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Presentation Patterns: Techniques for Crafting Better Presentations
Presentation Patterns
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
36 people are currently reading
715 people want to read
About the author
Neal Ford
27books214followersNeal Ford is Software Architect and Meme Wrangler at ThoughtWorks, a global IT consultancy with an exclusive focus on end-to-end software development and delivery. He is also the designer and developer of applications, instructional materials, magazine articles, courseware, video/DVD presentations, and author and/or editor of 5 books spanning a variety of technologies. He focuses on designing and building of large-scale enterprise applications. He is also an internationally acclaimed speaker, speaking at over 100 developer conferences worldwide, delivering more than 600 talks. Check out his web site at . He welcomes feedback and can be reached at [email protected].
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 23, 2013
As a PhD student in computer science, I thought this would book would have a lot of helpful advice about giving technical presentations. Unfortunately, I disagree with nearly every point the authors make. They seem absolutely obsessed with using transitions and animations, for instance, while I personally find them distracting and irritating. The authors also contradict themselves. For example, one of their patterns is called the Infodeck: a slide deck that is meant to be emailed within a company as a document rather than being presented. They argue that sometimes slides are a better medium than paragraphs of text, which may be reasonable in some situations. However, in the section explaining this pattern, they say this:
"Don't try to present an Infodeck: because you have put no effort into transitions or animations, you'll present a series of textually dense slides, utilizing none of the features that make presentation tools effective."
Followed, one paragraph later, by this:
"You can create compelling presentations using the Infodeck style."
That was when I put the book down. There are a few good hints in this book, but most of what I learned came from articulating *why* I disagreed with each point as I read. In the end, I was spending a lot of time slogging through questionable advice to get to the few useful hints. I much preferred "Confessions of a Public Speaker" and plan to try "Presentation Zen" next.
"Don't try to present an Infodeck: because you have put no effort into transitions or animations, you'll present a series of textually dense slides, utilizing none of the features that make presentation tools effective."
Followed, one paragraph later, by this:
"You can create compelling presentations using the Infodeck style."
That was when I put the book down. There are a few good hints in this book, but most of what I learned came from articulating *why* I disagreed with each point as I read. In the end, I was spending a lot of time slogging through questionable advice to get to the few useful hints. I much preferred "Confessions of a Public Speaker" and plan to try "Presentation Zen" next.
November 5, 2012
I recently gave a presentation at a tech conference, and I felt it went pretty well. After reading this book, I may need to personally apologize to each attendee to my talk.
Being a technical person, my focus was just on delivering the technical information to whoever showed up. The slides just helped to follow along with bullets (a Bullet Ridden Corpse Anti-Pattern). The fact that the slides looked plain and boring only bothered me enough to try and "spice them up" with a few bits of clipart (Photomaniac Anti-Pattern). I'd seen some really great presentations before, so I knew that some people really could craft amazingly beautiful and effective slide decks. I couldn't, and I didn't think learning how to do so would improve my technical presentations much.
Even if I'd known how wrong I was, I didn't know the first thing about how to improve. How could I craft slides that would deliver my ideas more effectively? How could I change my delivery? What are my options? This book answers those questions and more.
Presentation Patterns has been a huge leap forward for me in seeing how I can deliver better presentations. I highly recommend it. Buy it.
That said, I would like to see "Practices" distinguished from "Patterns". Some of the patterns really aren't patterns of a presentation, but practices of the presenter. Granted, those practices are meant to improve a presentation as the direct goal, but it still is not an artifact of the presentation itself. Conflating patterns and practices simplifies the book for those reading it to learn things they can do to improve their presentations (clearly a goal of the authors), but it weakens the idea of having a common nomenclature for discussing presentations (a stated goal of the authors). When reviewing, evaluating or discussing a presentation, the Presentation Patterns should all be identifiable just by watching the presentation. I believe the practices would still belong in the book since they are still highly important for improving presentations.
Being a technical person, my focus was just on delivering the technical information to whoever showed up. The slides just helped to follow along with bullets (a Bullet Ridden Corpse Anti-Pattern). The fact that the slides looked plain and boring only bothered me enough to try and "spice them up" with a few bits of clipart (Photomaniac Anti-Pattern). I'd seen some really great presentations before, so I knew that some people really could craft amazingly beautiful and effective slide decks. I couldn't, and I didn't think learning how to do so would improve my technical presentations much.
Even if I'd known how wrong I was, I didn't know the first thing about how to improve. How could I craft slides that would deliver my ideas more effectively? How could I change my delivery? What are my options? This book answers those questions and more.
Presentation Patterns has been a huge leap forward for me in seeing how I can deliver better presentations. I highly recommend it. Buy it.
That said, I would like to see "Practices" distinguished from "Patterns". Some of the patterns really aren't patterns of a presentation, but practices of the presenter. Granted, those practices are meant to improve a presentation as the direct goal, but it still is not an artifact of the presentation itself. Conflating patterns and practices simplifies the book for those reading it to learn things they can do to improve their presentations (clearly a goal of the authors), but it weakens the idea of having a common nomenclature for discussing presentations (a stated goal of the authors). When reviewing, evaluating or discussing a presentation, the Presentation Patterns should all be identifiable just by watching the presentation. I believe the practices would still belong in the book since they are still highly important for improving presentations.
October 8, 2012
I really love that there are so many books that are specifically geared toward programmers, like we're a totally different type of organism than normal people. Fitness for Geeks, Presentation Patterns, The Clean Coder, all of these books describe how to do a thing that everyone else has to do with a very specific slant toward programmers and technical people. I'm not sure what that says about me and my fellow programmers that we need our own special little books, but I'm sure it's something. Coming soon: "Doing Taxes for Programmers."
In any case, Presentation Patterns is excellent. I've had a goal of giving more presentations and sharing stuff I learn with my peers, but I often don't have much confidence in what I'm doing. Recently I gave two talks that went relatively well, and I read PP after giving them. I learned an awful lot about things I instinctively did well and things I did very poorly.
PP is full of tons of real-world, usable tips, ranging from how to speak clearly to how to organize your thoughts to the actual mechanics of doing specific things in Keynote and Powerpoint. It's very detailed in this way, rarely leaving the reader wondering how to do a thing the book describes.
One complaint is that the book is a bit short on visual examples, in some places. I think every pattern covered should have had actual screenshots from powerpoints which illustrate the pattern (or antipattern). Many of the entries had such screenshots, but not all. Some patterns and antipatterns left me wondering what they would look like in real life.
I particularly liked that the book didn't spend much time dealing with basic speaking concerns, like getting over nervousness or imagining your audience in their underwear. The approach the book takes is that you will beat nervousness by knowing what you're talking about and what you're doing, and the book aims to give you those tools. Getting over nerves comes naturally when you have a killer presentation. In effect, this book isn't "Public Speaking for Dummies" it almost assumes you've already read such a book, and specifically want to get the delta between regular public speaking and giving technical presentations.
Overall, reading this book gives me a lot more confidence about how to craft good presentations, and it has definitely encouraged me to speak more. I feel less like an inexperienced person, which gives me the motivation and know-how to present more. It's exactly the book I was looking for, and it did a great job. Highly recommended for technical people who want to speak more often.
In any case, Presentation Patterns is excellent. I've had a goal of giving more presentations and sharing stuff I learn with my peers, but I often don't have much confidence in what I'm doing. Recently I gave two talks that went relatively well, and I read PP after giving them. I learned an awful lot about things I instinctively did well and things I did very poorly.
PP is full of tons of real-world, usable tips, ranging from how to speak clearly to how to organize your thoughts to the actual mechanics of doing specific things in Keynote and Powerpoint. It's very detailed in this way, rarely leaving the reader wondering how to do a thing the book describes.
One complaint is that the book is a bit short on visual examples, in some places. I think every pattern covered should have had actual screenshots from powerpoints which illustrate the pattern (or antipattern). Many of the entries had such screenshots, but not all. Some patterns and antipatterns left me wondering what they would look like in real life.
I particularly liked that the book didn't spend much time dealing with basic speaking concerns, like getting over nervousness or imagining your audience in their underwear. The approach the book takes is that you will beat nervousness by knowing what you're talking about and what you're doing, and the book aims to give you those tools. Getting over nerves comes naturally when you have a killer presentation. In effect, this book isn't "Public Speaking for Dummies" it almost assumes you've already read such a book, and specifically want to get the delta between regular public speaking and giving technical presentations.
Overall, reading this book gives me a lot more confidence about how to craft good presentations, and it has definitely encouraged me to speak more. I feel less like an inexperienced person, which gives me the motivation and know-how to present more. It's exactly the book I was looking for, and it did a great job. Highly recommended for technical people who want to speak more often.
April 24, 2019
Silent confession by the majority: Presentations are boring most of the time. Even when you are super enthusiastic about the presentations' topic, they are more or less a disappointment (and when you are not, you truly experience the death by a thousand slides). It is so rare to witness truly great presentations that I can easily remember most of them even after a decade. It is very easy to criticize a bad presentation and the presenter, but until this book, it was not that easy to point to a real solution.
I'm so happy that I can simply tell most of the presenters, hopefully before they unleash their minutes and slides of boredom and confusion on me and my fellow sleepers, to go and read this book twice, if not at least three times. But before I hit them on the head with this book (especially the software developers, who mostly believe that practicing something means giving a good and noteworthy presentation about it, even though they have witnessed uncountable evidence against it), I plan to read it for the second time, and then for the third time. And probably every time before I prepare a presentation, until I gather enough evidence to let me think that I'm capable enough to write a book that is even better.
The book is really about 'just stuff, no fluff', and staying loyal to its premise, it succeeds to provide the reader with concrete advice and step-by-step explanations for very effective presentations. It will probably not turn your next presentation into the keynote of the century, but it will definitely take you a few steps further ahead.
Enthusiastic praise aside, I must conclude with the fact that this book has recently helped me save a presentation I was preparing to present in a European Commission review meeting, in which some of the audience were in a position to evaluate the presented facts in order to decide whether they should let the project continue, or simply put an end to it. Needless to say, I was more than happy to hear their judgment.
I'm so happy that I can simply tell most of the presenters, hopefully before they unleash their minutes and slides of boredom and confusion on me and my fellow sleepers, to go and read this book twice, if not at least three times. But before I hit them on the head with this book (especially the software developers, who mostly believe that practicing something means giving a good and noteworthy presentation about it, even though they have witnessed uncountable evidence against it), I plan to read it for the second time, and then for the third time. And probably every time before I prepare a presentation, until I gather enough evidence to let me think that I'm capable enough to write a book that is even better.
The book is really about 'just stuff, no fluff', and staying loyal to its premise, it succeeds to provide the reader with concrete advice and step-by-step explanations for very effective presentations. It will probably not turn your next presentation into the keynote of the century, but it will definitely take you a few steps further ahead.
Enthusiastic praise aside, I must conclude with the fact that this book has recently helped me save a presentation I was preparing to present in a European Commission review meeting, in which some of the audience were in a position to evaluate the presented facts in order to decide whether they should let the project continue, or simply put an end to it. Needless to say, I was more than happy to hear their judgment.
November 2, 2014
It is ok. The knowledge is rather fundamental in nature. Could have used more advanced a book.
February 24, 2024
💡 PRESENTAZIONI EFFICACI: COME EVITARE IL "CADAVERE CRIVELLATO DI COLPI" 💡
Nei giorni scorsi ho avuto una discussione interessante con il presidente di un'organizzazione no profit di 200 dipendenti, che ha condiviso la sua esperienza con la formazione online e mi ha confessato che spesso durante le lezioni si mette a fare altro.
Prepararsi per una presentazione è fondamentale, ma spesso ci troviamo di fronte a un pubblico che sembra poco coinvolto, magari nemmeno accende la videocamera e si concentra su altro. Questo può essere frustrante e, come scrivevano Lucilla Rizzini - PCC Coach e Antonella Brogi nei giorni scorsi, spesso è il risultato di una mancanza di analisi del fabbisogno formativo e di bassa motivazione a partecipare. A volte anche della scarsa attitudine di chi tiene il corso a stimolare curiosità e interesse.
Questo problema non riguarda solo la formazione online, ma si estende alle presentazioni in generale, che siano riunioni commerciali, convention aziendali, dimostrazioni tecniche o discorsi programmatici. È facile cadere in una delle situazioni più temibili: l'uso eccessivo di elenchi puntati e slide piene di parole. Questo stile di presentazione trasforma l'esperienza in qualcosa di noioso e poco avvincente, che secondo gli autori del libro "Presentazioni quello che i libri non dicono", è riconducibile ad un pattern, uno schema ricorrente: quello del "cadavere crivellato di colpi".
Ecco cinque suggerimenti tratti dal libro, per creare presentazioni più efficaci:
1️⃣ Scegli il giusto formato: assicurati che il tuo materiale sia adatto alla proiezione. Evita di utilizzare documenti pensati per l'invio via email, perché possono risultare pesanti una volta proiettati sullo schermo.
2️⃣ Conosci il tuo pubblico: prima di creare la presentazione, analizza il tuo pubblico. Comprendi il loro livello di esperienza, conoscenze e atteggiamento. Adatta il tuo messaggio di conseguenza.
3️⃣ Crea un percorso narrativo: struttura la tua presentazione come una storia. Inizia introducendo problemi minori e fornendo soluzioni, passando poi a problemi più complessi e relative soluzioni. Questo costruirà l'interesse e la comprensione.
4️⃣ Pianifica in anticipo: prima di iniziare a creare le slide, assicurati di avere un'idea chiara di ciò che vuoi comunicare. Pianifica la tua presentazione per trasmettere in modo incisivo il tuo messaggio.
5️⃣ Sii flessibile: durante la presentazione, mantieni la flessibilità. Se qualcosa non funziona, adatta il tuo contenuto per fornire un messaggio più chiaro. Chiedi anche il feedback di colleghi e colleghe prima della tua esposizione.
Nei giorni scorsi ho avuto una discussione interessante con il presidente di un'organizzazione no profit di 200 dipendenti, che ha condiviso la sua esperienza con la formazione online e mi ha confessato che spesso durante le lezioni si mette a fare altro.
Prepararsi per una presentazione è fondamentale, ma spesso ci troviamo di fronte a un pubblico che sembra poco coinvolto, magari nemmeno accende la videocamera e si concentra su altro. Questo può essere frustrante e, come scrivevano Lucilla Rizzini - PCC Coach e Antonella Brogi nei giorni scorsi, spesso è il risultato di una mancanza di analisi del fabbisogno formativo e di bassa motivazione a partecipare. A volte anche della scarsa attitudine di chi tiene il corso a stimolare curiosità e interesse.
Questo problema non riguarda solo la formazione online, ma si estende alle presentazioni in generale, che siano riunioni commerciali, convention aziendali, dimostrazioni tecniche o discorsi programmatici. È facile cadere in una delle situazioni più temibili: l'uso eccessivo di elenchi puntati e slide piene di parole. Questo stile di presentazione trasforma l'esperienza in qualcosa di noioso e poco avvincente, che secondo gli autori del libro "Presentazioni quello che i libri non dicono", è riconducibile ad un pattern, uno schema ricorrente: quello del "cadavere crivellato di colpi".
Ecco cinque suggerimenti tratti dal libro, per creare presentazioni più efficaci:
1️⃣ Scegli il giusto formato: assicurati che il tuo materiale sia adatto alla proiezione. Evita di utilizzare documenti pensati per l'invio via email, perché possono risultare pesanti una volta proiettati sullo schermo.
2️⃣ Conosci il tuo pubblico: prima di creare la presentazione, analizza il tuo pubblico. Comprendi il loro livello di esperienza, conoscenze e atteggiamento. Adatta il tuo messaggio di conseguenza.
3️⃣ Crea un percorso narrativo: struttura la tua presentazione come una storia. Inizia introducendo problemi minori e fornendo soluzioni, passando poi a problemi più complessi e relative soluzioni. Questo costruirà l'interesse e la comprensione.
4️⃣ Pianifica in anticipo: prima di iniziare a creare le slide, assicurati di avere un'idea chiara di ciò che vuoi comunicare. Pianifica la tua presentazione per trasmettere in modo incisivo il tuo messaggio.
5️⃣ Sii flessibile: durante la presentazione, mantieni la flessibilità. Se qualcosa non funziona, adatta il tuo contenuto per fornire un messaggio più chiaro. Chiedi anche il feedback di colleghi e colleghe prima della tua esposizione.
January 11, 2018
This is a fine book on presentations and I appreciated the application of the pattern idea to presentation (though, admittedly, this will find its greatest appeal in architecture or software development where the idea of patterns is more commonplace). The upsides of the pattern approach is that it is useful for reference and that it helps create name associations. The main downside would be that it can be a little harder to read straight through, as it gives a catalogue-like feel to the book as a whole.
Still, very much recommended whether you are speaking to conferences or (as is more often the case for me) presenting in meetings.
Still, very much recommended whether you are speaking to conferences or (as is more often the case for me) presenting in meetings.
November 29, 2021
There are good ideas in this book. But to call some of them "patterns" is a bit of a stretch. For example, the "Carnegie Hall" pattern is just practicing your presentation - I don't think several pages are really needed to describe that pattern. Don't get me wrong, there are good ideas in this book such as the idea of Bookends (beginning and ending your presentation with similar or identical slides). But forcing these ideas into a "pattern" format is awkward. This whole book could probably be delivered in a one-hour presentation rather than 250 pages. I also think the authors are too focused on using animated transitions and printing out slide decks - does anybody do that these days?
May 9, 2022
A really good pattern library for presentations and also about how to actually give one. Like most of the other pattern books, it described good ones, explains which work well together and also which antipattern can be replaced with a better one.
One of my learnings is that my presentation style is basically an antipattern and really need to think about it.
One of my learnings is that my presentation style is basically an antipattern and really need to think about it.
September 26, 2015
What I love about patterns is the richness of information you can convey in a couple of sentences by referring to well-understood patterns by name. In the same spirit as Design Patterns (coding/ problem solving) and Apprenticeship Patterns (the software profession), this book is about patterns relating to preparing and delivering formal presentations to audiences. Covering the mechanics of creating slides, delivering, preparing yourself, and handling negative (anti) patterns, and detailing differences between Powerpoint and Keynote, this book is a great resource. Your whole view of presentations will change for the better if you read it, and you'll want to refer back to it from time to time.
January 21, 2013
A very good guide to improving presentations. The mix of descriptive patterns and war stories helps to keep the content interesting.
One annoyance with the text is that there is no way to tell at-a-glance which patterns to apply for a particular presentation. For example: which patterns will take hours vs minutes to try? If I have a reasonable presentation already, which patterns can I use to improve it? A novice -> expert scale against each pattern might have been sufficient for this.
One annoyance with the text is that there is no way to tell at-a-glance which patterns to apply for a particular presentation. For example: which patterns will take hours vs minutes to try? If I have a reasonable presentation already, which patterns can I use to improve it? A novice -> expert scale against each pattern might have been sufficient for this.
March 17, 2021
The kind of book you like to browse through when working on presentation but that you sadly had to read in order to know the content. A lot of patterns / anti patterns were not that good in my opinion. The authors seem to really like transitions which are now considered quite cheezy.
An interesting aspect is that the authors are tech people and that it offers a precise perspective on some tech material or presentation for readers
An interesting aspect is that the authors are tech people and that it offers a precise perspective on some tech material or presentation for readers
May 1, 2016
Terrific. No question the focus is more on tech speakers than on the rest of us, but most of the concepts and advice here applies across the board. When you're thinking about how to craft a presentation � and especially if you're stuck and looking for inspiration � reach for this book for ideas (or a diagnosis if you sense something's not quite working).
August 18, 2021
I liked this book more and more during the read.
It's however not a book to work out and then leave, but a book to use as a reference when preparing for giving a presentation. It's full of suggestion and examples.
Suggested for "software guy" that need to improve their presentation skills and for skilled presenter that want to learn new techniques.
It's however not a book to work out and then leave, but a book to use as a reference when preparing for giving a presentation. It's full of suggestion and examples.
Suggested for "software guy" that need to improve their presentation skills and for skilled presenter that want to learn new techniques.
September 26, 2014
Found some useful stuff in this book, but I've seen the philosophy before. The pattern idea is good and sticks with you.
March 22, 2016
not bad but as a lot of 'cookbook', it suffers of a lack of inspiration
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