Graphics and PowerPoint: Or How Not to Panic Before Your Next Big Presentation

Luciana Herman and Greg Harris, HKS Communications Program

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What You Will Learn

Problem

1.Background junk

2.Inflexible argument

3.Text junk

4.Chart junk 

5.Static presentation

6.Kills Q&A 

Graphics and PowerPoint for Policymakers Workshop

Solution

1.BLUF

2.Flexible argument 

3.Key words

4.Simple graphics

5.Answers “So what?”

6.Sparks Q & A

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Problem 1: Background Junk

Graphics and PowerPoint for Policymakers

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Solution 1: BLUF

•Ethnic cleansing campaigns in urban areas

•Consolidated control by Sunnis

•All-time high violence spreading geographically

Graphics and PowerPoint for Policymakers

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Prob

lem

2: I

nflex

ible

Lin

ear A

rgum

ent

Prioritize and balance your recommendations according to your findings and audience needs

Solution 2: Flexible Dynam

ic Argument

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Problem 3: Text Junk• Enterprisers strongly favor allowing immigrants 

to enter and work in the United States legally for limited periods of time (by 71% to 26%).

• This issue produces an unusual alliance between Enterprisers and Liberals, who, reflecting their generally pro-immigrant stance, register high levels of support for such temporary visas (58%-36%), as do the pro-business Upbeats (57%-38%). 

• On this question, opposition falls along economic rather than party lines. While Disadvantaged Democrats are the group most reluctant to ease entry for immigrant workers, with 63% opposed and only 30% in favor, they are joined by majorities among Disaffecteds (51%), Social Conservatives and Conservative Democrats (50% in each group). 

Graphics and PowerPoint for Policymakers

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Solution 3: Key Words

Graphics and PowerPoint for Policymakers

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Problem 4: Chart Junk

Graphics and PowerPoint for Policymakers

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Problem 4:

More Chart Jun

kGraphics and PowerPoint for Policymakers

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Solu

tion

Char

t

Graphics and PowerPoint for Policymakers

11Graphics and PowerPoint for Policymakers

Less is more

10/20/30 Rule of Thumb

• 10 slides

• 20 minutes

• 30 point font

12Solution 5: So What? Storyboard your key findings and recommendations

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The Goal

Steve Jobs unveiling the I-Phone• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uW-E496FXg

Graphics and PowerPoint for Policymakers

Larry Lessig How Money Corrupts Congress and a Plan to Stop It

• http://fora.tv/2012/01/17/How_Money_Corrupts_Congress_and_a_Plan_to_Stop_It• You Believe You Know (3-min. clip at approximately 25 mins in)

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Final Thoughts

 • BLUF• What is the problem? Why does it matter

to you? Why should it matter to others? What should be done about it?

 • Flexible argument• How do the findings and

recommendations revolve around a central goal?

  • Key words• What are the words, images, concepts that

make your points memorable?

• So what? • Why should your audience or decision-

maker care? Why is this urgent?

Graphics and PowerPoint for Policymakers