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Blog Beginner Guides How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]

How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]

Written by: Krystle Wong Jul 20, 2023

A top-notch presentation possesses the power to drive action. From winning stakeholders over and conveying a powerful message to securing funding — your secret weapon lies within the realm of creating an effective presentation .  

Being an excellent presenter isn’t confined to the boardroom. Whether you’re delivering a presentation at work, pursuing an academic career, involved in a non-profit organization or even a student, nailing the presentation game is a game-changer.

In this article, I’ll cover the top qualities of compelling presentations and walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to give a good presentation. Here’s a little tip to kick things off: for a headstart, check out Venngage’s collection of free presentation templates . They are fully customizable, and the best part is you don’t need professional design skills to make them shine!

These valuable presentation tips cater to individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, encompassing business professionals, sales and marketing teams, educators, trainers, students, researchers, non-profit organizations, public speakers and presenters. 

No matter your field or role, these tips for presenting will equip you with the skills to deliver effective presentations that leave a lasting impression on any audience.

Click to jump ahead:

What are the 10 qualities of a good presentation?

Step-by-step guide on how to prepare an effective presentation, 9 effective techniques to deliver a memorable presentation, faqs on making a good presentation, how to create a presentation with venngage in 5 steps.

When it comes to giving an engaging presentation that leaves a lasting impression, it’s not just about the content — it’s also about how you deliver it. Wondering what makes a good presentation? Well, the best presentations I’ve seen consistently exhibit these 10 qualities:

1. Clear structure

No one likes to get lost in a maze of information. Organize your thoughts into a logical flow, complete with an introduction, main points and a solid conclusion. A structured presentation helps your audience follow along effortlessly, leaving them with a sense of satisfaction at the end.

Regardless of your presentation style , a quality presentation starts with a clear roadmap. Browse through Venngage’s template library and select a presentation template that aligns with your content and presentation goals. Here’s a good presentation example template with a logical layout that includes sections for the introduction, main points, supporting information and a conclusion: 

2. Engaging opening

Hook your audience right from the start with an attention-grabbing statement, a fascinating question or maybe even a captivating anecdote. Set the stage for a killer presentation!

The opening moments of your presentation hold immense power – check out these 15 ways to start a presentation to set the stage and captivate your audience.

3. Relevant content

Make sure your content aligns with their interests and needs. Your audience is there for a reason, and that’s to get valuable insights. Avoid fluff and get straight to the point, your audience will be genuinely excited.

4. Effective visual aids

Picture this: a slide with walls of text and tiny charts, yawn! Visual aids should be just that—aiding your presentation. Opt for clear and visually appealing slides, engaging images and informative charts that add value and help reinforce your message.

With Venngage, visualizing data takes no effort at all. You can import data from CSV or Google Sheets seamlessly and create stunning charts, graphs and icon stories effortlessly to showcase your data in a captivating and impactful way.

5. Clear and concise communication

Keep your language simple, and avoid jargon or complicated terms. Communicate your ideas clearly, so your audience can easily grasp and retain the information being conveyed. This can prevent confusion and enhance the overall effectiveness of the message. 

6. Engaging delivery

Spice up your presentation with a sprinkle of enthusiasm! Maintain eye contact, use expressive gestures and vary your tone of voice to keep your audience glued to the edge of their seats. A touch of charisma goes a long way!

7. Interaction and audience engagement

Turn your presentation into an interactive experience — encourage questions, foster discussions and maybe even throw in a fun activity. Engaged audiences are more likely to remember and embrace your message.

Transform your slides into an interactive presentation with Venngage’s dynamic features like pop-ups, clickable icons and animated elements. Engage your audience with interactive content that lets them explore and interact with your presentation for a truly immersive experience.

8. Effective storytelling

Who doesn’t love a good story? Weaving relevant anecdotes, case studies or even a personal story into your presentation can captivate your audience and create a lasting impact. Stories build connections and make your message memorable.

A great presentation background is also essential as it sets the tone, creates visual interest and reinforces your message. Enhance the overall aesthetics of your presentation with these 15 presentation background examples and captivate your audience’s attention.

9. Well-timed pacing

Pace your presentation thoughtfully with well-designed presentation slides, neither rushing through nor dragging it out. Respect your audience’s time and ensure you cover all the essential points without losing their interest.

10. Strong conclusion

Last impressions linger! Summarize your main points and leave your audience with a clear takeaway. End your presentation with a bang , a call to action or an inspiring thought that resonates long after the conclusion.

In-person presentations aside, acing a virtual presentation is of paramount importance in today’s digital world. Check out this guide to learn how you can adapt your in-person presentations into virtual presentations . 

Preparing an effective presentation starts with laying a strong foundation that goes beyond just creating slides and notes. One of the quickest and best ways to make a presentation would be with the help of a good presentation software . 

Otherwise, let me walk you to how to prepare for a presentation step by step and unlock the secrets of crafting a professional presentation that sets you apart.

1. Understand the audience and their needs

Before you dive into preparing your masterpiece, take a moment to get to know your target audience. Tailor your presentation to meet their needs and expectations , and you’ll have them hooked from the start!

2. Conduct thorough research on the topic

Time to hit the books (or the internet)! Don’t skimp on the research with your presentation materials — dive deep into the subject matter and gather valuable insights . The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel in delivering your presentation.

3. Organize the content with a clear structure

No one wants to stumble through a chaotic mess of information. Outline your presentation with a clear and logical flow. Start with a captivating introduction, follow up with main points that build on each other and wrap it up with a powerful conclusion that leaves a lasting impression.

Delivering an effective business presentation hinges on captivating your audience, and Venngage’s professionally designed business presentation templates are tailor-made for this purpose. With thoughtfully structured layouts, these templates enhance your message’s clarity and coherence, ensuring a memorable and engaging experience for your audience members.

Don’t want to build your presentation layout from scratch? pick from these 5 foolproof presentation layout ideas that won’t go wrong. 

4. Develop visually appealing and supportive visual aids

Spice up your presentation with eye-catching visuals! Create slides that complement your message, not overshadow it. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words, but that doesn’t mean you need to overload your slides with text.

Well-chosen designs create a cohesive and professional look, capturing your audience’s attention and enhancing the overall effectiveness of your message. Here’s a list of carefully curated PowerPoint presentation templates and great background graphics that will significantly influence the visual appeal and engagement of your presentation.

5. Practice, practice and practice

Practice makes perfect — rehearse your presentation and arrive early to your presentation to help overcome stage fright. Familiarity with your material will boost your presentation skills and help you handle curveballs with ease.

6. Seek feedback and make necessary adjustments

Don’t be afraid to ask for help and seek feedback from friends and colleagues. Constructive criticism can help you identify blind spots and fine-tune your presentation to perfection.

With Venngage’s real-time collaboration feature , receiving feedback and editing your presentation is a seamless process. Group members can access and work on the presentation simultaneously and edit content side by side in real-time. Changes will be reflected immediately to the entire team, promoting seamless teamwork.

7. Prepare for potential technical or logistical issues

Prepare for the unexpected by checking your equipment, internet connection and any other potential hiccups. If you’re worried that you’ll miss out on any important points, you could always have note cards prepared. Remember to remain focused and rehearse potential answers to anticipated questions.

8. Fine-tune and polish your presentation

As the big day approaches, give your presentation one last shine. Review your talking points, practice how to present a presentation and make any final tweaks. Deep breaths — you’re on the brink of delivering a successful presentation!

In competitive environments, persuasive presentations set individuals and organizations apart. To brush up on your presentation skills, read these guides on how to make a persuasive presentation and tips to presenting effectively . 

Whether you’re an experienced presenter or a novice, the right techniques will let your presentation skills soar to new heights!

From public speaking hacks to interactive elements and storytelling prowess, these 9 effective presentation techniques will empower you to leave a lasting impression on your audience and make your presentations unforgettable.

1. Confidence and positive body language

Positive body language instantly captivates your audience, making them believe in your message as much as you do. Strengthen your stage presence and own that stage like it’s your second home! Stand tall, shoulders back and exude confidence. 

2. Eye contact with the audience

Break down that invisible barrier and connect with your audience through their eyes. Maintaining eye contact when giving a presentation builds trust and shows that you’re present and engaged with them.

3. Effective use of hand gestures and movement

A little movement goes a long way! Emphasize key points with purposeful gestures and don’t be afraid to walk around the stage. Your energy will be contagious!

4. Utilize storytelling techniques

Weave the magic of storytelling into your presentation. Share relatable anecdotes, inspiring success stories or even personal experiences that tug at the heartstrings of your audience. Adjust your pitch, pace and volume to match the emotions and intensity of the story. Varying your speaking voice adds depth and enhances your stage presence.

5. Incorporate multimedia elements

Spice up your presentation with a dash of visual pizzazz! Use slides, images and video clips to add depth and clarity to your message. Just remember, less is more—don’t overwhelm them with information overload. 

Turn your presentations into an interactive party! Involve your audience with questions, polls or group activities. When they actively participate, they become invested in your presentation’s success. Bring your design to life with animated elements. Venngage allows you to apply animations to icons, images and text to create dynamic and engaging visual content.

6. Utilize humor strategically

Laughter is the best medicine—and a fantastic presentation enhancer! A well-placed joke or lighthearted moment can break the ice and create a warm atmosphere , making your audience more receptive to your message.

7. Practice active listening and respond to feedback

Be attentive to your audience’s reactions and feedback. If they have questions or concerns, address them with genuine interest and respect. Your responsiveness builds rapport and shows that you genuinely care about their experience.

8. Apply the 10-20-30 rule

Apply the 10-20-30 presentation rule and keep it short, sweet and impactful! Stick to ten slides, deliver your presentation within 20 minutes and use a 30-point font to ensure clarity and focus. Less is more, and your audience will thank you for it!

9. Implement the 5-5-5 rule

Simplicity is key. Limit each slide to five bullet points, with only five words per bullet point and allow each slide to remain visible for about five seconds. This rule keeps your presentation concise and prevents information overload.

Simple presentations are more engaging because they are easier to follow. Summarize your presentations and keep them simple with Venngage’s gallery of simple presentation templates and ensure that your message is delivered effectively across your audience.

1. How to start a presentation?

To kick off your presentation effectively, begin with an attention-grabbing statement or a powerful quote. Introduce yourself, establish credibility and clearly state the purpose and relevance of your presentation.

2. How to end a presentation?

For a strong conclusion, summarize your talking points and key takeaways. End with a compelling call to action or a thought-provoking question and remember to thank your audience and invite any final questions or interactions.

3. How to make a presentation interactive?

To make your presentation interactive, encourage questions and discussion throughout your talk. Utilize multimedia elements like videos or images and consider including polls, quizzes or group activities to actively involve your audience.

In need of inspiration for your next presentation? I’ve got your back! Pick from these 120+ presentation ideas, topics and examples to get started. 

Creating a stunning presentation with Venngage is a breeze with our user-friendly drag-and-drop editor and professionally designed templates for all your communication needs. 

Here’s how to make a presentation in just 5 simple steps with the help of Venngage:

Step 1: Sign up for Venngage for free using your email, Gmail or Facebook account or simply log in to access your account. 

Step 2: Pick a design from our selection of free presentation templates (they’re all created by our expert in-house designers).

Step 3: Make the template your own by customizing it to fit your content and branding. With Venngage’s intuitive drag-and-drop editor, you can easily modify text, change colors and adjust the layout to create a unique and eye-catching design.

Step 4: Elevate your presentation by incorporating captivating visuals. You can upload your images or choose from Venngage’s vast library of high-quality photos, icons and illustrations. 

Step 5: Upgrade to a premium or business account to export your presentation in PDF and print it for in-person presentations or share it digitally for free!

By following these five simple steps, you’ll have a professionally designed and visually engaging presentation ready in no time. With Venngage’s user-friendly platform, your presentation is sure to make a lasting impression. So, let your creativity flow and get ready to shine in your next presentation!

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How to Create an Engaging 5-Minute Presentation

Published: September 15, 2023

A 5-minute speech can feel both incredibly short and infinitely long.

While this short format encourages audiences to pay more attention, presenters often struggle to fit everything into five minutes even as they navigate nervousness that seems to stretch out each second.

As a result, preparation is key for 5-minute speech success.

But how can you ensure your presentation accomplishes everything it needs to within just five short minutes? We’ve put together an (appropriately condensed) guide on five-minute presentations to help you get started.

How many words are in a 5-minute presentation?

A five-minute presentation is approximately 700 words long. The average person speaks 120 to 160 words a minute, which means the average five-minute presentation is 600 to 800 words.

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To calculate your own personal speaking speed (words per minute, or WPM):

• Make an audio recording of yourself speaking for one minute.
• Use a free transcription service to generate a text version of your speech.
• The number of words you spoke in that minute is your personal WPM.

When constructing a longer presentation, you might be more concerned about transitions and keeping the audience engaged with more extensive narrative elements.

In a short presentation, everything you say should directly tie back to your central premise and further advance your main point.

Keeping a tight scope and using your words carefully ensures your time isn't wasted and the audience leaves with a clear, singular takeaway.

How many slides are in a 5-minute presentation?

Five or six slides, or about one per minute, is a good baseline for a 5-minute presentation. Depending on your subject matter, however, you might use up to 20 slides and spend about 10 or 15 seconds on each.

More important than your slide count is what each slide contains. It‘s a good rule of thumb to keep your slides simple and focused on visuals instead of text for a presentation of any length.

This becomes especially important when you’re dealing with a condensed presentation window.

Trying to cram in as much information as possible within a short time frame can be tempting. Resist the urge. Instead, focus on simple, clean visuals that all tie back to your central premise.

You can also use these free presentation templates to arrange your slides in a way that makes the most sense for your delivery and the content of your presentation.

Don't forget to share this post!

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Article • 10 min read

Keep It Simple

Avoiding confusion and complexity.

By the Mind Tools Content Team

In a complex world, simplicity is important. With so many things competing for people's attention, the more basic you can make something, the better.

Simplicity is why slogans can be so important. When you hear, "Just do it," you think of the Nike brand and all the things that go along with it – Michael Jordan, air, running, high quality, high performance, innovation, and so on. The power of those three little words can be incredible.

When you see several brochures, which one are you more likely to pick up – the brochure with lots of words written in tiny print, or the brochure with a bold background and only a few key words? The more simple the message, the more impact it can have – and the more likely it will be to attract someone's attention.

So, in this article we'll look at how you can turn complex messages into simple ones using the "Keep It Simple" or KISS principle.

When Less Is More

It's hard to be simple. There's so much you want to communicate, and you don't want to leave anything out. What people tend to forget is that to effectively communicate something, you need to first cut it down to the basics.

Let's look at the following paragraph:

Essentially, the important message that you really need to understand is that less can be quite a bit more. When you think of something like sentence structure, when it actually comes down to it, the fewer words you use, the much better the sentence is likely to be. Pretty much when you have better sentences, you have a much improved understanding.

WHAT?! OK, let's reword and shorten that last paragraph to show you simplicity in action:

Less can be more. In a sentence, for example, fewer words can lead to better understanding.

Which paragraph do you prefer and understand better?

The KISS principle is commonly used to communicate this concept. KISS stands for "Keep It Simple, Stupid." Other variations are "Keep It Simple, Silly", "Keep It Short and Sweet." Regardless of how you spell it out, the message is powerfully simple.

But KISS isn't only useful in communication, it's important in design and thinking: the more complex things get, the fewer the number of people who can understand them. What's more, it's more likely that mistakes will be made, that key factors will be overlooked, or that something will go wrong.

As well as this, a conscious preference for simplicity helps to combat the natural tendency to trip ourselves up by being "too clever for our own good." (Click here for our article on humility if this is a danger!)

The KISS Principle

There are opportunities all around us to practice the KISS principle. Whether you're making products easy to use, streamlining processes, or communicating important information, a simple approach is often the most efficient and most effective.

A question that often comes up is this: "If being simple is so effective, then why don't we see it more often?" The answer is that making things simple is not about reducing or doing less just to get rid of volume or quantity. It's about breaking things down to clarify and get to the real meaning, which takes a lot of thought and analysis.

Simple does not necessarily equal less, and it doesn't mean superficial or dull. Simple is the absence of unnecessary elements. The challenge is to figure out what's unnecessary.

For example, creating charts and graphs may take more effort than writing a summary. Think about the impact of the end result. The phrase "a picture speaks a thousand words" is clear evidence of the power of KISS.

Using KISS at Work

Choose your words carefully in written communications , including when you try to write effective emails :

• Be clear about what you want to say.
• Use headings and bullets to stress key information.
• Proofread your work, and take out words and information that don't add value.

Format your communication pieces effectively:

• Use lots of white space.
• Highlight or underline key words and concepts, or use bold formatting.
• Know your audience and your objective, and develop your communication accordingly.

Create simple and effective presentations :

• Keep information short and direct.
• Create visual aids that are clean and easy to read.
• Use handouts to present detail.
• Minimize distractions to keep your audience focused.

Focus your problem solving:

• Use root cause analysis techniques to put the problem in the right perspective.
• Use continuous improvement to simplify your systems and processes.
• Create support systems that encourage people to look for opportunities to improve efficiency. See our article on Kanban and Just In Time for examples.

Remember to stay humble: don't be too arrogant or assertive. Otherwise, when you want to prove yourself, you may risk doing too much. If you don't know when to stop talking in a meeting, or if you try too hard to convince someone how clever you are, you may end up looking foolish.

Show that you're really clever by telling people what they need to know quickly and simply – people who try to stretch or exaggerate their knowledge or skills may take forever to say very little. The volume of what you say, write, or do is far less important than the value you communicate in the process.

Keeping it simple is not necessarily easy. You have to think and plan what you want to say or do, and you have to understand why you're saying or doing it. When you're highly focused on the output or results of your efforts, you can adapt your actions to your specific objective and the elements that are most important.

Details have a time and place. However, if you get stuck in details too early, it can make you less efficient and make your message difficult to understand. By keeping it simple, you can have the greatest impact and create the most value. Don't try to say or do everything – concentrate more on what really needs to be said or done.

When you can change something complex into something simple, you've really added value!

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• Presentation Science

Keep It Short: Why Longer is Not Always Better

• By: Caitlin McGuire

A recent study showed that shorter presentations are more effective than those that are longer in length. In fact, it was proven that investment pitches that were 12 slides in length outperformed those that were longer leading to larger investment.

With all the research pointing in the direction of shorter presentations it is important that you learn how to deliver your content in such a way that you get to your call to action quickly and efficiently.

We’ve put together a few tips to help you keep your presentation clear, concise and compelling.

Focus on a strong opener.

By nailing your opener you ensure your audience is bought in to your content from the beginning. This allows you to spend less time building credibility with your audience ultimately saving you precious space in your presentation.

A strong opener should be attention catching, emotionally engaging and content forward. Consider using a famous quote, compelling story or a surprising statistic. This will help your audience be drawn in and build your credibility in a minimal amount of time.

Nail your transitions.

One of the largest time wastes comes from a presenter who has not spent time with their transitions. The primary cause stems from rambling as you try to get from one thought to another. By practicing your transitions extensively, you allow yourself space to improv in some content areas while still maintaining a cohesive flow.

Consider writing down each transition word for word. By manuscripting these portions of your presentation, you have the ability to share your content in a vulnerable and intriguing way.

Hit your time.

If you set a goal for how long your presentation should be it is important you hit that mark. When you get to your time limit it is time to make a jump to your call to action as quickly as possible. The best way to ensure this happens is by creating a compelling story that leads to sums up your entire presentation and leads to your CTA.

This allows your audience to hear your content and get excited about it no matter how much time you had to share. If you choose to go past the time limit you risk your audience beginning to disengage or even get frustrated as you have not met their expectations.

When it comes to presentations studies show shorter is better. By keeping your presentations concise and to the point you will find your audience not just more likely to engage but more likely to invest in your overall cause.

Looking to learn more about delivering presentations with excellence? Contact our team today to find out how.

Caitlin McGuire

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.css-1qrtm5m{display:block;margin-bottom:8px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:14px;line-height:1.5714285714285714;-webkit-letter-spacing:-0.35px;-moz-letter-spacing:-0.35px;-ms-letter-spacing:-0.35px;letter-spacing:-0.35px;font-weight:300;color:#606F7B;}@media (min-width:600px){.css-1qrtm5m{font-size:16px;line-height:1.625;-webkit-letter-spacing:-0.5px;-moz-letter-spacing:-0.5px;-ms-letter-spacing:-0.5px;letter-spacing:-0.5px;}} Best Practices The #1 rule for improving your presentation slides

by Tom Rielly • May 12, 2020

When giving presentations, either on a video conference call or in person, your slides, videos and graphics (or lack of them) can be an important element in helping you tell your story or express your idea. This is the first of a series of blog posts that will give you tips and tricks on how to perfect your visual presentations.

Your job as a presenter is to build your idea -- step-by-step -- in the minds of your audience members. One tool to do that is presentation graphics, such as slides and videos.

Why graphics for your presentation?

A common mistake is using slides or videos as a crutch, even if they don’t actually add anything to your presentation. Not all presentations need graphics. Lots of presentations work wonderfully with just one person standing on a stage telling a story, as demonstrated by many TED Talks.

You should only use slides if they serve a purpose: conveying scientific information, art, and things that are hard to explain without pictures. Once you have decided on using slides, you will have a number of decisions to make. We’ll help you with the basics of making a presentation that is, above all, clear and easy to understand. The most important thing to remember here is: less is more.

Less is so much more

You want to aim for the fewest number of slides, the fewest number of photos, the fewest words per slide, the least cluttered slides and the most white space on your slides. This is the most violated slide rule, but it is the secret to success. Take a look at these examples.

As you can see in the above example, you don’t need fancy backgrounds or extra words to convey a simple concept. If you take “Everything you need to know about Turtles”, and delete “everything you need to know about” leaving just “turtles”, the slide has become much easier for your audience to read, and tells the story with economy.

The above example demonstrates that a single image that fills the entire screen is far more powerful than a slide cluttered with images. A slide with too many images may be detrimental to your presentation. The audience will spend more mental energy trying to sort through the clutter than listening to your presentation. If you need multiple images, then put each one on its own slide. Make each image high-resolution and have it fill the entire screen. If the photos are not the same dimensions as the screen, put them on a black background. Don’t use other colors, especially white.

Your slides will be much more effective if you use the fewest words, characters, and pictures needed to tell your story. Long paragraphs make the audience strain to read them, which means they are not paying attention to you. Your audience may even get stressed if you move on to your next slide before they’ve finished reading your paragraph. The best way to make sure the attention stays on you is to limit word count to no more than 10 words per slide. As presentation expert Nancy Duarte says “any slide with more than 10 words is a document.” If you really do need a longer explanation of something, handouts or follow-up emails are the way to go.

Following a “less is more” approach is one of the simplest things you can do to improve your presentation visuals and the impact of your presentation overall. Make sure your visuals add to your presentation rather than distract from it and get your message across.

Ready to learn more about how to make your presentation even better? Get TED Masterclass and develop your ideas into TED-style talks.

© 2024 TED Conferences, LLC. All rights reserved. Please note that the TED Talks Usage policy does not apply to this content and is not subject to our creative commons license.

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PowerPoint Tips  - Simple Rules for Better PowerPoint Presentations

Powerpoint tips  -, simple rules for better powerpoint presentations, powerpoint tips simple rules for better powerpoint presentations.

PowerPoint Tips: Simple Rules for Better PowerPoint Presentations

Lesson 17: simple rules for better powerpoint presentations.

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Simple rules for better PowerPoint presentations

Have you ever given a PowerPoint presentation and noticed that something about it just seemed a little … off? If you’re unfamiliar with basic PowerPoint design principles, it can be difficult to create a slide show that presents your information in the best light.

Poorly designed presentations can leave an audience feeling confused, bored, and even irritated. Review these tips to make your next presentation more engaging.

Don't read your presentation straight from the slides

If your audience can both read and hear, it’s a waste of time for you to simply read your slides aloud. Your audience will zone out and stop listening to what you’re saying, which means they won’t hear any extra information you include.

Instead of typing out your entire presentation, include only main ideas, keywords, and talking points in your slide show text. Engage your audience by sharing the details out loud.

Follow the 5/5/5 rule

To keep your audience from feeling overwhelmed, you should keep the text on each slide short and to the point. Some experts suggest using the 5/5/5 rule : no more than five words per line of text, five lines of text per slide, or five text-heavy slides in a row.

Don't forget your audience

Who will be watching your presentation? The same goofy effects and funny clip art that would entertain a classroom full of middle-school students might make you look unprofessional in front of business colleagues and clients.

Humor can lighten up a presentation, but if you use it inappropriately your audience might think you don’t know what you’re doing. Know your audience, and tailor your presentation to their tastes and expectations.

Choose readable colors and fonts

Your text should be easy to read and pleasant to look at. Large, simple fonts and theme colors are always your best bet. The best fonts and colors can vary depending on your presentation setting. Presenting in a large room? Make your text larger than usual so people in the back can read it. Presenting with the lights on? Dark text on a light background is your best bet for visibility.

Don't overload your presentation with animations

As anyone who’s sat through a presentation while every letter of every paragraph zoomed across the screen can tell you, being inundated with complicated animations and exciting slide transitions can become irritating.

Before including effects like this in your presentation, ask yourself: Would this moment in the presentation be equally strong without an added effect? Does it unnecessarily delay information? If the answer to either question is yes—or even maybe—leave out the effect.

Use animations sparingly to enhance your presentation

Don’t take the last tip to mean you should avoid animations and other effects entirely. When used sparingly, subtle effects and animations can add to your presentation. For example, having bullet points appear as you address them rather than before can help keep your audience’s attention.

Keep these tips in mind the next time you create a presentation—your audience will thank you. For more detailed information on creating a PowerPoint presentation, visit our Office tutorials .

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What It Takes to Give a Great Presentation

• Carmine Gallo

Five tips to set yourself apart.

Never underestimate the power of great communication. It can help you land the job of your dreams, attract investors to back your idea, or elevate your stature within your organization. But while there are plenty of good speakers in the world, you can set yourself apart out by being the person who can deliver something great over and over. Here are a few tips for business professionals who want to move from being good speakers to great ones: be concise (the fewer words, the better); never use bullet points (photos and images paired together are more memorable); don’t underestimate the power of your voice (raise and lower it for emphasis); give your audience something extra (unexpected moments will grab their attention); rehearse (the best speakers are the best because they practice — a lot).

I was sitting across the table from a Silicon Valley CEO who had pioneered a technology that touches many of our lives — the flash memory that stores data on smartphones, digital cameras, and computers. He was a frequent guest on CNBC and had been delivering business presentations for at least 20 years before we met. And yet, the CEO wanted to sharpen his public speaking skills.

• Carmine Gallo is a Harvard University instructor, keynote speaker, and author of 10 books translated into 40 languages. Gallo is the author of The Bezos Blueprint: Communication Secrets of the World’s Greatest Salesman  (St. Martin’s Press).

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How to give a good presentation that captivates any audience

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What are the main difficulties when giving presentations?

How to create an effective presentation, after that, how do i give a memorable presentation, how to connect with the audience when presenting.

If you’ve ever heard someone give a powerful presentation, you probably remember how it made you feel. Much like a composer, a good speaker knows precisely when each note should strike to captivate their audience’s attention and leave them with a lasting impression.

No one becomes a great public speaker or presenter without practice. And almost everyone can recall a time one of their presentations went badly — that’s a painful part of the learning process.

Whether you’re working within a small creative team or a large organization, public speaking and presentation skills are vital to communicating your ideas. Knowing how to present your vision can help you pitch concepts to clients, present ideas to your team, and develop the confidence to participate in team meetings.

If you have an upcoming presentation on the horizon and feel nervous, that’s normal. Around 15-30% of the general population experience a fear of public speaking . And, unfortunately, social anxiety is on the rise, with a 12% increase in adults over the last 20 years . 

Learning how to give a good presentation can dismantle your fears and break down these barriers, ensuring you’re ready to confidently share your point of view. 

It’s the week before your presentation, and you’re already feeling nervous . Maybe there’ll be an important mentor in the room you need to impress, or you’re looking for an opportunity to show your boss your value. Regardless of your countless past presentations, you still feel nervous. 

Sharing your vision and ideas with any sized group is intimidating. You’re likely worrying about how you’ll perform as a presenter and whether the audience will be interested in what you offer. But nerves aren’t inherently negative — you can actually use this feeling to fuel your preparation.

It’s helpful to identify where your worries are coming from and address your fears. Here are some common concerns when preparing for an upcoming presentation:

Fear of public speaking: When you share your ideas in front of a group, you’re placing yourself in a vulnerable position to be critiqued on your knowledge and communication skills . Maybe you feel confident in your content, but when you think about standing in front of an audience, you feel anxious and your mind goes blank.

It’s also not uncommon to have physical symptoms when presenting . Some people experience nausea and dizziness as the brain releases adrenaline to cope with the potentially stressful situation . Remember to take deep breaths to recenter yourself and be patient, even if you make a mistake.

Losing the audience’s attention: As a presenter, your main focus is to keep your audience engaged. They should feel like they’re learning valuable information or following a story that will improve them in life or business.

Highlight the most exciting pieces of knowledge and ensure you emphasize those points in your presentation. If you feel passionate about your content, it’s more likely that your audience will experience this excitement for themselves and become invested in what you have to say.

Not knowing what content to place on presentation slides: Overloading presentation slides is a fast way to lose your audience’s attention. Your slides should contain only the main talking points and limited text to ensure your audience focuses on what you have to say rather than becoming distracted by the content on your slides.

Discomfort incorporating nonverbal communication: It’s natural to feel stiff and frozen when you’re nervous. But maintaining effective body language helps your audience stay focused on you as you speak and encourages you to relax.

If you struggle to incorporate body language into your presentations, try starting small by making hand gestures toward your slides. If you’re working with a large audience, use different parts of the stage to ensure everyone feels included. 

Each presenter has their own personal brand and style. Some may use humor to break the ice, while others might appeal to the audience’s emotional side through inspiring storytelling. 

Watching online presentations, such as TED talks, is an excellent way to expose yourself to various presentation styles and develop your own. While observing others, you can note how they carry themselves on stage and learn new ways to keep your audience engaged.

Once you’ve addressed what’s causing your fears, it’s time to prepare for a great presentation. Use your past experience as inspiration and aim to outshine your former self by learning from your mistakes and employing new techniques. Here are five presentation tips to help you create a strong presentation and wow your audience:

1. Keep it simple

Simple means something different to everyone.

Before creating your presentation, take note of your intended audience and their knowledge level of your subject. You’ll want your content to be easy for your intended audience to follow.

Say you’re giving a presentation on improving your company’s operational structure. Entry-level workers will likely need a more straightforward overview of the content than C-suite leaders, who have significantly more experience. 

Ask yourself what you want your audience to take away from your presentation and emphasize those important points. Doing this ensures they remember the most vital information rather than less important supporting ideas. Try organizing these concepts into bullet points so viewers can quickly identify critical takeaways.

2. Create a compelling structure

Put yourself in your audience member’s shoes and determine the most compelling way to organize your information. Your presentation should be articulate , cohesive, and logical, and you must be sure to include all necessary supporting evidence to strengthen your main points.

If you give away all of your answers too quickly, your audience could lose interest. And if there isn’t enough supporting information, they could hit a roadblock of confusion. Try developing a compelling story that leads your audience through your thought processes so they can experience the ups and downs alongside you. 

By structuring your presentation to lead up to a final conclusion, you’re more likely to keep listeners’ attention. Once you’ve reached that conclusion, you can offer a Q&A period to put any of their questions or concerns to rest. 

3. Use visual aids

Appealing to various learning styles is a great way to keep everyone on the same page and ensure they absorb your content. Visual aids are necessary for visual learners and make it easier for people to picture your ideas.

Aim to incorporate a mixture of photos, videos, and props to engage your audience and convey your key points. For instance, if you’re giving a presentation on anthropology subject matter, you could show your audience an artifact to help them understand how exciting a discovery must have been. 

If your presentation is long, including a video for your audience to watch is an excellent way to give yourself a break and create new jumping-off points for your speech.

4. Be aware of design techniques and trends

Thanks to cutting-edge technology and tools, you have numerous platforms at your disposal to create a good presentation. But keep in mind that although color, images, and graphics liven things up, they can cause distraction when misused.

  Here are a few standard pointers for incorporating visuals on your slides: 

• Don’t place blocks of small text on a single slide
• Use a minimalistic background instead of a busy one
• Ensure text stands out against the background color
• Only use high-resolution photos
• Maintain a consistent font style and size throughout the presentation
• Don’t overuse transitions and effects

5. Try the 10-20-30 rule

Guy Kawasaki, a prominent venture capitalist and one of the original marketing specialists for Apple, said that the best slideshow presentations are less than 10 slides , last at most 20 minutes, and use a font size of 30. Following this strategy can help you condense your information, eliminate unnecessary ideas, and maintain your audience’s focus more efficiently.

Once you’re confident in creating a memorable presentation, it’s time to learn how to give one. Here are some valuable tips for keeping your audience invested during your talk: 

Tip #1: Tell stories

Sharing an anecdote from your life can improve your credibility and increase your relatability. And when an audience relates to you, they’re more likely to feel connected to who you are as a person and encouraged to give you their full attention, as they would want others to do the same.

Gill Hicks utilized this strategy well when she shared her powerful story, “ I survived a terrorist attack. Here’s what I learned .” In her harrowing tale, Hicks highlights the importance of compassion, unconditional love, and helping those in need.

If you feel uncomfortable sharing personal stories, that’s okay. You can use examples from famous individuals or create a fictional account to demonstrate your ideas.

Tip #2: Make eye contact with the audience

Maintaining eye contact is less intimidating than it sounds. In fact, you don’t have to look your audience members directly in their eyes — you can focus on their foreheads or noses if that’s easier.

Try making eye contact with as many people as possible for 3–5 seconds each. This timing ensures you don’t look away too quickly, making the audience member feel unimportant, or linger too long, making them feel uncomfortable.

If you’re presenting to a large group, direct your focus to each part of the room to ensure no section of the audience feels ignored. 

Tip #3: Work on your stage presence

Although your tone and words are the most impactful part of your presentation, recall that body language keeps your audience engaged. Use these tips to master a professional stage presence:

• Speak with open arms and avoid crossing them
• Keep a reasonable pace and try not to stand still
• Use hand gestures to highlight important information

Tip #4: Start strong

Like watching a movie trailer, the first seconds of your talk are critical for capturing your audience’s attention. How you start your speech sets the tone for the rest of your presentation and tells your audience whether or not they should pay attention. Here are some ways to start your presentation to leave a lasting impression:

• Use a quote from a well-known and likable influential person 
• Ask a rhetorical question to create intrigue
• Start with an anecdote to add context to your talk 
• Spark your audience’s curiosity by involving them in an interactive problem-solving puzzle or riddle

Tip #5: Show your passion

Don’t be afraid of being too enthusiastic. Everyone appreciates a speaker who’s genuinely excited about their field of expertise. 

In “ Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance ,” Angela Lee Duckworth discusses the importance of passion in research and delivery. She delivers her presentation excitedly to show the audience how excitement piques interest. 

Tip #6: Plan your delivery

How you decide to deliver your speech will shape your presentation. Will you be preparing a PowerPoint presentation and using a teleprompter? Or are you working within the constraints of the digital world and presenting over Zoom?

The best presentations are conducted by speakers who know their stuff and memorize their content. However, if you find this challenging, try creating notes to use as a safety net in case you lose track.

If you’re presenting online, you can keep notes beside your computer for each slide, highlighting your key points. This ensures you include all the necessary information and follow a logical order.

Tip #7: Practice

Practice doesn’t make perfect — it makes progress. There’s no way of preparing for unforeseen circumstances, but thorough practice means you’ve done everything you can to succeed.

Rehearse your speech in front of a mirror or to a trusted friend or family member. Take any feedback and use it as an opportunity to fine-tune your speech. But remember: who you practice your presentation in front of may differ from your intended audience. Consider their opinions through the lens of them occupying this different position.

Tip #8: Read the room

Whether you’re a keynote speaker at an event or presenting to a small group of clients, knowing how to read the room is vital for keeping your audience happy. Stay flexible and be willing to move on from topics quickly if your listeners are uninterested or displeased with a particular part of your speech.

Tip #9: Breathe

Try taking deep breaths before your presentation to calm your nerves. If you feel rushed, you’re more likely to feel nervous and stumble on your words.

The most important thing to consider when presenting is your audience’s feelings. When you approach your next presentation calmly, you’ll put your audience at ease and encourage them to feel comfortable in your presence.

Tip #10: Provide a call-to-action

When you end your presentation, your audience should feel compelled to take a specific action, whether that’s changing their habits or contacting you for your services.

If you’re presenting to clients, create a handout with key points and contact information so they can get in touch. You should provide your LinkedIn information, email address, and phone number so they have a variety of ways to reach you. 

There’s no one-size-fits-all template for an effective presentation, as your unique audience and subject matter play a role in shaping your speech. As a general rule, though, you should aim to connect with your audience through passion and excitement. Use strong eye contact and body language. Capture their interest through storytelling and their trust through relatability.

Learning how to give a good presentation can feel overwhelming — but remember, practice makes progress. Rehearse your presentation for someone you trust, collect their feedback , and revise. Practicing your presentation skills is helpful for any job, and every challenge is a chance to grow.

Enhance your presentation skills

Discover coaching that transforms your public speaking and boosts your confidence in presenting.

Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

6 presentation skills and how to improve them

How to make a presentation interactive and exciting, tell a story they can't ignore these 10 tips will teach you how, 3 stand-out professional bio examples to inspire your own, how to write a speech that your audience remembers, reading the room gives you an edge — no matter who you're talking to, 18 effective strategies to improve your communication skills, writing an elevator pitch about yourself: a how-to plus tips, your guide to what storytelling is and how to be a good storyteller, similar articles, how to pitch ideas: 8 tips to captivate any audience, the 11 tips that will improve your public speaking skills, 30 presentation feedback examples, fear of public speaking overcome it with these 7 tips, how to not be nervous for a presentation — 13 tips that work (really), stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..

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Can Presentations Be Too Short?

Hrideep barot.

• Presentation

Have a gut feeling that your presentation is too short? Or is your presentation shorter than what was asked out of you? Short presentations aren’t such a bad thing. This article will help you understand the effectiveness of short presentations. Read along to find out how to deliver effective short presentations or make your short presentation longer. 

How long are Short Presentations?

Why are short presentations better, how to make effective short presentations, time management, should i make my presentation longer, how can i make my presentation longer, words that make presentations longer, what should you include in a short presentation, thesis winning short presentations, in conclusion.

Short Presentations are also called Lightning Talks or Data Blitz. Any presentation or speech that lasts less than 10 minutes can be classified as a short presentation. The main goal of any presentation is to put forth an idea. If your presentation conveys everything it was supposed to, it is a successful presentation. The effectiveness of a presentation is not proportionate to its length.

Your presentations cannot be too short. If they’re properly delivering the message, they are called concise presentations. 

“Nobody ever complained the presentation was too short”

• Saves Time: Time is money. The more time you save, the more you have to allot to valuable endeavours. Everybody would love to catch a five minute break without compromising on productivity.
• Efficient: Short presentations leave out all the content that’s not absolutely critical. When all the major points are covered without beating around the bush, it is much more efficient. Your audience will definitely thank you in their minds. After all, As students, we all loved it when the teacher left us early.
• Attention Span: The maximum attention span of an average adult according to studies is 20 minutes. Short presentations cut this to half. This means, the attention of your audience will remain fresh throughout the presentation. 
• Clear, Concise, Compelling: Lesser the time frame, more the effort. You have a big idea to convey in a small time. This will force you to become clear, concise and compelling. 

Less is more. Minimalism is the phenomenon that revolutionised the post world war era. It has taken over all aspects of life, presentations too! How do you then apply the principles of minimalism into making stunning presentations?

• Fine Filter: Short presentations mean you cleanse your information thoroughly. Only and only the most important content must make it to the speech. The slides should then be even briefer. 
• Context: Cleansing unnecessary information does not include forgoing your contexts. Your presentation is not a mystery novel. Keep everybody on the same page, let them know what you’re talking about. 
• Series of Three: Steve Jobs gave his presentations in the series of three. He concluded that most people remember things in the series of three. Therefore, he would break a big topic into three main core ideas. Three is a small number, enough to form clear short presentations. For example, while giving a speech about waste management, your three main takeaways would be Reuse, Reduce and Recycle. When your three main ideas are addressed clearly in your presentation, its effectiveness is greatly amplified. 
• Stories: Stories teach better than lectures. You can ask somebody to separate their waste, or you could narrate a story that shows the consequences of doing so. You can also highlight what happens when you don’t do so! We as a civilization succeeded with the power of stories. Short stories in your short presentations can convey way more than you are estimating. Be metaphorical.

• No Time For Introductions: This does not mean you skip the introduction ofcourse. Follow the standard introduction-body-conclusion formal but keep in mind that you cannot have a 3 minute introduction in a 10 minute speech. Start boldly with a short controversial statement, be fearless. This will involve your audience too! Precision is the key to any short presentation.
• Passion: You know the twinkle in somebody’s eyes when they’re talking about something they’re passionate about? Everybody loves listening to them. Presentations become greater when delivered with passion. Short presentations driven by passion receive an insurmountable attention. 
• Show, Don’t Tell: A single picture speaks a thousand words. When your short presentations make it hard to incorporate long explanations, use pictures! Good images are not only self-explanatory but also impeccable when it comes to delivering concepts. As cavemen, we used images to communicate. Tap into the evolutionary instincts of humans and deliver your presentations.
• Structure: The presentation cannot stand out without structure. Have a good order in the presentation, don’t let anything go haywire. Nobody likes getting confused. It loses the audience in the snap of your fingers. 
• Minimum: Pertaining your presentation slides, try making them bare minimum. This does not mean not putting effort into them. It means that the content of your slide must not have a lot of information. For a presentation of 10 minutes, try minimising your presentation to a maximum of 5-10 slides. This adds up to not more than 1-2 slides per minute.
• Vocabulary: Keep your thesaurus away, this is not a research paper. Writing fancy long words and speaking them are two very different things. Keep it simple. Talk to your audience like it is a conversational pitch, not philosophical preaching. Remember, you do NOT have the time to be complicated. Work your flair in simplicity.

The defining factor of short presentations is the time period. Only when they get over within a small time are they called “short presentations”. Going over the time limit will frustrate your audience and disengage them.

How to then manage time in short presentations? You can use the Series of Three method mentioned above to ensure you complete the presentation on time. Apart from that, set benchmarks to ensure better time management within a presentation. 

Benchmarks or milestones are cues to move on from point to point to ensure you cover all the topics before the alarm goes off. You may or may not have a ticking clock at your disposal. In this case, your best shot would be to practice and practice and practice. 

Practising your presentation will make it run smoothly. When practised enough, the words will come out almost effortlessly. It’s not the same as rote learning your speech. You’re supposed to know the correct order of your subject matter, and its contents. Worst come worst scenario, if you don’t have enough time to prepare and practise your presentations, this can help you out.

If you are reading this article, you might be afraid your presentation is too short. While short presentations are quite effective, sometimes you have no other choice but to make your presentation longer. Following are a few reasons why you might be feeling the need to make your presentations longer. 

• Unpreparedness: While short presentations have nothing to do with the presentation being underprepared, it can make you anxious. What if they don’t find it convincing? What if it doesn’t last long enough to be memorable? Et cetera. 
• Unconvincing: You should trust your gut. If your instincts don’t find the presentation long and convincing enough, extend it. After all, you can’t persuade other people if you have not satisfied yourself. 
• Not Memorable: If you feel your presentation won’t be memorable enough it’s most likely to do with the content you have put into it. If your content is engaging then even the shortest presentations are memorable. Nevertheless, if the presentation is legitimately getting over in a blip, you can perhaps make it last a little longer. 
• REALLY short: If your content should ideally last for three times more time than what it has turned out, elongate it. Covering just the critical bits also involves elaborating on them a little. 

Speak Slowly: Intelligent, innit? I mean, it’s an obvious hack to make any presentation longer. But sometimes we tend to l subconsciously speak faster. The slow and deliberate enunciation of every word can increase the duration of any presentation.

Fast speakers tend to cut their speech short. In such cases, use pauses. Silence is often unexpected during speeches. It makes the environment more interesting and garners attention from the public.

Add More Information: Now that you know the 10% of the information you can absolutely not do without, you can start expanding. Keep adding information in descending order of importance. After the most important stuff, you can add up to 25% of important stuff to make your speeches longer. 

By adding more information you can have more content at your disposal. You don’t have to necessarily talk about it but you can still have a backup plan if needed. Over-preparing will do you no harm. It will increase your prospects to do good. 

Engage With Audience: When you don’t have anything else to say, turn your monologue into a dialogue. Interacting with the audience can not only increase the duration of your presentation but also serve as a tool of better engagement. It will make your presentation memorable since there is a transactional format of communication taking place there. Check out the best interactions TED speakers had with their audiences to engage and elongate their presentations.

The Structure: When you write your presentations, you follow the standard structure – Introduction, Body and Conclusion. The entire speech answers five questions. These questions are: Why? What? Where? When? How? 

While writing short presentations, start your presentations by answering “Why?” Then in the body answer “What?” “Where?” “When?” And “How?” In the conclusion part, answer your “Why?” again, a little clearer this time, and then end the presentation. If you cannot answer all four questions in your body, ask “What?” three times and answer it. This will successfully make short presentations longer.

Media Products: Showing clips in the middle of your presentation can easily buy you 2-3 minutes of extra presentation time. They can serve you as a break from speaking and also give you extra data to talk about. You can always analyse the video after. This will add a few more minutes of discussion. 

Story Time: Writing your presentation in the form of a narrative and telling stories in the middle are two different things. Use your teacher’s tactics and tell stories in the middle of your presentations. Make sure your stories are not irrelevant though, time is a valuable resource. If your stories revolve around the key concept of your presentation, it will add the necessary razzle-dazzle to your speech.

These tips can easily add 3 to 5 minutes to your presentations. Obviously, you can employ one or more of these tips for how much time you need to add. 

I always emphasise this fact: The written word and the spoken word are two very different things. A common mistake presenters make to make their presentation sound longer (and maybe smarter) are complicated words and extensive vocabulary. You cannot recite your academic paper and call it a presentation. You might intend to sound smart, but at the end of the day it will come across as a product of less effort. Presentations are meant to educate the masses in the layman’s language.

Never use the word ‘emolument’ when you mean ‘tip’. You might have seen a list of words and jargon to make essays longer. I would stand by my claim and not offer you a list of words to extend your presentation. Instead, here are a few phrases you can use that may catch your audience’s attention. You can use these phrases and idioms universally in any presentation you like. 

• Good morning/afternoon/evening, ladies and gentlemen. I am extremely grateful to you all for offering me a piece of your valuable time today.
• It is an honour to be delivering my keynote to such a distinguished audience today. 
• Before we delve into the topic for discussion, I would like to introduce you to myself and speak a few words about my own background. 
• I sincerely hope that this discussion will act as a springboard for ideas. 
• In this talk, I would like to convey to you a set of ideas which will be divided into…
• The focus of today’s discussion/talk/speech will be…
• I feel this talk will be of particular relevance to a significant portion of this audience since we will be focusing upon… and (relate your topic to the audience)…
• My plan to structure today’s speech is…
• I hope you leave the conference with an abundance of takeaways and cues to your new big projects.
• I hope this presentation can inspire you enough to get your ball rolling.
•  Please know that I am open to and quite inquisitive about knowing your thoughts and questions for the next half an hour. 

Short presentations follow no special pattern of delivery. Their formatting is similar to that of any presentation with one exception: time crunch. 

The Introduction of short presentations must be brief. It shouldn’t exceed 10-15% of the total time frame of the presentation. For example, if your presentation ought to be 5 minutes long then the introduction is approximately 15-30 seconds long. 

The Body of short presentations only focuses on 1-3 major points. If you try to cover too many pointers then the focus lifts from each of them. You won’t be able to deliver any of the subtopics with enough emphasis. Storytelling is powerful. If you use the five minutes to tell a story rather than enlisting facts for your audience, chances are that you will actually deliver your message.

The Conclusion is indeed a flexible part of the speech. But experts say you retain it in your content. Conclusion summarises the content that you spoke about. It sums up what you expect out of your audience now in 2-3 sentences. Understand that repetition retains information. Your audience will remember the main idea if you repeat and drill it into their heads enough times. 

You can check out our complete guide to delivering short presentations to gain in depth knowledge about how to write powerful 5 minute presentations.

Emily Johnston is currently a professor at the University of Tasmania. The above presentation was a three minute summary about her long thesis that talked about how she developed a novel mosquito-borne virus detection technique that puts nucleic acid-preserving paper coated in honey into mosquito traps made of pantyhose, paperclip and recycled milk cartons. A detailed overview of her work can be found here . 

Out of all the short presentations I went through, this one is particularly stunning. Emily spent years researching, analysing and formulating a theory which she was then asked to encapsulate within three minutes. She did a remarkable job too. She started off with a joke which accounted for a good introduction. Then she slowly divulged into the topic.

They followed The Structure format of short presentations, starting off with answering Why she is presenting this. Then she slowly divulged into the details of it carefully and strategically covering all the pointers. In conclusion she mentioned her cause again, drawing attention towards the poorer, more infected countries that need her invention. 

She was calm and composed throughout her speech, neither speaking too fast nor too slow. She was confident while speaking and her body language expressed it greatly. This was only possible because she knew all her material well. She knew what she was talking about and did not stutter. The speech was clear, brief, concise and respected the time of her audience. 

You never knew you could learn so much in three minutes. It was not only an excellent presentation but also an excellent preparation. I can’t begin to imagine how much she had practised it. The takeaways from this speech are immaculate for anybody striving to deliver excellent short presentations. 

All the pitches from Shark Tank can also be considered as Short Presentations.

In a world where our attention span keeps decreasing every day, presentations can never be too short. As long as you are delivering your presentation well, be assured that your presentation is enough. The best advertisements often last for 10 seconds and fetch the company millions of dollars after all. Be confident in yourself and deliver a killer short presentation. Size does not matter. 

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Because First Impressions Aren’t Everything: 20 Tips and Ideas to End Your Presentation in Style

“After a while I went out and left the hospital and went back to the hotel in the rain.”

If you are a big literature lover, you might recognize this sentence. If not, that’s okay too. In this article, however, we’re not talking about literary expertise but rather about a successful conclusion to a presentation.

How these two are related will be revealed in the final tip. However, you can truly benefit from it only if you have internalized the other tips as well.

Why the end of your presentation should be more than an afterthought

A great dessert is the perfect finish to a dinner. It has the power to elevate even the most mediocre of starters. A surprising, powerful ending to a film often stays with us longer than the rest of the story. Musicians close their concerts with something special to send their audiences off in high spirits. In a commercial, we always hear the key slogan at the end .

So why do so many presentations end with a terse, “Well, I guess that’s it. Thanks for your attention”, or some other lackluster phrase?

It could be due to that time-honored truth; most people just don’t like presenting. For many, it’s an annoying but necessary duty. For some, it’s an extremely unpleasant challenge. Add to that an audience that isn’t always filled with interested listeners and it’s no wonder most presenters rush through their conclusion.

Which is a shame. Because when you put a lot of effort into a presentation to convince and stand out, you deserve to end the presentation appropriately. Do justice to your efforts and don’t waste valuable points at the last moment! Attention is particularly high at the end, and what is said last remains in memory the longest. Of course, the focus of information is in the middle, but often it is not the information that makes the difference, but rather the emotion.

And at the end, you can trigger emotion effectively. A particularly compelling ending can even make the decisive difference. To assist you in creating such a presentation ending, we have listed 20 helpful tips for you below.

So here are 20 useful tips and tricks that will help you finish your presentation in style:

1. Have the courage to do it differently!

Look back on presentations you’ve sat through; you probably can’t remember much about their conclusions. There’s usually a slide thanking the audience for their attention and that’s it. Finding memorable, surprising, exciting or stirring ways to close a presentation is a challenge. But maybe that’s the key: Step out of your comfort zone and do it differently . Be creative. This is the best start for a memorable finish.

2. Continuity: Avoid a random ending to your presentation

Many speakers don’t spend a lot of time thinking about how to wrap up their presentations. As long as the content is there, the rest will follow. Remember, a non-committal, “So, I think that’s it from me” will be the last thing an audience remembers. And no one wants that kind of anticlimactic finish to a compelling presentation. 

In short, it pays to spend time on your conclusion. Even the most eloquent and experienced presenters need to plan this last, decisive section of a presentation as carefully as the rest.

3. Put the cart before the horse : The goal remains the focus

This tip may sound a bit strange at first: When preparing presentations, it’s sometimes a good idea to take the last step first. Most people prepare their presentations like this: beginning, middle, end.  It’s a logical approach but all too often, it leads to a conclusion that just fizzles out.  So why not start there?

Ask yourself: Where am I going with this? Which core message should run through the entire presentation and be highlighted at the end? Once you’ve figured that out, you can start structuring the rest of your presentation.

Tip: In our blog, we have published a post that provides you with further valuable tips for the perfect preparation for your next presentation. You can directly access the blog post here .

4. Bookend your presentation

You think the beginning of your presentation has nothing to do with the end? Think again. One good way to bring your presentation full circle is to close the rhetorical circle and return to your key statement.

Bookending is the technique of starting and finishing a presentation with similar or related content. For example, you can start your presentation with a question, come back to it at the end of and answer it with your closing statement.  This frames your presentation and brings your audience full circle.

5. Don’t announce the end

When a presentation is drawing to a close, an audience often hears, “As I slowly wrap things up,” or, “We’re almost at the end now.” or even, “You’re almost free of me now.” Phrases like these are used a lot, but are they really necessary? Truth is, t hey give the feeling that presenters and audience alike can’t wait for a presentation to be over. It sounds as if the presenter find his or her own presentation boring and way too long. It’s also an invitation for the audience to tune out, gather their things and plan the rest of their day.

But there are ways to announce the end without losing your audience. Phrases like, “Now for one final, key point.”, can help lead your audience and refocus their attention. But announcing the end of a presentation is, in general, not necessary. Your final summary or call to action is usually enough.

6. Compelling Storytelling: Building a Climactic Tension Curve

Just like a good book, your presentation needs a narrative arc that builds anticipation. Paint an exciting image of your company’s future or catch them by surprise with a contradictory or unexpected statement. Or build your presentation so that your strongest argument is at the end .

With this little trick, you can make sure that your key statement is the last impression you make on your audience. It’s a great way to refocus your audience and generate excitement.

Tip: There is already a separate post on our blog about storytelling as an approach for a more convincing presentation. You can find the post here .

7. To summarize or not

It depends! Not every presentation requires a traditional summary of what has been learned. Especially presentations that are structured using the storytelling method often have a different closing.

Skilled presenters allow their audience to experience an “aha” moment in their presentation by closing the rhetorical circle. For example, in this method, a guiding question that was raised at the beginning of the presentation could be answered at the end.

However, this is not the only way to structure a presentation. In particular, in speeches that explore many different aspects and bring together various lines of argumentation, a conclusion is still a popular tool.

A good conclusion summarizes all the important arguments and key points of your presentation and establishes the connections. At the end of your presentation , bring together all the information and highlight the bigger picture on a slide . This provides your audience with something concrete to remember as a conclusion.

8. Make it memorable

Just like advertising, effective presentations are often about anchoring something in people’s memory. The way to do this is through repetition. The more often we hear, experience or do something, the more likely we are to remember it for a long time.

The end of a presentation is a good time to repeat and emphasize important content. You can also try to introduce a few prompts that will help your audience remember your presentation later on. For instance, you could do this with a small suggestion: “When you’re on your way home, think back on my traffic lights metaphor.”

Or provide a helpful tip: “By the way, the little technique I just told you about can also help you with your kids.” This kind of connection to everyday life makes the presentation more interesting and relatable to the audience and helps keep the mood light.

Tip: Read here how to incorporate humour into your presentations in good doses.

9. Focus on the final phrase

The last sentence of a presentation is more significant than you might think. Even if some of your audience have mentally drifted off, they’re usually back at full attention by the end. So, make the most of this and pay close attention to your closing words.

Your final phrase should reflect your core message. Also, ask yourself what thought or feeling you want to leave your audience with.

Here are a few ideas to help you formulate your closing statement:

• Always align your final message to the rest of the presentation.
• Keep it short.
• Address your audience on an emotional level . Try to create positive feelings, powerful calls to action, make thoughtful or humorous comments.
• A slogan or a message that you already established as a core statement in the presentation can be brought back at the end.
• Using stylistic devices, such as alliterations, can be an effective way to get the message across.
• Frequent presenters can also create a closing statement that they use as a catchphrase for each presentation. TV presenters and news anchors do this often. (A well-known example: Walter Cronkite would close news broadcasts with, “And that’s the way it is,” followed by the date.)
• The final phrase doesn’t have to be yours. A quote from a well-known person can underline your statements wonderfully. Even a famous, perhaps slightly modified proverb can provide a meaningful and memorable close.
• The final sentence doesn’t even have to be a sentence. An image or perhaps a short video can also be an effective, atmospheric conclusion.

10. Create a feeling of community

We humans are social beings and feel comfortable when we form a harmonious community. Therefore, it is particularly appropriate to focus on creating harmony and unity at the end in order to evoke positive emotions.

Be mindful of not creating a barrier between yourself and the audience with your final words. This can be easily achieved by using inclusive language.

Instead of saying, “I conclude that…” or “You have now learned that…,” say “We can now see that…” or “It is clear to us now that…”. This creates a sense of unity and agreement, and reinforces the idea that you are on the same side as the audience.

11. Keep calm and carry on – right to the very end

It’s important to maintain poise and confidence throughout a presentation. That means the conclusion, too. Avoid the tendency to seek approval and don’t over-apologize for any fumbles you may have made. Mistakes and faux pas happen and when they do, simply acknowledge them, correct them and keep going. And whatever you do, don’t bring them up again at the end of your presentation. You audience will have already forgotten them and moved on. And so should you.

This sounds easier than it is, because negative phrases such as “Sorry I couldn’t explain topic xy in more detail” or “I hope I didn’t bore you too much” come really naturally to most of us. You’ll need to practice a little self-control to leave your inner critic where it belongs: inside.

12. End of presentation = end of topic

An end can also be a new beginning – but not in this case. Don’t end your presentation with a new idea. This can just confuse your audience and dilute your core message.  If you remember something you forgot, leave it out or add it to any follow-up material you may send by email.

An exception to this tip is when the presentation is followed by a discussion or Q&A session . This is when new ideas can be brought up and explored.

13. Call your audience to action

Give your audience a clear and direct call to action at the end of your presentation. Now’s the time to plug your product, services, your new website or podcast. When done right, these “plugs” will sound less like self-promotion and more like a friendly offer: “If you’d like to learn more, feel free to check out my book.”

14. Transition smoothly to a discussion or Q&A session

Let your audience know at the beginning of your presentation whether questions can be asked during or saved for after. If you’re planning a Q&A session or discussion at the end of the presentation, make sure you create a smooth and confident transition. 

Anyone who starts with a simple, “Are there any questions?” or even just a brief, “Questions?” can expect to be met with awkward silence. Get the conversation started by referencing a point you made in your presentation (“What are your thoughts on…”). This also allows you to steer the conversation and revisit some important points from the presentation.

15. The final slide

When all has been said, most presentations still have a slide that, in a way, announces the end. Sometimes it just says End , or Questions? or the infamous, Thank you for your attention in large letters. You can do it that way, but you can also do it better.

The last slide can be a picture, a meme or a comic, which can loosen things up and arouse emotions. You can also choose no concluding slide at all or a completely black slide. This can provide the space for a transition to the Q&A session or a discussion: “As you can see, I’ve reached the end of my presentation. Now it’s your turn.”.

Tip: If you want to speed things up, you can also use our “Closing Slides / Thank You Slides” templates for PowerPoint for your last slide. Click here to go directly to the product.

16. Thank you?

Do you thank the audience for their attention at the end of a presentation or not? Opinions differ a little on this. For many, it’s common practice and, well, simply good manners. For others, it’s a mundane, overused phrase that brings little value at the end of a presentation . So, what to do?

You can of course leave a final “thank you” out. No one will think less of your presentation if you do. But, if you’re like me and can’t imagine not thanking an audience for their time, forgo the thank you slide, use one of the other tips to give your presentation a strong finish, then say give a simple and sincere “thank you”.

17. Add a personal touch

Personal words create a sense of familiarity and communicate appreciation. A friendly farewell can help ensure you and your presentation won’t be quickly forgotten. A quick goodbye doesn’t cut it. Instead, try something like, “I hope you get home safe and sound in this weather.”

You can also connect your personal message to your presentation topic: “I hope you enjoy implementing my method as much as I did. Send me an email to let me know how it goes.” Of course, your content should score points, but don’t underestimate the power of likeability.

18. Take your time

It’s natural to feel relieved after a successful presentation. Unfortunately, this often leads to speakers fleeing the scene. No sooner have the last words been spoken, than the laptop is shut down, the projector switched off and the presenter is dashing out the door before the applause has ended. Nobody gains from this. The presenters doesn’t allow him or herself to enjoy audience recognition and the audience has the feeling that the presenter has lost interest and just wants to go home.

Take your time. Enjoy the applause, maintain eye contact with the audience, acknowledge them and smile. There will be time to pack up later.

By the way: Also pay attention to the speed of your speech. Many presenters, without realizing it, tend to speak more quickly as they approach the end of a presentation.

 19. Manage your time

Anyone else remember that awkward moment at the end of almost every university lecture? The professor is still talking, yet the majority of fellow students are already loudly packing up and leaving the room. Pretty rude behavior. However, there may be a valid excuse for it.

Students have other classes to get to, papers to write and exams to study for. In other words, their time is precious. Among your audience will often be clients, managers and colleagues who have back-to-back meetings that day. For them, time is truly of the essence; they’ve planned their day to the last minute.

This same kind of careful planning and thorough time management should be applied to your presentation. Timeboxing allocates a certain amount of time to an activity in advance to complete it within that time frame. Practice your presentation in advance with friends or relatives and time yourself. Allocate enough time for each part of your presentation and plan some buffer time so you don’t have to rush through your closing statement. Timeboxing your presentation will give it an easy, comfortable pace. Your audience will thank you for it.

20. No pain, no gain!

Let’s return to our quote from the beginning: “After a while I went out and left the hospital and went back to the hotel in the rain.” This is the last sentence from Ernest Hemingway’s novel, In Another Country . So, what does this have to do with a presentation or its conclusion for that matter? Actually, nothing at all. But Hemingway is said to have changed and rewritten this one last sentence 39 times before finally settling on it. He was obviously aware of the importance of a good ending and was willing to invest time and effort to make it unique and memorable. Be like Hemingway. It’s worth it!

If you need assistance with your presentation ending, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are a nationally and internationally successful PowerPoint agency with years of practical expertise in the business sector. We would be happy to help. Please contact us via email at [email protected] .

On that note, thanks for reading. ;-)

These articles might be interesting for you:

• Kick start your presentation: 16 ideas
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How to Make a Presentation Longer

“Keep it short and sweet.” Many hear this common piece of advice when planning a speech or presentation . Because short attention spans are fairly common in the age of TikTok, text messaging, and an endless supply of stimulation at our fingertips, it’s often wise to compress a presentation if your goal is to  keep an audience interested .

However, there are instances in which a presentation might be too short to serve its purpose. Potential reasons you may be wondering how to make a presentation longer include:

• Meeting time requirements:  In some settings, a presenter may be expected to deliver a speech of a certain length.
• Covering additional material:  This is among the most common reasons to extend the length of a presentation. Depending on the topic you’re covering, a short presentation may not be enough to thoroughly address the idea.
• Engaging the audience:  Public speaking involves striking a balance. Yes, if a presentation is longer than necessary, you might lose the attention of your audience. However, if it’s not long enough, you might never captivate them, to begin with.
• Addressing a question:  It’s often wise to include time for some Q&A in a speech. Allowing audience members to ask questions results in an interactive presentation that is more likely to keep them engaged. Of course, including time for questions at the end could be a simple way to make a presentation longer. That said, there may be some questions or concerns you want to address within the presentation itself so that audience members never feel the need to ask these questions in the first place. This might be necessary if the topic of your presentation is somewhat controversial. In this scenario, you might need to lengthen your speech to address all potential objections before anyone raises them.

Those are just a few examples. Your reasons for wishing to add content to a presentation may be different. Regardless, as the following points will demonstrate, there are many ways to achieve this goal without adding unnecessary “fluff.”

How to Make a Presentation Longer: Ideas to Consider

Include an anecdote.

Including a relevant anecdote to illustrate one of the main points in your speech can transform a boring presentation into one that hooks an audience. As  experts point out , storytelling offers a powerful way to engage viewers and listeners because it allows you to share large amounts of information while also tapping into the emotions of audience members. Naturally, including a story can also add at least a few minutes to your presentation.

Learn to Pause

One of the best ways to prepare for a speech is to, well, practice your speaking skills. Fear of public speaking is a  common anxiety , and many a nervous presenter will rush through a speech without realizing they’re doing so.

This can prevent an audience from absorbing their key points. If public speaking makes you nervous, focus on learning to pause throughout a speech. Slowing down will help you get your message across more effectively while also resulting in a long speech.

Design Slides Properly

Does your presentation involve a slideshow? If so, it’s important to design slides so that you don’t bombard your audience with excessive visual information.

Tips to keep in mind include:

• Use only two to three fonts to maintain a degree of visual consistency.
• Consider working with a presentation maker that offers presentation templates you can customize to ensure your slideshow is organized.
• Try not to include too many images in a single slide. Typically, one image per slide is a good rule of thumb.
• Stick to a consistent color scheme.

The main reason to keep these presentation design tips in mind is to ensure members of the audience can absorb the information on your slides. However, breaking up the content across multiple slides can also help you naturally lengthen a presentation by forcing you to focus on small pieces of information at a time, instead of rushing through your points.

Using video in strategic spots throughout a speech can help you engage an audience, illustrate a complex topic, and provide clear examples that you may not be able to provide merely by speaking about them. Adding videos can also help you extend a presentation’s length.

( Tip:  Consider using  animation  instead of live-action video to illustrate certain ideas. This may be a cost-effective solution when you don’t have the resources to film the necessary footage.)

Make it More Interactive

This is yet another way to add to a presentation’s length and make it more engaging for those in attendance at the same time. Ways to make a presentation more interactive include:

• Skits and role-playing
• Audience member interviews

Delivering an effective presentation that’s long enough to suit your needs and enjoyable enough to please an audience is often much easier when you remember that the audience doesn’t need to be passive. On the contrary, it’s often very smart to make the audience members active participants.

How to Make a Presentation Longer: When a Few Minutes Aren’t Enough

Again, you may have no shortage of reasons to feel a presentation you need to give isn’t long enough just yet. Luckily, as the examples here show, there is also no shortage of ways to make a presentation longer. Best of all, the ideas here can help you add additional value to the content, instead of lengthening a speech for no its own sake.

Powtoon Offers the Right Presentation Maker for Your Needs

Adding to the length of a presentation isn’t enough to impress an audience if the presentation’s quality leaves much to be desired. You need to use the right presentation maker to ensure the visual elements enhance the word you speak to an audience.

Powtoon offers exactly that. This easy-to-use video maker tool also allows users to create the types of dynamic presentations that can’t be made with PowerPoint. Whether you’re delivering an online presentation or a traditional in-person speech, it will unlock your creativity. Learn more about what Powtoon can do for you by  signing up  today!

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Keep Your Presentation Short – Your Audience will Thank You

Marcus Tullius Cicero is often quoted as having said:  “Brevity is a great charm of eloquence.”

The Roman statesman, lawyer, and scholar knew what he was talking about. Widely regarded as a great orator, he realized that long, rambling speeches will extend beyond the attention span of his listeners.

More than 2000 years have passed since then and attention spans have become shorter than ever. We are bombarded with so many diverse messages coming at us from different directions, it is difficult to stay focused. We have become impatient and want information now. Get to the point…and do it fast.

How to Keep Your Presentation Short

Focus on key points.

Focus only on the key points you want to make with your talk. To do that, you need to clearly understand your audience : what do they already know and what do they want to learn from you.

Have the Guts to Cut

Ask yourself: “What can I cut from from my presentation?” There may be words, sentences, and segments that do not add any value. Cut them out. If it isn’t absolutely necessary to support the key point(s) of your presentation, it simply shouldn’t be said.

Follow the “Rule of Three”

People cannot keep more than three or four pieces of information in their short term memory easily. If you want to cover more key points, find ways to chunk up your information to fit into one of three distinct blocks of info. By doing so, you will end up with a more focused presentation that tends to also become shorter.

I have never met an audience that blamed a speaker for being concise and brief. I have met many audience members, however, who have complained about a speaker stretching their presentation beyond a reasonable length. If you start to deliver your information in a focused fashion, your presentations will become more memorable and more effective. I promise!

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How can you make a good presentation even more effective?

This page draws on published advice from expert presenters around the world, which will help to take your presentations from merely ‘good’ to ‘great’.

By bringing together advice from a wide range of people, the aim is to cover a whole range of areas.

Whether you are an experienced presenter, or just starting out, there should be ideas here to help you to improve.

1. Show your Passion and Connect with your Audience

It’s hard to be relaxed and be yourself when you’re nervous.

But time and again, the great presenters say that the most important thing is to connect with your audience, and the best way to do that is to let your passion for the subject shine through.

Be honest with the audience about what is important to you and why it matters.

Be enthusiastic and honest, and the audience will respond.

2. Focus on your Audience’s Needs

Your presentation needs to be built around what your audience is going to get out of the presentation.

As you prepare the presentation, you always need to bear in mind what the audience needs and wants to know, not what you can tell them.

While you’re giving the presentation, you also need to remain focused on your audience’s response, and react to that.

You need to make it easy for your audience to understand and respond.

3. Keep it Simple: Concentrate on your Core Message

When planning your presentation, you should always keep in mind the question:

What is the key message (or three key points) for my audience to take away?

You should be able to communicate that key message very briefly.

Some experts recommend a 30-second ‘elevator summary’, others that you can write it on the back of a business card, or say it in no more than 15 words.

Whichever rule you choose, the important thing is to keep your core message focused and brief.

And if what you are planning to say doesn’t contribute to that core message, don’t say it.

4. Smile and Make Eye Contact with your Audience

This sounds very easy, but a surprisingly large number of presenters fail to do it.

If you smile and make eye contact, you are building rapport , which helps the audience to connect with you and your subject. It also helps you to feel less nervous, because you are talking to individuals, not to a great mass of unknown people.

To help you with this, make sure that you don’t turn down all the lights so that only the slide screen is visible. Your audience needs to see you as well as your slides.

5. Start Strongly

The beginning of your presentation is crucial. You need to grab your audience’s attention and hold it.

They will give you a few minutes’ grace in which to entertain them, before they start to switch off if you’re dull. So don’t waste that on explaining who you are. Start by entertaining them.

Try a story (see tip 7 below), or an attention-grabbing (but useful) image on a slide.

6. Remember the 10-20-30 Rule for Slideshows

This is a tip from Guy Kawasaki of Apple. He suggests that slideshows should:

• Contain no more than 10 slides;
• Last no more than 20 minutes; and
• Use a font size of no less than 30 point.

This last is particularly important as it stops you trying to put too much information on any one slide. This whole approach avoids the dreaded ‘Death by PowerPoint’.

As a general rule, slides should be the sideshow to you, the presenter. A good set of slides should be no use without the presenter, and they should definitely contain less, rather than more, information, expressed simply.

If you need to provide more information, create a bespoke handout and give it out after your presentation.

7. Tell Stories

Human beings are programmed to respond to stories.

Stories help us to pay attention, and also to remember things. If you can use stories in your presentation, your audience is more likely to engage and to remember your points afterwards. It is a good idea to start with a story, but there is a wider point too: you need your presentation to act like a story.

Think about what story you are trying to tell your audience, and create your presentation to tell it.

Finding The Story Behind Your Presentation

To effectively tell a story, focus on using at least one of the two most basic storytelling mechanics in your presentation:

Focusing On Characters – People have stories; things, data, and objects do not. So ask yourself “who” is directly involved in your topic that you can use as the focal point of your story.

For example, instead of talking about cars (your company’s products), you could focus on specific characters like:

• The drivers the car is intended for – people looking for speed and adventure
• The engineers who went out of their way to design the most cost-effective car imaginable

A Changing Dynamic – A story needs something to change along the way. So ask yourself “What is not as it should be?” and answer with what you are going to do about it (or what you did about it).

For example…

• Did hazardous road conditions inspire you to build a rugged, all-terrain jeep that any family could afford?
• Did a complicated and confusing food labelling system lead you to establish a colour-coded nutritional index so that anybody could easily understand it?

To see 15 more actionable storytelling tips, see Nuts & Bolts Speed Training’s post on Storytelling Tips .

8. Use your Voice Effectively

The spoken word is actually a pretty inefficient means of communication, because it uses only one of your audience’s five senses. That’s why presenters tend to use visual aids, too. But you can help to make the spoken word better by using your voice effectively.

Varying the speed at which you talk, and emphasising changes in pitch and tone all help to make your voice more interesting and hold your audience’s attention.

For more about this, see our page on Effective Speaking .

9. Use your Body Too

It has been estimated that more than three quarters of communication is non-verbal.

That means that as well as your tone of voice, your body language is crucial to getting your message across. Make sure that you are giving the right messages: body language to avoid includes crossed arms, hands held behind your back or in your pockets, and pacing the stage.

Make your gestures open and confident, and move naturally around the stage, and among the audience too, if possible.

10. Relax, Breathe and Enjoy

If you find presenting difficult, it can be hard to be calm and relaxed about doing it.

One option is to start by concentrating on your breathing. Slow it down, and make sure that you’re breathing fully. Make sure that you continue to pause for breath occasionally during your presentation too.

For more ideas, see our page on Coping with Presentation Nerves .

If you can bring yourself to relax, you will almost certainly present better. If you can actually start to enjoy yourself, your audience will respond to that, and engage better. Your presentations will improve exponentially, and so will your confidence. It’s well worth a try.

Improve your Presentation Skills

Follow our guide to boost your presentation skills learning about preparation, delivery, questions and all other aspects of giving effective presentations.

Start with: What is a Presentation?

Continue to: How to Give a Speech Self Presentation

See also: Five Ways You Can Do Visual Marketing on a Budget Can Presentation Science Improve Your Presentation? Typography – It’s All About the Message in Your Slides

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• About Adverse Childhood Experiences
• Risk and Protective Factors
• Program: Essentials for Childhood: Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences through Data to Action
• Adverse childhood experiences can have long-term impacts on health, opportunity and well-being.
• Adverse childhood experiences are common and some groups experience them more than others.

What are adverse childhood experiences?

Adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (0-17 years). Examples include: 1

• Experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect.
• Witnessing violence in the home or community.
• Having a family member attempt or die by suicide.

Also included are aspects of the child’s environment that can undermine their sense of safety, stability, and bonding. Examples can include growing up in a household with: 1

• Substance use problems.
• Mental health problems.
• Instability due to parental separation.
• Instability due to household members being in jail or prison.

The examples above are not a complete list of adverse experiences. Many other traumatic experiences could impact health and well-being. This can include not having enough food to eat, experiencing homelessness or unstable housing, or experiencing discrimination. 2 3 4 5 6

Quick facts and stats

ACEs are common. About 64% of adults in the United States reported they had experienced at least one type of ACE before age 18. Nearly one in six (17.3%) adults reported they had experienced four or more types of ACEs. 7

Preventing ACEs could potentially reduce many health conditions. Estimates show up to 1.9 million heart disease cases and 21 million depression cases potentially could have been avoided by preventing ACEs. 1

Some people are at greater risk of experiencing one or more ACEs than others. While all children are at risk of ACEs, numerous studies show inequities in such experiences. These inequalities are linked to the historical, social, and economic environments in which some families live. 5 6 ACEs were highest among females, non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native adults, and adults who are unemployed or unable to work. 7

ACEs are costly. ACEs-related health consequences cost an estimated economic burden of $748 billion annually in Bermuda, Canada, and the United States. 8

ACEs can have lasting effects on health and well-being in childhood and life opportunities well into adulthood. 9 Life opportunities include things like education and job potential. These experiences can increase the risks of injury, sexually transmitted infections, and involvement in sex trafficking. They can also increase risks for maternal and child health problems including teen pregnancy, pregnancy complications, and fetal death. Also included are a range of chronic diseases and leading causes of death, such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and suicide. 1 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

ACEs and associated social determinants of health, such as living in under-resourced or racially segregated neighborhoods, can cause toxic stress. Toxic stress, or extended or prolonged stress, from ACEs can negatively affect children’s brain development, immune systems, and stress-response systems. These changes can affect children’s attention, decision-making, and learning. 18

Children growing up with toxic stress may have difficulty forming healthy and stable relationships. They may also have unstable work histories as adults and struggle with finances, jobs, and depression throughout life. 18 These effects can also be passed on to their own children. 19 20 21 Some children may face further exposure to toxic stress from historical and ongoing traumas. These historical and ongoing traumas refer to experiences of racial discrimination or the impacts of poverty resulting from limited educational and economic opportunities. 1 6

Adverse childhood experiences can be prevented. Certain factors may increase or decrease the risk of experiencing adverse childhood experiences.

Preventing adverse childhood experiences requires understanding and addressing the factors that put people at risk for or protect them from violence.

Creating safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments for all children can prevent ACEs and help all children reach their full potential. We all have a role to play.

• Merrick MT, Ford DC, Ports KA, et al. Vital Signs: Estimated Proportion of Adult Health Problems Attributable to Adverse Childhood Experiences and Implications for Prevention — 25 States, 2015–2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2019;68:999-1005. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6844e1 .
• Cain KS, Meyer SC, Cummer E, Patel KK, Casacchia NJ, Montez K, Palakshappa D, Brown CL. Association of Food Insecurity with Mental Health Outcomes in Parents and Children. Science Direct. 2022; 22:7; 1105-1114. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2022.04.010 .
• Smith-Grant J, Kilmer G, Brener N, Robin L, Underwood M. Risk Behaviors and Experiences Among Youth Experiencing Homelessness—Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 23 U.S. States and 11 Local School Districts. Journal of Community Health. 2022; 47: 324-333.
• Experiencing discrimination: Early Childhood Adversity, Toxic Stress, and the Impacts of Racism on the Foundations of Health | Annual Review of Public Health https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-090419-101940 .
• Sedlak A, Mettenburg J, Basena M, et al. Fourth national incidence study of child abuse and neglect (NIS-4): Report to Congress. Executive Summary. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health an Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.; 2010.
• Font S, Maguire-Jack K. Pathways from childhood abuse and other adversities to adult health risks: The role of adult socioeconomic conditions. Child Abuse Negl. 2016;51:390-399.
• Swedo EA, Aslam MV, Dahlberg LL, et al. Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences Among U.S. Adults — Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2011–2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023;72:707–715. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7226a2 .
• Bellis, MA, et al. Life Course Health Consequences and Associated Annual Costs of Adverse Childhood Experiences Across Europe and North America: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Lancet Public Health 2019.
• Adverse Childhood Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Associations with Poor Mental Health and Suicidal Behaviors Among High School Students — Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey, United States, January–June 2021 | MMWR
• Hillis SD, Anda RF, Dube SR, Felitti VJ, Marchbanks PA, Marks JS. The association between adverse childhood experiences and adolescent pregnancy, long-term psychosocial consequences, and fetal death. Pediatrics. 2004 Feb;113(2):320-7.
• Miller ES, Fleming O, Ekpe EE, Grobman WA, Heard-Garris N. Association Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes. Obstetrics & Gynecology . 2021;138(5):770-776. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000004570 .
• Sulaiman S, Premji SS, Tavangar F, et al. Total Adverse Childhood Experiences and Preterm Birth: A Systematic Review. Matern Child Health J . 2021;25(10):1581-1594. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-021-03176-6 .
• Ciciolla L, Shreffler KM, Tiemeyer S. Maternal Childhood Adversity as a Risk for Perinatal Complications and NICU Hospitalization. Journal of Pediatric Psychology . 2021;46(7):801-813. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsab027 .
• Mersky JP, Lee CP. Adverse childhood experiences and poor birth outcomes in a diverse, low-income sample. BMC pregnancy and childbirth. 2019;19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-019-2560-8 .
• Reid JA, Baglivio MT, Piquero AR, Greenwald MA, Epps N. No youth left behind to human trafficking: Exploring profiles of risk. American journal of orthopsychiatry. 2019;89(6):704.
• Diamond-Welch B, Kosloski AE. Adverse childhood experiences and propensity to participate in the commercialized sex market. Child Abuse & Neglect. 2020 Jun 1;104:104468.
• Shonkoff, J. P., Garner, A. S., Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health, Committee on Early Childhood, Adoption, and Dependent Care, & Section on Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (2012). The lifelong effects of early childhood adversity and toxic stress. Pediatrics, 129(1), e232–e246. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2011-2663
• Narayan AJ, Kalstabakken AW, Labella MH, Nerenberg LS, Monn AR, Masten AS. Intergenerational continuity of adverse childhood experiences in homeless families: unpacking exposure to maltreatment versus family dysfunction. Am J Orthopsych. 2017;87(1):3. https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000133 .
• Schofield TJ, Donnellan MB, Merrick MT, Ports KA, Klevens J, Leeb R. Intergenerational continuity in adverse childhood experiences and rural community environments. Am J Public Health. 2018;108(9):1148-1152. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2018.304598 .
• Schofield TJ, Lee RD, Merrick MT. Safe, stable, nurturing relationships as a moderator of intergenerational continuity of child maltreatment: a meta-analysis. J Adolesc Health. 2013;53(4 Suppl):S32-38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.05.004 .

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

ACEs can have a tremendous impact on lifelong health and opportunity. CDC works to understand ACEs and prevent them.

Biden Reaches 200-Judge Mark as Time Wanes to Fill Circuit Seats

By Tiana Headley

The Senate confirmed Joe Biden’s 200th judicial nominee, putting Biden slightly ahead of his predecessor’s record at this point in their respective presidencies but still behind the Republican’s pace on appointments to the Supreme Court and appeals courts.

Biden reached the milestone Wednesday with the confirmation of Angela Martinez, a US magistrate judge, to Arizona’s US trial court bench.

Martinez’s confirmation comes as Biden continues to remake the racial, gender and professional makeup of the federal courts. Of the president’s total appointees, 64% are women and 62% are people of color, the White House said in a statement .

Democrats and the heads of progressive groups trumpeted the milestone at a press conference Wednesday outside of the Capitol.

“The bench for too long didn’t look like America, it only looked like a portion of America. Now, we’re expanding to realize that all of America should be on the bench with federal judges that have such power,” Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said.

Biden’s appointments include 155 judges to district courts, 42 to circuit courts, and one Supreme Court justice.

Former President Donald Trump had appointed 196 judges by this point in his presidency, including 141 district judges. But he also had 51 appellate judges and two of his three Supreme Court justices in the books.

Circuit Courts

Trump’s 54 total circuit and three Supreme Court appointees is a record that experts who study judicial nominations say will be tough for Biden to match.

Trump inherited a larger backlog of court vacancies after Republican blockades on Barack Obama’s judicial nominations. And the decision by Senate Democrats in 2013 to reduce the threshold to advance lower court nominees from 60 votes to a simple majority further facilitated the Republican pace on confirmations.

Senate Democrats have moved trial court nominees quicker under Biden compared to other presidencies, due to the 2019 Senate Republican decision to accelerate the confirmation process on the floor. That involved cutting the maximum time between a successful vote on cloture, the procedural step needed to end debate on a nominee, and the start of a confirmation vote from 30 hours to two. This excluded Supreme Court and circuit court picks.

Biden has seven current and future circuit court vacancies he can fill. However, the nomination of Adeel Mangi to the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit’s current New Jersey vacancy remains stalled in the Senate chamber narrowly controlled by Democrats. Several Senate Democrats have said they have concerns about Mangi, who would be the first Muslim to serve on a federal appeals court.

Of the six future circuit vacancies, half have pending nominees. Most of the vacancies are contingent on a successor being appointed.

Russell Wheeler, a Brookings Institution fellow who researches judicial nominations, said it will be hard for Biden to equal Trump’s 54 circuit confirmations by the end of his first term in January.

“I don’t see how,” Wheeler said.

He noted the lengthy timeline to process current and future potential nominees to the seven vacancies available. He also cast doubt on whether enough additional vacancies will appear in time for Biden to act.

Some progressives also have called for Justice Sonia Sotomayor to step down to give Biden a chance to appoint his second justice while Democrats hold the White House and Senate.

Sotomayor raised eyebrows in January when she told an audience at the University of California, Berkeley Law that she’s “tired” and working harder than she expected at almost 70. She’s also been candid about living with Type 1 diabetes.

To contact the reporter on this story: Tiana Headley at [email protected]

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Seth Stern at [email protected] ; John Crawley at [email protected]

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The Best Short Sleeve Button Down Shirts, According To Style Experts

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For times a t-shirt is too casual and a polo shirt is too sporty, you’ll want to reach for a short sleeve button down: They’re the perfect dress up, dress down hybrid, with seemingly endless versatility. The best short sleeve button down shirts for men offer a great fit, quality fabrics and finishes, and exceptional style.

The best men's short sleeve button downs offer flattering fits, they have quality detailing and they ... [+] keep you cool when temperatures rise.

We reached out to men’s fashion experts for their take on the best options right now. Think less nerd with a pocket protector or 1950s astronaut, more nonchalant guy with a distinctly cool style aesthetic. Our pick for best short sleeve shirt overall is the Bonobos Riviera Short Sleeve Shirt for its variety of fits and prints. Below, our curated suggestions, with insight from fashion editors and style professionals.

The Best Summer Dresses To Ride Out A Heat Wave In Style

The best tennis skirts, tested on the courts by our writer, editor’s picks.

• Best Short Sleeve Button Down Overall: Bonobos Riviera Short Sleeve Shirt
• Best Affordable Short Sleeve Button Down: Madewell Easy Short Sleeve Shirt
• Best Athletic-Fit Short Sleeve Button Down: Lululemon Airing Easy Short Sleeve Shirt
• Best Stylish Short Sleeve Button Down: Todd Snyder Made In L.A. Montauk Tipped Full Placket Polo
• Best Short Sleeve Button Down For Work: Buck Mason Draped Twill Short Sleeve One Pocket Shirt
• Best Casual Short Sleeve Button Down: Ralph Lauren Classic Fit Oxford Shirt
• Best Wrinkle-Proof Short Sleeve Button Down: Faherty Movement Button Down
• Most Comfortable Short Sleeve Button Down: Billy Reid Tuscumbia Linen

Best Short Sleeve Button Down Overall

Prints, solids and textured fabrics—all in flawless fits, bonobos riviera short sleeve shirt.

Sizes : XS to XXL | Colors: 37 total | Materials: Varies (this shirt comes in 100% cotton, 100% linen and a cotton/elastane blend)

• What’s notable: Reviewers praise the fit and unique patterns.
• What could be better: Some say the fabrics can be quite wrinkly after washing and may require ironing.

Bonobos’ short sleeve button down combines a few key characteristics: it looks crisp and pulled together, comes in rich colors and unique prints and is made from breathable materials to keep you cool when it’s sweltering outside. The Riviera can be ordered in tailored, slim and standard fits and short, regular and long lengths, so it’s about as customized as you can get.

What the expert says: “Bonobos makes great men’s short sleeve button down shirts in gorgeous prints and color options that really pop,” says George Brescia , style expert and author of Change Your Clothes, Change Your Life . “They’re easy to style, too—guys can wear a print shirt with nice jeans or shorts and they don’t have to overthink it. Some are more surf-inspired while others are classic linens.”

Best Affordable Short Sleeve Button Down

Textured fabric in a relaxed fit, madewell easy short sleeve shirt.

Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 6 total | Materials: 60% cotton, 40% polyester

• What’s notable: The slightly oversized fit gives a laidback feel, and this shirt is machine washable.
• What could be better: Some may find the relaxed fit too roomy through the torso.

Madewell makes great classic shirts with modern details, all at reasonable prices.This short sleeve button down is polished without being stuffy: Stripes add visual detailing, and you can easily pair the look with solid shorts or chinos. The nubby texture of this button down is another unique detail.

What the expert says: “I love the unexpected stripes and the camp collar—which means the collar is made to not have the top two buttons buttoned and it almost spreads out like a lapel,” says Nashville-based fashion stylist Bentley Caldwell . “Camp collars are a lot more relaxed and look great in summertime. This shirt is also good quality for the price.” 

Best Athletic Fit Short Sleeve Button Down

Performance fabric that breathes, lululemon airing easy short-sleeve shirt.

Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 10 total | Materials: 53% recycled polyester, 43% elastomultiester, 4% elastane

• What’s notable: The stretchy fabric has give, so it’s comfortable if you have a muscular chest and arms.
• What could be better: The classic fit has room in the chest, but some may prefer this shirt to be more tapered at the waist.

Cut from the brand’s WovenAir fabric, this classic fit style is breathable, sweat wicking and quick drying to help you stay cool on high humidity days. It also has four-way stretch and an underarm gusset so you can move freely, whether you’re playing Pro Kadima on the beach or flipping burgers.

What the expert says: “This is a great shirt for outdoor summer events and pool parties because it’s extremely breathable,” says Caldwell. “It looks nice buttoned or open with a tank top underneath. If you get caught in a summer rainstorm, you’ll dry off quickly and this shirt will still look good.”

Best Stylish Short Sleeve Button Down

Modified button down that can be worn lots of ways.

Todd Snyder

Todd Snyder Made in L.A. Montauk Tipped Full Placket Polo

Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 9 total | Materials: 100% cotton

• What’s notable: You’ll get lots of style points for this shirt. One reviewer calls it a “subtle attention getter.”
• What could be better: Some say the material of this shirt is on the thin side, and the quality control can be iffy.

Todd Snyder’s take on a short sleeve button down is a bestseller for its fabric and unique detailing. Cut from super soft combed cotton, it has a smooth hand feel, great breathability and stretch for comfort. Vintage-inspired white tipping at the placket makes this shirt special, and it’s reactive garment-dyed, which means the rich colors won’t fade or look uneven over time.

What the expert says: “This shirt is incredibly versatile,” says Caldwell. “You can wear a lightweight blazer on top of it, or it can be worn over a tank or with shorts for a beachy look, or it can be buttoned up with chinos. White detailing also gives it a cool retro vibe.”

Best Short Sleeve Button Down For Work

Neutral colors and a relaxed drape, buck mason draped twill short sleeve one pocket shirt.

Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 8 total | Materials: 60% cotton, 40% rayon

• What’s notable: Simple and classic detailing will make this shirt a closet staple that can be paired with pretty much anything.
• What could be better: It comes in solids only, so if you want a bold pattern you’ll have to look elsewhere.

If you’d got broad shoulders but want something that tapers to the waist, this shirt from American men’s fashion retailer Buck Mason is for you. It has a modern, slim-through-the-body fit, a mid-length hem that works both tucked in or loose and a slightly flowy drape that feels more relaxed than a starched cotton. Shell buttons and a simple chest pocket complete the understated vibe.

What the expert says: “This is a great shirt for the guy who doesn’t want bright patterns and colors and prefers more muted, natural tones like slate, sand and navy,” says Caldwell. “The twill fabric of this classic button is light but sturdy, and it lays well on the body.”

Best Casual Short Sleeve Button Down

Oxford shirting in a forgiving cut.

Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren Classic Fit Oxford Shirt

Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 3 total | Materials: 100% cotton

• What’s notable: This a stylish preppy option for any elevated summer situation.
• What could be better: It only comes in a few colors, and some wish it had a pocket.

Ralph Lauren’s shirt is cut with a slightly roomier fit through the body and sleeve, and a split back yoke with a box pleat so you can move easily in this pick. In traditional Oxford style, it has a button-down collar, and the 30-inch length, albeit slightly long, looks sharp even when untucked. It’s machine washable, too, although it will likely require a quick ironing.

What the expert says: “This shirt is classic all-American prep,” says Caldwell. “The thickness of the oxford cloth weight can keep you slightly warmer on cool summer nights even though it’s a short sleeve shirt.” 

Best Wrinkle-Proof Short Sleeve Button Down

Crease-resistant in easy-to-wear prints, faherty movement button down.

Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 9 total | Materials: 55% Supima ® cotton, 25% recycled nylon, 16% lyocell, 4% elastane

• What’s notable: This shirt comes in two lengths for a flattering fit, especially if you want to wear it untucked. The muted, discreet prints are also easy to style.
• What could be better: Some feel it can be too wide through the torso.

When stylish comfort is a priority, reach for this relaxed fit Faherty shirt. It’s cut from super soft Supima cotton that’s airy and lightweight, and it has a good amount of stretch so you can move freely throughout the day. Even better, this low maintenance style is wrinkle resistant so it’s not a hassle to care for.

What the expert says: “This shirt feels legitimately cooler when you’re wearing it—it’s both stylish and you won’t feel as if you're overheating,” says Caldwell. “It has a tech feel but doesn't look cheap or have a weird sheen. It also is made from Supima cotton so it's high quality.”

Most Comfortable Short Sleeve Button Down

Breathable summer wardrobe staple, billy reid tuscumbia linen.

Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 5 total | Materials: 100% linen

• What’s notable: This shirt represents subtle luxury—meaning, you’ll look stylish but not like you tried too hard.
• What could be better: It’s on the expensive side.

If you’re the type of guy who feels most comfortable in a t-shirt, this Billy Reid shirt is an effortless way to transition into something dressier. While it doesn’t have stretch from elastane, its breathability is next level. It’s made from garment-dyed linen that gives off a lived-in, tastefully rumpled feel, but it comes with an elevated construction: It has a notch pocket with double needle stitching, a box pleated body and mother of pearl buttons.

What the expert says: “This shirt is super lightweight and breathable, and it has a toss-on-and-go kind of vibe,” says Caldwell. “It’s not super fitted but it’s still streamlined enough to look pulled together. It’s made from quality linen and comes in fun colors, too.”

Best Seersucker Short Sleeve Button Down

Stylish and crisp on sweltering summer days, j.crew short sleeve yarn dyed seersucker shirt.

Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 2 total | Materials: 100% organic cotton

• What’s notable: It comes in classic, slim and tall fits so you can find which best suits your body type.
• What could be better: It would be nice if there were more color options.

Seersucker is notorious for handling heat and humidity well, and J.Crew’s take comes in a classic, slim or tall fit. The alternating smooth and textured stripes give the fabric a puckered appearance, which is traditionally associated with a lighthearted, preppy feel. Choose from blue and white or tonal white with a chest patch pocket.

What the expert says: “This is one of my favorite shirts to wear in summertime,” says Caldwell. “Many people gravitate toward linen, but seersucker isn't as fussy as linen. It stands out, it’s different and it has a clean look.”

Best Patterned Short Sleeve Button Down

Bold prints that stand out, all saints camp collar button up.

Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 2 total (although All Saints has lots of patterned Short sleeve button downs) | Materials: 100% cotton

• What’s notable: The 28-inch length is a flattering length for leaving this style untucked.
• What could be better: You have to hand wash this shirt, and it’s pricey.

British retailer All Saints’ shirts are often marked by large-scale whimsical patterns and prints. This layered check pattern is a more toned-down version than some, making it more accessible to guys dipping their toe into bold button downs. This slim fit style is fitted through the chest and arms, and it has a convertible camp collar and chest patch pocket and it’s made from a lightweight cotton to keep you looking, and feeling, cool.

What the expert says: “All Saints has so many crazy patterns so if you want to be the center of attention, this is a good look,” says Caldwell. “A short sleeve button down like this still looks good even if you're sweating—it’s great for dancing, or for an outdoor festival or concert.” 

Other Top Picks To Consider

Stretchy summer casual, chubbies the resort wear friday shirt.

This brand’s playful prints and summery florals make them ideal for pool parties and beach barbecues from Memorial Day to Labor Day. This cotton spandex blend is lightweight and stretchy and the fit is roomy through the torso with a curved hem, so it looks just right untucked.

Classic Look With Unique Details

Huckberry flint and tinder short sleeve western shirt.

For a ranch-inspired look, try this style constructed from an airy cotton linen blend. It has front and back yokes, double check pockets with cow bone button snaps and either a subtle geometric print or vertical stripe. It’s available from XS to 3XL.

Cool And Comfortable

Taylor Stitch

Taylor Stitch The Short Sleeve California

Taylor Stitch’s abbreviated sleeve style comes in a tailored fit and is cut to a shorter length that looks ideal untucked. It also features a buttonless collar and chest pocket, and it comes in ten unique colors, patterns and fabrics, including cotton and hemp.   

Extreme Softness And Stretch

Vuori short sleeve bridge button down.

If you’re looking for a performance fabric button down that’s both soft and stretchy, Vuori’s take is pulled together, yet functional. Reviewers like that it can be dressed up or down, but some say they wish it was more roomy through the chest.

Easy Care Fabric That Looks Sharp

Rhone commuter short sleeve button down.

Rhone’s Commuter Pant has achieved cult status, and this short sleeve Commuter Shirt is another winner that’s work-appropriate but also stretchy and comfortable. The fabric is machine washable, wrinkle-resistant and anti-odor so it won’t hold on to smells when temperatures rise.

Relaxed Summer Prints

Todd snyder amalfi coast short sleeve camp collar shirt.

The prints of this shirt are admittedly…a lot, but in the best possible way. This Todd Snyder style’s summer-friendly prints—in addition to its modern fit and artfully drapey fabric made from 100% Tencel—will make it a summer wardrobe go-to.

Stylish Details That Stand Out

Everlane the relaxed linen short sleeve shirt.

The chest flap pockets on this style make it unique, and its linen construction means it’s a breathable option when humidity rises. Reviewers say it has a just-right fit through the body that’s neither too snug or too boxy.

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

We have extensive expertise covering men’s fashion, often focusing on topics such as workwear, footwear, bags and accessories. Some highlights include most comfortable men’s dress shoes and best linen shirts for men . We painstakingly research brands, styles and trends, paying close attention to quality, style, fit and the opinions of experts. We frequently interview fashion stylists, personal shoppers and fabric scientists as part of our reporting. The author for this story, Forbes Vetted contributor Molly Calhoun, has covered lifestyle topics for twenty years and has written about everything from the best polo shirts for men to the best jeans for men . While she historically has not appreciated the short sleeve button down look on men, this story has officially made her a convert. Forbes deputy editor Kari Molvar—a seasoned fashion editor who has written or edited stories on just about every facet of men’s fashion—edited this piece.

How We Chose The Best Short Sleeve Shirts

We began by researching short sleeve options from quality menswear brands as well as brands that excel at summer fashion offerings. We narrowed selections down by evaluating each style for fit, fabric, color and print variety, noteworthy fashion details and size availability. We considered independent reviews to get a full picture of how these styles fit different body types. Additionally, we consulted two men’s fashion experts for their recommendations as well: Nashville-based stylist Bentley Caldwell , and George Brescia , style expert and author of Change Your Clothes, Change Your Life .

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