Understanding Great Presentations: A TED Talk by J.J. Abrams

In order to create great work, one must study great work.

At the heart of every good presentation, there is a methodical approach to its structure and delivery. Every point made, every joke cracked and every pause taken is calculated in advance and practiced with diligence.

The great Steve Jobs was obsessed with his keynotes because he believed they were great for unveiling new products. He would spend hours and hours practicing them, often driving his co-workers mad in the process.

Whether it’s a business report, a local fundraiser or a conference, a presentation done well can strongly alter people’s mindsets and inspire them to learn about, believe in and achieve great things. In order to achieve this, you must practice the way you deliver your message.

An excellent way to practice is to observe and analyze the structure and delivery of a great presentation from a talented presenter. You can learn a considerable amount about presentations by simply watching, but you gain a deeper understanding by breaking down the structure and asking yourself, “Why is this great? What does this guy do in particular to make it so good?”