Structure a presentation the Mojo Way

© Copyright MojoLife Ltd 2014 1

How to structure a presentationHow to structure a presentationHow to structure a presentation --- some food for thoughtsome food for thoughtsome food for thought

by Sara Knowles & Andrew Thorpby Sara Knowles & Andrew Thorpby Sara Knowles & Andrew Thorp

www.www.www.mojoyourbusinessmojoyourbusinessmojoyourbusiness.com.com.com

http://www.mojoyourbusiness.com/


We’ve been coaching presentation and public speaking skills for many years and one of the most enduring

challenges for clients is how to structure their talk. Without wishing to prescribe how things should be

done (after all, we believe in individual expression and a dose of non-conformity), we felt it would be useful

to suggest a template which presenters can use as a guide. It’s not meant to be followed slavishly but it

does give some comfort to people who struggle to produce a clear narrative structure.

Using a food metaphor (dining out!) we’ve suggested the following

structure:

The courses of a meal

The ‘courses’ represent the different stages of a presentation (e.g.

the opening, the main mid-section, the summary). This is the overall

structure through which your message is delivered.

The food/ingredients

This represents the content of the presentation. Better quality ingredients (ideas, evidence, etc), ideally

home-grown (authentic, well-chosen), produce a better all-round experience.


The delivery vehicle (packaging)

This is the method by which the food is brought to the diner (the plate, the bowl). Good food can be let

down by poor presentation. Good speakers package their content carefully, using a variety of methods.

Served with passion

Finally, the whole meal has to be prepared and served with flair and enthusiasm. We’re not just re-fuelling

the customers by dumping food on their plate (the equivalent of dull, bullet-ridden PowerPoint slides) -

we’re creating a memorable experience which might just influence them to re-visit and spread the word.

How to use this guideHow to use this guideHow to use this guide The ‘Courses’ give you a basic structure while the ‘Ingredients’ suggest what content might populate each

section. The ‘Delivery Vehicles’ are possible ways to get across your message in a more effective way (for

example, stories, props, graphics, etc). It’s up to YOU which

one/s you use and in which section.

Learning points

In each section, there’s a great example (drawn from some of

our favourite speakers) of where one (or more) delivery tools

were used successfully. Check out the wonderful TED Talks.

http://www.ted.com/talks


OPENING

STORY Have a strong opening which grabs the attention

of the audience and makes an immediate impact.

Make it about ’them’ rather than just you. Create

an early experience for the audience, to really

make them sit up and take notice.

Section (course) Food / ingredients Delivery vehicle /

packaging

1

Dr Brene Brown Dr Brene Brown starts her 2010 TEDx talk on the

power of vulnerability with a story about getting

booked for a speaking gig. It’s funny, disarming and

warms us to her right from the outset. This helps us

be more receptive to the ideas that follow. She also

uses some beautiful, simple graphics to introduce

the key stages of her talk.

OPENING YOUR IDEA WHO AM I? MAIN BODY SUMMARY CTA

QUESTION

DEMONSTRATION

IMAGE / GRAPHIC

VIDEO / AUDIO CLIP

TEXT / POWERPOINT

PROP

FLIP CHART

EXERCISE

https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability


YOUR IDEA

STORY Link the opening to your main proposition. Use

the PAL approach - establish a PAIN, introduce a

possible ASPIRIN (solution), allude to ‘future re-

wards’ (the LEGACY) if that solution is adopted.


packaging

2

Simon Sinek This TEDx talk from 2009 has millions of views but

that’s not because Sinek invests in high-tech visuals.

Instead, he explains his idea by drawing a diagram

on a flip chart. It’s simple but highly effective. He

starts with a question and soon has the audience re-

lating to his theme of ‘starting with why’.


QUESTION

DEMONSTRATION

IMAGE / GRAPHIC

VIDEO / AUDIO CLIP

TEXT / POWERPOINT

PROP

FLIP CHART

EXERCISE

http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action


WHO AM I?

STORY Link yourself to your theme. Who are you to speak

with authority on this topic? Don’t list experience,

awards or client lists. Just drop it into the conver-

sation. You will establish credibility by delivering

some great insights during your talk.

Explain your WHY. What beliefs or philosophy do

you hold dear. Where did they come from?


packaging

3

Jill Bolte Taylor In her amazing 2008 TED talk, neuro-anatomist Jill

Bolte Taylor gave us a unique insight into what the

brain goes through during a stroke. Her personal sto-

ry is highly relevant - she herself suffered a stroke

and recounts with great enthusiasm what she went

through at the time. That’s a real brain she’s holding

by the way - some prop!


QUESTION

DEMONSTRATION

IMAGE / GRAPHIC

VIDEO / AUDIO CLIP

TEXT / POWERPOINT

PROP

FLIP CHART

EXERCISE

http://www.ted.com/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight


MAIN BODY

STORY This is the meat or main body of the talk. Provide

evidence for your main proposition. Draw from

these THREE elements:

BIG PICTURE - your main idea and your ‘WHY’.

MACHINERY - how all this works in practice.

LIBRARY - examples, case studies, your research,

personal anecdotes, relevant media stories.


packaging

4

David Epstein Epstein is a sports science reporter and in this 2014

TED talk he questions whether modern athletes real-

ly are faster, better and stronger than their prede-

cessors. We love his use of graphics to back his argu-

ment - and listen out for a really clever audio tech-

nique to represent sprinters crossing the finishing

line.


QUESTION

DEMONSTRATION

IMAGE / GRAPHIC

VIDEO / AUDIO CLIP

TEXT / POWERPOINT

PROP

FLIP CHART

EXERCISE

http://www.ted.com/talks/david_epstein_are_athletes_really_getting_faster_better_stronger

http://www.ted.com/talks/david_epstein_are_athletes_really_getting_faster_better_stronger


SUMMARY

STORY Pull together the various strands of your argu-

ment. Summarise the journey people have been

through, how far they’ve travelled and where

they are now. Again, allude to the possibility of a

better future.


packaging

5

Hans Rosling This engaging 2010 TED talk by global health expert

Hans Rosling features a washing machine used both

as a prop and the main theme of the presentation.

It’s an intriguing proposition and watch out for the

unexpected ending!


QUESTION

DEMONSTRATION

IMAGE / GRAPHIC

VIDEO / AUDIO CLIP

TEXT / POWERPOINT

PROP

FLIP CHART

EXERCISE

https://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_and_the_magic_washing_machine


CTA

STORY Round things off by sowing a seed in the minds of

the audience members. Give them something to

do or think about when they get home or back to

the office. We call this a Call to Action (CTA).

Finish with a simple thank you (questions may

follow).


packaging

6

Seth Godin It can be powerful to display a quote at the end of

your talk. We love this one from marketing guru Seth

Godin, who encourages us to make our product or

service more outstanding:

“Advertising is the price you pay

for being unremarkable.”


QUESTION

DEMONSTRATION

IMAGE / GRAPHIC

VIDEO / AUDIO CLIP

TEXT / POWERPOINT

PROP

FLIP CHART

EXERCISE


Served with passion No matter how well structured your talk or well organised the occasion, it’s up to YOU to bring it to life

when you present. Presenters often aspire to technical perfection whereas the audience actually wants

some passion, belief, energy and a bit of fun. They want something of practical relevance but they also like

to be entertained. No one likes a slow, agonizing death by bullet-ridden PowerPoint slides!

Be honest - are you a limp lettuce or a sizzling fajita?

1. 2.

3. 4.


Presenters who bring things to lifePresenters who bring things to lifePresenters who bring things to life We’d include ALL the aforementioned speakers here, but others we love are:

Sir Ken Robinson

“Why schools kill creativity” (TED 2006). Brilliant use of humour mixed with profoundly im-

portant messages.

2.

. 4. Amy Cuddy

“Your body language shapes who you are” (TED 2012). Fascinating insight into ‘power posing’,

delivered through a personal story.

Susan Cain

“The power of introverts” (TED 2012). A very personal take on why we should value and en-

courage introverts.

Benjamin Zander

“The transformative power of classical music” (TED 2008). Humour, on-stage performance,

moving stories - this talk has it all!

https://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity

https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are

https://www.ted.com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts

https://www.ted.com/talks/benjamin_zander_on_music_and_passion


Are you ready to present with Mojo?

Coaching, Training & Consultancy

Mojo Your Business helps companies and organisations to tell their story better, especially when it comes

to vocalising that story through people (sales people, leaders, influencers). We call this ‘Verbal PR’ and if

you’d like to craft and deliver a stronger message in order to sell your product, service or idea we’d love to

hear from you.

Find out more at www.www.www.mojoyourbusinessmojoyourbusinessmojoyourbusiness.com.com.com

Email us: [email protected] Call: + (44))(0)161 820 4752

Registered in England and Wales, company number 7543721

http://www.mojoyourbusiness.com/

Structure a presentation the Mojo Way

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