SimBuild Storytelling
Technical presentations can be awfully dry and difficult to follow for audiences with mixed backgrounds. This may be due to nervousness, insufficient preparation time, or that we’ve never been taught how to give an engaging presentation (particularly when the content is highly technical) to an audience that includes individuals outside our field. Understanding the power of storytelling, and how to apply it to your next presentation, can help ensure that your message is clearly delivered. In this small session, we will dive deep into storytelling techniques that will make any presentation relatable and interesting. We will practice these techniques in small groups (with real time feedback) and you will walk away with tangible ways to apply storytelling to your next technical presentation. Start up the campfire and let’s gather round for SimBuild Storytelling.
The agenda includes time to introduce everyone at a table, a short presentation on the elements of storytelling, and then time to practice storytelling using general prompts and applying it to a technical topic.
Denver, Colorado
Animated Abstract
Agenda
5-10 min: Introduction to session, organize everybody into tables.
5 min: Short presentation on elements of storytelling.
5 min: Everyone around the table introduces themselves (name, affiliation, one thing they are looking forward to at SimBuild 2024).
15 min: Practice telling stories using prompts at each table. The moderator (and other participants) will offer real time feedback on the stories.
5 min: Switch up the groups! Everyone around the table introduces themselves (name, affiliation, one thing they are looking forward to at SimBuild 2024).
15 min: Everyone around the table introduces a topic/presentation title that they have/will give; as a small group, brainstorm ways to incorporate storytelling into a topic amongst the participants.
5 min: Session wrap up.
Story Prompts:
- Using the elements of Setup, Conflict, Hurdles, Ah ha, and Morale of the Story…
- Describe a time when something went wrong on a trip
- Describe a time when you were lost in an unfamiliar city
- Describe the best meal you’ve ever had
- What was your best (or worst) vacation?
- What is your biggest accomplishment (or failure)?
- Describe your trip to Denver
