How can you use examples to illustrate your points in a presentation?

Don't be afraid to use Taylor Swift lyrics at an accounting conference! Y'all, might sound odd, but sharing something you authentically know (for me, Swift songs) is better than forcing examples to try and *seem* relevant (like if I tried to force an accounting example when that's not my expertise, just to try and relate to an audience of accountants). Inaccuracies in fabricated examples can *distract* rather than *clarify*. Try this instead: (1) Lean into examples from your own experiences. Your authenticity engages and resonates! (2) Talk to attendees beforehand and share their stories (with permission). Then, your examples are accurate AND impactful (better than trying to invent an example that might be inaccurate/distracting).

Ask audience for specific examples of your points from their own experiences . Extrapolate facts that support your examples from similar situations that are known to members of the audience . Use well known, real life situations from news articles or interviews that demonstrate the same or similar facts

Examples help people understand things better, but make sure they are examples that are relevant to your topic and one that your audience will understand. I recently did a talk for the construction industry and one of the ways I showed my information is in the form of a construction work example. That way they were able to understand it from their point of view and it made it more relatable.

Example of a Business Presentation: Topic: Importance of customer service training. Generic example: A 2022 study showed that 73% of customers value friendly service representatives. Relevant example: Share a story of a customer who had a positive experience with a well-trained representative, highlighting how it impacted their brand loyalty. This personalizes the data and resonates with the audience.

The main body of a presentation is the most critical . Use these examples: Visual aids like slides, charts, graphs, and power point graphics , can help you present your ideas more effectively. Use credible sources, data, and statistics to support your keys points. Build trust and credibility with your audience. Identify the essential points in your presentation and emphasize them using visual aids and other techniques. Storytelling techniques can help make your presentation more engaging and memorable. Grab your audience's attention, set the stage for set successful presentation. Interact with your audience, ask questions and encourage feedback. This will help keep them engaged and allow you to clarify any misunderstandings or confusion.

In my talks I like to use examples from different walks of life and areas of expertise. It is very important to utilise the wide world that we have and create a presentation which people will remember. Using varied examples helps a presentation go from good to great.

You can use varied examples to illustrate your points in a presentation by using different types of examples, such as facts, statistics, anecdotes, stories, analogies, metaphors, or visuals. Varied examples can help you appeal to different learning styles, capture the attention of your audience, and make your presentation more engaging and memorable. For example, if you are giving a presentation on the importance of reading, you can use examples of how reading improves your vocabulary, brain function, creativity, and empathy, as well as share some personal stories or quotes from your favorite books.

The goal is to avoid boring & monotonous illustration. Begin with examples that are relatable to your audience's experiences or common knowledge, reinforce specific points in your talk with the appropriate content; and the use of various media types could make it more interesting. Your goal is to keep your audience glued to their seats!

I term these as V.A.S.E., just like a vase at home used to decorate our living room and garden, we use V.A.S.E. to add spice to our presentation: Visual Representation- use of visuals, diagrams and meaningful illustrations Acronym- abbreviations Short Story- case study, social proof Example- analogy, universal experience and contrast

Examples are not data or testimonials. Illustrate your points with 3 uses: 1. Examples demonstrate an abstract concept by describing a concrete situation, action, or character, or by showing a visual. They can be from real life or hypothetical. 2. Examples are not your presentation - they are “for reference only”, so keep them short. One telltale sign that the example is too extensive: they take up more time to describe/show than your main points. 3. Make examples relevant to the audience! Let’s say you’re presenting on humor, and you use Seinfeld as an example. Depending on your audience’s demographics, age, and interest, another comedian may be a more relevant example. Or, you can exemplify with several comedians to show varied styles.

You can use specific examples to illustrate your points in a presentation by providing concrete details, numbers, names, dates, or locations that support your claims or arguments. Specific examples can help you establish credibility, accuracy, and clarity in your presentation, as well as make your points more convincing and relatable. For example, if you are giving a presentation on the impact of social media, you can use specific examples of how social media platforms have influenced political movements, business strategies, or personal relationships.

We can use case studies to explain the ideas being presented with specific examples that highlight the lessons derivable from them. Statistical data, facts and figures can also be used to specify trends or patterns relating to the topic under presentation. The collected data can be turned into graphs, charts, and tables to make the information being passed across more impressive.

Consider examples which create an emotional response from your audience. For me and my experience, they are the ones that stay with them. From my Policing experience, I share some of the traumas I have dealt with and relate it to the theme of the talk. Some of these experiences can evoke an emotional response as I create such imagery whereby people feel they are with me. This creates more impact and one which lasts with the audience.

If even a fraction of the example(s) used in a presentation resonate for your audience members - intellectually or emotionally - it will be remembered and integrated. Don’t hesitate to bring your personality, vulnerability or foibles into the presentation. This sets you apart from other speakers providing a purely clinical presentation.

The most effective examples are those that the audience can relate and identify with. This serve an illustrative purpose and create a connection from the message to the communicator and the audience. It makes the message itself relevant to people's lives by bringing it to their life experiences.

For something to be memorable it has to be unique. When I started digging into personal stories, quotes, and best practices from my passionate days as an actor, I found that it was not only offbeat and engaging for my listeners, but it was easier for me to show the real me. Remember work is not separate from life, it is a part of life. So look through the rolodex of your mind under U for the examples that show off your uniqueness.

Consider sensory details. Add imagination to your story with visual, auditory, kinesthetic, olfactory and gustatory elements. Make them real. And most importantly by the end of the example, relate back to your intended message. The debrief is vital to create the linkage back to the concept shared.

Showing incomplete examples or only hidden parts of an example and getting audience to make an informed guess about what is being shown provides room for active participation. To increase audience engagement, using different tools like “Which One Doesn’t Belong” “Spot the Difference” “Error Analysis” etc., allows more entry points as compared to an investigating the same examples as a list or a short video.

You can use effective delivery to illustrate your points in a presentation by using your voice, body language, and visual aids to enhance your message and connect with your audience. Effective delivery can help you communicate your points with confidence, enthusiasm, and emotion, as well as create a positive impression and rapport with your listeners. For example, if you are giving a presentation on the benefits of meditation, you can use effective delivery by speaking slowly and calmly, using gestures and eye contact, and showing some images or videos of meditation techniques.

Incorporating appropriate quotations from experts and thought leaders to support the points being presented are effective in throwing more light on the points being discussed. Similarly, it is good to engage the audience in interactive exercises that allows them to get more involved and interested in the presentation.