The importance of using the pyramid principle in presentation writing

Zhang Yuanzhe(Emily)
2 min readNov 23, 2015

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When we talk about the pyramid principle, we will normally think about the inverted pyramid principle in journalisms studies, In fact, the inverted pyramid principle is highly used in new writing. People may ask, what is inverted pyramid principle in news writing. The answer is hook readers by putting the crucial information on the top. In fact, the inverted pyramid principle was invented by 19th centuries. During the wartime, the reporters wanted to get through the most important information by telegraph. In order to avoid the transmission was interrupted.

photo credits by www.Google.com

However, What is the pyramid principle in presentation writing? Does it similar to the inverted pyramid in news writing? In fact, these two pyramid principles are all focus on telling a good story in a logical way. When you do a presentation, How can you attract your audience attention with a short time?

According to the report from the pyramid principle. It shows that audiences are only interested in some new information which they never heard or don’t know about it. When your audience receive the new information, they will ask you questions. You will be ready to give an answer to these questions. Finally, you will find that your presentation have a clear structure which can help your audience to follow your compelling story.

photo credits by consulting methodology

Building a clear structure is a key to be success when you write your presentation. What can we do for the next step? There are two logic principles we need to keep them in mind. One is horizontal logic, Another is vertical logic.

photo credits by consulting methodology
photo credits by consulting methodology

Putting these two logical methods into practice, after you use these two logical methods you will find that either writing or presenting a story driven presentation can help you to be outstanding from the crowd.

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Zhang Yuanzhe(Emily)

Postgraduate student who is studying Media and Development at the University of Westminster.