Building Presentation Outlines

Great presentations start with solid outlines. ChatGPT can help you structure your ideas, create logical flow, and ensure you cover everything important.

The Presentation Planning Process

Before opening PowerPoint or Google Slides:

1. Define your goal - What should the audience do or think after?
2. Know your audience - What do they care about?
3. Identify key messages - What 2-3 things must they remember?
4. Structure the flow - How do ideas build on each other?

Creating Your Outline

Basic Outline Request

Detailed Section Breakdown

Common Presentation Structures

Problem-Solution

Status Update

Training Presentation

Pitch Presentation

Structuring for Different Lengths

5-Minute Presentation

30-Minute Presentation

All-Hands or Large Meeting

Organizing Complex Information

Multiple Topics

Dense Technical Content

The Opening and Closing

Creating a Strong Opening

Crafting the Close

Refining Your Outline

Getting Feedback

Testing the Logic

Practice Exercise

Key Takeaways

1. Start with the goal - Know what success looks like
2. Know your audience - Structure for their needs
3. Follow a structure - Problem-solution, chronological, topical
4. Time allocations matter - Plan for each section
5. Strong open and close - These are remembered most
6. Less is more - Ruthlessly cut weak content
7. Test the logic - Make sure it flows

A solid outline is 80% of a good presentation. Next, let's learn how to create talking points and scripts.