The best presentations almost always tell an interesting story and are remembered as powerful presentations. Several areas, right from the classroom to top-notch boardrooms, require effective presentations. The top 10 storytelling presentations listed here have magical stories woven around them, making the entire package a delight for any audience, irrespective of age, gender or creed.
35 Years of Open Source Software by Francois Marier
Considering the monotonous topic this presentation deals with, there is no better way to tell the compelling story of computing, right from the birth of Unix to the freedom-filled era of Open Source. The clear, relevant visuals and succinct content of this top 10 presentation stays in the memory long after the presentation has been delivered and applauded.
Really Ugly Résumés by Jesse Desjardins
The ugly title compensates for the striking visuals of this informative masterpiece done in the fashion of a storytelling presentation. The subjective narrative style in the first person helps connect to the audience at a much deeper level. Not to mention the use of pop-ups and highlights to instill the message that it’s about time everyone chose slideshare for marketing their résumés.
Native American Storytelling Presentations by James Bruchac
Here is a storyteller who found an incredibly interesting way to share Native American animal stories and monster tales to audiences of all ages: by playing on drums, rattles and flutes while singing forgotten folklores. James’ storytelling presentations made it to this top 10 list because they include highly interactive sessions and open up a great window to an ancient culture.
Presenting a Gluskabe story at the 2007 Saratoga Native American Festival
http://www.jamesbruchac.com/pages/videos.php
Aligning PR with Storytelling by Lou Hoffman
Nothing inspires better than this well-crafted presentation on the art of storytelling in presentations. Prepared by ‘The Hoffman Agency’, it serves as a fitting slideshow introduction on the power of storytelling and PR. Though not a 100 percent winner, this presentation is a challenger all the way!
A few slides from the storytelling presentation
http://astoriedcareer.com/2010/07/check-out-this-highly-touted-s.html
Tidy Introduction to the Hoffman Agency 2010 by Lou Hoffman
Commemorating 23 years of brand building and promotional selling for a diverse range of clients from across the globe, the Hoffman Agency brought out this colorful presentation to narrate their story of growth starting from day one!
Slides that tell a story of corporate growth
http://www.slideshare.net/thehoffmanagency/introduction-to-the-hoffman-agency-4396237
The Storytelling Power of Photography by Renée Byer
Hats off to this top 10 effective storytelling presentation on the storytelling power of photography put together by the Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer, Renée Byer. It is neither too fancy nor backed by dramatic narration, but bears the inimitable stamp of great photography. The powerful photos in this presentation speak louder than words, conveying a perfectly scripted 13-minute story that is worth listening to.
Photographs add further intrigue to a storytelling presentation
http://www.presentationzen.com/presentationzen/2010/04/the-storytelling-power-of-photography.html
Why You Should Run by Swaroop C H & Ramjee Ganti
Here is an interesting presentation that literally speaks to the audience and relates a very personal story on why everyone should choose to run daily. Though the topic is clichéd, the treatment is quite unique, making it one of the challengers in this extensive top 10 list of effective presentations that tell a story.
A few interesting slides from the storytelling presentation
http://www.slideshare.net/swaroopch/why-you-should-run
Globalization and the Information Age by Karl Fisch
Whoever thought that an effective storytelling presentation must have a story teller will be proved wrong with this simple yet effective business presentation on globalization. With a brilliant background score and plain layouts, this presentation has succeeded in beautifully narrating how shift happens in the information age.
First few slides among the other greater ones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljbI-363A2Q
Engage Through Story by Nancy Duarte
The CEO of Duarte Design, California came up with this compelling video presentation with a powerful storyboard. The power of storytelling has been captured in Duarte’s voice driving home the truth that no effective story has ever been told with bullet points.
Title and subsequent slide from Duarte’s famed presentation
http://vimeo.com/14622215
Climate Chance for University of Hong Kong Medical School Freshmen
This exquisitely designed presentation tells a fitting story in the most colorful manner possible. Presented to an audience of 13 student delegates, the purpose is to mold young minds on how they can make a visible difference to the world they live in. Though not a show stopper, this top 10 entry seems to have achieved its purpose.
Title and subsequent slide
http://www.slideshare.net/Serenagao/presentation-for-medical-school-freshmen#
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—About our writer:
Vandana Thambi is an established corporate communications professional with 10 years of solid experience in crystallizing thoughts into well-poised words. She presently leads, creates, implements & oversees the communication programs of a multi-national company. She is the editor of 3 corporate magazines & has quality exposure in developing marketing collaterals, websites, profiles, annual reports, speeches, presentations etc. She is also the winner of the UNESCO best writer award in 1990 and frequently freelances for international clients.
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