A masterful satirist, liberal humanist and dissenter to the end, Kurt Vonnegut wrote some of our most beloved fiction. Vonnegut was an acerbic writer, fusing satire and science fiction in venerable works such as Cat’s Cradle, Slaughterhouse-Five and Breakfast of Champions. Much can be learned from Vonnegut’s writing style, and also from his commentary on writing. In his book Bagombo Snuff Box: Uncollected Short Fiction, he lists eight tips for writing short stories, some of which are great lessons for presentations.
“Use the time of a total stranger in such a way that he or she will not feel the time was wasted.”
Vonnegut’s first piece of advice encapsulates the most basic and important goal of a presentation: Never waste the audience’s time. They are sacrificing something– whether that be time, money, or simply the opportunity to do something else– to be in the room listening to your presentation. Make sure you treat that sacrifice with respect. Always give the audience a reason why it’s important that they hear what you have to say.
“Every sentence must do one of two things– reveal character or advance the action.”
Say only what is necessary. Don’t waste time on superfluous, flowery imagery and grandiose description. Like Vonnegut says, each sentence you speak should have a purpose: reveal character (tell your audience something about yourself or about themselves) or advance the action (tell them what’s important and why). Every word should have a meaning; anything extra needs to be cut. If you can’t find a way to trim the fat, ask someone you trust for help. A second set of eyes can be a lifesaver in times of uncertainty.
“Write to please just one person. If you open a window and make love to the world, so to speak, your story will get pneumonia.”
Said so wonderfully, Mr. Vonnegut. While it would be rare to speak to only one person during a presentation, the crux of his advice still holds true. If your presentation encompasses too much, is too all over the place, appealing to too many different people, the main idea will be lost on the audience. Know your audience like the back of your hand, and speak to them specifically. Without a clear understanding of whom you are speaking to, your presentation will get pneumonia.
“Give your readers as much information as possible as soon as possible. To hell with suspense. Readers should have such complete understanding of what is going on, where and why, that they could finish the story themselves, should cockroaches eat the last few pages.”
Clear organization, some kind of predetermined flow, is imperative to giving an effective presentation. Just as Vonnegut says of readers, your audience should have a “complete understanding of what is going on, where and why.” Never leave the audience in the dark about where you’re going or where you’ve been. They should know, at all times, what point you are talking about and how it relates to your main overall idea.
The importance of having a clear structure can’t be overemphasized. People are much more likely to follow your presentation if it has a clearly articulated structure, even if you go as far as to accompany your points with the introductions first, second, third and so forth. As Vonnegut advises, “to hell with suspense.” Don’t leave your audience guessing where that particular sentence fits in your presentation. Don’t leave them guessing where your presentation is going next, or where it is going to end. Tell them from the beginning what you intend on proving to them and how you intend on doing it. Your presentation will be much more powerful from the start if you do.
