Telling your story in seven slides . . . or less!!!

So, how do we create resonance and communicate powerful ideas?

Make a Compelling CaseSTORIES!

When you design your presentation as a story, people will be more likely to be convinced. You are not presenting, you are TELLING A STORY!

A New Platform for Presenting Proposals

DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR THE 7-SLIDE STORYThink of each slide as a scene: build on previous, transition to next, leave an impression

Develop a premise and then prove it

Conflict is interesting; facts usually are not

Stories are only satisfying when conflict is resolved

How to Develop a Successful ScenePlant a Question (beginning)

Evoke a specific emotion (middle)

Answer the question (end)

Move the story forward (transition)

The Role of the Seven SlidesSlide 1 EngagementSlide 2 BackstorySlide 3 Build TensionSlide 4 Bring it to a Boil!Slide 5 Offer ChoicesSlide 6 Provide ResolutionSlide 7 Set up the sequel

Slide 1 EngagementBuilds desire to see what comes nextSlide 2 BackstoryContext; how we got hereSlide 3 Build TensionConsequences & implications for not taking action or moving forwardThe Role of the Seven Slides

Slide 4 Bring it to a Boil!What do we do?Slide 5 Offer ChoicesA way out!Slide 6 Provide ResolutionHave cake, eat it too!Slide 7 Set up the sequelGo deeper; take actionThe Role of the Seven Slides

Leave Them Happy . . . ENDEARLY!

POINTERSUse the real estate of each slide: plan your space; dont explain everything; make the scene rich; display each slide at least 3 minutes

Plant a question in their minds: a claim, concept, theory, hypothesis, challenge, proposition, or truth

No peek-a-boo!

Consider the following use of slide real estate:

Compare or Contrast(the core conflict)EXPLORATIONEMOTIONALRESONANCECOMMENTARYAnswer the question and move the story forward

A growing body of academic research supports the use of project-based learning in schoolsIf schoolchildren are given the gift of exploration, society will be the beneficiary.Make learning fun again for both students and teachers!A Day in the Life of PBL (video)

Example SlidesSlide One: Engagement Demonstrate theCore Problem

Student tests scores fell by 11%If this trend continues, we will not meet AYP next yearSchool choice is out there, folks!To maintain the quality of our school and the trust of our community we must solve this problem! 20052006

Example SlidesSlide One: Engagement State thePremise

A growing body of academic research supports the use of project-based learning in schoolsIf schoolchildren are given the gift of exploration, society will be the beneficiary.Make learning fun again for both students and teachers!A Day in the Life of PBL (video)

Principles of Slide 1Engage the audience emotionally and intellectually

Set the best tone

Turn browsers into an audience

Introduce the core conflict

Example SlidesSlide TWO: Backstory History orMethodology and Key Data

How We Got Here . . .AYP is threatened

Principles of Slide 2If not needed, dont include the backstory

Dont tell another story

Dont get bogged down

Know your audience

Example SlidesSlide Three: Tension Insistence vs. Resistance

Action to date has had little effect upon performanceEnrichment programsTarget students didnt comeHome room focusSocial issues became focusTeacher inserviceInneffectiveChange in textbooksMinimal increaseTIME IS RUNNING OUT!

Example SlidesSlide Three: Tension Its worse than you think orDrill down

Principles of Slide 3Return the audience from the backstory to the main story

Explore the consequences of resolving and not resolving the core conflict

Present the consequences in order of emotional impact

Create a sense of urgency

Example SlidesSlide Four: Bring It To A Boil The summary ofconsequences or The killer statistic

Example SlidesSlide Four: Bring It To A Boil No escapeorIs there?

Negative publicityDifficulty passing bondsNo new buildingsNo salary gainsRecruiting problemsRetention problems. . . Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. -Albert Einstein

Principles of Slide 4Raise the tensionbut not too much

Create more emotional resonance than any other slide

Suppress the urge to provide resolution

Example SlidesSlide Five: Offer ChoicesFork in the Road or Multiple Choice

Example SlidesSlide Five: Offer ChoicesEmotional Appeal

What Kind of School Do We Want to Be?Behind the TimesFailingState-controlledEmbarrassedInnovativeLeaderOutstandingSuccessfulWANTED: Faculty and Staff who are committed to innovative, continuous improvement

Principles of Slide 5Bring the decision to your advantage

Offer one choicestatus quo or change

Dont offer resolution

Appeal to the emotions

Example SlidesSlide Six: Provide ResolutionMirror the Engagement Slide

Example SlidesSlide Six: Provide ResolutionHappily Ever After or Q & A

A growing body of academic research supports the use of project-based learning in schoolsIf schoolchildren are given the gift of exploration, society will be the beneficiary.Make learning fun again for both students and teachers!A Day in the Life of PBL (video)

Principles of Slide 6Resolve the core conflict

Answer questions the story raised

Focus on what, let them ask how.

Show, dont tell

Example SlidesSlide Seven: Set up the SequelPut the Lid on the Can of Worms

MethodologySources andReferencesCosts/Productivity CalculationsLikely Stakeholder ResponsesBest/Worst Case ScenariosForecasts/Projections

Principles of Slide 7Let the audience drive the story by choosing topics to explore further

Influence the way people think about your story by offering answers to questions before they are asked

Answer each anticipated question with a story (premise, conflict, tension, turning point, resolution)

If you dont need slide 7, dont use it

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