how to memorise an essay in a day

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How to Memorize an Essay

Last Updated: January 24, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD . Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 123,531 times.

Memorizing an essay is a great way to ace tests, rock presentations, and increase your overall knowledge. If you want to memorize an essay word for word, take things slowly by studying short parts one at a time. Memorization techniques such as visualization and physical cues can help you recall this information on demand. Of course, sometimes you don’t need to memorize things exactly. You may find it more useful to memorize the main ideas or important quotes instead.

Learning Each Part of the Essay

• Use a partner to test you on what you've memorized. If you miss a word or forget a line, they can prompt you by telling you the next word or two.
• You might also want to arrange to practice in front of an audience of a few people. This will help to add some pressure, which may be beneficial to you later.

• For example, you might study it for 15 minutes and take a 10-minute break before studying for another 15 minutes.
• Try writing out the essay once or twice. This can improve your memory. [7] X Research source
• Avoid cramming the night before. Memorizing something in 1 session is not the most effective way to learn it. Repetition in small chunks will help more than cramming the essay all in 1 long session.

Recalling Information

• For example, the first part of the essay might be about tiger conservation, so you might visualize tigers as you go through this part. The second part may be about their habitat, so you might think about a jungle.

• For example, if the main parts of the essay are about family, cooperation, and communication, you might imagine a photograph (family), a table (cooperation), and a telephone (communication).
• When you need to recall the essay, imagine yourself walking from the photograph to the table and then to the telephone in the proper order.

• Pacing can help improve recall. Some people even find doing a simple dance to be useful as they try to memorize the essay.

• Practice hand gestures with your speech. Put certain gestures at specific spots in the essay.
• If you are allowed to use flashcards, you might write the basic outline on a series of cards. Glance down at these as you go along.
• You might ask a friend in the audience to give a signal if you are forgetting a line.

Remembering the Main Ideas of an Essay

• When you need to remember the essay, you can redraw the chart to help you remember all the different pieces you need to recall.
• You can also draw images in your chart or sketch out the main events of the essay in comic form.
• ↑ https://www.stevenaitchison.co.uk/how-to-memorise-an-entire-essay-or-speech/
• ↑ https://www.improvememory.org/blog/how-to-improve-memory/memorization-techniques/how-to-retain-information/
• ↑ https://www.bw.edu/Assets/conservatory/wellness/memorization-tips.pdf
• ↑ https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/7-easy-monologue-memorization-tips/
• ↑ https://www.themuse.com/advice/4-ways-to-memorize-a-speechwithout-sounding-like-a-nervous-robot
• ↑ https://effectiviology.com/external-memory-cues/
• ↑ https://collegeinfogeek.com/flash-card-study-tips/
• ↑ https://zapier.com/blog/best-book-note-taking-system/

Community Q&A

• Sleep and a healthy diet can improve your memory overall. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• If you need to present the essay, try practicing in front of family and friends. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Record yourself reading the essay out loud and listen to it repeatedly Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Cramming the essay the night before may not help you remember the entire essay. It is better to start early. Thanks Helpful 16 Not Helpful 4

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About This Article

Memorizing your essay can be a great way to nail your test without having to think about it on the day of. Try to learn small chunks, like a paragraph or a few sentences, at a time since they'll be easier to remember. You can also try reading your essay out loud to remember it faster. If you find memorizing the whole essay too difficult, break it down and memorize only the main points. Then, you’ll be able to write your essay around them on the day of your test. If you need to remember quotes, try writing them on flashcards and memorizing them one at a time. For more tips from our Teaching co-author, including how to visualize your essay in a memory palace to help you remember it, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to memorise essays and long responses

Lauren Condon

Marketing Specialist at Atomi

When it comes to memorising essays or long responses for your exams, there are three big things to consider.

• Should you even try to memorise an essay?
• Do you know how to adapt your memorised response to the exam question?
• How on earth are you meant to memorise a 1,200 word essay??

It’s a lot to weigh up but we can help you out here. If you want an answer to the first question, here’s one we prepared earlier. But wait, there’s more! If you’re super keen to read more about question #2, then go ahead and click here .

And for that third point on how to actually memorise a long essay? Well, all you have to do is keep reading...

1. Break it down

Your essay/long response/creative writing piece could be anywhere between 800 and 1,200 words long. Yeah… that’s a lot. So when it comes to memorising the whole thing, it’s a lot easier to break the answer down into logical chunks and work on memorising it bit by bit.

So if you want to memorise your Discovery Essay, you might have something like this:

• Introduction
• Theme 1 with the assigned text
• Theme 1 with the related text
• Theme 2 with the assigned text
• Theme 2 with the related text

You’re going to want to memorise the paragraphs and pay attention to the structure then you can piece it all together in the exam. Having a killer structure makes it a lot easier to remember the overall bones of this situation and if you’re finding this effective, you can even break those body paragraphs down further like topic sentence > example > explanation > connection to thesis.

2. Use memory tricks

Now, there are lots of different strategies and approaches when it comes to memorising a long piece of writing. Moving in sections, you can try reading it out loud over again (slowly looking at the paper less and less) or the classic look-cover-write-check approach. If you’re really struggling, make some of your own flashcards that have the first sentence on one side and the next sentence on the back so you can test your progress.

You could also enlist the help of some creative mnemonics (memory tricks) to remind you which sentence or section needs to come next. Pick one keyword from each sentence in the paragraph and turn them into a silly sentence to help you remember the structure of the paragraph and to make sure you don’t forget one of your awesome points.

3. Play to your strengths

Not all of us are super geniuses that can just read an essay and then memorise the entire thing but we’re all going to have our own strengths. There’s going to be something whether it’s art, music, writing, performance or sport that just ‘clicks’ in your brain and this is what you want to capitalise on. So for me, I was really into debating and public speaking (hold back the jokes please) and was used to giving speeches and remembering them. So whenever I wanted to memorise a long response, I would write out the essay onto palm cards and then practice it out loud like a speech. Did it annoy my family? Yes. Was I too embarrassed to tell people my strategy? Yes. Did it work? Absolutely. 💯

Whatever your strengths are, find a way to connect them to your essay and come up with a creative way of learning your long response that will be much easier and more effective for you!

4. Start early

So you know how there’s that whole long-term/short-term memory divide? Yeah well that’s going to be pretty relevant when it comes to memorising. You’re going to have a much better chance of remembering your long response if you start early and practice it often, instead of trying to cram it in the night before… sorry.

The good news is, you still have a couple of months before the HSC so try to get your prepared response written, get good feedback from your teachers and then make it perfect so it’s ready to go for the HSC. Then, the next step is to start memorising the essay now and test yourself on it fairly regularly all the way up to your exams. This way, you have plenty of time to really lock it deep into your memory.

5. Test yourself

The final and maybe even most important step is to test yourself. And not with flashcards or the look-cover-check-repeat anymore. Once you’ve got the essay memorised pretty well, you want to spend the weeks coming up to HSC doing past questions so you can practice

• Having the essay memorised
• Being able to recall it under pressure
• Adapting it to any question so that all your hard work will actually pay off

For this to work, you really need to commit 100% to exam conditions (no cheating!) and it’s definitely worth sending those responses to your teacher to get them marked. That way, you will actually know if you’re doing a good job of remembering the core of your argument but also tailoring it perfectly to the question.

Any subject with essays or long responses can be super daunting so if you want to have a pre-written, adaptable response ready to go then it’s worth making sure you can actually memorise it for your exam. Remember to break down the essay into sections, play to your memory strengths and make sure you consistently test yourself all the way up to HSC. That should do the trick. 👌

Published on

July 28, 2017

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How to Memorise an Entire Essay or Speech

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How to memorise a complete essay or speech

Christmas and New year is over and for some there looms the prospect of mid  term exams. A lot of these exams will be closed book exams. A closed  book exam tests your knowledge and memory of a subject. One of the ways  in which some students prepare is to actively learn the subject areas and also  look at past questions and anticipate a question which might come up. At  the moment my wife is studying for exams in which she is actively learning  her subjects and also she has written 3 x 500 word essays on the three areas  of study.

Together we have come up with a system which means that she can memorise a  500 word essay in 1 day and 3 x 500 word essays in 3 days. Together with  actively learning the subject she is confident that she has prepared well.

In this article I will show you the system we came up with to memorise 1500 words verbatim. Sound hard? It is actually quite easy and is a system I used when at university studying for my psychology degree for 2 x 1000 word essays.

This method can also be used for memorising any kind of written work or speech.

Before you begin

Before you begin this it is important to actually believe that you can memorise  a complete essay or speech whether it be 500 words or 2000 words. When  I first suggested using this method to my wife she said that she would never  be able to memorise an essay word for word.

Once she got over this and started telling herself that she could do it we started.

Active learning

First off, this method of memorising an essay should not be substituted for  actively learning a subject. Active learning is when you read, not skim,  the subject area and take note of the key points. Cross reading is also  very good for active learning. This is when you read books on the subjects  by different authors. Some authors are not good at getting information across  so cross reading is an excellent way learning.

The method for memorising an essay or speech.

You will need to write out the essay or speech first. Treat this part  of the process as if you were writing an essay to hand in for marking by your  lecturer. In other words make sure it is worthy of memorising.

When you have written the essay make sure it is grammatically correct as you will be memorising every comma and full stop.

When you are sure you have a good essay or speech print it off and mark down  the left margin the number of paragraphs e.g. if you have 6 paragraphs write  at the side of each paragraph the numbers 1 "“ 6. In the right hand  margin write the number of sentences in each paragraph. This is the first  part of the memorisation process.

A quiet place to study

Now, make sure you have quiet space to be able to read, walk and vocalise  your essay. When you are sure you will not be interrupted you can start.

With your printed essay start walking and reading out loud the essay or speech. When  you have read it out loud a few times go back to the first sentence and read  it out loud. Then read it again and again until you have memorised it. When  you are confident you have memorised it word for word go on to the next sentence. When  you have memorised the second sentence, whilst walking vocalise the first two  sentences without looking at your printed essay. If you are okay  with this go on to do the same with your 3rd sentence and so on until you have  memorised your first full paragraph. This can take anywhere between 15 "“ 45  depending on motivation, alertness, quietness etc.

The reason I ask you to walk is to keep your blood flowing whilst memorising. If  you are sitting down you might nod off, by walking it will prevent you from  nodding off. I find walking up and down an excellent way to concentrate  on reading.

Keep reading, and vocalising your essay or speech until you have memorised  it completely. When you are confident of having memorised it. Vocalise  it without looking at your printed sheet. If you get it right, do it  again, and if you get it right a second time reward yourself with a cup of  tea or coffee or whatever is your want and leave it for a few hours.

When a few hours have passed go back to the essay, read it out loud whilst  walking and looking at the printed sheet and then try to memorise it again.

Once you are confident that you have memorised it completely, at the bottom  of the page write down the first few words of each sentence of your essay,  separated by a comma, and number each line for each paragraph. When you  have done that put in the number of sentences at the end of the list and bracket  it.

For example if I was writing out the first few words of this article for the  first 3 paragraphs it would look like this;

• Christmas and New year, A lot of, A closed book, One of the, At the moment (5)
• Together we have, Together with actively (2)
• In this article, sound hard? (2)

Now what you should do is only look at the list at the bottom of the paper  and read out from that whilst walking. This way you are only looking  at the first few words and finishing the sentence without looking at it. If  you get stuck just go back to the main essay and look at it, until you have  got it completely.

Now memorise the bottom of the sheet of paper with the first few words of  the essay and how many sentences are in each paragraph. This should only  take 10-15 minutes at the most.

This sounds a very convoluted way of memorising an essay but it is a lot easier  than it reads here.

Time taken to memorise

You should be able to memorise a full 500 word essay in about  3 hours, for your first time, using the above method. When you are practiced  you should be able to memorise a 500 word essay in about 60 "“ 90 minutes.

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Steven Aitchison is the author of The Belief Principle and an online trainer teaching personal development and online business.  He is also the creator of this blog which has been running since August 2006.

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Example of a Great Essay | Explanations, Tips & Tricks

Published on February 9, 2015 by Shane Bryson . Revised on July 23, 2023 by Shona McCombes.

This example guides you through the structure of an essay. It shows how to build an effective introduction , focused paragraphs , clear transitions between ideas, and a strong conclusion .

Each paragraph addresses a single central point, introduced by a topic sentence , and each point is directly related to the thesis statement .

As you read, hover over the highlighted parts to learn what they do and why they work.

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Table of contents

Other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about writing an essay, an appeal to the senses: the development of the braille system in nineteenth-century france.

The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness. This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people’s social and cultural lives.

Lack of access to reading and writing put blind people at a serious disadvantage in nineteenth-century society. Text was one of the primary methods through which people engaged with culture, communicated with others, and accessed information; without a well-developed reading system that did not rely on sight, blind people were excluded from social participation (Weygand, 2009). While disabled people in general suffered from discrimination, blindness was widely viewed as the worst disability, and it was commonly believed that blind people were incapable of pursuing a profession or improving themselves through culture (Weygand, 2009). This demonstrates the importance of reading and writing to social status at the time: without access to text, it was considered impossible to fully participate in society. Blind people were excluded from the sighted world, but also entirely dependent on sighted people for information and education.

In France, debates about how to deal with disability led to the adoption of different strategies over time. While people with temporary difficulties were able to access public welfare, the most common response to people with long-term disabilities, such as hearing or vision loss, was to group them together in institutions (Tombs, 1996). At first, a joint institute for the blind and deaf was created, and although the partnership was motivated more by financial considerations than by the well-being of the residents, the institute aimed to help people develop skills valuable to society (Weygand, 2009). Eventually blind institutions were separated from deaf institutions, and the focus shifted towards education of the blind, as was the case for the Royal Institute for Blind Youth, which Louis Braille attended (Jimenez et al, 2009). The growing acknowledgement of the uniqueness of different disabilities led to more targeted education strategies, fostering an environment in which the benefits of a specifically blind education could be more widely recognized.

Several different systems of tactile reading can be seen as forerunners to the method Louis Braille developed, but these systems were all developed based on the sighted system. The Royal Institute for Blind Youth in Paris taught the students to read embossed roman letters, a method created by the school’s founder, Valentin Hauy (Jimenez et al., 2009). Reading this way proved to be a rather arduous task, as the letters were difficult to distinguish by touch. The embossed letter method was based on the reading system of sighted people, with minimal adaptation for those with vision loss. As a result, this method did not gain significant success among blind students.

Louis Braille was bound to be influenced by his school’s founder, but the most influential pre-Braille tactile reading system was Charles Barbier’s night writing. A soldier in Napoleon’s army, Barbier developed a system in 1819 that used 12 dots with a five line musical staff (Kersten, 1997). His intention was to develop a system that would allow the military to communicate at night without the need for light (Herron, 2009). The code developed by Barbier was phonetic (Jimenez et al., 2009); in other words, the code was designed for sighted people and was based on the sounds of words, not on an actual alphabet. Barbier discovered that variants of raised dots within a square were the easiest method of reading by touch (Jimenez et al., 2009). This system proved effective for the transmission of short messages between military personnel, but the symbols were too large for the fingertip, greatly reducing the speed at which a message could be read (Herron, 2009). For this reason, it was unsuitable for daily use and was not widely adopted in the blind community.

Nevertheless, Barbier’s military dot system was more efficient than Hauy’s embossed letters, and it provided the framework within which Louis Braille developed his method. Barbier’s system, with its dashes and dots, could form over 4000 combinations (Jimenez et al., 2009). Compared to the 26 letters of the Latin alphabet, this was an absurdly high number. Braille kept the raised dot form, but developed a more manageable system that would reflect the sighted alphabet. He replaced Barbier’s dashes and dots with just six dots in a rectangular configuration (Jimenez et al., 2009). The result was that the blind population in France had a tactile reading system using dots (like Barbier’s) that was based on the structure of the sighted alphabet (like Hauy’s); crucially, this system was the first developed specifically for the purposes of the blind.

While the Braille system gained immediate popularity with the blind students at the Institute in Paris, it had to gain acceptance among the sighted before its adoption throughout France. This support was necessary because sighted teachers and leaders had ultimate control over the propagation of Braille resources. Many of the teachers at the Royal Institute for Blind Youth resisted learning Braille’s system because they found the tactile method of reading difficult to learn (Bullock & Galst, 2009). This resistance was symptomatic of the prevalent attitude that the blind population had to adapt to the sighted world rather than develop their own tools and methods. Over time, however, with the increasing impetus to make social contribution possible for all, teachers began to appreciate the usefulness of Braille’s system (Bullock & Galst, 2009), realizing that access to reading could help improve the productivity and integration of people with vision loss. It took approximately 30 years, but the French government eventually approved the Braille system, and it was established throughout the country (Bullock & Galst, 2009).

Although Blind people remained marginalized throughout the nineteenth century, the Braille system granted them growing opportunities for social participation. Most obviously, Braille allowed people with vision loss to read the same alphabet used by sighted people (Bullock & Galst, 2009), allowing them to participate in certain cultural experiences previously unavailable to them. Written works, such as books and poetry, had previously been inaccessible to the blind population without the aid of a reader, limiting their autonomy. As books began to be distributed in Braille, this barrier was reduced, enabling people with vision loss to access information autonomously. The closing of the gap between the abilities of blind and the sighted contributed to a gradual shift in blind people’s status, lessening the cultural perception of the blind as essentially different and facilitating greater social integration.

The Braille system also had important cultural effects beyond the sphere of written culture. Its invention later led to the development of a music notation system for the blind, although Louis Braille did not develop this system himself (Jimenez, et al., 2009). This development helped remove a cultural obstacle that had been introduced by the popularization of written musical notation in the early 1500s. While music had previously been an arena in which the blind could participate on equal footing, the transition from memory-based performance to notation-based performance meant that blind musicians were no longer able to compete with sighted musicians (Kersten, 1997). As a result, a tactile musical notation system became necessary for professional equality between blind and sighted musicians (Kersten, 1997).

Braille paved the way for dramatic cultural changes in the way blind people were treated and the opportunities available to them. Louis Braille’s innovation was to reimagine existing reading systems from a blind perspective, and the success of this invention required sighted teachers to adapt to their students’ reality instead of the other way around. In this sense, Braille helped drive broader social changes in the status of blindness. New accessibility tools provide practical advantages to those who need them, but they can also change the perspectives and attitudes of those who do not.

Bullock, J. D., & Galst, J. M. (2009). The Story of Louis Braille. Archives of Ophthalmology , 127(11), 1532. https://​doi.org/10.1001/​archophthalmol.2009.286.

Herron, M. (2009, May 6). Blind visionary. Retrieved from https://​eandt.theiet.org/​content/​articles/2009/05/​blind-visionary/.

Jiménez, J., Olea, J., Torres, J., Alonso, I., Harder, D., & Fischer, K. (2009). Biography of Louis Braille and Invention of the Braille Alphabet. Survey of Ophthalmology , 54(1), 142–149. https://​doi.org/10.1016/​j.survophthal.2008.10.006.

Kersten, F.G. (1997). The history and development of Braille music methodology. The Bulletin of Historical Research in Music Education , 18(2). Retrieved from https://​www.jstor.org/​stable/40214926.

Mellor, C.M. (2006). Louis Braille: A touch of genius . Boston: National Braille Press.

Tombs, R. (1996). France: 1814-1914 . London: Pearson Education Ltd.

Weygand, Z. (2009). The blind in French society from the Middle Ages to the century of Louis Braille . Stanford: Stanford University Press.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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An essay is a focused piece of writing that explains, argues, describes, or narrates.

In high school, you may have to write many different types of essays to develop your writing skills.

Academic essays at college level are usually argumentative : you develop a clear thesis about your topic and make a case for your position using evidence, analysis and interpretation.

The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:

• An opening hook to catch the reader’s attention.
• Relevant background information that the reader needs to know.
• A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.

The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

A topic sentence is a sentence that expresses the main point of a paragraph . Everything else in the paragraph should relate to the topic sentence.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .

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Bryson, S. (2023, July 23). Example of a Great Essay | Explanations, Tips & Tricks. Scribbr. Retrieved April 2, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/example-essay-structure/

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How to Write an Essay in 1 Day

H ave you ever written an essay in 25 minutes? You have if you have ever sat for the SAT. While the stakes may be higher for a last-minute academic essay, the point is this: do not panic! Instead, read this six-step guide to writing an essay in a day:

1. Understand your goals

Whether you are writing a personal statement for a college or graduate school application, or an essay for a high school or college class, your assignment will have specific goals. Before you begin to write, review these goals. Clearly understanding your objective is essential when working with a shortened timeline.

2. Choose a topic

Under normal circumstances, you might devote several days to brainstorming a promising topic, and then you might write a detailed outline before writing and revising your essay over a week or two. When you are on a tight schedule, this is not possible.

So—write down the first three or four ideas that occur to you. If you cannot think of an appropriate topic, ask a parent or a friend to review the assignment with you. Do not spend more than 10 or 15 minutes on this part of your essay, as the execution ultimately matters more than the idea itself.

In addition, do not stress yourself about selecting the “perfect” topic. Without a topic, you will have no essay to turn in, and any essay is better than no essay. (It naturally follows that any topic is also better than no topic at all.)

3. Set deadlines

Establishing deadlines for a one-day essay is key. Budget 5-10 minutes for brainstorming, 15-20 minutes for creating an outline, and several hours for writing. You can also set aside an hour for feedback and review, and another hour for any necessary revisions. You should also allow for an hour-long break to recharge your mind. Finally, plan to submit your essay several hours before the deadline. A schedule with some flexibility will allow you to adapt to any unforeseen complications.

4. Arrange for reviewers in advance

Whenever possible, arrange for reviewers (such as your parents or friends) first thing in the morning, and let them know when they can expect a draft. When your deadline is in several days or weeks, you have the luxury of finding reviewers after you have finished your draft. With a shorter deadline, you will not have this ability. Be clear on the short turnaround time to ensure as smooth a review period as possible.

5. Outline your essay

There are many resources that can advise you on how to write a wonderful essay, but the purpose of this article is to shape that advice to the demands of a very short timeline. This includes resisting the urge to abandon the outline. Having an outline is even more important for a one-day essay than for a week-long project with a similar word count. A strong outline will keep your essay focused and organized from the start—which is critical when time constraints will limit your rewrites.

Your outline should not be detailed, and it should take no more than 15 or 20 minutes to complete. Determine your hook (see below for more information), and then jot down the threads that connect this moment to your central argument or idea.

6. Stay organized

When you are under pressure, your tendency may be to start writing and to see where your essay goes. Try instead to use a brief anecdote or emotional impact statement (i.e. the “hook” in your opening paragraph) to set the stakes for your essay. This is essentially your opportunity to state why your argument or idea is worth your reader’s attention.

Finally, remember that “perfect is the enemy of good.” Manage your expectations. Your goal should be to write a good essay, not a perfect one. If you have a compelling hook and a well-organized flow of ideas, check your writing for errors, and then send it in.

Brian Witte is a professional SAT tutor with Varsity Tutors , a live learning platform that connects students with personalized instruction to accelerate academic achievement. He earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Washington and holds a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University

More from Varsity Tutors:

• 7 Last-Minute Exam Tips for Students
• 6 Tips for Surviving Finals Week
• 3 Reasons to Register for SAT Writing Test

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How to memorise your Essays

• Thread starter springkse
• Start date Jan 4, 2012

Firstly you need to have a clear mind, - you can meditate or pray Its going to take some time to memorise a 1000 word essay, in my case 1200. So be ready to not go out and procrastinate but stay in a unfamiliar room(in my case in my older sister's room when she went overseas) and on a chair and your back straight up and put your essay hard copy and slant in on an angle so you can read without holding it or just hold it with your hands if you become ceebs. Ok first of all read out loud, don't memorise the essay fully in one go but by paragraph by paragraph and sentence by sentence until you memorised all of your essay Then finalise it by reading out loud 2 paragraphs together 3, 4... so on Then its basically memories, read it out LOUD , helps you memorise better, scientifically proven. Took me atleast 3-4 hours for 1 essay sometimes 2 BTW don't try memorising in the library, too many distractions, be by yourself, study by yourself, be a loner... don't get a girl friend, don't think of a girl that you had a crush on for 2 years lol ok well thats what i did 2011 HSC'er 90/100 for english adv  

This works btw  

Different methods work for different people  

slyhunter said: Different methods work for different people Click to expand...

True but I found out that this is the most effective way, for me and some others.  

Active Member

I just rewrite my essays a few times...I find writing something out and recitation works best for me.  

What I did was: 1. Write the first line. 2. Go back and write it again, then write the second line. 3. Go back and start from the start til you finish your third line. 4. Repeat this until you finish your first paragrapgh. 5. Go to the next paragraph and repeat steps 1-4 My tutor told me to do this and it works. I still remember my essay even when I did the English exam 2-3 months ago. I ended up getting 85 (but 88 HSC mark) despite the fact that I was 35/64 in ranking (which is basically band 4 level)...  

Basically - coloured highlighters. (If you're lucky enough to have a visual memory.) Also, make sure you're actually writing your own essays... if you're casually plagiarising bits and pieces from everywhere, it'll be a lot harder to recall in the exam.  

Well-Known Member

Basically for me: 1. Highlight key words, ideas and evidence from the essay. 2. Say the introduction to self. 3. Recall and repeat what you stated before. 4. Do this for body paragraphs, repeat step 2 and 3. 5. Try writing the intro down until you memorized it all, and then paragraph 1, 2, 3 etc.  

mike12345678

hey guuys, what essays did you actually write? could someone please give me a break down on the esays they wrote for each module please? thanx  

I feel that memorizing essays is a bad way to approach any exam. You never know what the question is going to ask, so route learning is a really bad habit to get into. You can save a lot of time and effort by just memorizing concepts and ideas and applying them to the examination question. The time you spend learning to memorize can easily be applied to learning how to communicate your ideas in an efficient manner.  

For those who don't like the idea of memorizing ideas, think about it this way. Many people are simply not capable of producing a response that is 800 words with very good quality and speed. Besides, those who are able to think on their feet properly and write with speed are the ones who can win, which is unfair for those who don't possess those abilities. For many people, if they want to do well, they have to memorize their essay (not word for word), tailor it to the question and keep linking to the question wherever they can do so. I'm not talented at English at all, but I was smart on what I memorized. I memorized my module C and belonging essays, got me 15/20 and 14/15 respectively. The ones I wrote up on scratch were module A and module B, got me 15 and 11.5/20 respectively (module B was shitty this year, and I had to write off scratch anyway). So what I'm saying is that for many people, memorizing essays is perhaps the only way to go if they want to reach at least 17/20. The bare minimum into doing well in English is memorizing: quotes, techniques. Understanding the analysis is important too, and shaping it to the question is the main factor.  

4025808 said: For those who don't like the idea of memorizing ideas, think about it this way. Many people are simply not capable of producing a response that is 800 words with very good quality and speed. Besides, those who are able to think on their feet properly and write with speed are the ones who can win, which is unfair for those who don't possess those abilities. For many people, if they want to do well, they have to memorize their essay (not word for word), tailor it to the question and keep linking to the question wherever they can do so. I'm not talented at English at all, but I was smart on what I memorized. I memorized my module C and belonging essays, got me 15/20 and 14/15 respectively. The ones I wrote up on scratch were module A and module B, got me 15 and 11.5/20 respectively (module B was shitty this year, and I had to write off scratch anyway). So what I'm saying is that for many people, memorizing essays is perhaps the only way to go if they want to reach at least 17/20. The bare minimum into doing well in English is memorizing: quotes, techniques. Understanding the analysis is important too, and shaping it to the question is the main factor. Click to expand...

SanjoyM said: For example, Module B this year!! There was an unexpected twist in the question. Click to expand...

aphorae said: +1. I find it hard to think up amazingly worded phrases on the spot (I tend to ramble if I'm making it up) and since I'm a perfectionist, I'd waste time mulling over the best adjective to use or something P: Instead I tend to prepare longer essays so I can cut out whatever would be completely irrelevant, and make sure the ideas are general enough to actually change them to suit the question... + memorise quotes in case I did need to make it up. Just for the record, I got 98 in the HSC for English Adv. P: Click to expand...

Urgent help required! How would you memorise a ~1100 word essay in an hour? Thanks  

seventhroot

Mrmellow said: Urgent help required! How would you memorise a ~1100 word essay in an hour? Thanks Click to expand...

Retired '16

seventhroot said: say gg Click to expand...

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Re: how to memorise essays in less than a day

Theaspiringdoc.

What I do to memorise essays is to read it out first, then look away from the paper and recall what you just read. Do this a few times until you’ve remembered most of it. If you want do it paragraph by paragraph and then rewrite the paragraph without looking at your paper. Then read the 2nd paragraph, recite it and write the 1st and 2nd paragraph from memory and so on. This is just something that works for me!

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Hi there, i have an essay to write in class this thursday (8th March) and i've just finished writing it. II have the memory of a goldfish, so I find it really hard to memorise essays. I need some tips as to how to memorise an essay in less than 2 days.. Any tips are appreciated, Thanks

• Rewriting the text. This helps (especially handwriting) as you have to go over words repeatedly. Consciously make an attempt to read each word, like you're talking to yourself in your head.
• Recording your own voice reading it back to you and listening to this, or getting a friend to do a favour and read it to you. Even if you find your voice annoying, you get used to it after a while. It's a really good way to memorise because you can be doing other things while phrases are being dumped into your brain.

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Okay, maybe this is just specific to me, but it seriously helped especially during prelims. I was having tests every day and for my English Extension I had 1 night to remember both my narrative and essay and I did word-by-word. All i would do is print out a copy, get and empty notebook and write. I would start with my bodies as they were most vital, then I would copy it down while reading it. This really helps. Then i would flip it over and see how much i could write before forgot what I needed, so would flip it over, read it, and cover it until I needed it again. Then do the same with you other paragraphs. After that I would go back to the first and try to do the whole essay still doing the read and cover thing I had going on, I think I did that twice and at this point you can see a massive improvement in how much you remember. Keep writing it and writing it.  I would really try and stick the first sentence of every paragraph as this will jog your memory, I always found if I couldn't remember the first sentence I couldn't remember anything. Its very tedious but it seriously sticks.

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good presentations topics

120 presentation topic ideas help you hook your audience.

Updated: January 15, 2024

Published: August 09, 2023

Cooking is easy. The puzzle is figuring out what to eat. As soon as you know that, you can get started. The same holds for presentations. The sooner you can whip up a good, informative, and catchy topic, the easier the rest of the process becomes.

Pick a good topic that resonates with you and your audience to set a strong foundation. But select the wrong topic, and it becomes difficult to connect with your audience, find mutual interests, or hold their attention.

So, let’s learn how to develop thought-provoking and relevant topics for your presentations. You’ll also find some best practices to make your presentation memorable.

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Table of Contents

How to choose a great presentation topic in 5 steps.

120 presentation topic ideas, 5 presentation tips.

We’ve broken down the painstakingly long process of choosing a topic into five simple and easy steps. Let’s walk through it.

Step 1: Begin with the end in mind.

Identify the goal of your presentation by asking yourself:

• What do I hope to achieve from the presentation?
• How do I want to come across?
• What do I want my audience to take away from the presentation?

By keeping the end goal in mind, you’ll know exactly how to title your presentation.

Step 2: Know your audience.

Your audience is the star of the show. Get to know them by figuring out the who, what, and why.

Who is your audience? Profile your audience. Know their demographics, beliefs, knowledge level, and cultural backgrounds.

What are the problems that your audience is facing? Think about their pain points. Consider what they are going through and what situations they face daily. Maybe they’re already looking for a solution, or they need additional information to decide.

Why should they listen to you? Identify one or more clear benefits for your audience they will take home.

Pro tip: Always consider your audience’s knowledge level on the topic before drafting your presentation. For example, a presentation on social media targeted at Gen Z will differ from that targeted at Millennials.

Step 3: Be novel.

Make sure you either select a new topic or bring an entirely new and unique perspective to an already covered issue.

For instance, don’t make a presentation on the “best lead generation strategies.” Your audience has probably heard those dozens of times already. Corny.

Instead, discuss “How companies are using AI technology to implement lead generation strategies without lifting a finger.” Or add your own perspective, “How to seal a 1M deal: Our five best lead generation strategies.” Open a new window and let your audience see a fresh view.

Step 4: Be precise.

Once you have completed the first three steps, you probably have a few topic ideas ready. Now, cut out all the excess and select a niche topic with a very specific goal.

The broader your topic, the more difficult it will be for your audience to take away key ideas and actionable tips. Also, it’d be more difficult to gather an audience.

Discuss one problem and solve that problem only. By the end, your audience should have a clear idea of what they’ve gained from the presentation and what one (several at max) problems you helped solve.

For instance, the first topic in the image is generic, sounds vague, and doesn’t specify any clear benefits.

In turn, the second topic mentions the target audience, tells them what to expect, and provides a clear, actionable plan. The audience knows exactly what they will take away from the presentation.

Step 5: Leverage your expertise.

The most important element that can make or break your presentation is you. The level of expertise you bring in, your interest, knowledge, and comfort with the topic determine the credibility of your presentation.

Pick a topic you’ve got first-hand experience with. Bring in a unique opinion or learnings/findings to add value to your words.

Let the audience view the topic from your perspective. In doing so, you can hook your audience and make your presentation original and memorable.

Also, choose a topic that you’re passionate about. The more enthusiastic you are about the topic, the more value and credibility you’ll bring to the presentation.

The audience will feel it and invigorate. And so will the lack thereof, which can be a big turn-off for your listeners.

Ever noticed how some people talk about sports? Their body language oozes energy and excitement.

Pro tip: Think about what excites you about the topic. Then narrow it down to 2 to 5 driving factors to focus on in your presentation.

Find an extensive list of topic ideas from personal experiences to digital marketing and AI. So, the next time you're planning a presentation, you won’t have to start from scratch.

Presentation Topic Ideas for Personal Experiences

• The failures that made “Me”
• My journey from having a full-time job to freelance work
• How has social media lowered my self-esteem?
• How I turned my weakness into a strength
• 5 ways to avoid procrastination
• Making money during holidays
• My battle with Covid-19
• Coping with anxiety and depression
• Leveraging my special skills
• Working remotely: pros and cons for companies and employees
• What I wanted to be and what I became
• How I rediscovered myself after the tragedy

Presentation Topic Ideas for Controversial Issues

• Future of genetically modified food and preservatives
• Privacy in the age of AI: Ethical issues
• The power of social media in politics
• Freedom of expression or harmful content
• Navigating the line between cultural appropriation and appreciation
• What can we do to prevent climate change?
• Genetic engineering: Ethical concerns vs. benefits
• LGBTQ: Balancing equality and tradition in a changing society
• The ethics of animal testing
• The implications of social media for future generations
• How much screen time is too much?
• Punishment vs. rehabilitation

Presentation Topic Ideas for Current Trends

• Five small efforts to fight climate change
• The emergence of digital assets in your daily life
• What are blockchain and cryptocurrencies?
• The latest fitness trends of 2023
• Life on social media vs. real life: How to keep yourself sane
• Water scarcity and conservation
• Renewable and sustainable energy sources: Are we ready?
• The benefits of mindfulness and meditation practices for new moms
• Understanding and addressing mental health issues in young people
• 12 Techniques for practicing self-care and self-compassion
• Adapting to remote and hybrid work models
• How X marketers grow their personal brands (and their ROIs)

Presentation Topic Ideas for Industry Insights

• How new AI technologies are changing the industry: 5 examples
• Six key trends and industry forecasts for the future
• How to overcome these 10 challenges to succeed?
• Measuring and optimizing organizational marketing efforts using AI
• Using predictive analytics to extract key marketing insights
• 13 strategies to increase customer loyalty and retention
• Improve your online visibility and traffic: 15 tips from LinkedIn gurus
• Seven ways to create engaging video content for your company
• Five ways for businesses to create a strong social media presence
• Which social media channels are best for your brand?
• Is AI revolutionizing the retail industry?
• Digital learning and the future of traditional learning systems

Presentation Topic Ideas for Digital Marketing

• The next big thing in digital marketing unlocked
• The art of storytelling in marketing: 23 businesses that kill it
• Benefits of cross-channel marketing for software development companies
• Voice search and its impact on digital marketing in 2024
• Maximizing ROI for your startup marketing: 3 underestimated tactics
• Changes in consumer behavior: Reasons and implications
• Importance of personalization in digital marketing
• 10 Emerging marketing trends and technologies
• Designing an effective mobile strategy for your business
• Importance of infographics in content marketing: HubSpot’s case study
• Creating effective marketing funnels for health products
• The power of user-generated content for companies

Presentation Topic Ideas for AI

• Six top stories about AI in 2023
• Five weird, but true, facts about AI
• What these three business experts are saying about AI
• Three shocking ways AI can make you a better marketer
• The dark side of AI
• Why has Elon Musk called to pause new AI research?
• Five AI tools every marketer needs
• AI and Big Data: Changing the landscape of modern business
• Which jobs will AI actually replace?
• Why does Bill Gates love AI?
• AI in human resources: Recruiting and talent management
• The Ethics of AI: Balancing business interests and societal impacts

Presentation Topic Ideas for Sales

• Cold calls: Unethical tactics and grey areas
• Sales: Expectations vs. Reality
• Sales prospecting made simpler with AI
• Sales calls: Do’s, Don’ts, and Musts
• Six sales strategies you need to throw out the window
• Five skills every salesperson needs to develop
• Building long-lasting relationships with customers using these three tried and tested methods
• Dealing with rejections: Five ways and one bonus tip
• Patient waiting and seven ways to deal with it
• 13 effective sales strategies for building relationships and closing deals
• Developing effective sales training programs for new employees
• 20 effective sales communication strategies

Presentation Topic Ideas for Time Management

• How to achieve an ideal work-life balance for remote workers
• How much time should you ideally spend networking on LinkedIn?
• How to effectively delegate tasks
• Buy back your time: Ways and benefits
• Six business principles of time management
• How to effectively plan ahead? Three practices you can start today
• 15 ways to improve personal efficiency and productivity
• The five steps of the Pomodoro Technique
• Goal setting and prioritization: For IT start-ups
• Nine best multitasking strategies of insanely successful businessmen
• Time management for busy professionals: Where to start?
• Eight ways to avoid procrastination you can start with tomorrow

Presentation Topic Ideas for IT

• Advantages and risks of adopting cloud software
• Open-source software: seven best practices
• Machine learning: Pros and cons for marketing
• How to create user-friendly interfaces for software and websites
• The role of IT in digital transformation
• The Internet of Things: five opportunities for businesses and consumers
• Six ways to protect your digital assets
• Seven benefits and three risks of moving to the cloud
• How does Big Data work?
• Best strategies to protect organizational data: five tried and tested techniques
• Technology and its impact on society and culture
• Mobile device management: Where to start?

Presentation Topics Ideas for Business

• Optimizing collaborations to save time across all departments
• Eight time management tools and apps for businesses
• 12 common skills of successful businessmen
• 10 tips and techniques for a successful marketing strategy
• Harnessing the power of influencer marketing
• Allocating a marketing budget to maximize ROI in five steps
• Five manufacturing techniques to minimize costs
• Understanding ethical issues in business and marketing
• 10 ways to minimize your company’s carbon footprint
• Three old business models making a comeback
• Seven ways Google developed a strong company culture
• 12 strategies for building a sustainable and responsible business in 2023

The best presentation topics always put their audience first, offer direct solutions, and fill in some knowledge gaps. But there’s more.

Don’t think of your presentation as a mere speech — it’s a ride you’ll take your audience on. There should be highs, lows, and revelations with a bang for an ending.

That being said, use these five tips to ace your presentation.

1. Design a clear layout.

Divvy up your presentation into four parts — introduction, body, conclusion, and follow-up — to construct a clear layout and attractive design . Let’s see what you should add to each.

• Intro: Add a catchy title with a hook. Explain a clear thesis statement or the main idea behind your presentation. Give a preview to your audience by including a table of contents so they know what to expect. The best introductions are creative and original, so let your imagination run wild.
• Body: Explain your topic and make your case. Sort the main idea into 3 to 5 key points. Arrange them in a logical order and make connections. Explain each point and use facts to bolster your claims.
• Conclusion: Make it concise. Summarize the main points and takeaways. Tie all the parts of your presentation together. And it’s best to end your presentation with a catchy line to inspire vivid discussions.
• Follow-up: Always leave some time for Q&A to dispel any doubts or to give any additional information the audience may require.

2. Use visual aids.

Use creative and attractive visual aids to stimulate emotions, simplify complex topics, and keep your audience captivated. Moreover, imagery helps your audience retain information longer.

Study shows that up to 60% of your audience is likely to remember visual content after three days. In turn, only 10% lives in memory when receiving information exclusively verbally.

So, include visuals like images, infographics, gifs, charts, and videos at the right time. Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.

Explore more on the topic: Learn how neuromarketing can improve the visual flair of your products and boost sales.

3. Make it informative, clear, and relevant.

You know your presentation has valuable information for your audience, but does your audience know that? Explicitly communicate actionable takeaways and benefits they will gain from it.

Select the best method to get the message across to your audience. Use relevant stories and examples to help you explain. People love stories; they move your audience while getting the message across. Most importantly, do it in a fun way.

Here are several tricks on how to do that:

• Have a great opening and closing line.
• Add facts and statistics to back up your information.
• Use emotionally triggering words to stimulate your audience and keep them attentive.
• Add humor and anecdotes to keep boredom away.
• Include intriguing and relevant examples to connect strongly with your audience.
• Use a vibrant color palette that’s easy on the eyes.
• Use slides more like a billboard. Make them easy to read and comprehend.
• Use less text, more visuals, and a limited number of bullet points.

Watch “The secret structure of great talks” by Nancy Duarte, an expert in presentation design and principal of Duarte Design.

4. Choose an appropriate presentation style.

There are many ways to present a topic. Your personality, the topic at hand, and your audience’s personas will help you determine which style would best fit you and your audience.

Select a presentation style that will communicate the main idea clearly and have a lasting impact on your audience.

For instance, explore a freeform style presenter by Sir Ken Robinson.

5. Engage with your audience.

Work on your presentation skills to make a strong connection with your audience, get through to them and leave a mark.

Think of the presenter as the link between the topic and the audience. A strong or a weak presenter can make a difference between a presentation being a thriving success or a boring failure.

Hone your skills by engaging and interacting with your audience. Make them feel like a part of the presentation and not just spectators. 70% of marketers have found presentations with interactive content to be more effective than those without.

Here are a few ways you can make your presentation interactive:

• Start your speech with uncommon questions to your audience. Involve them from the get-go, like ask to raise their hands if X.
• Make eye contact to build credibility and show confidence. Don’t stare at your slides or notes. Smile occasionally and talk to the audience directly.
• Have an active and confident body language. Don’t stand in the same place the entire time. Move around the stage.
• Don’t be monotonous. Speak as you would to a colleague — with enthusiasm.
• Ask close-ended questions in between to keep the audience engaged without losing time. Address them using their names to keep things interesting.
• Share personal experiences and stories that your audience will find fascinating and relatable.
• Practice thoroughly before you present so you’re fluent with the material and delivery.
• Energy and excitement can be quite contagious. Make sure you exude enough to spread some to your audience.

Feeling Inspired Yet?

Now you have all the right ingredients for choosing amazing topics and a hundred ideas to drive inspiration from. So, go ahead and start cooking presentations that will blow your audience away.

Don’t forget to choose a super-relevant topic and add meaty information. Do it with excitement to make it enjoyable for you and your audience. Best of luck!

Don't forget to share this post!

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Marketing software that helps you drive revenue, save time and resources, and measure and optimize your investments — all on one easy-to-use platform

350+ Presentation Topics That Will Appeal to Any Audience

I like building and growing simple yet powerful products for the world and the worldwide web.

Published Date : December 4, 2020

Reading Time :

A presentation can be nerve-wracking, may it be for first-timers or pros, as you must turn a critical issue into a dynamic, persuasive, and informative one. Before you enhance your oratory skills and overcome your fear of public speaking , you must brainstorm excellent, fun topics for your presentation.

When doing a presentation, you cannot start a thing without coming up with a presentation topic . It is harder to find the best subject than prepare the lecture, as you need to be specific about the topic you want to present.

Besides oratory skills and PowerPoint mastery, you need to have informative and fun topics for presentations that can influence the audience. Watch this and get more ideas about informative topics:

One of the best ways to nail a presentation is to choose the best presentation topics that fit your expertise and target audience.

How to Choose a Good Topic

Choosing the best one out of informative presentation topics can be daunting and confusing if you want to create an informative speech or lecture. Here are some considerations that you must know.

• Purpose. Deciding your goal determines what your audience will bring after your talk, especially for persuasive presentation topics. Here is a video on various topics about persuasion:

• Audience. Consider your audience’s demographic profiles and common ground when choosing presentation topics and connect them with their interests, beliefs, and social and cultural backgrounds.
• Interests. Determine what presentation topic ideas you are most passionate about and what you know the most. Interesting topics for presentation give a head start upon your research phase, ensuring a well-received discussion for the audience. Get useful guides on how to keep your audience interested in this video:

• Credibility. To convince your audience about the pieces of information that you will discuss, choosing a credible and well-backed lecture is another plus.
• Conciseness . From 12 seconds in 2000, humans’ average attention span decreased to eight seconds in 2017. Thus, being concise is another essential factor in choosing presentation topics, as having a wordy title can confuse or intimidate your potential audience.

Tips on Turning a Boring Topic into an Engaging Presentation

You might have been feeling dejected as you had to prepare for a talk with no fun topics for presentation. It is hard to turn psychology discussions into engaging ones, knowing that this field has jargon and cases that can make your lecture dull.

However, instead of blaming your subject for being boring, avoid being dull instead. Here are some tips on turning a boring topic into an interactive one.

What are the Good Topics to Present in a Speech?

Now that you have skimmed through the tips and ways to choose fun topics for a presentation, making a speech on time needs a good presentation topic. Out of random presentation topics, here are some prominent ones that might give you some ideas.

Interesting Presentation Topics

• Ancient Greek Heroes Modern Interpretation
• Antidepressants and Their Effects on the Human Brain
• How Bad Nutrition Affects a Person’s Appearance
• Traces of Romanticism in Well-known English Literature
• Influences of Music on Mental Health
• How Religion and Politics Blend Within a State
• Most Famous and Nerve-wracking Novels, Books, and Plays
• How Traditional Herbs Get Approved
• Effects of Being a Polyglot
• Being Productive During Pandemic

Good Presentation Topics

• Disney Films’ Most Famous Actresses
• How Media Affects Gender Stereotypes Portrayal
• How Beauty Contests Affects Women’s Self-esteem
• Differences Between Religion and Cult
• Gambling Effects on Human’s Mental Health
• Most Authoritative Politicians and Political Parties
• Ways to Improve the Health Systems
• Preparation and Prevention Against Natural Disasters
• Ways to Alleviate Insomnia
• How to Build Good Relationships Between Children and Pets

5-Minute Presentation Topics

• Best Apps to Improve Academic Performance
• Airport First-timers: Step-by-step Instructions
• Easy-to-make Breakfast Recipes
• How to Avoid Procrastination
• Making Money During Holidays
• How Social Media Lowers Self-esteem
• Working Remotely: Pros and Cons
• Best Online Business and Professions
• Why Trust Your Intuition
• Reasons to Learn Foreign Languages

Fun Topics for Presentation

• How Rock ‘n Roll Started
• Rare and Expensive Coffee Types
• Best Self-development Books for Teens
• Choosing a Specialty in College
• Secrets of a Healthy Relationship
• Benefits of Art Therapy
• How do Journalists and Bloggers Differ From Each Other?
• The Origin of Languages
• Evolution of Artificial Intelligence
• Makeup Life Hacks and Tips

Safety Presentation Topics

• Common Mistakes in General Safety
• Dealing with Ergonomic and Workplace Stress
• Coronavirus Precautionary Measures
• How to Deal with Violence
• Fire and Electrical Safety
• Reportage, Prevention, and Liabilities in Workplace Accidents
• Safety Precautions Against Heat Exhaustion
• Common Workplace Injuries
• Communication Issues and Safety
• Emergency Response Efficiency

Easy Presentation Topics

• Adverse Effects of GMOs on Health and Life
• Effective Ways to Improve Old People’s Health System
• Most Iconic Censorship on Social Media
• Most Prominent Female Political Leaders of All Time
• How to Avoid Being Late
• Globalization and Its Effects on World Population
• Smiling Therapy Positive Effects on Mental Health
• Advancement of 3D Printing and Its Benefits
• How Music Helps in Learning New Languages
• Dealing with Child Prodigies

Controversial Speech Topics

Controversies are all around us, especially online resources. Finding a controversial topic must fit your passion and knowledge; otherwise, it might negatively impact your discussion.

Controversial Leadership Topics for Presentation

• LGBTQ Rights
• Abortion: Pro-Choice vs. Pro-Life
• Benefits of Multiculturalism in a Society
• Security and Privacy Concerns about Electronic Voting
• Gun Control Laws and Limits
• Journalism Ethics and Corruption
• Euthanasia Vs. Right to Live
• Death Penalty Pros and Cons
• How Mandatory Minimum Penalties Impact Federal Sentencing
• Torture as an Interrogation Tactic
• Electoral College Abolishment
• Is World Peace Possible?
• Same-sex union
• Lowering Criminal Liability Age
• Banning Animal Experimentation
• High Taxation Rates
• Freedom of Speech and Its Restrictions
• Embargo and Censorship: What to be Publicize
• Insanity Plea as an Excuse
• Tobacco Regulation

Controversial Topics for Teenagers

• Hookup Culture and Its Impact on Teens
• Bullying and Cyberbullying
• Banning Pornography in E-libraries
• Causes of Depression and Other Mental Illness in Teens
• Teen Suicide Liability
• Prohibition of Gambling for Teens
• How to Educate Teens About Drugs
• Dealing with Eating Disorders in Teens
• When Should Teens Start to Vote
• How Parents Should Deal with Teens’ Romantic Relationship
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Education
• Health Impacts of Fast Food for Teens
• How Being a Fan Impacts Teens
• Possibility of Living on Mars
• Why Media Literacy Important for Teenagers
• How Teenagers Can Fight Top Environmental Problems
• Dealing with Diversity in School
• Military Recruitment on Campus
• Pros and Cons of School Uniforms and Dress Code
• Plan B Contraception Access for Minors

What are Some Presentation Ideas for School?

For school purposes, you must find informative but fun topics for presentation as students have a lesser attention span than adults. Here are the presentation topics for academic and educational causes.

Science Topics for Presentation

Science presentation topics are among the most in-demand discussions for students and teachers in technical educational institutions. Here are some ideas to help you out.

Physics Topics for Presentation

• Is Physics Based on Theory or Practice
• Why We Need to Study Physics
• Newton’s Third Law as the Universal Formula
• Why Every Student Needs to Learn Physical Formula
• Is Physics Dependent on Math and Science or Vice Versa
• Why Physics Necessary for Knowledge Testing
• How to Deal with Difficulties in Physics Lesson
• Most Important Topics in Physics

Chemistry Topics for Presentation

• Why Alchemists Seeks Philosopher’s Stone
• Chemists Who Are Nobel Prize Awardees
• How Chemical Weapons Become Main Threat for War
• How to Choose Quality Water
• Making a Kid Interested in Chemistry
• Hair Biochemistry and Its Process
• Effects of Lack of Chemical Elements in a Human Body
• Safety Precautions for Chemical Products

Biology Topics for Presentation

• How the Future Lies in Crossroads of Biological Sciences
• How to Avoid Harmful GMO Foods
• Secrets of Centenarians
• Allergic Reactions Caused by Dust
• Can a Person Survive Without Clean Drinking Water
• How Sports and Nutrition Determine Human Health
• Vaccination and Its Effect on Genotype
• Best Houseplants for Air Purification

Geology Topics for Presentation

• Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions as Causes of Dynamic Geology
• Geomorphology: Intersection of Geography and Geology
• Space Geology in the Field of Cosmology and Planetology
• Geological Timeline from Solid Formation to the Holocene Era
• Geological Events Absolute and Relative Age
• Methods and Principles of Geology
• Geodynamics: The Relationship of the Earth’s Core and Crust Processes  
• Microstructural Geology: Micro-Level Rock Deformation

Astronomy Topics for Presentation

• Differences Between Astronomy and Astrology
• The Possibility of Life on Mars
• History and Discovery of the Milky Way Galaxy
• Does Astronomy Only Study Stars?
• Astronomy as a Separate Subject in School
• Reasons Why Fewer Entrants ChoAstronomynomy
• What Happens If the Sun Died?
• Why Our Future Depends on Astronomical Studies

Technological Science Topics for Presentation

• How Technology Improves Living Standards
• Technology and Its Effect on Cancer Treatment
• How Cybercriminals Use Technology
• Benefits and Threats of Artificial Intelligence
• Saving Time on Internet Technology Usage
• Technological Evolution from the Middle Ages to the Present
• Diffusion Rate of Technology in Developing Countries
• Taking a Break from the Internet

Multimedia Science Topics for Presentation

• Multimedia Features and Classification
• Creating a Multimedia Presentation
• Features of Online Multimedia
• Benefits of Multimedia in Business
• Usage of Multimedia in Computer Games
• How to Create Training Courses Using Multimedia
• Becoming a Multimedia Specialist
• Multimedia and Its Relation to Science

Cultural and Social Presentation Topic Ideas

This aspect mostly concerns psychology and sociology students. Here are some fun topics for presentations that you can check out.

• Culture and Traditions of Native Americans
• How History Connects with Culture
• How Cultural Knowledge Increases Chances of Success
• Identifying Emigrants by Cultural Characteristics
• Why Students Need to Learn About Culture
• Importance of Cultural Appreciation
• Pros and Cons of Diversified Culture
• Best Sociology Books for Starters
• Sociology and Its Express Research
• Empirical Research
• Causes of Social Phenomena
• Mathematical Methods in Sociology
• Social Trends Analysis and Development Patterns
• How to Collect Sociological Information
• Becoming a School President
• Why a President Needs Leadership Skills
• Ways to Raise a Child as a Leader
• Is Leadership an Innate Skill or a Result of Experiences?
• Responsibilities of a Leader
• How Family Relationships Affect One’s Leadership Skills
• Winning a Leadership Scholarship
• How Individual Differs from Social Ethics?
• Politics and International Relations Ethical Principles
• Ethical Communication Rules in Social Media
• Business Ethics and Relationships
• Why Learn Etiquette Knowledge
• Ethical Issues on Famous Artworks
• Knowing About Corporate Ethics

What are Some Presentation Ideas for Healthcare?

There are many physical and mental health topics for school and other conferences , but having fun topics for presentations is essential to make your lecture less complicated. Here are some of the presentation topics that might suit your interest.

Psychology Topics for Presentation

• The Need for Psychologists in Kindergarten
• Best Universities for Psychology
• Choosing a Suitable Psychologist
• Outcasts Children: Psychology Victim
• Psychological State and Its Effects on Productivity
• When Do You Need a Psychologist
• Can a Person with a Mental Disorder Become a Psychologist?

Mental Health Topics for Presentation

• Mental Fatigue: Causes of Failure
• Impacts of Social Media on Mental Health
• Recognizing and Avoiding the Onset of Depression
• Causes of Mental Health Disorders
• How Physical Affects Mental Health and Vice Versa
• Dealing With Mental Breakdowns
• How Music Improves Mental Health

Health Topics for Presentation

• Why Do Pharmacies Sell Over-the-counter Medicines?
• How Allergic Reaction Works
• Sports that Can Improve Health in a Month
• Signs of Bad Immunity System
• Legalization of Marijuana
• Centenarians’ Secret to Good Health
• Healthy Habits Before Exams

Nutrition Topics for Presentation

• The Necessity of Reading a Product’s Composition
• Nutrition Effects on Skin Condition
• Determining Necessary Ratio of Proteins, Fats, and Carbohydrates
• Tips for Restrictive Eating Disorders
• How Sports Nutrition Can Be Dangerous
• Why Being a Nutritionist a Good Career Choice
• Why Quality Nutrition Determines One’s Success

Nursing Presentations

• Nursing Career and Its Growth
• Critical Moments on Painkiller Usage
• Patient Safety During Nursing
• Patient safety during nursing
• Career Growth in Nursing
• The use of painkillers: critical moments
• Health Assessment: What to Check
• Features of caring for patients with mental disorders
• Postoperative patient care
• Features internships and practices for nurses

Dental Presentations Ideas

• Teeth Processes for Babies
• Molar Extraction Process
• Wisdom Tooth: Necessary or Not?
• How Chewing Gum Affects Tooth Enamel
• Causes and Treatment for Oral Cancer
• Diet for Braces

Medical Presentations

• How to Call an Ambulance
• Dealing With Addiction
• Highly Addictive Medical Drugs that You Don’t Realize
• Primary Stab Wound Treatment
• When Surgery Becomes Necessary
• Traditional, Alternative, and Modern Medicines
• Preventing Sport Injuries
• Insomnia Treatment With No Pills
• Anti-aging Pills: When to Avoid It
• Why Go or Reject Posthumous Donation
• Euthanasia and Its Effect on Suicide Rate
• How to Avoid Child Obesity
• Pros and Cons of GMOs
• Diverse Ways to Improve Healthcare
• The Need for Legal Framework on Plastic Surgery Regulations

What are Some Presentation Ideas for Business and Management?

Finding business presentation topics is more difficult as you must show in-depth knowledge of your chosen idea. Here are some of the presentation topics that you can check out.

How a Good Topic Helps on Public Speaking (SECS Elements)

Having the right choice of presentation topics can help meet the Sincerity, Enthusiasm, Confidence , and Simplicity (SECS) public speaking elements due to these reasons:

• A good topic can make you sincere in communicating with your audience.
• Fun topics for presentations can also increase the audience’s enthusiasm.
• Fun topics for presentations also give you confidence as it lessens awkwardness.
• The right topic makes your presentation concise, straightforward, and informative at the same time.

What does a perfect day with the family look like?

Imagine a day filled with laughter, shared meals, and playful adventures. Waking up refreshed, a family connects over breakfast, sharing dreams and creating plans. They explore together, be it a museum visit or a quiet picnic, finding joy in nature, or friendly competition. As the sun sets, reflections filled with gratitude paint the evening, solidifying the love and connection that makes the day perfect, not for its grandeur but for the simple treasures of being together.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

When asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” children explore a world of possibilities. Each child has unique dreams, from doctors to astronauts, artists to veterinarians. Their dreams may change as they grow, but nurturing their curiosity helps them find their true calling.

What’s one habit you want to eliminate and one you want to keep?

Aiming for personal growth, I’ll axe the time-sucking social media scroll and double down on the mood-boosting, energy-zinging exercise routine. Recognizing habits are key, I’ll actively fight for a more balanced and fulfilling life, one mindful step at a time.

Presentation topics are the key to a successful lecture, bringing more opportunities for your career. Choosing among tons of ideas out there can get confusing , but give it a serious thought as your topic impacts your overall presentation.

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Like what you're reading?

Discover over 60 engaging 5-minute presentation topics

Get your team on prezi – watch this on demand video.

Anete Ezera August 21, 2023

Delivering impactful presentations doesn’t always require a marathon of speaking. In fact, condensing your message into a succinct 5-minute presentation can be just as powerful. In this article, we’ll explore a 5-minute presentation topics list that captivate your audience’s attention, spark their curiosity, and leave a lasting impression. Whether looking for 5-minute presentation topics for college students, topics for professionals, or simply looking for a suitable subject to share insights, these categorized topics offer a concise platform to convey your message effectively.

Exploring a variety of engaging 5-minute presentation topics

Personal growth and well-being.

• The Power of Positivity: How cultivating a positive mindset impacts your daily life.
• The Journey of Mindfulness: Navigating the benefits of mindfulness and meditation.
• Overcoming Procrastination: Techniques to boost productivity and break the habit.
• The Science of Happiness: Unraveling the psychology behind happiness.
• Cultivating Resilience: Techniques to build resilience and bounce back from setbacks.
• Mastering Mindful Breathing: Introducing the art of mindful breathing to alleviate stress.

Innovations and sustainability

• The Rise of Renewable Energy: How sustainable resources are shaping our future.
• Sustainable Fashion Choices: Shedding light on the environmental impact of clothing choices.
• Impact of Microplastics: Raising awareness about microplastics’ effects on ecosystems and health.
• Unveiling Virtual Reality: A brief overview of the transformative potential of VR technology.
• The Future of Mobility: Discussing innovations in transportation, from electric vehicles to autonomous driving.
• Introduction to Blockchain: Simplifying the concept of blockchain and its applications.

Communication and personal development

• The Art of Storytelling: Why stories resonate deeply and influence perceptions.
• Art of Active Listening: Exploring the significance of active listening in communication.
• Effective Public Speaking: Tips to enhance speaking skills in various settings.
• Understanding Body Language: Decoding nonverbal cues in effective communication.
• Cultivating a Growth Mindset: Insights into the power of a growth mindset.
• Unconventional Careers: Exploring exciting career paths that defy traditional norms.

Technology and insights

• Digital Privacy Concerns: Exploring the implications of online data security.
• The Impact of Social Media: Unveiling its effects on mental health and society.
• Cybersecurity Essentials: Safeguarding personal data in the digital age.
• Introduction to Cryptocurrency: Simplifying the complex world of cryptocurrency.
• Exploring Genetic Engineering: A concise overview of genetic engineering’s science and ethics.
• The Impact of Artificial Intelligence: Delving into AI’s transformative potential on industries and life.
• The Future of Work: Exploring how technology is reshaping the workplace.

Practical skills and techniques

• Tackling Time Management: Demonstrating efficient strategies for organizing your day.
• Language Learning Hacks: Quick strategies to accelerate language learning.
• Effective Time Blocking: Techniques for maximizing productivity through structured time management.
• The Magic of Minimalism: Exploring the benefits of decluttering and simplifying life.
• Nutrition Hacks: Quick insights into making healthier food choices.
• The Art of Negotiation: Tips for successful negotiation in personal and professional settings.
• Crisis Communication: Strategies for effective communication during challenging times.

Creativity and exploration

• Unlocking Innovative Solutions: Techniques to foster creative thinking and problem-solving.
• Exploring Astronomy: A brief journey through the universe’s wonders and celestial bodies.
• The Art of Photography: Unveiling the secrets to capturing captivating and meaningful images.
• Music Therapy: How music impacts emotions and well-being, and its potential for healing.
• The World of Origami: Discovering the ancient art of paper folding and its therapeutic benefits.
• Inspiring Travel Destinations: Showcasing unique places that offer enriching travel experiences.
• Exploring Local Cuisine: A tantalizing exploration of regional dishes and their cultural significance.
• The Beauty of Calligraphy: A glimpse into the world of elegant and expressive handwriting.

Environmental awareness and conservation

• The Importance of Biodiversity: Exploring the significance of diverse ecosystems and their role in sustaining life.
• Climate Change Solutions: Highlighting actionable steps individuals and communities can take to combat climate change.
• Ocean Conservation: Shedding light on the challenges facing marine ecosystems and the need for preservation.
• Green Initiatives in Cities: Showcasing innovative urban projects that prioritize sustainability and green spaces.
• Wildlife Protection Efforts: Discussing the importance of safeguarding endangered species and their habitats.
• Upcycling and Repurposing: Creative ways to reduce waste and repurpose materials for a more sustainable lifestyle.
• Eco-Friendly Gardening: Tips for cultivating gardens that support local biodiversity and minimize environmental impact.
• Food Waste Reduction: Strategies to minimize food waste and contribute to a more sustainable food system.

Cultural insights and diversity

• Cultural Traditions Around the World: Exploring unique customs, festivals, and rituals from different cultures.
• Language Diversity: Showcasing the richness of languages spoken globally and their importance in preserving heritage.
• Cross-Cultural Communication: Insights into effective communication across diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Global Cuisines: A culinary journey through the flavors and dishes that define different regions.
• Traditional Arts and Crafts: Celebrating the craftsmanship and artistic expressions of various cultures.
• Celebrating Diversity: Embracing the value of inclusivity and the benefits of diverse perspectives.
• Traveling Responsibly: Tips for respectful and culturally sensitive travel experiences.
• International Etiquette: Navigating cultural norms and customs when interacting with people from different backgrounds.

Health and wellness

• The Benefits of Regular Exercise: Exploring the positive impacts of physical activity on overall well-being.
• Mind-Body Connection: Unveiling the link between mental health and physical well-being.
• Balanced Nutrition for Optimal Health: Tips for making nutritious food choices that support wellness.
• Stress Management Techniques: Strategies to cope with stress and maintain mental and emotional balance.
• Importance of Hydration: Highlighting the role of proper hydration in maintaining good health.
• Quality Sleep Habits: Discussing the significance of quality sleep and tips for improving sleep patterns.
• Mental Health Awareness: Shedding light on the importance of understanding and supporting mental health.
• Holistic Approaches to Wellness: Exploring holistic practices that address mind, body, and spirit.

Historical perspectives

• Influential Women in History: Celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of remarkable women.
• Turning Points in History: Exploring pivotal moments that shaped the course of human history.
• Ancient Civilizations: A glimpse into the achievements and legacies of civilizations from the past.
• Revolutionary Inventions: Unveiling inventions that revolutionized industries and daily life.
• World-Changing Events: Discussing events that had a profound impact on societies and cultures.
• Great Leaders Throughout Time: Highlighting the leadership styles and achievements of notable figures.
• Cultural Renaissance Periods: Exploring periods of cultural revival and artistic innovation.
• Lessons from History: Extracting valuable lessons and insights from historical events and figures.

With these categories and their respective examples, you have a comprehensive palette of engaging 5-minute presentation topics catering to various interests and purposes. Whether you’re sparking conversations, sharing insights, or simply enhancing your presentation skills, these topics offer a platform for concise and impactful communication.

For further inspiration on crafting compelling topics, explore Prezi’s comprehensive guide on good presentation topics and presentation night ideas .

Elevating your short-form presentation skills

Creating and delivering a compelling 5-minute presentation requires a strategic approach to ensure your message is concise, engaging, and impactful. Here are some best practices to keep in mind:

Define a clear message

Start by defining the core message or main takeaway you want your audience to remember. Keep it focused and concise to ensure your presentation remains on track.

Structure with purpose

Organize your presentation with a clear structure: introduction, main points, and conclusion. Each section should flow logically and contribute to the overall message.

Learn more about how to effectively structure your presentation by watching the following video:

Engaging opening

Begin with an attention-grabbing opening that hooks your audience and sets the tone for the rest of your presentation. This could be a surprising fact, a thought-provoking question, or a captivating anecdote.

Concise content

Keep your content concise and to the point. Avoid information overload and focus on the most relevant and impactful details that support your main message.

Visual aids

Use visuals sparingly to complement your spoken words. Visual aids should be simple, relevant, and easy to understand. They should enhance your message, not distract from it.

Rehearse your presentation multiple times to become comfortable with the content and timing. Practice helps you refine your delivery and identify areas for improvement.

Time management

Keep a close eye on your time during practice and the actual presentation. Aim to stay within the 5-minute limit to ensure your message is delivered effectively.

Engaging delivery

Maintain good eye contact, use appropriate gestures, and vary your vocal tone to keep your audience engaged. A confident and enthusiastic delivery enhances your message’s impact.

Discover more about engaging delivery by mastering the art of storytelling :

Relevance and depth

Prioritize quality over quantity. Instead of covering numerous points superficially, delve deeper into a few key ideas to provide valuable insights.

Transitions

Use smooth transitions between sections to guide your audience through your presentation. These transitions create a seamless flow that keeps listeners engaged.

Call to action

Conclude your presentation with a clear call to action that aligns with your main message. Encourage your audience to take a specific action or reflect on what they’ve learned.

Choose a relevant topic

Perhaps most importantly, select a topic that is relevant to your audience’s interests, needs, and preferences. Make sure it aligns with the purpose of your presentation and resonates with your listeners. For example, if you’re preparing for an interview, be sure to research 5-minute interview presentation topics. Here are a few examples; 

• My Professional Journey: Share your career path, highlighting key experiences, and accomplishments, and how they align with the role you’re interviewing for. 
• Strategic Problem-Solving: Present a real-world challenge you’ve encountered and walk through the steps you took to analyze, strategize, and find a solution. 
• Innovative Ideas for Company Growth: Propose innovative strategies or initiatives that could drive growth, improve efficiency, or enhance the company’s offerings. 
• Market Trends and Insights: Present your analysis of current market trends, including opportunities and challenges, and discuss how your insights could benefit the company. 
• Effective Team Leadership: Describe a situation where you successfully led a team to achieve a common goal, emphasizing your leadership style, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.

Discover more presentation ideas that’ll help you craft a compelling presentation:

Using these topics for 5 minute presentations and delivering them effectively 

Crafting and delivering a 5 minute presentation requires finesse in both content creation and delivery. By selecting a focused topic, structuring your presentation effectively, and practicing your delivery, you can make the most of these brief but effective moments in the spotlight. The diverse array of the best 5 minute presentation topics showcased here offers a launchpad for your creative expression, sparking engaging conversations and leaving a lasting impression on your audience. Remember, it’s not about the duration—it’s about the quality and resonance of your message. To create an attention-grabbing presentation that moves your audience, try Prezi today.

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Blog Beginner Guides

How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]

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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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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10-Minute Presentation Topics | 50 Unique Ideas in 2024

Lawrence Haywood • 27 Oct 2023 • 10 min read

For 10 minutes, what can you really do? A shower? A power nap? An entire presentation?

You might already be sweating at the idea of that last one. Cramming an entire presentation into 10 minutes is tough, but doing it without even knowing what to talk about is even tougher. So let’s check out 10-minute presentation topics

No matter where you’ve been challenged to give a 10-minute presentation, we’ve got your back. Check out the ideal presentation structure below and over fifty 10-minute presentation topics, you can use for your big (actually, pretty small) speech. So, let’s check out the best 50 10-minute presentation topics!

• The 10-Minute Presentation Structure
• Topics for College Students
• Topics for Interviews
• Relatable Topics
• Interesting Topics
• Controversial Topics

Frequently Asked Questions

Start in seconds.

Get free 10-minute presentation topics and templates. Sign up for free and take what you want from the template library!

Tips from AhaSlides – 10-minute presentation topics

• Types of Presentation
• Product presentation
• Business presentation

The 10-Minute Presentation Topics Structure

As you might imagine, the hardest part of a 10-minute presentation is actually sticking to 10 minutes. None of your audience, organisers or fellow speakers will be pleased if your speech starts running over, but it’s hard to know how not to.

You might be tempted to cram as much information as possible, but doing so is just going to make for an overbearing presentation. Especially for this type of presentation , knowing what to leave out is as much of a skill as knowing what to put in, so try and follow the sample below for a perfectly structured presentation.

• Introduction (1 slide) – Start your presentation with a quick question, fact or story relayed in a maximum of 2 minutes.
• Body (3 slides) – Get into the nitty gritty of your talk with 3 slides. Audiences struggle to take home more than three ideas, so spacing all three out over the course of 6 or 7 minutes can be very effective.
• Conclusion (1 slide) – End it all with a quick sum up of your 3 main points. You should be able to do this in 1 minute.

This 10-minute presentation example format contains a fairly conservative 5 slides, based on the famous 10-20-30 rule of presentations. In that rule, an ideal presentation is 10 slides in 20 minutes, meaning a 10-minute presentation would only require 5 slides.

10 Ideas for College Students – 10-Minute Presentation Topics

A 10-minute presentation is all you need as a college student to show your knowledge and forward-thinking values. So let’s check out few 10-minute presentation topics!

They’re also great practice for presentations you might be making in the future. If you feel comfortable within 10 minutes, chances are that you’ll be alright in the future, too.

• How to work alongside AI – Artificial intelligence is making huge steps forward daily. We’ll soon be in a different world, so how are you, the worker of the future, going to deal with it? This is a super interesting topic and one that’s very relevant for your classmates.
• Fighting the climate catastrophe – The issue of our age. What is it doing to us and how do we solve it?
• Portable homes – The portable home movement is on the way to revolutionising the way we live. What’s good and bad about having a house you can move around and what does your ideal one look like?
• The thrift life – How to save money on clothes, along with the pros and cons of throwaway fashion for youngsters.
• The future of streaming platforms – Why is TV on demand so great and why is it not universal? Or is it stealing too much of our free time?
• What happened to newspapers? – Newspapers are probably ancient technology to college students like you. A deep dive into history will reveal what they were and why they’re on their way out of print.
• The evolution of the mobile phone – Has any device in history advanced as quickly as mobile phones have? There’s so much to talk about in this 10-minute presentation topic.
• The life and times of your hero – A great chance to show your love for someone who inspires you the most. This can be within or outside of your college subject.
• My permaculture future – If you’re looking for a greener existence in your future, try explaining to your classmates about the advantages and logistics of having a permaculture garden.
• E-waste – We dump out so much electrical waste these days. Where does it all go and what happens to it?

10 Interview Presentation Ideas – 10-Minute Presentation Topics

More and more nowadays, recruiters are turning to quick-fire presentation as a means of testing a candidate’s skill and confidence in presenting something.

But, it’s more than that. Recruiters also want to learn about you as a person. They want to know what interests you, what makes you tick and what has changed your life in a profound way.

If you can nail any of these presentation topics in your interview, you’ll be starting next Monday!

• Someone who inspires you – Pick a hero and talk about their background, their achievements, what you’ve learned from them and how it’s shaped you as a person.
• The most eye-opening place you’ve ever been – A travelling experience or holiday that blew your mind. This might not necessarily be your favourite ever abroad experience, but it was one that made you realise something you had not thought about before.
• An imagined problem – Set out a hypothetical problem at the company you’re applying for. Show the recruiters the steps you would take to eradicate that problem for good.
• Something you’re proud of – We’ve all got achievements we’re proud of, and they do not necessarily work achievements. A quick 10-minute presentation on something you’ve done or made that has made you proud can reveal a lot of good stuff about you as a person.
• The future of your field – Make some interesting, bold predictions about where you think the industry is heading in the upcoming years. Do research, get stats to back up your claims, and avoid being condescending.
• A workflow you’ve fixed – Untidy workflows are rampant in many workplaces. If you’ve had a hand in turning something inefficient into a well-oiled machine, make a presentation about it!
• A book you’d love to write – Assuming you were a top-class wordsmith, what’s the one topic you’d love to write a book about? Would it be fiction or non-fiction? What would the plot be? Who are the characters?
• Your favourite work culture – Choose the job with the best work culture in terms of office atmosphere, rules, after-work activities and trips away. Explain what was so great about it; it might give your potential new boss a few ideas!
• Pet peeves in the workplace – If you fancy yourself as a bit of a comedian, listing out the things that grind your gears in the office could be a good laugh and a nice bit of observational comedy for your recruiters. Make sure it’s actually funny though, as listening to a candidate moan for 10 minutes is not normally something that leads to recruitment.
• The good and bad of remote working – Surely every office worker in the world has experience of remote working. Pry open your own experiences and discuss whether or not they’ve been for the better or for, the worse.

10 Relatable 10-Minute Presentation Topics

People love stuffs they can relate to their own experiences. It’s the reason why your presentation on the problems of the post office was a hit, but your one on the use of thermoplongeurs and suspension compression on modern fatigue carousels was an absolute travesty.

Keeping topics nicely open and accessible for everyone is a great way to get a good reaction. Do you need some topics for presentation that participants can get involved in quickly? Check out these fun presentation topics ideas as below…

• The best Disney princess – The best interesting presentation topics! Everyone’s got their favourite; who’s the one that gives you the most hope for generations of strong, independent girls?
• The greatest language ever – Maybe it’s the language that sounds the sexiest, looks the sexiest or the one that just works the best.
• Coffee vs tea – Most people have a preference, but very few have the numbers to back it up. Do some scientific research into what’s better between coffee and tea and why.
• Stand-up – You may not initially think it, but a stand-up comedy performance is definitely a presentation of sorts. 10 minutes is a great time window for some witty observations that make everyone laugh.
• Reasons for procrastination – List out all the things that keep you from doing what you’re supposed to be doing. Remember to tell some stories in this – chances are that almost all of your audience will be able to relate.
• Is social distancing for life? Introverts, assemble. Or actually, don’t. Should we keep social distancing an opt-in, opt-out kind of thing?
• Paper books vs ebooks – This one is all about physical touch and nostalgia against modern convenience. It’s a fight for our age.
• Identity of the decades – We all know the distinction between the 70s, 80s and 90s, but what were the unique cultural points of the 2000s and 2010s? Will we see later or will they just never get their own identities?
• Pluto’s a planet – Believe it or not, there are a surprising number of Pluto aficionados out there. Talking about how Pluto’s a planet could really get them on your side, and they’re a powerful bunch.
• Observational comedy – A dive into the most relatable of relatable short presentation topics. What makes observational comedy so relatable?

10 Interesting 10-Minute Presentation Topics

This one is the exact opposite of ‘relatable topics’. These short presentation topics are all about super interesting scientific phenomena that a lot of people don’t know about.

You don’t have to be relatable when you can be fascinating!

• Crown shyness – A presentation that explores the phenomenon of the crowns of trees that grow in such a way as not to touch each other.
• Sailing stones – There are rocks that can sail across the floor of Death Valley, but what causes it?
• Bioluminescence – Dive into what makes certain animals and plants light up the night using just their bodies. Include heaps of pictures in this one, it’s a glorious sight!
• What happened to Venus? – Venus and Earth came into existence at the same time, made of the same stuff. Yet, Venus is a real hellscape of a planet – so what happened?
• Music therapy in Alzheimer’s treatment – Music is so effective in treating Alzheimer’s disease. Take a dive into the interesting reason why that is.
• What the hell is slime mould? – An exploration of the mould made up of single cells that can solve mazes when those cells combine forces.
• All about Havana Syndrome – The mysterious illness that struck the US embassy in Cuba – where did it come from and what did it do?
• The origins of Stonehenge – How did people 5000 years ago drag boulders from the Welsh highlands to lowland England? Also, why did they even decide to build Stonehenge?
• Intuition – Gut feeling, sixth sense; whatever you want to call it, scientists don’t really know what it is.
• Deja vu – We all know the feeling, but how does it work? Why do we feel deja vu?

10 Controversial 10-Minute Presentation Topics

Check out some controversial 10-minute presentation topics. Not only are social topics for presentation, but these are also ideal topics for presentation for students in class as they can make positive debates in the learning environment.

• Cryptocurrency: good or bad? – It resurfaces in the news every few months, so everyone’s got an opinion, but we often only hear one side of the cryptocoin and not the other. In this 10-minute presentation, you can introduce the good and bad of crypto.
• Should we ban Black Friday? – Mass consumerism and mass tramplings at store entrances – has Black Friday gone too far? Some will say it’s not gone far enough.
• Minimalism – A new way to live that’s the opposite of everything Black Friday represents. How does it work and why should you try it?
• The best stuff for your health – Another one about which everyone’s got something to say. Do the research and give the facts.
• Disney whitewashing – This one’s definitely a controversial topic. It could be a quick exploration of how Disney seemingly chooses and alters skin tones depending on the story being told.
• Time to eat some bugs – As the world will soon have to move away from meat, what are we going to replace it with? Hope your audience likes cricket sundaes!
• Free speech – Is free speech something we still have? Are you having it right now while you give this presentation? That’s a pretty easy one to answer.
• Gun laws around the world – See how the world’s most gunned-up country compares to other countries in terms of weapons available and its ramifications.
• 1 million vs 1 billion – The difference between $1,000,000 and $1,000,000,000 is much bigger than you think. There are so many ways to highlight the enormous wealth gap in a 10-minute presentation.
• Military spending – We could solve all world issues in a flash if every country dissolved its military and used its funds for good. Is it feasible?

Bonus Topics: Vox

Looking for unique topics for presentation? Being your great idea source, Vox is an American online magazine with a real knack for making insightful video essays on interesting topics you may never have thought about. They were the guys behind the ‘ Explained ‘ series on Netflix, and they’ve also got their own YouTube channel full of topics.

The videos vary in length, but you can choose any of these to present if you feel like it’s interesting enough for your crowd. They are not only the best topics for presentation in college but also unique topics for presentation in office. Contract or expand the information in the video to 10 minutes and make sure you can present it comfortably.

Some of Vox’s videos include trendy topics for presentation…

• How music on TikTok goes viral.
• London’s super basements.
• The AI behind creating art on demand.
• The end of oil.
• The rise of K-pop.
• Why diets fail.
• Many, many more…

Wrapping Up

10 minutes is, categorically, not a long time , so yes, 10-minute presentation topics can be difficult! Okay, it’s a long time to spend on your turn on the karaoke machine, but it’s not a long time for a presentation. But those also can be the best ideas for video presentations!

Above is your choice of 10-minute presentation topics!

Nailing yours starts with the right topic. Any of the 50 unique ones above would be a great way to kick off a 10-minute presentation (or even a 5-minute presentation ).

Once you have your topic, you’ll want to craft the structure of your 10-minute talk and the content. Check out our presentation tips to keep your presentation fun and watertight.

Got a question? We've got answers.

3 magic ingredients of Amazing Presentations?

How do you present for 15 minutes, is a 10-minute presentation long.

Lawrence Haywood

Former ESL teacher and quiz master converted to the wild slide. Now a content creator, traveller, musician and big time slider preaching the good word of interactivity.

More from AhaSlides

• How it Works

150+ Presentation Topics To Make an Impact Instantly

Presentations

Picture Yourself as the Star of a Presentation.

To really shine, you need a topic that grabs everyone’s attention. It’s more than just speaking well or having cool slides; it all starts with a topic that makes your audience curious.

Imagine standing in front of a group, not just sharing facts, but telling a story that keeps everyone interested. Presentations aren’t only about work or school; they’re a chance to be creative and make things interesting.

Every day, there are 50,000 presentations happening. They’re not all serious business or school stuff; some are about fun and quirky things like a duck on a tricycle or a dog wearing glasses. It’s surprising, right?

Still, half of people get bored during presentations. That’s why it’s crucial to make them exciting. That’s where our ideas come in—over 150 of them! And here’s the cool part: these ideas aren’t just for offices or classrooms; they’re for any time you want to share something in a fun way.

So, get ready to explore 150+ presentation ideas that will help you make an impact instantly.

How to Choose the Best Presentation Topic: Step-by-Step Process

Picking the right presentation topic is like winning half the battle before you even begin. After selecting your topic, you’ll focus on content creation and presentation design. If you need help with presentation designs, consider Design Shifu , offering dedicated designers for your needs. You get unlimited designs for a flat monthly fee, which includes not only presentation designs but also services like infographics, social media designs, logo design, etc. Now, back to the topic selection. You need to strike a balance between creativity and relevance to make an impact on the right audience. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you choose a compelling topic:

How : Conduct surveys or interviews to understand your audience’s interests, needs, and knowledge level. Example : For a group of professionals, consider topics related to their industry trends or challenges.

How : Reflect on your strengths, experiences, and knowledge areas. Example : With a digital marketing background, a topic like u0022Effective Social Media Strategies for Business Growthu0022 might be ideal.

How : Stay updated on current events, industry trends, and popular discussions. Example : In technology, a presentation on u0022The Future of Artificial Intelligence in Everyday Lifeu0022 can be timely and interesting.

How : Identify challenges your audience faces and offer solutions. Example : For entrepreneurs, u0022Overcoming Common Startup Challengesu0022 can be highly relevant.

How : Relate your topic to the audience’s daily lives or work. Example : A presentation on u0022Time Management Hacks for Busy Professionalsu0022 can be relatable and valuable.

How : Consider using a storytelling approach, case studies, or interactive elements. Example : Instead of u0022Benefits of Healthy Living,u0022 structure it as a personal journey with before-and-after anecdotes.

How : Clarify your presentation’s purpose (educate, persuade, entertain) and choose a topic that aligns. Example : For inspiration, u0022Unleashing Creativity in the Workplaceu0022 could be impactful.

How : Pitch your topic ideas to a small group or colleagues for feedback. Example : Present brief overviews of two potential topics and ask for input on which generates more interest.

How : Incorporate visuals to enhance your presentation or get help from presentation design experts like Design Shifu . Example : A presentation on u0022The Power of Data Visualizationu0022 can include compelling charts and graphics.

How : Choose a topic you are genuinely passionate about. Example : If passionate about environmental issues, a presentation on u0022Sustainable Practices in Everyday Lifeu0022 will be engaging and authentic.

Remember to tailor these tips to your specific context, and feel free to combine multiple elements to create a unique and impactful presentation topic that resonates with your audience.

General Presentation Topic Ideas for 2024

• The Future of Virtual Reality in Education
• The Psychology of Decision-Making: Unraveling the Influences
• Sustainable Fashion: Balancing Style and Ethics
• Blockchain Beyond Cryptocurrency: Real-World Applications
• The Art of Storytelling in Marketing: Creating Lasting Impressions
• The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
• Innovative Approaches to Urban Planning for a Sustainable Future
• Biohacking: Enhancing Human Performance through Technology
• The Rise of Remote Work: Challenges and Opportunities
• Exploring the Intersection of Art and Artificial Intelligence

Leadership Topic Ideas for Presentation

• Servant Leadership: A Paradigm Shift in Management
• Leading with Empathy in the Corporate World
• Adaptive Leadership in Times of Uncertainty
• The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Effective Leadership
• Leadership Lessons from Unlikely Sources: Animals, Nature, and Beyond
• Fostering a Culture of Innovation: Leadership Strategies
• The Power of Authentic Leadership in Building Trust
• Cross-Cultural Leadership: Navigating Global Teams
• Resilient Leadership: Bouncing Back from Setbacks
• Balancing Confidence and Humility: The Art of Humble Leadership

Business Communication Topic Ideas for Presentation

• Non-verbal Communication in the Digital Age
• Crisis Communication: Strategies for Effective Response
• Navigating Difficult Conversations in the Workplace
• The Influence of Language on Business Negotiations
• The Art of Persuasion: Building Convincing Arguments
• Digital Etiquette: Navigating Professionalism Online
• The Role of Empathy in Customer Communication
• Building a Strong Personal Brand through Communication
• Overcoming Communication Barriers in Diverse Teams
• Humor in Business Communication: When and How to Use It

• The Ethics of Genetic Engineering: Navigating the CRISPR Era
• Exploring Both Sides: The Controversy of Universal Basic Income
• The Debate on Privacy vs. National Security in the Digital Age
• The Morality of Artificial Intelligence: Can Machines Have Ethics?
• The Role of Government in Regulating Social Media: Striking the Right Balance
• Medical Marijuana: Bridging the Gap between Medicine and Recreation
• The Controversy of Fast Fashion: Environmental Impact vs. Accessibility
• The Ethics of Animal Testing: Finding Alternatives
• Free Speech in the Digital Space: Where to Draw the Line?
• The Impact of Cancel Culture: Constructive Criticism or Online Harassment?

Presentation Topics Ideas for Designing

• The Psychology of Color in Graphic Design: A Deep Dive
• User-Centered Design: Shaping Products Around People’s Needs
• Minimalism vs. Maximalism: Finding the Right Design Balance
• Designing for Accessibility: Ensuring Inclusivity in Every Interface
• The Evolution of Logo Design: From Tradition to Modern Trends
• Immersive Experiences in Web Design: Beyond the Screen
• The Art of Visual Storytelling: Engaging Audiences through Design
• Typography Trends: Balancing Readability and Aesthetics
• Environmental Design: Merging Sustainability with Aesthetics
• Augmented Reality in Design: Enhancing User Experiences

Presentation Topics Ideas for Marketing

• The Psychology of Consumer Behavior: Understanding the Purchase Decision
• Influencer Marketing: Strategies for Authentic Brand Partnerships
• The Power of Emotional Marketing: Creating Lasting Connections
• Content Marketing in the Age of Information Overload
• Ethical Marketing: Building Trust and Loyalty with Transparency
• The Future of Social Media Marketing: Emerging Platforms and Trends
• Neuromarketing: Leveraging Brain Science to Drive Engagement
• Storytelling in Branding: Crafting Compelling Narratives
• Data-Driven Marketing: Turning Analytics into Actionable Insights
• Interactive Marketing Campaigns: Engaging Audiences in the Digital Age

Presentation Topics Ideas for Entrepreneurship

• Bootstrapping vs. Funding: Choosing the Right Path for Your Startup
• The Role of Failure in Entrepreneurial Success: Embracing Setbacks
• Social Entrepreneurship: Making a Profit with a Purpose
• Innovative Business Models: Disrupting Traditional Industries
• The Art of Pitching: Capturing Investors’ Attention in 5 Minutes
• Balancing Creativity and Structure in Entrepreneurial Ventures
• Building a Sustainable Business: Environmental and Financial Considerations
• The Future of E-Commerce: Trends and Opportunities
• Cultivating a Culture of Innovation in Small Businesses
• The Gig Economy: Navigating the Rise of Freelance and Remote Work

• Turning Adversity into Strength: Lessons from Personal Challenges
• My Journey in [Specific Industry]: Lessons Learned and Insights Gained
• The Impact of Travel on Personal Growth and Perspective
• Lessons from Parenting: Applying Family Insights in Professional Life
• Overcoming Fear of Public Speaking: A Personal Triumph
• Navigating Cross-Cultural Experiences: Stories of Adaptation
• From Passion to Profession: Pursuing Your Dreams
• The Power of Vulnerability in Building Meaningful Connections
• Balancing Work and Personal Life: My Successes and Failures
• Lessons from a Hobby: How [Specific Hobby] Shaped My Outlook

• The Metaverse: Exploring the Next Frontier of Digital Interaction
• Decentralized Finance (DeFi): Transforming Traditional Banking Systems
• NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens): Redefining Ownership in the Digital Age
• The Evolution of Electric Vehicles: Sustainable Transportation Trends
• The Subscription Economy: Shifting from Ownership to Access
• Health and Wellness Tech: The Rise of Wearables and Digital Health
• Micro-Moments in Marketing: Capturing Attention in Seconds
• The Influence of Remote Learning on Education: Challenges and Innovations
• Circular Economy: Reducing Waste and Promoting Sustainable Consumption
• Productizing the services in 2024

• Revolutionizing Healthcare: The Impact of Telemedicine and Health Tech
• Smart Cities: Integrating Technology for Urban Development
• The Future of Aerospace: Space Tourism and Beyond
• Renewable Energy Innovations: Advancements in Solar, Wind, and Beyond
• Evolving Trends in the Fashion Industry: Sustainability and Tech Integration
• The Changing Landscape of Food Industry: Plant-Based and Lab-Grown Alternatives
• Emerging Trends in the Gaming Industry: AR, VR, and Cloud Gaming
• Transforming Agriculture: AgTech Solutions for a Sustainable Future
• The Future of Transportation: Hyperloop, Autonomous Vehicles, and Drones
• Innovations in Construction: Sustainable Materials and Smart Infrastructure

• Voice Search Optimization: Adapting to Changing Search Patterns
• The Role of Chatbots in Customer Engagement: Enhancing User Experience
• Video Marketing Strategies: Creating Compelling Visual Content
• Interactive Email Campaigns: Beyond the Click-Through Rate
• The Impact of AI on Personalizing Digital Marketing Campaigns
• Podcasting as a Marketing Tool: Building Authority and Connection
• Virtual Events and Experiences: Engaging Audiences in a Digital Landscape
• Data Privacy in Digital Marketing: Navigating Regulations and Trust
• The Power of User-Generated Content: Turning Customers into Advocates
• Inclusive Marketing: Representing Diversity in Brand Campaigns

Presentation Topic Ideas for AI (Artificial Intelligence)

• Ethical Considerations in AI: Addressing Bias and Fairness
• Explainable AI: Bridging the Gap Between Complexity and Understanding
• AI in Healthcare: Diagnosing, Treating, and Preventing Diseases
• The Role of AI in Climate Change: From Prediction to Mitigation
• AI and Creativity: Exploring the Intersection of Technology and Art
• AI in Education: Personalized Learning and Classroom Integration
• Robotics and AI in Manufacturing: Transforming Production Processes
• AI-Enhanced Cybersecurity: Protecting Against Evolving Threats
• Natural Language Processing: Breaking Barriers in Human-Computer Interaction
• AI for Social Good: Solving Global Challenges with Technology

Presentation Topic Ideas for Sales Consulting

• Consultative Selling: Building Relationships and Adding Value
• Sales Psychology: Understanding Customer Motivations and Objections
• Adapting to the Digital Sales Landscape: Strategies for Online Selling
• The Art of Negotiation: Techniques for Successful Deal-Making
• Sales Automation: Streamlining Processes for Efficiency and Effectiveness
• Account-Based Selling: Tailoring Strategies for Targeted Clientele
• The Future of B2B Sales: Trends and Technologies Shaping the Industry
• Building a Personal Brand for Sales Success: Online and Offline
• Customer Retention Strategies: Going Beyond the Initial Sale
• Storyselling: Using Narratives to Persuade and Connect with Customers

• The Pomodoro Technique: Boosting Productivity with Time Blocks
• Time Management for Remote Workers: Balancing Flexibility and Structure
• Eisenhower Matrix: Prioritizing Tasks for Maximum Impact
• Mindful Time Management: Incorporating Meditation and Reflection
• Time Blocking for Success: Structuring Your Day for Optimal Performance
• Effective Goal Setting: Aligning Tasks with Long-Term Objectives
• Technology and Time Management: Tools for Efficiency and Focus
• The 2-Minute Rule: Tackling Small Tasks for Immediate Progress
• Batch Processing: Streamlining Work by Grouping Similar Activities
• Time Management in Leadership: Balancing Responsibilities and Delegation

Presentation Topic Ideas for Technology

• The Evolution of Cybersecurity: Adapting to Emerging Threats
• Cloud Computing Trends: From Infrastructure to Platform as a Service
• Blockchain in Business: Beyond Cryptocurrency Applications
• The Future of Quantum Computing: Revolutionizing Data Processing
• 5G Technology: Implications for Connectivity and Innovation
• Edge Computing: Reducing Latency and Enhancing Performance
• The Role of DevOps in Streamlining Software Development and Operations
• Cybersecurity in the Internet of Things (IoT): Protecting Connected Devices
• Augmented Reality in IT: Enhancing User Experiences and Workflows
• Data Governance and Privacy: Navigating Legal and Ethical Considerations

Presentation Topics Ideas for Corporate Business Leaders 

• Agile Business Models: Adapting to Rapid Change and Uncertainty
• Creating a Culture of Innovation: Strategies for Fostering Creativity
• Business Ethics in the Age of Transparency: Building Trust with Stakeholders
• The Future of Work: Redefining the Employee Experience
• Strategic Partnerships: Collaborative Approaches to Business Growth
• Globalization vs. Localization: Finding the Right Balance in Business Expansion
• Intrapreneurship: Nurturing Entrepreneurial Spirit within Large Organizations
• Crisis Management in Business: Strategies for Resilience and Recovery
• The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Brand Reputation
• Business Model Innovation: Rethinking Traditional Approaches for Success

Work-Life Presentation Topic Idea s

• Remote Team Building: Strategies for Fostering Collaboration and Connection
• Embracing a Growth Mindset in the Workplace: Navigating Challenges with a Positive Perspective
• Balancing Work and Parenthood: Tips for Working Parents
• Building a Culture of Inclusivity: Creating a Supportive and Diverse Work Environment
• The Future of Flexible Work: Adapting to Changing Work Structures
• Mindful Leadership: Integrating Mindfulness Practices for Effective Management
• Navigating Workplace Conflict: Strategies for Resolution and Relationship Building
• Workplace Well-being Programs: Enhancing Employee Health and Productivity
• The Importance of Continuous Learning: Staying Relevant in a Rapidly Changing Work Environment
• Resilience in the Face of Professional Setbacks: Bouncing Back from Career Challenges

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75 Unique School Presentation Ideas and Topics Plus Templates

Are you tired of seeing the same PowerPoints repeating overused and unoriginal school presentation ideas covering repeated topics in your classes?

You know what I’m talking about; we’ve all been there, and sat through yawn-worthy demonstrations, slides, or presentation videos covering everything from the solar system, someone’s favorite pet, past presidents of a country, to why E=mC squared.

From grade school to university, first graders to college students, we are obligated to create, perform, and observe academic presentations across a plethora of curriculums and classes, and not all of these public speaking opportunities fall into the category of an ‘interesting topic’.

Yet, have no fear! Here at Piktochart, we are here to help you and your classmates. From giving examples of creative and even interactive presentation ideas, providing presentation videos , and suggesting interactive activities to give your five minutes of fame the ‘wow’ factor that it deserves, this article is your guide!

Our massive collection of unique school and college presentation ideas and templates applies if you’re:

• A teacher looking to make your class more engaging and fun with student presentations.
• A student who wants to impress your teacher and the rest of the class with a thought-provoking, interesting topic.

A Curated List of Interesting Topics for School Presentations

Did you know that when it comes to presentations , the more students involved improves retention? The more you know! Yet sometimes, you need a little help to get the wheels moving in your head for your next school presentation .

The great thing about these ideas and topics is you can present them either in face-to-face classes or virtual learning sessions.

Each school presentation idea or topic below also comes with a template that you can use. Create a free Piktochart account to try our presentation maker and get access to the high-quality version of the templates. You can also check out our Piktochart for Education plan .

Want to watch this blog post in video format? The video below is for you!

The templates are further divided into the following categories covering the most popular and best presentation topics. Click the links below to skip to a specific section.

• Unique science presentation topics to cultivate curiosity in class
• Engaging culture and history presentation ideas to draw inspiration from
• Health class presentation topics to help students make healthy lifestyle decisions
• Data visualization ideas to help students present an overwhelming amount of data and information into clear, engaging visuals
• First day of school activity ideas to foster classroom camaraderie
• Communication and media topics to teach students the importance of effective communication
• Topics to help students prepare for life after school

We hope this list will inspire you and help you nail your next school presentation activity.

Unique Science Presentation Topics to Cultivate Curiosity in Class

Science is a broad field and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with too many topics to choose for your next presentation.

Cultivate curiosity in the science classroom with the following unique and creative presentation ideas and topics:

1. Can life survive in space?

2. Do plants scream when they’re in pain?

3. What are the traits of successful inventors?

4. How vaccines work

5. Massive destruction of the Koala’s habitat in Australia

6. Left brain versus right brain

7. What are great sources of calcium?

Get access to high-quality, unique school presentation templates by Piktochart for Education.

Create and collaborate in the classroom using Piktochart’s customizable and printable templates for your school reports, presentations, and infographics.

8. Recycling facts you need to know

9. Do you have what it takes to be a NASA astronaut?

10. The rise of robots and AI: Should we be afraid of them?

11. How far down does the sea go?

12. The stages of sleep

13. Will Mars be our home in 2028?

14. A quick look at laboratory safety rules

15. The first person in history to break the sound barrier

Engaging Culture and History Presentation Ideas to Draw Inspiration From

History is filled with equally inspiring and terrifying stories, and there are lessons that students can learn from the events of the past. Meanwhile, interactive presentations about culture help students learn and embrace diversity. 

16. Women in history: A conversation through time

17. The sweet story of chocolate 

18. A history lesson with a twist 

19. The history of basketball 

20. The origin of the Halloween celebration 

21. AI History 

22. What you need to know about New Zealand 

23. 1883 volcanic eruption of Krakatoa 

24. Roman structures: 2000 years of strength

25. The most famous art heists in history 

26. Elmo: The story behind a child icon 

27. 10 things you should know before you visit South Korea 

28. 8 things you didn’t know about these 8 countries 

Health Class Presentation Topics to Help Students Make Healthy Lifestyle Decisions

Want to learn how to engage students with healthcare topic ideas? Then consider using these templates for your next interactive presentation.

According to the CDC , school-based health education contributes to the development of functional health knowledge among students. It also helps them adapt and maintain health-promoting behaviors throughout their lives. 

Not only will your presentation help with keeping students engaged, but you’ll also increase class involvement with the right slides.

The following examples of health and wellness interactive presentations include fun ideas and topics that are a good start. 

29. How to look after your mental health?

30. The eradication of Polio

31. How to have a healthy lifestyle 

32. 10 handwashing facts 

33. Myths and facts about depression

34. Hacks for making fresh food last longer 

35. Ways to avoid spreading the coronavirus

36. Mask protection in 5 simple steps 

37. Everything you need to know about the flu

38. All about stress: Prevention, tips, and how to cope 

39. The importance of sleep 

40. Is milk tea bad for you?

41. How to boost happiness in 10 minutes

42. How dirty are debit and credit cards 

43. Why do you need sunscreen protection

Data Visualization Ideas to Help Students Present Overwhelming Amounts of Data in Creative Ways

Data visualization is all about using visuals to make sense of data. Students need to pull the main points from their extensive research, and present them by story telling while being mindful of their classmates’ collective attention span.

As far as student assignments go, storytelling with data is a daunting task for students and teachers alike. To keep your audience interested, consider using a non linear presentation that presents key concepts in creative ways.

Inspire your class to be master data storytellers with the following data visualization ideas:

44. Are we slowly losing the Borneo rainforest?

45. Skateboard deck design over the years

46. Food waste during the Super Bowl

47. The weight of the tallest building in the world

48. Infographic about data and statistics

49. Stats about cyberbullying

50. How whales combat climate change

First Day of School Interactive Activity Ideas to Foster Whole-class-Camaraderie

Calling all teachers! Welcome your new students and start the school year with the following back-to-school creative presentation ideas and relevant templates for first-day-of-school activities.

These interactive presentations grab the attention of your students and are remarkably easy to execute (which is the main educator’s goal after all)!

51. Meet the teacher

52. Example: all about me

53. Self-introduction

54. Tips on how to focus on schoolwork

55. Course plan and schedule

Give our class schedule maker a try to access more templates for free. You can also access our presentation-maker , poster-maker , timeline-maker , and more by simply signing up .

56. Interpreting a student’s report card (for parents)

57. Introduction of classroom rules

58. Assignment schedule

59. Daily planner

60. Course syllabus presentation

61. How to write a class presentation

Topics to Teach Students the Importance of Effective Communication

Visual media  helps students retain more of the concepts  taught in the classroom. The following media topics and infographic templates can help you showcase complex concepts in a short amount of time. 

In addition, interactive presentation activities using these templates also encourage the development of a holistic learning process in the classroom because they help focus on the  three domains of learning:  cognitive, affective, and psychomotor. 

62. Interactive presentation do’s and don’ts 

63. How to create an infographic 

Recommended reading : How to Make an Infographic in 30 Minutes

64. How to improve your internet security and privacy

65. What is design thinking?

66. What are your favorite software tools to use in the classroom? 

Presentation Topic Ideas to Help Students Prepare for Life After School

One of the things that makes teaching a rewarding career is seeing your students take the learning and knowledge you’ve instilled in them, and become successful, productive adults.

From pitching a business idea to starting your podcast, the following topics are good starting points to prepare students for the challenges after graduation (aka adulting 101):

67. How to make a resume

68. How to start a startup

69. Credit card vs. debit card

70. Pros and cons of cryptocurrency

71. How to save on travel

72. How to do a SWOT analysis

73. How to pitch a business idea

74. Habits of successful people

75. Starting your own podcast: A checklist

Find out how a high school teacher like Jamie Barkin uses Piktochart to improve learning in the classroom for her students.

Pro tip: make your presentation as interactive as possible. Students have an attention span of two to three minutes per year of age. To keep minds from wandering off, include some interactive games or activities in the lesson. For example, if you conducted a lesson on the respiratory system, you could ask them to practice breathing techniques.

Maintain eye contact with your students, and you’ll get instant feedback on how interested they are in the interactive presentation.

Make School Presentation Visuals Without the Hassle of Making Them From Scratch

School presentations, when done right, can help teachers engage their classes and improve students’ education effectively by presenting information using the right presentation topic. 

If you’re pressed for time and resources to make your school presentation visuals , choose a template from Piktochart’s template gallery . Aside from the easy customization options, you can also print and download these templates to your preferred format. 

Piktochart also professional templates to create infographics , posters , brochures , reports , and more.

Creating school-focused, engaging, and interactive presentations can be tedious at first, but with a little bit of research and Piktochart’s handy templates, you’re going to do a great job!

The future of learning is interactivity and collaboration.

Foster interactive and collaborative learning using Piktochart for Education. Share your work, get feedback, and brainstorm on the fly. With Piktochart, everyone’s on the same page. Finally.

Kyjean Tomboc is an experienced content marketer for healthcare, design, and SaaS brands. She also manages content (like a digital librarian of sorts). She lives for mountain trips, lap swimming, books, and cats.

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Interesting 5 Minute Presentation Topics That Work

If you have a presentation assignment to prepare, it is crucial to start by selecting a good topic. While it is true that there are numerous topics to select from, most students find it challenging to narrow down to the best ones for their projects. So, if you find yourself in this situation, check out the following winning presentation topics to impress your audience.

How to Pick Good Oral Presentation Topics

When looking for unique topics for presentation, the most important thing is to answer the question, “How do you select the best?” Here are some useful tips:

Pick the Topic Depending on the Purpose of the Presentation Is the presentation about addressing conservation issues, human rights, or economic-related problems? In most cases, lecturers specify the area of focus. However, there are instances when it might be left open for you. The Targeted Audience Here, you need to factor how knowledgeable the audience is, the level of education, and its needs. Other things to consider about the audience include gender, age and race. Think about the Topics to Avoid The best topics to talk about in a presentation should not be offensive to the targeted audience. Even if you decide to write a presentation on a controversial topic, such commercial whaling in the Atlantic, it is advisable to stay objective and professional. Go for the Oral Presentation Topics that You are Passionate About If you select a topic that you do not like, there is a risk of getting bored midway and losing connection when making the presentation. For example, if you fancy issues about conservation, picking a topic in a different area can make writing the presentation challenging.

Good Presentation Topics Related to Education

• Use of internet as a teaching aid.
• Punishment use in school: Does it meet the anticipated effects?
• Online learning versus the traditional teaching methods.
• Helping students with learning disabilities to achieve better grades.
• Methods of assessing knowledge in school children.
• Effects of different strategies used to teach children with disabilities.
• Learning disabilities in children,
• Common misconceptions about hypnosis.
• Pros and cons of graduate studies.
• The role of technology in education.

PowerPoint Presentation Topics for College Students

• Whale conservation: Why everyone should be involved.
• The secret to success in social media marketing.
• The history of cosmetic makeup.
• Are kindles better than paper books for students?
• Montessori education: What does it mean?
• College degree: What are the advantages?
• Safety of students in school campuses.
• The most effective way to stop terrorism.

5 Minute Presentation Topics on Health

• Anxiety disorders: Why are they so common in adults?
• COVID-19: Why did the development of its vaccine take so long?
• Post COVID-19 period: Is the globe prepared well to counter another pandemic?
• What are the main causes of insomnia among adults?
• Complications during pregnancy and how to avoid them.
• Chromosomal abnormalities.
• What are the main signs of stress in adolescents?
• Malnutrition in Syria.
• How effective was WHO in responding to COVID-19 pandemic?

Top Business Presentation Topics

• Should people start businesses when in school?
• Capital marketing reforms.
• Mutual fund: How does it work?
• What is the significance of saving money?
• Cash management system in international organizations.
• Monitoring stock market trends.
• Is betting a good source of income?

5 Minute Presentation Ideas about Society

• What is the impact of human behaviour in the society?
• The main disadvantages of stereotypes in the society.
• The main things you should know about feminism.
• Is it a good thing to judge people with their appearance?
• Fixing gender roles in the society.
• Is it impossible to halt global warming?

Easy Presentations Topics

• Is military a good career choice for women?
• Public toilets: Why they should be clean all the time.
• Retirement homes: Explaining why they are so significant today.
• The effects of bullying others in school.
• Are generic products good?
• Gay marriage: Is it good or bad?
• Top three strategies for improving your credit score.

Finance Topics for Presentation in College

• What is the best time to expand your business offshore?
• The standards for international financial reporting.
• The impact the US dollar the global financial market.
• What is the procedure for purchasing a house in the UK?
• Analysing the process of buying a house in Ireland.
• Comparing the US and Chinese economies.

5 minute Presentation Ideas for School

• What are the best ways to assist refugees?
• Is the United Nations effective in preventing a global war?
• The impacts of drone technology development.
• Living in China or the United States: Which is better?
• Why is Africa still underdeveloped?
• Are the global institutions doing enough to curb child labour?
• Is global warming real?

Why You Should Seek Professional Help with Your Presentation

Once you have impressed listeners with a good topic for presentation, they also look forward to carefully researched points. Therefore, you should consider selecting the best topics for group presentations as the first step, and then move to writing your work professionally. To do this, you need to know how to craft a good presentation and have the right skills. However, many students lack them and end up getting stuck or preparing low-quality presentation.

In other cases, students lack ample time or have competing assignments that make completing the tasks difficult. No matter the reason making it difficult for you to prepare the assignment, the good thing is that professional help is only a click away.

The help is offered by expert writers with experience in preparing quality PowerPoint presentations. Besides they are also cheap and a lot of students use their services to get better grades. So, this is a good opportunity to use their service and make your presentation to stand out. Do not keep wondering how other students managed to get top grades in their presentations; you too can stand out with the help of writing experts.

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140 Creative PowerPoint Presentation Topics for College Students

November 3, 2021

When it comes to creating a good PowerPoint presentation, choosing an interesting topic can define your success. Both teachers and students get bored with dull presentation topics. To avoid losing your audience and getting a lower grade, you should start with mulling over a few cool presentation ideas to pick a perfect topic.

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Since there are so many different subjects, it might be rather difficult for you to find suitable topics for presentation assignments. Prior to getting started, go through this checklist and settle on one topic:

• Do a Research Go online and look for interesting presentation topics. There is no guarantee that you will find a good subject to explore, but you can draw inspiration to come up with your own idea.
• Talk to Your Teacher Your professors can provide you with some unique presentation ideas if you seek their help at once. Don’t wait until another student gets a cool topic; be the first to ask.
• Consider Your Interests The easiest way to make an effective presentation is to tell about something you are interested in or know well. The best presentation topics ideas come from a person’s expertise or experience. So think carefully about what makes you engaged in a particular subject and use it to construct a topic.

If you are still uncertain about your presentation, read on to find a wide range of engaging presentation topics.

A List of Interesting Presentation Topics for College

To help you make your college presentations exciting, we have composed the list of universally interesting topics in various subjects. The areas of study are arranged in alphabetical order.

Agriculture Presentation Topics

• Environmental impact of agriculture
• Development and utilization of bio-based fuels
• How world population growth affects global demand for commodities
• Americans waste their food
• Trump’s return to conventional agriculture
• How GMO labeling works
• Anti-pollution efforts anyone can put in
• How is your beef treated before it ends up on your plate
• How is permaculture different from organic gardening
• Is there a future for sustainable agriculture?

Art Presentation Topics

• Popular misconceptions about oil paintings
• Is graffiti an artwork?
• The art of digital photography
• World weirdest museums
• Greatest painters of all time
• Peculiarities of Orientalism in art
• Religious aspects of art
• Impressions from Impressionism
• Posters and collages: modern art
• The art of murals

Architecture Presentation Topics

• Modern garden architecture
• Examples of post-modernist architecture
• Environmentally friendly architecture
• Architectural design
• World’s most impressive pieces of architecture
• Religious architecture
• Greatest architects of all time
• Industrial architecture
• Best examples of landscape architecture
• Architectural engineering

Business Presentation Topics

• Pros and cons of family-owned business
• Business ethics as a key factor in corporate success
• Evolution of entrepreneurship
• How does a franchise work
• Advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing
• Is freelancing a career?
• Effective management techniques
• How to create a healthy workplace environment
• Importance of the workplace diversity
• Perks of e-commerce

Criminal Justice Presentation Topics

• Hate crimes in different age groups
• What you should know about human trafficking
• How to deal with domestic violence
• Danger of cybercrime
• How to prevent crime
• How prison system works
• Consequences of wrongful conviction
• Capital punishment
• Elder/child abuse
• Types of juvenile delinquency

Environment Presentation Topics

• How urban ecology works
• Notion of environmental racism
• Size and impact of industrial pollution
• Environmental sustainability
• Consequences of deforestation
• What is ecofeminism?
• Contamination of groundwater
• Exposure to nuclear waste
• How bad is air pollution?
• Management of water resources

History Presentation Topics

• Role of the USA in Vietnam War
• Constitutional history of the US
• Rise and fall of the Roman Empire
• A typical day of an ancient Egyptian
• Interesting facts from Cleopatra’s biography
• Ancient Greece and the origins of democracy
• Historical aspects of Sumerian mythology
• Famous women in world history
• Unknown facts about Geronimo
• Legacy of African-American folklore

Lifestyle Presentation Topics

• Difference between consumption and consumerism
• Role of social media in our personal life
• Why are people obsessed with celebrities?
• Which family values still matter?
• Drug and alcohol substitutes
• Social issues of dating violence
• How efficient is online dating?
• Spending quality time with your friends
• Growing up in the same-gender family
• Does sport equal health?

Literature Presentation Topics

• Haiku: Japanese poetry at its best
• Stendahl and his two colors of French novel
• Literary genre of mystery and detective fiction
• George Orwell and dystopian literature
• Evolution of the short story genre
• Kabuki, a traditional Japanese theater
• Gods in Scandinavian mythology
• Catharsis and Greek tragedy
• Peculiarties of medieval drama
• Origins of science fiction literature

Psychology Presentation

• Archetypal attraction to horror movies
• Difference between stereotypes, discrimination, and prejudice
• False memory disorder
• Gender roles in modern society
• What is social identity?
• Cognitive models of decision making
• Individual differences in reasoning
• Nature of cognitive dissonance
• Experimental social psychology
• Basics of self-reflection

Science Presentation Topics

• What determines body mass index?
• How harmful is tobacco smoke?
• Germ theory of disease
• Sleep deprivation, patterns, and habits
• Cosmology versus cosmogony
• Marijuana use, dependence, and abuse
• What do we know about genes and DNA?
• Role of biotechnics
• Greatest women in science
• Origins of modern calculus

Sports Presentation Topics

• Popular sports superstitions
• Where do the fastest cars race?
• Greatest athletes of all times
• Little known facts about the Olympics
• Equine therapy for autistic kids
• History of basketball
• Famous animal athletes
• Origins of martial arts
• Which sports cause most injuries?
• Traditional sports you never heard of

Technology Presentation Topics

• Evolution of artificial intelligence
• Ethical hacker: Can hacking be legal?
• Possibilities of solar energy
• How a lie detector works
• Prospects of green technology
• Ethics of genetic engineering
• Eco-friendly means of transportation
• Networked culture of social media
• Risks of nanotechnology development
• SpaceX’s interplanetary spaceship

5 Minute Presentation Topics

• Greatest discoveries of the last decade
• Industrial impact of autonomous cars
• Governmental control of the Internet
• iOS versus Android
• Gender difference in IQ
• Reasons to stop watching horror movies
• Busting fast food myths
• Can an atheist have virtues?
• Blogging as self-employment
• Why care about politics?

60 Extra New PowerPoint Presentation Topics

Topics on politics.

• The global view of politics by students.
• Is tolerance a current approach to developing new political virtues?
• Reasons to justify liberal democracy.
• The difference between parliamentary and presidential elections and forms of democracy.
• Should politicians go extra mile to ensure that the community is prosperous?
• Do you agree that coronavirus situation in the New York City can be used as a means of promoting nationalization?
• Do you agree that the situation with the anti-coronavirus masks shortage is connected with the government mess done on purpose?
• The situation with corruption among politicians on a global scale.
• Compare and contrast the UK and the USA foreign policies.
• What is the function of congressional communities?

Topics on Mass Media

• Should social media operate according to specific rules?
• What are the main criteria for certain YouTube videos to spread viral?
• What was the main reason why social media platforms have become so trendy?
• Should some celebrities be ashamed of the content they expose in the social media? Or is it a way of gaining population?
• Is it possible to maintain safety and confidentiality on social media platforms?
• What do you think of the popularity rates when it comes to people who still prefer watching TV to surfing the net?
• Why are so many people interested in watching dangerous and life-threatening pranks?
• Your opinion on Netflix series: are they changing the world of movies?
• Recall some stories of child actors who succeeded in their future adult careers.
• What impact do politicians have on the Academy Awards?

Topics on Medicine

• Pros and cons of in-vitro fertilization.
• Dangers and mysteries behind pharmaceutical companies.
• The underlying principles of anatomy that everyone should know.
• The fundamental criteria used in diagnosing diseases.
• Mysteries behind the life of microbes.
• What do you know about the latest medical breakthroughs?
• Historical accounts about the world’s biggest pandemics.
• Should people be alert when it comes to the threat of brain sucking amoeba?
• What is the function of each part of the human brain?
• Nervous system and its influence on the other bodily systems.

Topics on Education and Academic Matters

• Benefits and drawbacks of online education.
• Should schools put forward some severe and drastic disciplinary measures?
• To what extent should parents be involved in their children’s education?
• The main features and differences of the educational process in the Asian countries.
• How convenient are gadgets for students’ learning process?
• How to balance part-time work and college education?
• Should education be controlled by the government?
• How to succeed in finding a job right after college education?
• Should college degrees be necessary for the opening position?
• How to survive when students have to live on a shoestring because of tuition fees?

Topics on Finance

• Advantages and disadvantages of private banking.
• How to cut down on the business expenses and get a bigger profit of your business?
• Neither a lender nor a borrower be: to what extent do you agree?
• Pros and cons of saving money and spending less vs. taking loans.
• Fundamental knowledge needed to be a financial analyst.
• Why are so many people reluctant to share their spending to the public?
• Pros and cons of passive income.
• How to minimize the credit loans on your credit card?
• How to manage your personal budget?
• How to travel the world even if you do not have much money?

Topics on IT

• The main features of operational systems working on Android.
• The role of tablets in the world of computers.
• The main principles of genetic engineering.
• The development process of touch screen gadgets.
• Ethicality of human cloning.
• Role of apps in learning and work.
• 5G technology: pros and cons.
• Danger of cyber crimes and what can be done about it?
• Dangers and threats of nuclear technology.
• BOYD principles.

You can choose any of the suggested topics to make an interesting college presentation. You can also try exploring curious and controversial aspects of a subject. In such a way, you will be able to find an engaging topic for your slide show.

You should not forget to make your PowerPoint presentation effective and memorable. For this, use images of good quality and appropriate size. Remember that a successful presentation is a combination of interesting information and helpful visual aids. That is why it is crucial that you provide both for your audience.

Some Advice On How to Make an Appealing Presentation

If you want to deliver a good presentation, keep in mind that it is not merely a successful topic that is decisive for making it a winning one. Actually, one may struggle with the presentation due to the lack of experience of public speaking. If you do not feel confident when delivering a topic in front of the audience, the presentation may easily be turned into a failure. If you want to prepare an effective presentation, be sure that there are specific tips to take into account if you want to make a presentation effective and appealing to the reader. So, check out the main aspects:

• Work on the presentation design and pay attention to the visuals and info graphics. If you have slides that have only words on the big screen, be sure that such presentation will not be appealing to you audience. So, express creativity and add some uniqueness – add pictures that are relevant to what you are speaking about and also make sure that they can catch attention of your listeners. Set your inner artist free in order to make your presentation stand out of the crowd. However, strike a balance when it comes to the colors and fonts – they should distract attention of your audience from the main idea.
• Do not use overly sophisticated words but at the same time be eloquent. Proper vocabulary choice will also attract the attention of your audience. When it comes to vocabulary choice, also please consider that you should speak in words you know what they mean and how they are pronounced. Of course, some sophistication may impress your audience but it will not be a positive impression when you are ignorant of the meanings of the words or rules of spelling or pronunciation.
• When planning your presentation, manage your time wisely and set aside some time for answering questions from your audience. Normally, the audience is interested in some aspects and is eager to know something more about the area of research you are talking about. Therefore, express your politeness here and provide your listeners with the possibility to engage in a conversation.

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With our help, the presentation process should be easy for you as we provide expert assistance in the preparatory and writing stages. We do realize how overwhelming work in college can be, so we are here to assist you. Contact us immediately should you need any help.

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its amazing, i’m learned more presentations……. Thank You

Perfect I really like it. It is come in handy to me.

Yeh its great

I want to do researchers please give me some information

It’s very useful ,thanks

I didn’t a good topic from this please help me

Yes me too!

Hi, Diana! You can chat with our support team and ask our writers for help.

How about politics?There is no suggession for politic topics

We are currently working on it))) We will update our article) Also, if you need help with powerpoint presentation or other type of academic writing, please apply to us))) We will help you)))

they are ok but some seem a bit babyish

Didn’t do a research about media Any suggestions please

hallo im sharon miller from israel im looking to open a website of PowerPoint Presentation’ and i found ur website. its ok by you to translate your Presentation to hebrow and use them to my site? thank you sharon

Hello, Sharon! Yes, you can translate topics of our site and use them at your website. Also, we ask you to add link to this page with powerpoint topics))) Thank you!

very nice,thank you

I really like it. very good job

It’s very useful.thnk u

file is presented at a high level

thank you very much.

I loved so many of these!! And I’m planning to use one,really helped me..thank you

It helps me a lot ….. thank you so much

Am grateful abt dis it really helps alot

I am from Azerbaijan.These topics are very useful for me,especially psychology topics.Thank you

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My Speech Class

Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

169 Five-Minute Topics for a Killer Speech or Presentation

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

There are pros and cons to giving a 5-minute presentation. One good thing is the length. Long presentations can easily become boring, and you have a much better chance of keeping your audience engaged from beginning to end than with a 5-minute speech.

List of Topics for a 5-Minute Speech or Presentation

Choosing a topic is extremely important. To help you getting started, here is a list of some killer topics for 5-minute speech or presentation.

• Why it’s better to adopt a pet from a shelter
• Choosing the perfect leash for your dog
• What is the best food for your pet?
• How much exercise does your pet need?
• The horror of puppy mills
• Bringing back endangered species
• How long are giraffes in labor
• Domestication of horses
• Picking the right vet
• Sleeping with your dog
• Why should you get goats in pairs
• Ethics of zoos
• The domestication of dogs
• How to keep a goldfish alive for a long time
• How to choose the right pet
• Why cats are so independent
• When to get a dog
• What kind of dog is best for a household with children
• Why therapy animals work
• How to find the money to go to college
• How much control should the federal government have over curriculum design?
• How to choose a college
• Ideas for narrowing down a career choice
• When to declare a major
• Benefits of charter schools
• Why charter schools are bad
• Negative effects of school vouchers
• Attracting the right people to the teaching profession
• Discipline in the classroom
• Memory tricks that work
• Why homework is bad
• Should students still have to use the books in the library?
• Why cursive should still be taught in schools
• Textbooks vs. tablets
• Benefits of going to a trade school
• Are there positives to taking a gap year?
• The problem with low teacher pay
• Social media in the classroom
• Benefits of integrating apps into the classroom
• The importance of attachment
• How to compromise on names for your kids
• What is the ideal age to start a family
• How important are grandparents
• Traveling with children
• Strategies for potty training
• How to help a child with nightmares
• Middle child syndrome
• How many kids should you have?
• How to recognize a gifted child
• When your child doesn’t like to eat
• How to encourage good eating habits
• When to intervene with a bully
• Being active in your child’s school
• The benefits of aunts and uncles
• When family falls apart
• The first days with a new baby
• When to call the doctor
• Caring for an ailing parent
• Balancing home and career
• When to start saving for retirement
• IRA vs. Roth IRA
• When should you start saving for your children’s college education?
• Crowdfunded loans vs. the bank
• How Kickstarter changed everything
• Using your HSA
• How to apply for a mortgage
• Improving your credit score
• How to negotiate a raise
• Renting vs. buying
• How does compound interest work?
• How to ask for a promotion
• When is it time to get a new job?
• What to do when you find out a coworker makes more than you
• How much of a down payment on a house do you really need?
• Living on minimum wage
• Is it better to lease or buy a new car?
• How to budget for a new car
• What to do when you lose your job
• Using credit cards responsibly

Food & Drink

• Is rare meat safe?
• Vegan vs. vegetarian
• Microbrews vs. standard brewing
• How to make your own wine
• What are hops?
• Best plants for a backyard garden
• When to transplant sprouts
• Bananas and plantains
• How to make a brine for pickling
• Where did brunch begin?
• Why pineapple belongs on a pizza
• When to order in
• Planning a menu
• Meal planning and grocery lists
• Is free range really better?
• The perfect macaroni and cheese
• Growing your own herbs
• How to make your own pasta
• How to make cookies that are softer
• Benefits of drinking black coffee
• Benefits of a gluten-free diet
• Is the paleo diet accurate?
• Effects of not getting enough sleep
• Are meal subscription services worth it?
• Downsides to Crossfit
• Benefits of yoga
• How to meditate
• Can therapy change the way your mind works?
• Are GMOs really dangerous?
• The truth about diet soda
• Importance of hydration
• Why cleanses don’t work
• Best juice diet
• Most effective exercise for burning calories
• Do essential oils really work?
• The history of television
• When the railway was king
• Thwarted assassination attempts
• The first Olympics
• Media during World War II
• Military advancements between World War I and World War II
• War photographers
• Things you didn’t learn in history class
• Historical lies
• The early Internet
• Why podcasts are great
• Most unbiased news channel
• When do people tune into the news most
• How relevant are women’s magazines?
• Cable vs. Netflix
• How worried should you be about your browsing history?
• How to limit screen time
• Why it’s bad to use your smartphone right before bed
• Apple vs. Android

Relationships

• The best age to get married
• How to get an amicable divorce
• Finding a roommate
• Splitting financial responsibilities evenly among the household
• How to have a happy marriage
• Choosing your family
• How to fight effectively
• Signs of an abusive relationship
• What to look for in a spouse
• When to let it go
• How to overcome self-doubt
• Faking confidence
• Becoming comfortable with yourself
• How to say no
• Relaxation techniques
• Controlling anxiety
• Qualities of a leader
• The importance of self-care
• Identifying triggers
• How to eliminate negativity
• Making new habits

Social Media

• Ethics of posting pictures of your children on social media
• How Internet ads are tailored to you
• How to advertise your business on Facebook
• Privacy and social media
• How to protect your personal information
• When to allow your kids to get their own social media accounts
• Why you shouldn’t post your location on social media
• How to use a hashtag
• Uncovering Twitter Bots
• Snapchat etiquette

Supernatural

• Proof that aliens exist
• Debunking crop circles
• Is Bigfoot real?
• Proof that ghosts exist

Good 2-Minute Speech Topics for Students

13 All-Time Best TED Talks

23 thoughts on “169 Five-Minute Topics for a Killer Speech or Presentation”

Ideal Teacher

is life really a blessing?

This has helped me so much for my English class thank you!

Why personal (private) rules are helpful

I got an A!!!!!

Risks of abortion Wage gap How social media impacts education/mental health Why it’s important to have a good stable mental health Do teenagers really spend all their time on their phones Gsce requirements unfair or reasonable

Here is a kind of a dense topic, domestic abuse. Why does it happen? What are some ways to identify a abusive relationship? How does it affect families? Why is the abuser abusive?

We have presentation next week. I can’t think about the topic. Please help me!

i want a topic that involves supernatural: HELP

Is water wet?

death, what if the earth loses air entirely for five minutes, what is the most common death.

I have presentation next two day concerning with my classroom. I must choose five topics but i can’t think how to choose these topics. Please! help me

Tanks for giving me an A in drama

so helpful thank you

thanks this helped with my speach at school

i need a best topic to present on that is educational to consumer science and food nutrition students. can i please be assisted

what if the earth stopped spinning pros and cons of being an artist how Gen Z affected slang why people are afraid of the dark why knowing how to play an instrument is beneficial/not needed

Here’s a controversial one: are trans, intersex and non-binary people getting the same right as every else?

I have a presentation this week I don’t understand how to find a good title please help me I’m a diploma student the speech must have more than 10 minutes

How do create presentation for famous place in Sri Lanka

i need something for my oral communication class. it must be attention grabbing and not an argument. please help

I need ideas on a slide show presentation, a kid appropiate topic.

Pls I need more ideas on self help

hi lol i like these topics but i need a trendy one like something new or like a natural phenomene or someth like that… 🙂

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More From Forbes

12 chatgpt prompts for engaging powerpoint presentations in 2024.

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If you regularly deliver presentations at work, you have the opportunity to create an engaging ... [+] experience for all attendees and improve productivity in your work culture

The corporate world has a meetings problem. And if you're regularly responsible for conducting or facilitating meetings at work, you might (unfortunately) just be part of that problem.

We know that most times, work presentations are boring and induce sleep. But we simply can't afford to escape or avoid them because at some point, they're needed to enhance collaboration, present new ideas or projects for approval, or for other noteworthy occasions.

Back in 1998, a Verizon Conferencing white paper entitled "Meetings in America." highlighted that approximately 90% of work meeting attendees are daydreaming while you're presenting, and more than a third are most likely dozing off in the meeting.

Unfortunately, more than 20 years later, the situation hasn't improved significantly. Although video-conferencing technology and AI presentation tools and software have been introduced and gained widespread popularity and adoption, people are still disengaged in presentations. This is why we have the term, "death by PowerPoint."

This also explains an interesting observation from an AVCOM survey , which noted that in their research of 200 professionals, 97% of business event attendees are disengaged during presentations and spend their time browsing through their phones, chatting with someone, multitasking, or working.

This results in lost productivity, wasted time for both you as the presenter and for your attendees, and the fostering of a disengaged work culture. For work presentations to be more engaging, they must fulfil several criteria, including:

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Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024.

• Encouraging active participation from attendees
• Being relatable to attendees in their line of work (and this should be obvious)
• Having attractive visuals and multimedia
• Holding a clear structure and be well-organized

Below are 12 ChatGPT prompts that, with a little fine-tuning and background context from you on the details of your presentation, can help you craft and deliver a highly engaging presentation at work, whether you use PowerPoint, Canva, or other slide deck creation software.

• Suggest some attention-grabbing, catchy titles for my work presentation to draw in my audience, who will consist of [job titles].
• I am a [job title] presenting to [job titles of audience] for the purpose of [objective of presentation]. Give me an outline for this PowerPoint presentation, [title], which will last 15 minutes. Keep it to no more than 12 slides.
• Provide some ideas for starting my presentation with a bang, including attention-grabbing opening slides. (Once it provides the answer, write this prompt:) Repeat the above with this presentation [title] in mind.
• Generate a list of ideas for supplementary handouts and resources to complement my presentation.
• How can I handle or field questions about my presentation, from the audience of stakeholders effectively and confidently?
• How can I strike the right balance between text and visuals to keep my slides visually appealing and informative?
• Give me a list of techniques for improving readability through choosing appropriate fonts, sizes, and text formatting for my work presentation.
• Explore some ways that I can make my presentation interactive through quizzes, polls, and audience participation.
• Suggest some ways I can introduce and present the concept of [name of concept] to a non-technical audience.
• What key points should I cover in a presentation about [name of topic]?
• Provide a list of topic-relevant icebreakers that I can use to kick off my presentation on [name of topic], which will be suitable for the 30 team members who will be attending.
• Suggest some ways I can include storytelling in my presentation.

Bonus prompt idea in line with the last recommendation: Create an outline for this story, and incorporate it into my presentation outline [detail list of main points from your story].

ChatGPT prompts save you time when planning your presentation by drafting outlines, talking points, ... [+] and engaging activities within seconds

From generating title and content ideas when you're stuck with a mind blank, to best practice and structure for engaging your audience at work, make use of ChatGPT prompts to coach you through the process, enable more engagement, and reduce your prep time.

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• August 29, 2023

What Are Some Good Presentation Topics?

Discover 72 good presentation topics to inspire and engage your audience. unleash your creativity with creative and unique themes for impactful presentations..

Welcome, fellow creators, to a treasure trove of presentation ideas that will spark your imagination and leave your audiences spellbound. In a world driven by ideas and stories, presentations have become an essential tool for communication, persuasion, and inspiration. Whether you’re a business professional, educator, or simply someone passionate about sharing knowledge, the art of presenting is a skill worth mastering. And that begins with selecting the right presentation topic.

Picture this: a packed auditorium, eyes focused, hearts engaged. What’s the secret behind such riveting presentations? It starts with the topic. A great presentation topic is like a magnet, drawing your audience in and keeping them hooked until the very last word. It’s a chance to convey your passion, knowledge, and unique perspective, leaving an indelible mark on your listeners’ minds.

Think beyond the conventional and dive into the extraordinary. Have you considered the art of resilience learned from historical disasters? Or the psychology behind decision-making in the era of information overload? By infusing your presentation with an unexpected twist, you not only showcase your creativity but also challenge your audience’s thinking.

Before selecting a presentation topic, take a moment to understand your audience’s needs, interests, and expectations. Are they business professionals hungry for industry insights? Students seeking career guidance? Tailoring your topic to their preferences ensures a deeper connection, making your presentation not just informative but transformative.

Inspiration often lies in the mundane. Have you ever considered presenting the psychology of procrastination, drawing parallels between it and time-tested strategies for productivity? Everyday experiences offer a wellspring of captivating presentation topics waiting to be explored.

And now, brace yourselves for a journey through 72 carefully curated presentation topic ideas. Whether you’re a seasoned presenter or just starting, this list will ignite your creativity, push boundaries, and open new avenues of exploration. From technology trends shaping the future to the art of storytelling that transcends time, you’ll find a wealth of options that align with your passion and expertise.

72 Creative Presentation Topic Ideas

1. The Neuroscience of Creativity : Explore how the brain functions during moments of inspiration, and share techniques to harness its creative potential.

2. The Future of Work : Dive into the evolution of workplaces, remote collaboration, and the skills needed to thrive in the digital age.

3. Sustainable Innovation : Examine how businesses are integrating sustainability into their innovation strategies for a greener future.

4. The Art of Persuasive Storytelling : Uncover the science behind crafting narratives that captivate and influence your audience.

5. Rise of Artificial Intelligence : Discuss the ethical implications and transformative impact of AI on various industries.

6. Mindfulness in a Fast-Paced World : Guide your audience through mindfulness techniques to enhance focus, reduce stress, and increase overall well-being.

7. The Psychology of Decision-Making : Decode the psychological factors that influence our choices and their implications in everyday life.

8. Space Tourism: Beyond the Stars : Explore the emerging industry of space tourism and its potential to shape the future of travel.

9. The Power of Emotional Intelligence : Showcase how emotional intelligence drives personal and professional success.

10. The History and Future of Cryptocurrencies : Take your audience on a journey from the origins of cryptocurrencies to their potential role in the global economy.

11. Design Thinking for Solving Complex Problems : Highlight the design thinking process and its applications in solving real-world challenges.

12. The Evolution of Social Media : Analyze the impact of social media on society, communication, and the way we perceive information.

13. The Magic of Virtual Reality : Immerse your audience in the world of VR and its potential beyond gaming.

14. The Business of Personal Branding : Share strategies to create an authentic personal brand that resonates with your audience.

15. The Fascinating World of Microorganisms : Explore the hidden universe of microbes and their significance in various fields, from health to ecology.

16. The Art of Resilience : Draw lessons from historical events and personal stories to inspire resilience in the face of adversity.

17. Cybersecurity in the Digital Age : Discuss the escalating importance of cybersecurity and the measures individuals and businesses can take to stay safe.

18. The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity : Shed light on the relationship between climate change and the planet’s biodiversity, and propose actionable solutions.

19. The Renaissance of Space Exploration : Celebrate recent advancements in space exploration and their potential to redefine humanity’s future.

20. Unlocking Creativity Through Music and Arts : Explore the interplay between artistic expression and creative thinking in various domains.

21. The Science of Happiness : Delve into the psychology of happiness and how it influences our decisions and overall well-being.

22. The Future of Healthcare Technology : Investigate the role of technology in revolutionizing healthcare, from telemedicine to AI-powered diagnostics.

23. The Journey to Mars : Paint a vivid picture of the challenges, triumphs, and future possibilities of a manned mission to Mars.

24. The Ethics of Biotechnology : Navigate the ethical dilemmas surrounding advancements in biotechnology, such as gene editing and cloning.

25. The Art of Public Speaking : Share tips, tricks, and techniques to conquer the fear of public speaking and deliver impactful presentations.

26. The Evolution of E-Commerce : Trace the evolution of online shopping, from its inception to the latest trends in e-commerce.

27. Exploring Cultural Diversity in the Workplace : Discuss the importance of fostering inclusivity and diversity within organizations for innovation and growth.

28. The Age of Quantum Computing : Break down the complex world of quantum computing and its potential to revolutionize industries.

29. The Psychology of Color in Design : Examine how color choices in design influence emotions, behavior, and brand perception.

30. The Future of Education: EdTech and Beyond : Analyze the role of educational technology in shaping the future of learning and skill development.

31. The Art of Effective Time Management : Provide practical strategies for optimizing time and achieving better work-life balance.

32. The Evolution of Video Games : Explore the evolution of video games as an art form, a cultural phenomenon, and a driving force in technology.

33. The Mind-Body Connection : Dive into the profound link between mental and physical health and its implications for overall wellness.

34. The Impact of Social Entrepreneurship : Showcase how businesses can drive positive social and environmental change while remaining profitable.

35. The Future of Energy: Renewable Revolution : Discuss the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources and its potential impact on the planet.

36. The Art of Storytelling in Marketing : Uncover how compelling storytelling can elevate marketing campaigns and foster deeper connections with consumers.

37. The Journey of a Successful Startup : Share insights into the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned on the path to building a successful startup.

38. The Psychology of Procrastination : Examine the underlying causes of procrastination and provide actionable strategies to overcome it.

39. The Rise of Influencer Culture : Discuss the pros, cons, and cultural impact of influencer marketing and social media influencers.

40. The Intersection of Art and Technology : Explore how technology is reshaping the art world, from virtual galleries to AI-generated art.

41. The Future of Transportation: Autonomous Vehicles : Paint a picture of a world with self-driving cars and their potential benefits and challenges.

42. The Science of Habit Formation : Unravel the science behind habits, how they form, and how they can be changed for personal growth.

43. The Revolution of 3D Printing : Delve into the applications of 3D printing across industries, from healthcare to aerospace.

44. The Art of Mind Mapping : Introduce the concept of mind mapping as a powerful tool for brainstorming, organizing ideas, and problem-solving.

45. The Psychology of Color in Marketing : Examine how color psychology influences consumer behavior and purchasing decisions.

46. The Evolution of Fashion: Sustainability and Style : Discuss the fashion industry’s journey towards sustainability and the intersection of style and environmental consciousness.

47. The Power of Positive Leadership : Explore the impact of positive leadership on team morale, productivity, and overall success.

48. The Future of Food: Sustainable Dining : Analyze the innovations and shifts in the food industry toward sustainable sourcing and plant-based alternatives.

49. The Art of Negotiation : Share effective negotiation techniques for both personal and professional contexts.

50. The Marvels of Underwater Exploration : Take your audience on a virtual dive to explore the wonders of the ocean and the importance of marine conservation.

51. The Psychology of Fear and Courage : Examine how fear affects decision-making and the strategies to cultivate courage in the face of challenges.

52. The Evolution of Social Movements : Trace the history and impact of social movements, from civil rights to contemporary activism.

53. The Future of Space Colonization : Paint a vision of humanity’s potential future beyond Earth and the challenges and possibilities of space colonization.

54. The Art of Effective Networking : Provide tips and insights for building meaningful professional relationships and expanding your network.

55. The Magic of Illusions and Perception : Explore the science of optical illusions and how they reveal the intricacies of human perception.

56. The Evolution of Photography: From Analog to Digital : Chart the journey of photography, from its analog roots to the digital revolution.

57. The Philosophy of Ethics in Business : Discuss the ethical dilemmas businesses face and how philosophical frameworks can guide ethical decision-making.

58. The Future of Augmented Reality : Dive into the potential applications of augmented reality in fields like education, entertainment, and healthcare.

59. The Psychology of Consumer Behavior : Explore the factors that drive consumer choices and how businesses can tailor their strategies accordingly.

60. The Renaissance of Handcraftsmanship : Celebrate the resurgence of traditional craftsmanship in a world dominated by automation and mass production.

61. The Science of Happiness at Work : Examine how workplace environments, culture, and practices impact employee happiness and productivity.

62. The Future of Retail: E-Commerce vs. Brick-and-Mortar : Compare the challenges and opportunities facing online and traditional retail models.

63. The Mystery of Dreams and Sleep : Uncover the science behind dreams, sleep cycles, and their importance for cognitive function.

64. The Psychology of Influence and Persuasion : Delve into the principles of persuasion and how they shape human behavior and decision-making.

65. The Evolution of Language: From Grunts to GIFs : Trace the history and transformation of human language, from its origins to digital communication.

66. The Future of Artificial Organs : Explore the advancements in medical technology and their potential to create functional artificial organs.

67. The Art of Creative Problem-Solving : Share techniques to approach challenges from a creative angle and find innovative solutions.

68. The Psychology of Motivation : Examine the science of motivation, the factors that drive it, and how to maintain it for personal and professional success.

69. The Future of Virtual Education : Discuss the growth of online learning, the challenges it addresses, and the possibilities it offers.

70. The Secret Language of Body Gestures : Decode the subtle cues of body language and their impact on communication and relationships.

71. The Evolution of Social Norms : Explore how societal norms have changed over time and their influence on behavior and culture.

72. The Future of Aging: Longevity and Quality of Life : Consider the implications of increasing lifespans and how society can adapt for healthier and fulfilling aging.

As creators, we hold the power to ignite curiosity and spark change through our presentations. The journey from an idea to a captivating topic is a transformative one, shaping not only the content of your presentation but also the impact it leaves on your audience. With these 72 presentation topic ideas, you have a wellspring of inspiration to draw from, each offering a unique lens through which to explore the world.

Remember that your presentation topic is your canvas, and your words are the strokes that paint a vivid picture in the minds of your audience. Whether you’re delving into the future of technology, unraveling the mysteries of the human mind, or celebrating the beauty of art and culture, your choice of topic is a reflection of your passion and expertise. Let it be a testament to your commitment to delivering valuable insights and leaving a lasting impression.

In a world overflowing with information, a thoughtfully chosen presentation topic is your opportunity to stand out. It’s a chance to spark conversations, challenge assumptions, and inspire action. So, as you embark on your journey to create remarkable presentations, let these ideas be your guiding stars, leading you to topics that resonate deeply with you and your audience.

Ultimately, the magic of a presentation lies in its ability to transcend the boundaries of space and time, connecting you with your audience on a meaningful level. Your chosen topic is the bridge that facilitates this connection, inviting your audience to step into a world of knowledge, wonder, and exploration. So, embrace the power of a captivating presentation topic, and let your creativity take flight as you share your insights, stories, and ideas with the world.

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25 Useful Presentation Topics for Science

By: Author Shrot Katewa

We are mostly asked questions about Presentation Design. But, sometimes, we do have our patrons reaching out to us to seek help with the “content” that needs to be created even before we begin with the design of the presentation.

So, today we are sharing a few really easy-to-cover super useful presentation topics for Science. This is especially helpful for all those teachers and parents who are looking to increase the curiosity of aspiring students and children.

So, let’s dive right into it –

A Quick Note Before We Begin – if you want to make jaw-dropping presentations, I would recommend using one of these Presentation Designs . The best part is – it is only $16.5 a month, but you get to download and use as many presentation designs as you like! I personally use it from time-to-time, and it makes my task of making beautiful presentations really quick and easy!

1. Big Bang Theory – Origin of Our Universe

As a kid, I was always curious about how we came into existence! How the planet Earth was created? How did it all start? This is a great topic to really generate and at times, even quench the curiosity of your students or children. While it is a great topic for presentation in class, it is also an equally good topic for a dinner conversation with your kids.

2. DNA structure

Our DNA is the very core of our life. If the Big Bang Theory is how the universe came into being, DNA is where our personal journey begins. While the structure of DNA is quite fascinating, the impact it has on our lives and how it affects our characteristics is mind-boggling!

It is another great topic for a Science Presentation. Do keep in mind, use of visual aids will most likely improve comprehension and retention among your audience.

3. Gene Editing & Its Uses

In case you choose to go with the previous topic of DNA, Gene Editing serves as a perfect extension of that topic even though it can be a great topic in itself. Sharing insights on Gene Editing and how it works, can showcase the capacity of human endeavors and its resolve to make things better.

4. Important Discoveries of Science

Okay, so this can really be a fun topic. As a kid, it was always fascinating to know about some of the world’s greatest discoveries and inventions.

Be it Penicillium or the first flight by the Wright Brothers, such topics allow you to take your audience on a journey and relive the times in which these discoveries and inventions were made. The thing that I like the most about this topic is that it doesn’t have to be completed in one session.

In fact, this can be turned into a knowledge series of multiple sessions as the list of discoveries is endless.

5. Aerodynamics

Most kids and students are really fascinated with planes. But, only a few really understand the basic principles of how a plane works. Explaining Aerodynamics can be an interesting topic.

It also allows you to introduce props such as a plane and practical exercises such as creating your own plane and analyzing its aerodynamics. The introduction of visuals for such a topic can greatly enhance the learning experience.

So this is a topic that most of the kids and students would have at least heard of, most might know about it a little. But very few would really understand how gravity truly changed our concepts not just on Earth, but also beyond our Planet in our Solar System.

Gravity alone is responsible for the tectonic shift of mindset that the Earth was the center of our Solar System to the fact that the Sun is the center of our Solar System around which the rest of the planets revolve. That and much more!

Explaining the stories of Galileo who first challenged this assumption and how Newton turned everything we knew upside down (almost literally!)

7. Photosynthesis

Another interesting Science topic for a presentation.

How do non-moving organisms produce and consume food? How Photosynthesis is not just limited to trees but virtually drives all lifeforms on Earth through the transfer of energy.

Also, touching upon the fact how Photosynthesis has led to the revolutionary discovery of Solar cells and how it is potentially going to be powering our future.

8. Artificial Intelligence – Boon or Bane

When it comes to Artificial Intelligence, there is a lot that we can do to engage the curiosity of our kids and students. It is an evolving part of Science as we haven’t fully applied and utilized AI.

One of the reasons this can be a great topic is because it engages your students or kids to really think. You may consider forming 2 teams and allowing an open debate on how AI could be a boon or a bane – a great way to promote cross-learning.

9. Ocean – The Unknown World

Our Ocean is what sets our planet Earth apart from the other planets in our solar planet. It is not only one of the main factors contributing to life on earth, the Ocean holds a world of its own with hidden creatures which have only recently been explored.

There is a lot to cover when it comes to the Ocean. Don’t limit your imagination to just lifeforms as you can even talk about treasures troves contained in the ships that sank!

10. Astronomy

So I have a confession to make. Which is this – Astronomy astonished me as a kid, and it amazes me even now! There have been countless nights that I gazed at the stars in the sky in amazement trying to locate a planet, and falling stars and other man-made satellites in the sky.

This is not just an amazing topic for a presentation, but if you could get hold of a telescope for a practical session, it will make a night to remember for the kids and the students!

11. Light and its effects

This is another topic that can turn into a great practical session!

Presentations can be accompanied by a trip to the physics lab or even using equipment like a prism to take the session experience of your audience to a totally different level! Experiencing the various colors that form light is one thing, but understanding how it impacts almost every single thing in our day-to-day activities makes us admire it.

12. Atoms – Building Blocks of Matter

While there is a whole universe outside of our Planet, there is a completely different world that exists when we go granular inside any matter.

There are literally billions and billions of atoms inside just our human body. Each atom has its own world making it as diverse as you can imagine.

How these atoms interact with each other and what makes an atom can be a really engaging topic to bubble the curiosity of the students or your kids!

13. Sound & Waves

Another super interesting presentation topic for Science for kids and students is to understand how Sound works.

There are several things to cover as part of this ranging from simple waves to frequency and resonance experiments. Sound is not just a good topic for a presentation but also for experiments and physical demos.

14. Technology

Technology as a topic has a lot to cover. As we all know that technology touches each of our lives on a daily basis, students can find this topic relatable quite easily. The canvas for exploration and presentation is quite broad giving you a wide range of technology topics to present from.

15. Human Brain

Many believe that we only use 10% of the capacity of our human brain. We have to date only barely managed to understand how our brain works.

Even the parts that we have gathered an understanding about, we don’t quite fully understand. The human brain has remained a topic of astonishment for scientists for a long time. It is only logical to conclude that if presented effectively, this can be a good presentation topic on science.

16. Evolution

When Charles Darwin presented his Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection in his book “The Origin of Species”, it took the world of science by storm.

How the species have evolved over a period of millions of years is quite interesting. There were quite a few interesting learnings that Darwin had and he shared that as a summary. This is something that has been also covered in the TV series Cosmos by Neil Degrasse Tyson.

I highly recommend giving this TV series a watch to get inspiration for some topics for presentation.

17. Magnetism

The majority of the kids have handled and spent hours in awe playing with a magnet. Many try to understand how a magnet really works! But, only a few are able to really understand the science behind it.

Magnetism can be a really fun topic to give a presentation on. Additionally, this topic also allows enough space to display, experiment, and have fun with real magnet and iron filings to showcase the effect of magnetism.

18. Electricity

Electricity is pretty much everywhere.

Today, if there is no electricity, the region is considered underdeveloped or backward. The discovery and the use of electricity is probably one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century.

It has been single-handedly responsible for industrialization, powering growth, and the development of the human race.

19. Steam Engine

Steam Engine was the first step of the human race towards powered locomotives.

From the discovery of the steam engine to how it was responsible for creating a time standard and time zones along with the stories related to it, can all be very fascinating and take you back in time to relive history!

A perfect presentation topic for science students.

20. Science of Medicine

No list of presentation topics for Science would be complete without mentioning medicine and its benefits.

The discovery of medicines and drugs has been responsible for nearly doubling the average human age. The impact is far-reaching with several pros and cons that constitute an interesting topic for presentation.

21. Periodic Table

Students often find this topic very dull. However, if you can help them understand the beauty and significance of this periodic table, it can be an amazing topic.

To really understand how Mendeleev could predict the existence of various elements even before they were discovered, is mind-boggling!

The periodic table is such a perfect table that explains how the elements are arranged in a well-structured manner in nature. This topic can be turned into a very interesting topic but a bit of effort and some out-of-the-box thinking may be required.

22. Buoyancy

Okay, so we all may have heard the story of Archimedes in a bathtub and how he shouted “Eureka” when he managed to solve the problem that was tasked to him. He did this using the Buoyancy principle.

While this story is something we relate to buoyancy the most, there is a lot more than we can truly learn and apply using this principle. This can be a very helpful topic for a presentation as well as a practical science experiment.

23. Health & Nutrition

Health & Nutrition is a very important aspect of our life. Its importance is often not completely understood by kids and students alike. Presenting about Health & Nutrition can go a long way to benefit the students to maintain a very healthy life!

24. Our Solar System

Our Solar System is a topic that is mostly taught since you join the school.

However, while most of us know about our solar system, there are enough mysteries about it to capture and captivate the attention of your audience. Questions like – why is Pluto not a planet anymore?

Or other questions such as – are we alone in this universe or even topics around the Sun as a star or even the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter can all lead to great engaging presentations and discussions.

25. Stem Cell

Stem cell research has become cutting-edge medical research. Thus, it is often a hot topic for discussion but is often not completely understood.

This topic will also provide you an opportunity to engage your audience in a debate that could be centered around the ethics of stem cells and their application.

This is a perfect topic as this allows your students or kids to learn and share their opinion with others.

Science is a vast world. Even though there are several other topics that can be covered, we decided to list topics that are relatively common such that it widely applies to a large set of people. If you have shortlisted your presentation topic and are looking for help to create a visually appealing presentation that captures the attention of your audience, be sure to reach out to us!

Our goal on this blog is to create content that helps YOU create fantastic presentations; especially if you have never been a designer. We’ve started our blog with non-designers in mind, and we have got some amazing content on our site to help YOU design better.

If you have any topics in mind that you would want us to write about, be sure to drop us a comment below. In case you need us to work with you and improve the design of your presentation, write to us on [email protected] . Our team will be happy to help you with your requirements.

Lastly, your contribution can make this world a better place for presentations . All you have to do is simply share this blog in your network and help other fellow non-designers with their designs!

Step 3: Be novel. Make sure you either select a new topic or bring an entirely new and unique perspective to an already covered issue. For instance, don't make a presentation on the "best lead generation strategies.". Your audience has probably heard those dozens of times already.

Ideas for good presentation topics. It's not easy to come up with a good presentation topic from scratch. It's much easier to get inspired from other good presentation topics to build your topic on. Whether you're looking for presentation ideas for work, about me presentation ideas, unique or easy presentation topics, you'll find them ...

When picking presentation topics, consider these things: your hobbies, the books you read, the kind of TV shows you watch, what topics you're good at and what you'd like to learn more about. Follow these tips to create and deliver excellent presentations: Don't present on topics you don't understand, use data visualizations and high ...

One of the best ways to nail a presentation is to choose the best presentation topics that fit your expertise and target audience.. How to Choose a Good Topic. Choosing the best one out of informative presentation topics can be daunting and confusing if you want to create an informative speech or lecture. Here are some considerations that you must know.

500+ Best Presentation Topics to Appeal to Any Audience in 2023 and 2024. Welcome, friends, to the ultimate guide for creating powerful, fun, informative, and engaging presentations! In this article, I'll show you how to choose a topic that will inspire, inform, and captivate your audience. You know that a successful speech or presentation ...

Debates: Make your presentation even more interactive by involving the audience in debates.Plus, debates and discussions are always helpful in establishing a better understanding of a topic. SWOT Analysis: You can never go wrong with a proper analysis of business strategies, marketing plans, and more.So consider making an analysis presentation to identify the strengths, weaknesses ...

For further inspiration on crafting compelling topics, explore Prezi's comprehensive guide on good presentation topics and presentation night ideas. Elevating your short-form presentation skills. Creating and delivering a compelling 5-minute presentation requires a strategic approach to ensure your message is concise, engaging, and impactful.

The swapping of orientations will show people that the presentation is progressing nicely. It can help you make a strong, almost physical, distinction between ideas, sections or topics. 10. Make your audience laugh, or at least chuckle. Source. Sometimes you need to not take your business presentations too seriously.

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.

Read more on Business communication or related topics Power and influence, Presentation skills and Public speaking Carmine Gallo is a Harvard University instructor, keynote speaker, and author of ...

Introduction (1 slide) - Start your presentation with a quick question, fact or story relayed in a maximum of 2 minutes. Body (3 slides) - Get into the nitty gritty of your talk with 3 slides. Audiences struggle to take home more than three ideas, so spacing all three out over the course of 6 or 7 minutes can be very effective.

Scheduling your speech at a time when individuals are likely to be the most engaged. Asking questions or performing actions that keep the audience involved and invested. Considering your language and rhetoric. Appealing to the audience's emotions. Creating and using visual aids to help you address the key points.

You get unlimited designs for a flat monthly fee, which includes not only presentation designs but also services like infographics, social media designs, logo design, etc. Now, back to the topic selection. You need to strike a balance between creativity and relevance to make an impact on the right audience.

The "what" of your speech is the meat of the presentation. Imagine a three-circle Venn diagram. The three circles are labeled: "things I am interested in," "things my audience cares about," and "things I can research.". The center point where these three circles overlap is the sweet spot for your speech topic.

How to Give a Good Presentation. Here's a quick look at the 11 tips on how to give a good presentation. Plus, you'll find a bonus resource you won't want to miss, The Visme Presentation Guru Course. Rehearse What You're Planning to Say. Prepare Mentally, Emotionally and Technically. Start Strong.

History is filled with equally inspiring and terrifying stories, and there are lessons that students can learn from the events of the past. Meanwhile, interactive presentations about culture help students learn and embrace diversity. 16. Women in history: A conversation through time. Get this template.

The Targeted Audience. Here, you need to factor how knowledgeable the audience is, the level of education, and its needs. Other things to consider about the audience include gender, age and race. Think about the Topics to Avoid. The best topics to talk about in a presentation should not be offensive to the targeted audience.

Literature Presentation Topics. Haiku: Japanese poetry at its best. Stendahl and his two colors of French novel. Literary genre of mystery and detective fiction. George Orwell and dystopian literature. Evolution of the short story genre. Kabuki, a traditional Japanese theater. Gods in Scandinavian mythology.

2. Research your topic and know it inside and out. When the time comes to present your presentation, you need to feel confident in yourself and your abilities in order to win your crowd's trust. One way you can achieve this is by knowing all the ins and outs of your topic.

Having the good choice off presentation topics can help meet the Veracity, Enthusiasm, Confidence, plus Easiness (SECS) public speaking elements overdue to these reasons: A good topic canister perform them sincere includes communicating with your audience. Funny topics for presentations can also increase the audience's joy.

One good thing is the length. Long presentations can easily become boring, and you have a much better chance of keeping your audience engaged from beginning to end than with a 5-minute speech. List of Topics for a 5-Minute Speech or Presentation. Choosing a topic is extremely important. To help you getting started, here is a list of some killer ...

Below are 12 ChatGPT prompts that, with a little fine-tuning and background context from you on the details of your presentation, can help you craft and deliver a highly engaging presentation at ...

Discover 72 good presentation topics to inspire and engage your audience. Unleash your creativity with creative and unique themes for impactful presentations. Welcome, fellow creators, to a treasure trove of presentation ideas that will spark your imagination and leave your audiences spellbound. In a world driven by ideas and stories ...

Another super interesting presentation topic for Science for kids and students is to understand how Sound works. There are several things to cover as part of this ranging from simple waves to frequency and resonance experiments. Sound is not just a good topic for a presentation but also for experiments and physical demos. 14. Technology

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the new york times personal essays

The new york times.

The learning network | getting personal: writing college essays for the common application.

Getting Personal: Writing College Essays for the Common Application

Language Arts

Teaching ideas based on New York Times content.

• See all in Language Arts »
• See all lesson plans »

Overview | How can reading The New York Times help students practice for the new college essay prompts on the Common Application? What tips on college-essay writing can they learn from The Choice blog? In this lesson, students will explore the open-ended topics for the 2013-14 Common Application essays through writing and discussion. Then, they will identify and examine Times pieces that might serve as “mentor texts” for their own application essays. Finally, they will craft their own college admissions essay in response to one of the new prompts, using advice from Learning Network and The Choice Blog.

Materials | Student journals

Warm-Up | Prior to class, post these prompts at the front of the room, or prepare to project them. Do not tell students that they are the new prompts for the Common Application essay.

When students arrive, ask them to form two concentric circles, facing one another. During the activity, the students forming the inside circle remain still, which the students in the outside circle will travel to their left when given the signal. Explain to students that you are going to do a “speed-dating” activity.

Project or unveil the first prompt and tell students that they will talk about the topic with the person across from them for five minutes. Within that time, each student should play the role of speaker and listener. Set a timer for five minutes and signal that they should begin. Once time is up the outer circle rotates left. Unveil a new topic and begin the process again until students have discussed each topic, rotating to new discussion partners with each prompt. Then, ask students to return to their seats.

Alternatively, depending on the nature of your class, you could post the topics up around the room and ask students to take their journals and form small groups by each topic. Then, conduct a free-writing marathon. Have students free-write using the topic they are standing in front of as a starting point. Tell them they have five minutes and set a timer. At the conclusion of the time period, ask students to rotate to the next topic and begin free-writing. Repeat this process until students reach their starting point. Then, ask them to return to their seats.

Open discussion by asking the following questions:

• Which of these topics did you find the easiest to discuss? Why?
• Which of these did you find difficult? Why?
• Which of these prompts did you want to continue talking (or writing) about?

Then, invite students to share a story or a favorite free-write effort with the whole group.

Finally, share with students that these are the new essay topics for the common application essay and ask them what they think. Are these good topics? Is there something here for everyone? Do some help colleges get to know students better than others? Do they fuel or lessen anxiety about the college application process? You might use some of the comments in response to The Choice post to spark discussion.

Related | In Common Application Releases New Essay Prompts , Tanya Abrams unveils the new Common App essay topics for the 2013-14 admissions season.

The new Common Application — which received some criticism a few months ago for removing the “topic of your choice” essay prompt — has released five new essay prompts for the 2013-14 admissions season, Inside Higher Ed reports. Students who plan to use the Common App, a form that allows students to apply to multiple colleges and universities simultaneously, are advised to keep these essay prompts in mind. Savvy juniors, and regular readers of this blog, know that the earlier a college applicant starts drafting his or her essay, the more prepared they are. Here are the new essay prompts: Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn? Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again? Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you? Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

Questions | For discussion and reading comprehension:

• Why did the Common Application receive criticism several months ago for its essay prompts?
• Do you miss the “topic of your choice” option? Why or why not?
• Why would The Choice publish these topics now?
• What do the new topics have in common??
• How do you feel about the new word count?

RELATED RESOURCES

From the learning network.

• Lesson | Going Beyond Cliché: How to Write a Great College Essay
• Student Opinion | What Mundane Moments in Your Life Might Make Great Essay Material?
• Lesson | Getting Personal: Creating Your Own College Essay Prompts

From NYTimes.com

• Common Application is Removing a Surprising Essay Topic
• Juniors: In the Quiet of Summer, Start Your Essays
• Your Admissions Essay, Live on Stage

Around the Web

• Juniors and Common App Essays: Wait to Write Them
• TeenInk College Guide: Today’s Best College Essays
• >MIT Admissions: How to Write a College Essay

Activity | Tell students that they will have the opportunity to expand on the ideas they discussed at the beginning of class by drafting an essay in response to one of the prompts, but first, they are going to comb The New York Times for models of each topic and look closely at them to see how others have told their stories and what they might learn about how to effectively tell their own. ( Note: Many of the pieces we’ve chosen as “mentor texts” below, are either by or about young people, but some are not. Please use the choices as suggestions only: there are many, many pieces in The Times weekly that fit the Common App prompts well.)

Assign pairs or groups of students each one of the new Common App essay topics and ask them to search the Times (and elsewhere) for essays that might serves as models. Give each group the following articles, essays, or columns to use as starting points. Each group member should find at least one additional model and bring in the clipping or Web site to class for analysis and discussion.

Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

• It’s O.K. to Put Yourself First : An essay in which a writer meditates on the impact of a serious illness on her life and family.
• My Son and the City : A woman moves to New York City with her son, who has serious medical challenges and developmental disabilities–and, she writes, “in a place famous for its anonymous crowds, [he] has been learning about people.”

Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?

• A Rat’s Tale : A writer discusses her failure to be the sister her brother wanted and what she learned.
• Pancake Chronicles : An entertaining account of a disastrous first job.
• A Heartbroken Temp at Brides.com : After a groom changes his mind, his would-be bride, with “no money, no apartment, no job” takes a position at a wedding Web site.

Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?

• From Tehran to the B Train : A young woman stands up to a mugger on the subway.
• Winning Essay: Win a Trip Contest : An essay about fighting injustice all around the world.
• I Found My Biological Parents, and Wish I Hadn’t : “I’d expected to find more common ground,” writes the author of this essay.

Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?

• Yes, I’m in a Clique : A Student from Columbine High School discusses the comfort of a clique.
• My Manhattan; A Lifetime of Memories and Magic : A meditation on Central Park
• My Home in Africa : An American feels at home in the Republic of Benin.

Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

• A Life Plan for Two, Followed by One : An essay about young love and loss of innocence.
• Forbidden Nofruit : A reflection on junk food, family, and rebellion.
• Bitter Sweets : A young man who has “a hard time” with his Chinese-American identity looks for an apartment with his white girlfriend.

Generally speaking, the following Times sections offer good models for personal essays:

• Lives Columns
• Modern Love Columns
• The Townies series

In addition, the following Learning Network features pull together high interest pieces that make good models for student writing.

• Great Read-Alouds From The New York Times
• Teenagers in the Times
• Using Opening Lines From the Magazine’s ‘Lives’ Column as Writing Prompts
• 10 Personal Writing Ideas

When students identify the models, ask them to analyze them as models for writing, using the following questions:

• How does the writer begin the piece? Is it effective? Why or why not? What advice would you give an essay writer based on how this model begins?
• Where do you see the writer demonstrating what he or she is saying? In other words, where is he or she showing, rather than telling?
• What words does the writer use that really make his or her voice come alive for you?
• How does the piece end? Is this an effective technique? Why or why not?
• Finally, try “reverse outlining” the piece to see how the writer organized and developed his or her ideas.

Help students explore more Times models and advice for writing well with this lesson . For expository essay models that go beyond the personal, try this one .

Going Further |

After exploring Times models, students are now ready to craft their own essays. Ask students to choose a topic that intrigued them during the warm-up and draft an essay, using Times Resources to help them.

They might start with the three articles we’ve pulled drawings from to illustrate this lesson plan:

• Common App 4.0
• The Almighty Essay
• Returning Favors With Neighborly Advice

Then move on to specific advice offered by The Choice blog:

• On College Essay, Write About Something That Made You ‘Feel Deeply’”
• A Plea From the Admissions Office to Go for the ‘Dangerous’ Essay
• What the New Dean at Pomona Looks for in an Essay

• Hearing the Voice of a 51-Year-Old Man in the Essay of a 17-Year-Old Girl
• Treating a College Admissions Essay Like a First Date
• Crafting an Application Essay that ‘Pops’
• Tip Sheet: An Admissions Dean Offers Advice on Writing a College Essay
• Advice on Whittling Your Admissions Essay

Students who are having trouble coming up with ideas might browse the responses to our Student Opinion question What Mundane Moments in Your Life Might Make Great Essay Material? or this tip sheet from The Choice blog.

Teachers wishing to develop this lesson into a more complete unit on the college essay might focus more on crafting the essay itself using this lesson on Going Beyond Cliché: How to Write a Great College Essay” coupled with the resources from this 2009 lesson . Students might also find this advice useful.

Once students have completed their drafts, ask that they use the College Essay Checklist (PDF) to evaluate their essays either individually or in pairs.

Common Core ELA Anchor Standards, 6-12

Reading 1. Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text. 4. Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone. 5. Analyze the structure of texts, including how specific sentences, paragraphs and larger parts of the text (for example, a section, chapter, scene or stanza) relate to each other and the whole. 6. Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text. 10. Read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently.

Writing 3. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details and well-structured event sequences. 4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to task, purpose and audience. 5. Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting or trying a new approach.

Speaking and Listening 1. Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.

Language 1. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. 3. Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening.

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What a great resource you are, and to think that until last week I had no idea you even existed! Thanks to your post, I just followed up on The Choice’s suggestion to add additional helpful essay-starting exercises of my own. “What’s in your room?” has long been the prompt I use to get things rolling – even before the Common App posted its new questions. And look: Question 4 readily lends itself to that train of thought.

Your suggestions have also been a good way for me to refine an area where I don’t quite agree. I’ve never found it useful to have students look at model essays written by other people, in the same way I don’t (usually) find it a good idea when students begin their essays with someone else’s lofty quotation. I’d much rather give them the strategies to look deeper within themselves to provide both the text and, more importantly, the subtext. In fact, I don’t feel that even the Common Core heeds the omnipresence of a deeper intuitive logic within the writing process. In the college essay I believe the chief goal should be to get students to realize they are the only authority they may need when it comes to making, then sharing, the amazing, unique connections they have arrived at based on experiences they alone are qualified to speak of. =)

Thanks so much for letting us know, Maxene! (And consider inviting your students to do our Summer Reading Contest , too!) –Katherine

This chart is very use fol for students

This is one of the most extensive and helpful posts I’ve read on how to write college admissions essays. My feeling is that most English teachers know their great literature, but are not as versed on teaching writing–especially narrative style pieces. I agree that the best place to get ideas for unique topics, as well as learn how to structure these more informal essays, is by reading what others have written. You have collected a wonderful assortment of sample essays. Reading excellent writing, especially the New York Times, is also very helpful, especially feature-style articles that use creative writing techniques, such as anecdotal leads and descriptive details. I try to share similar writing advice on my blog, Essay Hell.

Excellent resource, thank you.

I am in the process of writing my common application essay, and this is served as inspiration.

It was very useful for me.

Is the essay you write just as important as your SAT scores?

This will help me immensely when I begin writing my college essay prompt.

Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. //www.essayhelpcollege.blogspot.com //writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/application-essays/

Common Application will retain the current set of first-year essay prompts for 2014-15, without any edits or additions. //dartmouth.edu/writing-speech/ wwwbuyessay.co.uk

I saw some sources about relationship. Is it okay to write about your love and how in has influenced you to become a better person?

Hi, these tips are really helpful to write my personal statement for law school. I was feeling overwhelmed to compose my personal statement.

Found your blog very useful & informative. Thanks for such a nice post.

What's Next

I was a heretic at the new york times.

I did what I was hired to do, and I paid for it.

Listen to this article

Produced by ElevenLabs and NOA, News Over Audio, using AI narration.

O n one of my first days at The New York Times , I went to an orientation with more than a dozen other new hires. We had to do an icebreaker: Pick a Starburst out of a jar and then answer a question. My Starburst was pink, I believe, and so I had to answer the pink prompt, which had me respond with my favorite sandwich. Russ & Daughters’ Super Heebster came to mind, but I figured mentioning a $19 sandwich wasn’t a great way to win new friends. So I blurted out, “The spicy chicken sandwich from Chick-fil-A,” and considered the ice broken.

The HR representative leading the orientation chided me: “We don’t do that here. They hate gay people.” People started snapping their fingers in acclamation. I hadn’t been thinking about the fact that Chick-fil-A was transgressive in liberal circles for its chairman’s opposition to gay marriage. “Not the politics, the chicken,” I quickly said, but it was too late. I sat down, ashamed.

As far back as I can remember, my parents have subscribed to the Times . As a kid, I’d run out to grab the newspaper from the driveway most mornings, and we’d do the crossword puzzle together on the weekends. When I got a job in the Times Opinion section in 2019, they were thrilled—the last time someone in my family had had anything to do with the paper, it was for my grandmother’s run-in with the law in 1986. In an act of civil disobedience, she had chained herself to her hot-dog cart in Houston after city officials refused to give her a food-vendor license. (She ultimately beat the ticket .)

Graeme Wood: The move to eradicate disagreement

I was glad that someone like me—with a background writing for right-of-center publications—was welcome at the paper of record. After college, I’d landed a fellowship on the editorial page of The Wall Street Journal , and then a writing job at The Weekly Standard . The Standard was conservative yet unrelentingly anti–Donald Trump, and happy to pick fights with Republicans. The story I’m most proud of writing there was one exposing the racist remarks of then-Representative Steve King of Iowa.

James Bennet, the Times ’ editorial-page editor, and James Dao, the op-ed editor, were committed to publishing heterodox views. From my time at the Standard , I had contacts on the political right and a good sense of its ideological terrain. The Times had hired me to provide research for columnists and to solicit and edit newsy, against-the-grain op-eds. I brushed off my discomfort about the office politics and focused on work. Our mandate was to present readers with “intelligent discussion from all shades of opinion,” as the Times ’ founder, Adolph Ochs, put it in 1896. This meant publishing arguments that would challenge readers’ assumptions, and perspectives that they may not otherwise encounter in their daily news diet. I edited essays by the mayor of a small city in Kentucky, a New York City subway conductor on her work during COVID , a military mother on improving life on bases . I also sought out expressly conservative views.

Ochs was not, of course, calling for publishing just any opinion. An op-ed had to be smart and written in good faith, and not used to settle scores, derive personal benefit, or engineer some desired outcome. It had to be authentic. In other words, our goal was supposed to be journalistic, rather than activist.

This, I learned in my two years at the Times , was not a goal that everyone shared.

B eing a conservative —or at least being considered one—at the Times was a strange experience. I often found myself asking questions like “Doesn’t all of this talk of ‘voter suppression’ on the left sound similar to charges of ‘voter fraud’ on the right?” only to realize how unwelcome such questions were. By asking, I’d revealed that I wasn’t on the same team as my colleagues, that I didn’t accept as an article of faith the liberal premise that voter suppression was a grave threat to liberal democracy while voter fraud was entirely fake news.

Or take the Hunter Biden laptop story: Was it truly “ unsubstantiated ,” as the paper kept saying? At the time, it had been substantiated, however unusually, by Rudy Giuliani. Many of my colleagues were clearly worried that lending credence to the laptop story could hurt the electoral prospects of Joe Biden and the Democrats. But starting from a place of party politics and assessing how a particular story could affect an election isn’t journalism. Nor is a vague unease with difficult subjects. “The state of Israel makes me very uncomfortable,” a colleague once told me. This was something I was used to hearing from young progressives on college campuses, but not at work.

There was a sense that publishing the occasional conservative voice made the paper look centrist. But I soon realized that the conservative voices we published tended to be ones agreeing with the liberal line. It was also clear that right-of-center submissions were treated differently. They faced a higher bar for entry, more layers of editing, and greater involvement of higher-ups. Standard practice held that when a writer submitted an essay to an editor, the editor would share that draft with colleagues via an email distribution list. Then we would all discuss it. But many of my colleagues didn’t want their name attached to op-eds advancing conservative arguments, and early-to-mid-career staffers would routinely oppose their publication. After senior leaders in the Opinion section realized that these articles were not getting a fair shake, the process evolved. Articles that were potentially “controversial” (read: conservative) were sent directly to the most senior editors on the page, to be scrutinized by the leadership rather than the whole department.

The tension between journalistic and activist impulses existed in newsrooms before the spring of 2020. But it deepened after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, and the protests and riots that gripped America in the subsequent weeks. The account of how the Times came to publish an op-ed by Senator Tom Cotton calling for the military to quell riots, and of the controversy that followed, has been told in many places, most recently by Bennet, my former boss, in a lengthy essay for 1843 , The Economist ’s magazine . I was the primary editor of that op-ed, under the direction of my more senior colleagues.

I was working remotely from Los Angeles at the time and remember walking down Fairfax Avenue a few days earlier. Everything was trashed. Gang signs had been scrawled on the walls of stores; graffiti on a bank branch read hang bankers ; stores with Black Lives Matter signs had been ransacked. Police cars and some stores had been burned nearby, and I could smell the ash in the air. Notably, 1,000 National Guardsmen had been called in to Los Angeles to restore calm.

The Times editorial board weighed in on the Black Lives Matter protests, articulating complete support for their mission:

In too many police departments there is a culture of impunity. Until that culture is changed, there will continue to be rightful rage at its existence. Rather than just condemning or applauding protesters, Americans should listen closely to what they’re demanding.

Not all of the demonstrations were peaceful. Police stations in Minneapolis and Portland, Oregon , were set on fire. Police cars were firebombed in New York City, and officers were shot in St. Louis. Many people felt that things were spiraling out of control.

On June 1, Tom Cotton, a former Army officer and the junior senator from Arkansas, was advancing the argument—in exchanges with President Trump and on his Twitter feed —that the president should invoke the 1807 Insurrection Act to deploy, “if necessary, the 10th Mountain, 82nd Airborne, 1st Cav, 3rd Infantry—whatever it takes to restore order. No quarter for insurrectionists, anarchists, rioters, and looters.” The “no quarter” element caused alarm—did Cotton mean “leave no survivor,” as the phrase’s use in a military context could suggest? “A no quarter order is a war crime,” the conservative commentator and former Army lawyer David French responded . Cotton clarified, tweeting : “If you say that someone was given no quarter, you mean that they were not treated kindly by someone who had power or control over them,” with a link to that definition in a dictionary. Not everyone was convinced.

The next day, Cotton’s office pitched me an op-ed about Twitter threatening to lock his account if he didn’t delete the original tweet. I sent the pitch to Dao, the op-ed editor. Rather than focus on the side issue of Twitter’s content-moderation policies, Dao replied, Cotton’s essay should be about the actual substance of his argument: In this case, does the president have the authority to invoke the Insurrection Act? Should he? Other editors who were consulted on the pitch found that argument worthwhile. I conveyed the reformulated idea to Cotton’s office, and his staff filed a draft early the next morning. We also had plans, as was our custom, to run arguments against Cotton’s view. And we already had .

I was given the job of fact-checking and line-editing. Among other edits, I inserted a line making clear the distinction between peaceful protesters and law-breaking looters. I deleted several objectionable sentences and cleared up factual questions: all pretty standard in the work of an op-ed editor. In addition to my own edits, I incorporated edits conveyed by Bennet, Dao, and the deputy op-ed editor, Clay Risen; then a copy editor went over the essay. Over the course of this process, I went back and forth with Cotton’s staff several times, and we exchanged multiple drafts.

I had one more task to take care of. Cotton’s office had emailed me several photos that they wanted to see published alongside the op-ed, showing times when the same legal doctrine had been invoked in the past. One was of U.S. troops enforcing the desegregation of the University of Mississippi in 1962. I sent these to a photo editor, Jeffrey Henson Scales, and asked him to “consider” them. He wrote me back to say, “A false equivalence, but historical images are there now,” meaning he’d added them to the story file in the system. I thanked him and added a “confusion” emoji, in case he wanted to expand on what he meant. He replied by sending me the emoji of a black box, representing solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.

At about 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3, Cotton’s office signed off on the article. Risen and Dao then approved publication.

Immediately, the op-ed caused an outcry within the Times . Dozens of the paper’s employees retweeted an identical, or near-identical, statement, workshopped on Slack and rubber-stamped by the NewsGuild of New York, which represents the newspaper’s union (I was a member), claiming that “ running this put Black @nytimes staff in danger .”

It was an outlandish claim but next to impossible to rebut—how can you tell someone who says they’re not safe that, in fact, they’re fine? Did they know that in some states, troops had already been deployed to protect public safety? Were we reading the same op-ed? Were they serious?

Leadership at the paper seemed to think so; the claim had the trappings of a workplace-safety and racial-justice issue. The Times Guild immediately started organizing against the op-ed and those responsible for it. “Is there something else we can do? I am behind whatever action we might take,” wrote Susan Hopkins, a newsroom editor who now helps run the front page, in the Guild Slack channel. By the end of the week, the Guild had a letter with more than 1,000 signatures demanding changes to the Opinion section. (When I pointed out to a Guild representative that its activism was in effect calling for one of its own members to face repercussions, he seemed surprised, and apologized, though the Guild did not meaningfully change its public tack.)

A diplomatic correspondent, Edward Wong, wrote in an email to colleagues that he typically chose not to quote Cotton in his own stories because his comments “often represent neither a widely held majority opinion nor a well-thought-out minority opinion.” This message was revealing. A Times reporter saying that he avoids quoting a U.S. senator? What if the senator is saying something important? What sorts of minority opinions met this correspondent’s standards for being well thought-out? In any event, the opinion Cotton was expressing in his op-ed, whatever one thinks of it, had, according to polling cited in the essay, the support of more than half of American voters. It was not a minority opinion.

Soon a new channel was created on Slack to discuss the op-ed. In a matter of hours, more than 1,500 employees had joined it, and there were thousands of messages plotting next steps and calling for a retraction, an editors’ note, firings.

Many colleagues wrote to me directly to express their anger. A few offered support. “Hey fwiw I disagree with Cotton but I think that piece was a traditional op-ed from the other side. Hope you’re OK,” a senior staff editor told me.

One columnist suggested that I “take notes.” I did.

O n Thursday , June 4, a reporter on the business desk named Edmund Lee contacted me. “So, we’re reporting out the Cotton Op-Ed,” he wrote. “We know from sources you were the principal writer.” I reached out to Dao for advice on how to handle this ludicrous claim, and did as he suggested. “I’ll have to send you to corp comms,” I wrote to Lee. “Off the record: I can categorically tell you that I did not write the Op-Ed.”

Later that day, the Times published a story by Lee and two other reporters. “The Op-Ed was edited by Adam Rubenstein,” the article said. It devoted five paragraphs to my interaction with the photo editor, who had, against company policy, shared with the reporters some of our Slack messages.

Mr. Scales raised an objection. “A false equivalence, but historical images are there now,” he wrote to Mr. Rubenstein on Slack, the internal messaging software used by Times employees. “Yeah, there are a few in there,” Mr. Rubenstein responded.

The full exchange made clear that I had been talking about the photos; presented this way, many read it as a confession that I believed the article was drawing false equivalences. Indeed, after this account came out, The Washington Post described me as having “shrugged off accuracy issues.”

That wasn’t the only issue with Lee’s story. As Bennet noted in his essay for 1843 , the article claimed that Cotton advocated suppressing “protests against police violence.” The op-ed didn’t argue that. If it had, we would not have published it. In fact, Cotton’s essay was explicit in distinguishing between protests and the undeniable violence and looting: “A majority who seek to protest peacefully shouldn’t be confused with bands of miscreants.” (When asked for comment by The Atlantic , Danielle Rhoades Ha, a Times spokesperson, pointed to the op-ed’s language calling for a show of force to “deter lawbreakers.” She wrote, “‘Lawbreakers’ would have included people marching without permits, refusing to disperse and blocking the streets. A fair reading of that suggests that he was in favor of military intervention against those breaking curfew or refusing to disperse as well as looters and rioters.” At the time, police cars were burning in glass-strewn streets. I assure you, when Cotton wrote “lawbreakers,” he wasn’t talking about curfews.)

At first the paper’s publisher, A. G. Sulzberger, had defended the choice to publish Cotton’s op-ed, though he added that he was listening to everyone’s concerns “with an open mind.” By that night, he’d caved and was claiming that a review had been conducted that found that “a rushed editorial process” was responsible for an op-ed that “did not meet our standards.” For the record, I—the editor on whom the paper had pinned responsibility—was never interviewed as part of any formal review.

Later, after poring over the Slack channels, I realized something more surprising: Rachel Abrams, one of Lee’s co-authors on the article, had been a vocal internal critic of Cotton’s op-ed. “How can they be sending us emails telling us they’re keeping us safe and care about our physical and mental well-being and then publish this,” she had posted on Slack, later adding, “I think it’s good that a lot of us will put our names on a strong condemnation.” (She later stated that, as a media reporter, she should not have said this, but that there was no issue with her factual reporting for the story.)

I watched as factitious accounts of the publication process and the op-ed itself made their way into the paper’s own coverage and beyond. A narrative had emerged on Slack: that I had gone rogue and published the article without any involvement of higher-ups. Of course this was false, but that untruth nevertheless became central to the story. I had followed all the rules, but I had the sinking feeling that not all of my colleagues felt similarly constrained.

T he debate on Slack seemed interminable. Stephanie Saul, a Pulitzer Prize–winning education reporter, was one of the few people who expressed support for publishing a range of views on the op-ed page. Margaret Lyons, a television critic, countered: “We don’t run pieces where serial killers tell us murdering is actually fun and great.”

On the morning of June 5, the company assembled for a virtual town hall. As Bennet wrote in 1843 , this was an opportunity for him to apologize (he didn’t), and for Sulzberger and Dean Baquet, then the Times ’ executive editor, to get ahold of the ship (they didn’t). Afterward, one reporter, Liam Stack, wrote to colleagues, “This rhetoric of ‘a moment of deep reflection and listening’ is just making people more angry.” The pressure on management would not relent.

That night, an editors’ note was appended to the op-ed. The note contains many errors, among them that the editorial process had been “rushed,” that “senior editors were not sufficiently involved,” and that facts in the article weren’t quite right. Never mind, of course, that it wasn’t rushed, that senior editors were deeply involved, and that there were no correctable errors. The note criticized Cotton’s claim that “radicals like antifa are infiltrating protest marches,” alleging that it had “not been substantiated.” But the attorney general was on the record saying that antifa had done just that—a fact the Times eventually confirmed for itself.

“A more pathetic collection of 317 words would be difficult to assemble,” Erik Wemple, the media critic of The Washington Post , wrote a few years later about the editor’s note.

The next morning I got a call from Sulzberger. I warned him that every action he was taking—the town halls, the public statements, the editors’ note, and the Times ’ own erroneous reporting—was putting me, my colleagues, and Sulzberger himself in a worse position. He apologized for the mess, and for my being caught in the middle of it, and said he’d “stew on” what he could do.

I never heard from him again.

The same day, Sulzberger asked Bennet to resign. “Wow,” Meghan Louttit, who is now a deputy editor in the newsroom, wrote on Slack. “James’s resignation makes me somewhat … Hopeful?” and added that the firing, in her view, represented “a first step.”

But a first step toward what? During an Opinion all-hands meeting, a liberal columnist asked Sulzberger about the precedent that firing Bennet set: Will you stand by me if people around here and on Twitter don’t like one of my columns?

Every now and then, the group that handles security for the Times would check in on me to make sure I was safe. Ever since the paper had named me as the person responsible for publishing Cotton’s op-ed, I had been receiving alarming threats.

I felt in those days like I was in a foreign country where I didn’t speak the language and was on trial for a manufactured offense. I still thought that if I could only explain that the regular process had been followed, that the op-ed had called for protesters not to be harmed but instead protected, the situation could still be resolved.

Maybe I should have seen this all coming. A few months earlier, my former colleague Bari Weiss had predicted that Bennet wouldn’t last long: “He is doing what they claim to want but they don’t want it,” she told me. Once Bennet resigned, a new regime came into Opinion. Dao was reassigned to the national desk. Clay Risen moved to Politics, then to Obituaries. New policies were enacted. A “See something, say something” rule was affirmed, and a Slack channel called “op-sensitivity” was created, in which editors were encouraged to raise concerns about one another’s stories. By December, I had decided to leave the paper. It had been made clear to me, in a variety of ways, that I had no future there.

Caitlin Flanagan: Colleges are lying to their students

In the years preceding the Cotton op-ed, the Times had published op-eds by authoritarians including Muammar Qaddafi , Recep Tayyip Erdoğan , and Vladimir Putin . The year of the Cotton op-ed, it also published the Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece Regina Ip’s defense of China’s murderous crackdown on prodemocracy protests in Hong Kong, Moustafa Bayoumi’s seeming apologia of cultural and ethnic resentments of Jews, and an article by a leader of the Taliban, Sirajuddin Haqqani . None of those caused an uproar. Last year, the page published an essay by the Hamas-appointed mayor of Gaza City , and few seemed to mind. But whether the paper is willing to publish conservative views on divisive political issues, such as abortion rights and the Second Amendment, remains an open question.

I’m not sure the relative calm can be attributed to the new leadership or new policies; more likely the cause was enough blood having been let, and Donald Trump having left office (however unwillingly). On January 6, 2021, few people at The New York Times remarked on the fact that liberals were cheering on the deployment of National Guardsmen to stop rioting at the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., the very thing Tom Cotton had advocated.

(In a statement, Rhoades Ha, the Times spokesperson, told The Atlantic that the Opinion section’s “commitment to publishing diverse views—including those that are unpopular, controversial or heterodox—is unwavering.” She doubled down on the Times ’ claims that the Cotton op-ed “did not hold up to scrutiny” and that senior leaders weren’t involved enough. “None of that,” she added at the end, “was Adam’s fault. As a junior member of the team, he deserved better editorial support and oversight.” Please. What I and others really deserved were leaders who didn’t buckle under pressure and sacrifice their own to placate a loud and insurgent group at the paper.)

All of this happened in the first five years of my career. In the worst of those days, I was attacked not only by colleagues, but also by acquaintances and friends. One friend contacted my girlfriend of seven years, asking whether she would take a stand against “Adam’s role in promoting fascism.” She—the tough-as-nails daughter of Peruvian immigrants who grew up hearing stories of her parents fleeing the Shining Path—ignored it, and some eight weeks later, we were engaged.

As painful as it was in my mid-20s to think that my journalistic career would end as a result of this episode, it’s even more painful to think that newsrooms haven’t learned the right lessons from it. If the Times or any other outlet aims to cover America as it is and not simply how they want it to be, they should recruit more editors and reporters with conservative backgrounds, and then support them in their work. They should hire journalists, not activists. And they should remember that heterodoxy isn’t heresy.

By telling the story the Times told about Cotton’s op-ed, the paper seemed to avoid confronting the tough reality that despite many staffers’ objections, the article was well within the bounds of reasonable discourse. What did it mean for the paper and its coverage that Times employees were so violently opposed to publishing a mainstream American view?

It was clear to me then and it’s clear to me now that the fight over Cotton’s op-ed was never about safety, or the facts, or the editing, or even the argument, but control of the paper and who had it. In the end, all that mattered was that an example had been made.

How We Redesigned the New York Times Opinion Essay

When a team of editors, designers and strategists teamed up to talk about how times opinion coverage is presented and packaged to readers, they thought of a dinner party..

The NYT Open Team

By Dalit Shalom

Picture a dinner party. The table is set with a festive meal, glasses full of your favorite drink. A group of your friends gather around to talk and share stories. The conversation swings from topic to topic and everyone is engaged in a lively discussion, excited to share ideas and stories with one another.

This is what we imagined when we — a group of New York Times editors, strategists and designers — teamed up last summer to talk about how to think about how our Opinion coverage is presented and packaged to our readers. We envisioned a forum that facilitated thoughtful discussion and would invite people to participate in vibrant debates.

The team was established after a wave of feedback from our readers showed that many people found it difficult to tell whether a story was an Opinion piece or hard news. This feedback was concerning. The Times publishes fact-based journalism both in our newsroom and on our Opinion desk, but it is very important to our mission that the distinction between the two is clear.

The type of Opinion journalism our group was tasked with rethinking was the Op-Ed, which was first introduced in the Times newspaper in 1970. The Op-Ed was short for “opposite the Editorial Page,” and it contained essays written by both Times columnists and external contributors from across the political, cultural and global spectrum who shared their viewpoints on numerous topics and current events. Because of the Op-Ed’s proximity to the Editorial Page in the printed newspaper, it was clear that published essays were Opinion journalism.

Then The Times began publishing online. Today, most of our readers find our journalism across many different media channels. The Op-Ed lost its clear proximity to the Editorial Page, and the term has been used broadly as a catch-all phrase for Opinion pieces, leaving the definition of what an Op-Ed is unclear.

To learn more about the friction our readership was describing, we held several research sessions with various types of Times readers, including subscribers and non-subscribers. Over the course of these sessions, we learned that readers genuinely crave a diversity of viewpoints. They turn to the Opinion section for a curated conversation that introduces them to ideologies different than their own.

In the divided nature of politics today, many readers are looking for structured arguments that prepare them to converse thoughtfully about complicated topics. Some readers said they want to challenge and interrogate their own beliefs. Others worry that they exist in their own bubbles and they need to understand how the “other side” thinks.

And across the board, readers said they are aware that social media platforms can be echo chambers that help validate their beliefs rather than illuminate different perspectives. They believe The Times can help them look outside those echo chambers.

Considering this feedback, we took a close look at the anatomy of an Op-Ed piece. At a glance, Opinion pieces shared similar, but not necessarily cohesive, properties. They had an “Opinion” label at the top of the page that was sometimes followed by a descriptive sub-label (for example, “The Argument”), as a way to indicate a story belonged to a column. That would be a headline, a summary and a byline, often accompanied by an image or video before the actual text of the story.

By looking at those visual cues, it became clear to us that they could be reconfigured to better communicate the difference between news and opinion.

We created several design provocations and conducted user testing sessions with readers to see how this approach and a new layout might resonate. Some noticeable changes we made include center-aligning the Opinion label and header, labeling the section in red and providing more intentional guidance and art direction for visuals that accommodate Opinion pieces.

While many readers could tell the difference between news and opinion stories, they didn’t understand why certain voices were featured in the Opinion section. They wanted more clarity about the Op-Ed, such as who wrote it and whether the writer was Times staff or an external voice. In the case of external contributors, readers wanted to know why the desk chose to feature their voice.

These questions took our team back to the drawing board. We began to realize that the challenge at hand was not solely a design problem, but a framing issue, as well.

We had long philosophical conversations about the meaning of Op-Ed pieces. We talked about the importance of hosting external voices and how those voices should be presented to our readers. The metaphor of a dinner party figured prominently in our conversations: the Opinion section should be a place where guests gather to engage in an environment that is civil and respectful.

We began to sharpen how we might convey the difference between an endorsement of a particular voice and hosting a guest — one of many who might contribute to a lively debate around a current event.

The more we thought about the Opinion section as a dinner party, the more we felt how crucial it was to communicate this idea to readers.

As we approached the designs, we set out to create an atmosphere for open dialogue and conversation. Two significant editorial changes came out of our group conversations.

After many iterations, we decided to introduce a two-tiered labeling system, so that readers could understand unequivocally the type of Opinion piece they were about to engage with. For external voices, we added the label “ Guest Essay ,” alongside other labels that indicate staff contributors and internal editorials. The label “Guest Essay” not only shifts the tone of a piece — a guest that we are hosting to share their point of view — but it also helps readers distinguish between opinions coming from the voice of The Times and opinions coming from external voices.

The second important editorial change is a more detailed bio about the author whose opinion we are sharing. With the dinner party metaphor in mind, this kind of intentional introduction can be seen as a toast, providing context, clarity and relevance around who someone is and why we chose them to write an essay.

Some of these changes may seem subtle, but sometimes the best dinner conversations are nuanced. This body of work signals an important moment for The New York Times in how we think about expressing opinions on our platform. We believe that one of the things that makes for a healthy society and a functioning democracy is a space for numerous perspectives to be honored and celebrated. We are confident these improvements will help further Times Opinion’s mission of curating debate and discussion around the world’s most pressing issues.

Dalit Shalom is the Design Lead for the Story Formats team at The New York Times, focusing on crafting new storytelling vehicles for Times journalism. Dalit teaches classes on creative thinking and news products at NYU and Columbia, and in her free time you can find her baking tremendous amounts of babka.

Written by The NYT Open Team

We’re New York Times employees writing about workplace culture, and how we design and build digital products for journalism.

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About Us: Essays from the Disability Series of the New York Times Hardcover – September 3, 2019

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Based on the pioneering New York Times series, About Us collects the personal essays and reflections that have transformed the national conversation around disability.

Boldly claiming a space in which people with disabilities can be seen and heard as they are―not as others perceive them― About Us captures the voices of a community that has for too long been stereotyped and misrepresented. Speaking not only to those with disabilities, but also to their families, coworkers and support networks, the authors in About Us offer intimate stories of how they navigate a world not built for them.

Since its 2016 debut, the popular New York Times ’ “Disability” column has transformed the national dialogue around disability. Now, echoing the refrain of the disability rights movement, “Nothing about us without us,” this landmark collection gathers the most powerful essays from the series that speak to the fullness of human experience―stories about first romance, childhood shame and isolation, segregation, professional ambition, child-bearing and parenting, aging and beyond.

Reflecting on the fraught conversations around disability―from the friend who says “I don’t think of you as disabled,” to the father who scolds his child with attention differences, “Stop it stop it stop it what is wrong with you?”―the stories here reveal the range of responses, and the variety of consequences, to being labeled as “disabled” by the broader public.

Here, a writer recounts her path through medical school as a wheelchair user―forging a unique bridge between patients with disabilities and their physicians. An acclaimed artist with spina bifida discusses her art practice as one that invites us to “stretch ourselves toward a world where all bodies are exquisite.” With these notes of triumph, these stories also offer honest portrayals of frustration over access to medical care, the burden of social stigma and the nearly constant need to self-advocate in the public realm.

In its final sections, About Us turns to the questions of love, family and joy to show how it is possible to revel in life as a person with disabilities. Subverting the pervasive belief that disability results in relentless suffering and isolation, a quadriplegic writer reveals how she rediscovered intimacy without touch, and a mother with a chronic illness shares what her condition has taught her young children.

With a foreword by Andrew Solomon and introductory comments by co-editors Peter Catapano and Rosemarie Garland-Thomson, About Us is a landmark publication of the disability movement for readers of all backgrounds, forms and abilities.

• Print length 304 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Liveright
• Publication date September 3, 2019
• Dimensions 6.4 x 1.2 x 9.6 inches
• ISBN-10 1631495852
• ISBN-13 978-1631495854
• See all details

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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Liveright; Reprint edition (September 3, 2019)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1631495852
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1631495854
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.17 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.4 x 1.2 x 9.6 inches
• #229 in Schizophrenia (Books)
• #324 in Physical Impairments (Books)
• #2,322 in Popular Psychology Pathologies

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About the authors

Andrew Solomon

Andrew Solomon is a professor of psychology at Columbia University, president of PEN American Center, and a regular contributor to The New Yorker, NPR, and The New York Times Magazine. A lecturer and activist, he is the author of Far and Away: Essays from the Brink of Change: Seven Continents, Twenty-Five Years; the National Book Critics Circle Award-winner Far from the Tree: Parents, Children, and the Search for Identity, which has won thirty additional national awards; and The Noonday Demon; An Atlas of Depression, which won the 2001 National Book Award, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and has been published in twenty-four languages. He has also written a novel, A Stone Boat, which was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times First Fiction Award and The Irony Tower: Soviet Artists in a Time of Glasnost. His TED talks have been viewed over ten million times. He lives in New York and London and is a dual national. For more information, visit the author’s website at AndrewSolomon.com

Ben Mattlin

BEN MATTLIN is the author of DISABILITY PRIDE: DISPATCHES FROM A POST-ADA WORLD, IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH, and MIRACLE BOY GROWS UP.

Based in Los Angeles, he is a senior writer at Financial Advisor magazine. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, CNN, Time, Newsweek, Chicago Tribune, Self magazine, and USA Today, and has been broadcast on NPR’s “Morning Edition.” He's also a former contributing editor at Institutional Investor, the late Windows In Financial Services, Dealmaker, Buyside, and Individual Investor magazines.

Non-print credits include the Mark Taper Forum, Blonde and Brunette Productions, and the children's television program BIKER MICE FROM MARS.

He has a nice butt, too, but you'll never see it because he's always sitting in a wheelchair.

His writing about disability-related causes led to appearances on radio and multiple podcasts, just like everybody else. He's also been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News & World Report, and Penthouse.

Born in New York City in 1962 with spinal muscular atrophy, a congenital muscle weakness, Mattlin graduated cum laude from Harvard University in 1984.

He and his wife have two adult daughters, a cat, and a turtle.

Rosemarie Garland Thomson

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Guest Essay

Trump Should Lose. But the Supreme Court Should Still Clarify Immunity.

By Lee Kovarsky

Mr. Kovarsky teaches at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law.

The Supreme Court has never squarely resolved whether a president’s in-term conduct is immune from criminal prosecution because, before Donald Trump, there were no indicted ex-presidents.

But there are four such indictments now, including Special Counsel Jack Smith’s prosecution in Washington, D.C. — a case built around Mr. Trump’s fraudulent attempt to subvert the 2020 election and extend his presidential term. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court decided to review a decision from a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which rejected Mr. Trump’s claim of presidential immunity in an opinion that was thorough and unanimous.

The Supreme Court’s decision to hear the case means that Mr. Trump’s trial remains in limbo — and the timing of proceedings will likely impact the 2024 presidential election.

All short-term politics aside, the Supreme Court confronts an extraordinary question of American governance: Are ex-presidents immune from prosecution for in-term conduct? And, if so, how much immunity do they have?

Mr. Trump lost badly in the D.C. Circuit, and the margin of that defeat reflects the underlying weakness of his immunity arguments. That very weakness that might tempt the Supreme Court to say too little about the existence and scope of presidential immunity.

That temptation is unfortunate because American democracy is entering a perilous period of extreme polarization — one in which less malfeasant presidents may face frivolous, politicized prosecutions when they leave office.

Many justices profess to be minimalists, deciding only the case in front of them. But for the good of the country, the Supreme Court should use Mr. Trump’s case to announce a narrow presidential immunity. Mr. Trump would flunk any immunity standard, but the court should announce a standard nonetheless.

The easy part of the Supreme Court’s job is to affirm the D.C. Circuit’s decision that Mr. Trump isn’t immunized. He seeks an implausibly broad rule of immunity for any conduct involving “official acts” — no matter their context, the intent behind them or whether they figured in rank criminality. During the January hearing at the D.C. Circuit, Mr. Trump’s lawyer suggested that official acts immunity would cover a president who had ordered SEAL Team 6 to assassinate a political rival.

Official acts immunity does protect former presidents against damages in civil cases, but a foundational premise of the civil case standard is that it’s far too broad for criminal prosecutions.

And even if the Supreme Court embraced an official-acts test, it still wouldn’t bar Jack Smith’s D.C. prosecution. It has already been determined — in a recent decision in a civil case, by a separate D.C. Circuit Court panel — that Mr. Trump’s extramural efforts to remain in office were not “official acts.” The D.C. Circuit opinion now subject to review in the Supreme Court expressly cited Mr. Trump’s failed civil immunity claim as a reason to be “doubtful” that the former president could meet the official acts standard in the criminal prosecution. Mr. Trump was acting as an “officeseeker” rather than an “officeholder,” and the private sphere of office-seeking conduct sits outside the scope of official-acts immunity.

Only the tiniest slice of the indicted conduct could bear a straight-faced description as an “official act” — when Mr. Trump and co-conspirators “attempted to use the power and authority of the Justice Department,” as the indictment puts it , to have the department initiate bogus election investigations and “to send a letter to the targeted states that falsely claimed that the Justice Department had identified significant concerns that may have impacted the election outcome.” Even if the Supreme Court settled on an official acts test, there’s little chance it would preclude the whole prosecution.

Mr. Trump’s prediction of similar indictments against Democrats is a ghastly justification for a needlessly broad presidential immunity. He shouldn’t get immunity just because some ambitious federal prosecutor might, for example, indict Joe Biden for something his son Hunter did.

In a case less entwined with an upcoming presidential election, and at a moment of less national precarity, the Supreme Court might just call it a day after affirming that official acts immunity doesn’t shield Mr. Trump from criminal punishment.

Instead, the Supreme Court should seize this opportunity to develop a narrow presidential immunity in criminal cases. That would prevent frivolous federal prosecutions from becoming a standard political tactic and give judges the tools they need to manage any reprisal to come.

As a practical matter, the standard would primarily set immunity in federal court because presidents have other immunities that protect them from state prosecutions.

For federal prosecutions, the immunity should mark a workable line between the reasonable discharge of essential constitutional functions and a president’s pursuit of personal interest. In other words, presidents ought not go faithfully about core presidential business in a long shadow of criminal punishment. But assuming that criminal liability doesn’t interfere with the president’s constitutional duties, then it’s not clear why a president should be exempt from the criminal law that binds everyone else.

Broad immunity is a clumsy response to the threat of unjustified federal prosecutions. When presidents commit federal crimes, they are — by definition — flouting congressional priorities. The best justification for immunizing former presidents against federal prosecutions is that the charged conduct is reasonably necessary to a core constitutional duty.

Take a popular example involving President Barack Obama’s drone strike order against Anwar al-Awlaki, an American citizen living in Yemen. Mr. Awlaki was an operationally significant hub of Al Qaeda terrorist activity, and the defense community considered him to be an imminent wartime threat. The example isn’t perfect because Mr. Obama ordered the strike only after the Justice Department concluded that the killing would not be a federal crime — and noncriminal conduct doesn’t require immunity. But if the killing were an unlawful murder, then even a narrow presidential immunity would protect Mr. Obama, on the theory that he was exercising basic commander in chief power that the Constitution assigns to the president.

This scaled-down presidential immunity sensibly sorts the hypothetical scenarios that saturate popular discourse. If reasonable exercise of commander in chief power is immunized, then Mr. Obama’s drone strike in Yemen and President Harry Truman’s bombing of Japan would be clear examples of conduct that is immune from prosecution.

But an assassination order that targets a political rival isn’t a reasonable exercise of a core constitutional power. Nor is taking a bribe for a presidential pardon, using the State of the Union address to commit treason or asserting a presidential role in the quadrennial tabulation of electoral votes. In those scenarios, the immunity vanishes.

Proponents of broad presidential immunity worry that bad-faith prosecutors will interpret criminal laws too expansively or charge ex-presidents on thin evidence. These are legitimate concerns, but the answer need not be immunity. Courts could short-circuit such prosecutions by facilitating early phase review of legal questions and holding the government to higher burdens of proof. A narrow immunity coupled with such procedural protection would spare presidents the indignity of ill-advised prosecutions.

This view of immunity maps well onto some of the arguments to which the parties have nodded in passing. For example, the United States’ brief to the D.C. Circuit Court twice mentions the possibility of a narrow immunity for conduct that is “essential” to “constitutionally assigned functions.” Its most recent Supreme Court filing gestures at that standard again.

Within these parameters, the precise formulation doesn’t matter. The point is that, when the Supreme Court reviews the special counsel’s prosecution, it should do more than simply reject Mr. Trump’s assertion of official acts immunity. It should use the case to ensure that the federal judiciary has properly calibrated tools to ward off prosecutor abuse promised as political retribution.

Lee Kovarsky ( @lee_kovarsky ) is a professor at the University of Texas School of Law.

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William James Warren/Science Faction, via Corbis. The "Lives" essay has been running in our magazine nearly every week since 1996. For those who don't know, it is a place for true personal stories, running about 800 words long, and in the print edition, it's the last bit of editorial content, right inside the back cover.

Pitch your personal essay of 1500 and 3500 words to [email protected] — don't forget to format your submission as a Word document with Times New Roman 12-point font, double-spaced. The last reported rate for The Smart Set was 20 cents per word. Must-read personal essay: " White Chapel " by Eric Bryan. 21. PULP Magazine

In this lesson, students will explore the open-ended topics for the 2013-14 Common Application essays through writing and discussion. Then, they will identify and examine Times pieces that might serve as "mentor texts" for their own application essays. Finally, they will craft their own college admissions essay in response to one of the new ...

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The New York Times Learning Network Student Personal Narrative Essay Contest Rubric. Excellent (4) Proficient (3 Developing (2) Beginning (1. Story : Personal narrative tells a short but memorable story about a life experience and communicates why itwas meaningful to the writer . Language : Personal narrative uses vivid details and images to ...

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Based on the pioneering New York Times series, About Us collects the personal essays and reflections that have transformed the national conversation around disability.. Boldly claiming a space in which people with disabilities can be seen and heard as they are―not as others perceive them― About Us captures the voices of a community that has for too long been stereotyped and misrepresented.

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