Raise your hand if you've witnessed a scientific presentation that could have been a lot clearer. Raise both hands, and read on, if you want to avoid that fate. Below, we have compiled a list of tips and best practices to help scientists become powerful storytellers.

Plan your story arc.
Driven by a dedication to evidence-based conclusions, scientists often create presentations full of data and graphs and equations but forget that not everyone in the audience is as "tuned-in" to the scientific details as they are; therefore, they need a narrative framework to structure their presentations.

One way to achieve this is the ABT (And, But, Therefore) narrative framework popularized by Randy Olson. To begin, introduce the initial context of the story (AND). Then, introduce the conflict, challenge, or problem that disrupts the current situation (BUT). Lastly, this is your time to shine by explaining the action to address the conflict previously introduced (THEREFORE).

To see an example of this framework, reread the first sentence of this section!

For presentations, it's best to have a quick AB and spend most of the time discussing the T. Basically, give your audience a quick, compelling story that hooks them in, and they will be eager to listen to your solution in response to it.

Design your slides.
There's no need to spend hours meticulously crafting the perfect slides—focus on creating slides that support your message and do not detract from the presentation. If your audience is reading paragraphs of text, digesting complex graphs, or getting lost in your background image, they are going to miss the words you're saying.

Avoid making the slide background an image because text can easily become lost. Instead, select a dark, solid color background. A good rule of thumb for slide content is to only have one central objective on each slide. When possible, avoid long sentences and opt for concise bullet points. Images can accompany text as long as they relate to the content and support your message.

Consistency is key. Your slides should be cohesive, so stick to one background color, use the same font scheme throughout, and keep your text the same color.

Engage the audience.
One of our favorite ways to engage audiences in virtual meetings is with digital whiteboards. It's perfect for brainstorming sessions and collecting instant feedback. Your audience can collaborate in one space by posting sticky notes or moving dots to vote in response to your prompts. Best of all, at the end of the meeting, you are left with clear, organized feedback that doesn't get lost in chat messages.

An impactful presentation is more than just slides; it's about developing a strong narrative, impactful visuals, and engaging components. Using these tips, you can join us in making the world a more scientifically literate place.

Looking for help with storytelling, graphic design, or community engagement? Reach out to hello@greenfinstudio.com—we'd love to hear from you!