its essential elements. The outline provides a glimpse into the project background, objectives, deliverables, and scheduling. It does not offer the depth or detail of a project plan . 

For more project planning tools, download free project overview templates .

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Presentation outline templates come in handy when you are trying to create a sample presentation folder for corporate and research work and need to come up with good examples of ideas. You can easily download and print the speech outline template for free from different websites but if you want high quality premium ones, you must be ready to pay.

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Organizing Your Presentation Basic Outline Format

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The Ultimate Business Presentation Outline Guide Template

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Research Presentation Generic Outline

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One Page Thematic Presentation Outline

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IMAGES

  1. 30 Perfect Presentation Outline Templates (+Examples)

    outline of a presentation template

  2. Presentation Outline Template

    outline of a presentation template

  3. 30 Perfect Presentation Outline Templates (+Examples)

    outline of a presentation template

  4. 30 Perfect Presentation Outline Templates (+Examples)

    outline of a presentation template

  5. 9+ Presentation Outline Templates

    outline of a presentation template

  6. FREE 6+ Sample Presentation Outline Templates in PDF

    outline of a presentation template

VIDEO

  1. Group Outline Presentation(Group5)

  2. Informative Outline Template Speech (SPCH 1321-82201)

  3. Create Text Outline In Powerpoint

  4. Interactive PowerPoint Presentation Template / COT /PPT

  5. TASK 2-20% ESSAY OUTLINE PRESENTATION TSLB 1104 GRAMMAR IN CONTEXT

  6. Healthcare and Medicine

COMMENTS

  1. How to Write an Effective 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.

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

    Your presentation outline. Using a presentation template will be a big help here. First, choose your template — then start adding pre-made slides according to your storyboard. For those who didn't plan, this can be a bit of a nightmare that usually ends up with you shuffling slides around indefinitely.

  3. How to create a presentation outline (with examples)

    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.

  4. 30 Perfect Presentation Outline Templates (+Examples)

    30 Perfect Presentation Outline Templates (+Examples) February 22, 2021 6 Mins Read. A presentation outline template gives you an overview of what encompasses an entire presentation. Based on the outline, you can start dealing with one slide at a time and then into the nitty-gritty of it. You may consider as a roadmap that leads to a successful ...

  5. Free Outlines Google Slides and PowerPoint Templates

    Text & Tables When you don't know how to highlight your texts and present your information in your presentations, our broad collection of free Text and Table templates for Google Slides and PowerPoint will provide you with lots of original ideas.There are countless ways to bring life to your texts: bullet points, banners, speech bubbles, todo ...

  6. Create Effective Presentation Outlines: A Step-by-Step Guide with Tips

    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.

  7. Outline Powerpoint Templates and Google Slides Themes

    Free Outline Slide Templates for an Organized Slideshow. Make your presentations organized and visually appealing with an outline PowerPoint template. Whether you're a student, teacher, or business professional, these templates will help you structure your ideas and deliver a clear message. With customizable slides, you can easily manage your ...

  8. Practical Presentation Outline Examples For Success (+ 8 ...

    This helps you manage your time effectively during the actual presentation. Notes or Reminders: Add any reminders, cues, or notes to yourself that will help you deliver your presentation effectively. These can include tips on delivery, body language, or specific points to emphasize. Presentation Outline Examples. Image: freepik.

  9. Presentation Outline Example and Template

    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.

  10. How to Make a Presentation Outline

    In order to prove your authority and the validity of your main point, you'll need to argument your position. There should be no more than four main points or statements per presentation. Each statement is supported by multiple arguments. There are usually 3-4 for arguments per main point. Arguments are your research.

  11. A Guide to Presentation Outline [Infographic]

    Presentation Outline. Introduction. Keep it under 5 minutes. Introduce yourself, your company, and the topic of discussion. Explain the significance and topic relevance. Specify your approach to the topic. Preview the main points or key idea. Make a transition to the main points. Main Body.

  12. How To Create an Effective Presentation Outline

    Follow these steps when creating an outline for your presentation: 1. Consider the purpose of your presentation. When creating a presentation outline, determine your goal. To find this, think about what you want your audience to obtain or support after your discussion. For example, a nonprofit that builds wells for impoverished communities may ...

  13. Free and engaging presentation templates to customize

    25,857 templates. Create a blank Presentation. Beige Scrapbook Art and History Museum Presentation. Presentation by Noisy Frame. Cream Neutral Minimalist New Business Pitch Deck Presentation. Presentation by Take Care Creative. Brown and Beige Aesthetic Modern Group Project Presentation. Presentation by hanysa.

  14. Free Printable Presentation Outline Templates [Word, PDF]

    Free Printable Presentation Outline Templates [Word, PDF] Unveiling a brilliant idea or sharing knowledge effectively hinges on the structure and clarity of your presentation. An integral part of this process is crafting a well-organized presentation outline, a roadmap guiding your audience from introduction to conclusion. This article will ...

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

    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.

  16. Presentation outline design ppt templates

    The image shows a PowerPoint slide titled "Presentation Outline Design", which is likely used as a template for planning and structuring a presentation. The slide is divided into five sections, each represented by a different colored circle and labeled with a key component of the presentation development process: Knowledge, Content, Synthesis ...

  17. Editable Outline Templates For PowerPoint

    To download Outline presentation templates, you can follow these steps: Select the resolution (16*9 or 4*3). Select the format you want to download the Outline template in (Google Slides or PowerPoint). Make the payment (SlideUpLift has a collection of paid as well as free Outline PowerPoint templates).

  18. Free Outline PowerPoint Templates & Google Slides Themes

    Download Free and Premium Free Outline PowerPoint Templates. Choose and download Free Outline PowerPoint templates, and Free Outline PowerPoint Backgrounds in just a few minutes.And with amazing ease of use, you can transform your "sleep-inducing" PowerPoint presentation into an aggressive, energetic, jaw-dropping presentation in nearly no time at all.

  19. Free Project Outline Templates

    Choose from a selection of the ultimate project outline templates designed for business projects and academic research. On this page, you'll find a mix of document and presentation templates, including a one-page project outline and a sample project outline template with example text, as well as a format template for a research project outline.

  20. FREE Presentation Outline Templates & Examples

    Roadmap Outline; FREE Presentation Outline Templates & Examples. Do You Need Presentation Outline Templates for Your Visual or Oral Presentation? Would You Like to Get Creative with Each Slide While Ensuring the Presentation Is Digestible and Informative? For Your Thesis Proposal, Essay Report, Dissertation Proposal, or Any Group Presentation ...

  21. Presentation Outline Template

    A proper presentation outline format consists of 3 important parts. The first one deals with points for introduction, the second one includes points for your main arguments & solutions, and finally the conclusion summary and is all included in free simple outline templates.

  22. Outline PowerPoint templates, Slides and Graphics

    Presenting this set of slides with name working capital computation ppt powerpoint presentation outline infographic template. The topics discussed in these slides are business, planning, strategy, marketing, management. This is a completely editable PowerPoint presentation and is available for immediate download.

  23. 9+ Presentation Outline Templates

    23+ Body Outline Templates - PDF, JPG. Speech Outline Template - 8+ Free Sample, Example, Format Download! 20+ Proposal Outline Templates - DOC, PDF. 11+ Autobiography Outline Template - DOC, PDF. Project Outline Template - 9+ Free Sample, Example, Format Download.

  24. 301 Moved Permanently

    301 Moved Permanently. openresty