Effective Storytelling in Presentations and Reports

Presentations serve as communication power tools across industries, with persuasion at their core. Whether promoting a strategy, delivering training, seeking project buy-in, or influencing decisions, effective storytelling makes the difference.

This session explores methods for crafting presentations and reports that resonate. It focuses on building momentum from the start with compelling openings, organizing ideas around key messages, and ending with clear calls to action that prompt audience engagement.

The session examines core components of persuasive storytelling and demonstrates how frameworks can be applied to different settings. Real-world examples show how these principles translate into visual slide design and overall presentation impact.

It also highlights how AI tools like Microsoft Copilot can support content development, assist with layout structure, and simplify complex ideas. The emphasis is on practical strategies that improve clarity, reduce prep time, and help make every presentation more intentional and engaging.

Session Objectives:
1. Understanding Persuasion: Grasp the importance of persuasion in presentations and reports.
2. Powerful Presentation Storytelling: Learn how to create impactful stories that communicate effectively.
3. Compelling Visual Storytelling: Creating dynamic, visual stories to engage your audience.
4. Utilizing AI for Presentations: How and when AI can help in the presentation process.
5. Practical Application: Translate theoretical concepts into practical presentation slides and formats.
6. Utilizing AI Tools: Explore how AI tools like Microsoft Copilot can enhance presentation clarity and efficiency.

Session Topics:
1. Introduction to Storytelling in Presentations
- Definition of storytelling in communication.
- The role of storytelling in persuasion.
 
2. Key Components of a Persuasive Story
- Overview of effective frameworks for storytelling.
- What to include in a powerful opening.
- Establishing key messages.
- Making calls to action that resonate and achieve your objective.

3. Engaging Your Audience
- Techniques for capturing attention.
- The importance of relevance and relatability.
- The role of visuals in storytelling.

4. Utilizing AI for Presentations
- Overview of available AI tools.
- Hands-on demonstration of Microsoft Copilot.
- Tips for enhancing presentations with AI-generated content.

4. Real-Life Examples
- Apply the ideas to your content and discuss variations and options.

Recommended Prerequisites
- Basic familiarity with creating presentations using tools like Microsoft PowerPoint or similar platforms.
- Access to, and comfort with navigating Microsoft 365, particularly PowerPoint and Word, as the session includes demonstrations using Microsoft Copilot. 
    Note for Stanford staff: If you do not have an MS Copilot license, visit the Microsoft 365 Copilot Ordering Instructions page at https://software.stanford.edu/software/copilot/order for step-by-step instructions.
- General understanding of your own presentation content or use cases, as participants will apply storytelling techniques and AI tools to real or hypothetical material.