Generating Outlines and Content with AI

The hardest part of any presentation is getting started. AI can take a topic, audience, and time limit, then produce a complete outline with slide-by-slide content in seconds.

The Outline-First Approach

Never ask AI to "make a presentation." Instead, start with the outline. This gives you control over the structure before committing to any content or design.

Step 1: Define Your Presentation Brief

Before prompting AI, know these four things:

1. Topic — What is the presentation about?
2. Audience — Who will be watching?
3. Duration — How long is the presentation?
4. Goal — What should the audience do, think, or feel afterward?

The Outline Prompt Template

Use this template to generate a structured outline:

Example: Quarterly Business Review

Here's a real-world example:

Generating Slide Content

Once you have an outline you like, ask AI to expand each slide:

Tips for Better Outlines

• Be specific about length — "10 slides" is better than "short presentation"
• Mention your industry — AI tailors language to your field
• Specify the tone — "formal board presentation" vs. "casual team update"
• Include constraints — "No more than 4 bullet points per slide"
• Iterate — Ask AI to "make slide 5 more persuasive" or "add a data slide after slide 3"

Key Takeaway

Start every AI presentation with a clear brief and outline. Spending two minutes on a good prompt saves twenty minutes of restructuring later.