Storytelling through Powerpoint
March 3, 2009
Powerpoint has gotten a bad rap. Powerpoint gave the power to design to the people. Yes, we the people have abused that power, a bit—100’s of slides in 12 point font each filled with competing images and points to be made. With a bit of self-control, powerpoint can be a dynamic and powerful storytelling tool.
A great story begins by drawing the audience in. It takes the learner on a journey–writers call it a “story arc”. And, it ends with a big finish, a moral, a point to be made. Think about Al Gore’s Inconvenient Truth–it all began with a story being told through powerpoint.
One of the absolute best books I have discovered on powerpoint design is Nancy Duarte’s slide:ology. Here is an archived webinar discovered on vizthink.com, in which Nancy shares tips on how to apply design principles to powerpoint:
http://www.vizthink.com/blog/2008/06/18/webinar-creating-powerful-presentations-with-nancy-duarte/
Entry Filed under: instructional design, learning, training delivery, training design. Tags: 4MAT, powerpoint, storytelling.
Jeanine O’Neill-Blackwell is the President/CEO of 4MAT 4Business, a consulting group that provides training and tools for leaders, managers and trainers on how to effectively communicate, lead, coach and market using the 4MAT Learning Cycle. 
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