Participate in a class discussion in which you explore how Nancy Duarte shares practical lessons on how to make a powerful call-to-action. Duarte argues that ideas are people’s most powerful tools. But an idea is powerless if it stays inside of you. If you never pull that idea out for others to contend with, it will die with you. Why are some ideas adopted or rejected? Why are some mediocre or average ideas adopted while your brilliant idea is rejected? Duarte suggests that the only difference between a mediocre idea that was adopted and the brilliant idea that is rejected is the way the idea is communicated.
Consider the following question and points as you discuss how you will build your presentation using the 5 key principles of effective PL:
- The way that ideas are conveyed the most effectively is through the story.
- What is your story? What is your story behind the story?
- What is the most effective story structure?
- The presenter isn’t the hero, the audience is. How will you address this in your presentation?
- What is your role as a presenter and how do you help the audience?
- What are the parts of your story? Consider how Freytag’s Dramatic story structure can be applied to your presentation.
- How will you move people from the status quo to your big idea? How will you traverse between what is and what could be?
- How will you deal with objections and roadblocks?
- Have you painted a clear enough picture of this new world?
- Do you have an effective call to action?
