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What Writers Know That Presenters Forget

Isabella Lewis July 23, 2025

Presenters often fall into the trap of relying on bullet-heavy slides and lackluster delivery. What writers know that presenters forget is how to craft a compelling narrative and mix storytelling techniques with emerging AI tools. In this article, we’ll explore trends that are reshaping presentations—and how to apply them for more impactful talks.

What writers know that presenters forget

1. Storytelling > Slide Stacking

Writers understand that stories connect. Great writing always has a narrative arc—characters, conflict, resolution. Presenters often forget this, focusing instead on information dumping: stacks of bullet points with no emotional arc or cohesion.

According to communication expert Steve Rosenbaum, conversations capture interest because they follow a natural, fluid rhythm—unlike slides which are often rigidly sequential. “All presentations, by nature, have a different rhythm and organization than conversations.” Conversations (and stories) pivot around interest, not a pre-determined deck.

How to Fix It:

  • Start with act structure: Introduce a dilemma, escalate tension, and resolve it.
  • Include characters: Use real case studies or customer stories.
  • Elicit emotion: Use descriptive language and sensory details. The same tools writers use to evoke empathy in readers work in live delivery.

2. Show, Don’t Tell – Presentation Edition

Writers employ the advice “show, don’t tell” to make writing vivid. Presenters tend to tell: “Our metrics grew 30%.” Instead, they could show: visual evidence, anecdotes, or quotes.

Literary expert Sonya Huber explains that “show, don’t tell” forces attention through detail—not vanilla facts. Presenters who What writers know that presenters forget is that context and nuance make data relatable.

Application Tips:

  • Add visuals like snapshots, charts with narrative callouts.
  • Use storytelling: “At 9am, Maria checked her dashboard and discovered what she thought was an error. Turns out…”
  • Include a 1–2 sentence vignette with each key metric.

3. The Power of Revision

Writers rarely publish first-draft prose—they revise relentlessly. Presenters often skip this step, running through slides once, maybe twice, before showtime.

The Wall Street Journal highlights how writers learn through editing: “Writing is practice… you rewrite it — once, twice, as many times as it takes.”

How to Apply It:

  • Draft your slides, then revisit them with fresh eyes.
  • Read aloud to spot awkward transitions or unclear points.
  • Solicit feedback from peers or even non-experts.

4. AI Tools: Bridging Writing and Presenting

An emerging trend: What writers know that presenters forget is how AI tools—common in writing—can enhance presentation creation.

Platforms like Prezi are integrating AI to assist with writing slide text, creating narrative flow, and optimizing layout. On the writing side, tools like Grammarly, ProWritingAid, and ChatGPT help sharpen prose—and the same precision benefits slide copy.

With AI, presenters can:

  1. Generate draft copy using narrative prompts.
  2. Refine tone and brevity with grammar tools.
  3. Rearrange slide flow based on narrative structure.
  4. Ensure clarity and reader-friendly sentences.

Pro Tips with AI:

  • Prompt AI: “Write a 3-sentence intro positioning our challenge as a narrative.”
  • Let grammar tools highlight jargon or passive voice.
  • Preview alternate visual layouts suggested by presentation AI.

This new wave confirms “What writers know that presenters forget”—structuring narrative beats—can now be supported by AI.

5. Conversational Rhythm vs. Static Slides

Podcast-style interviews and hybrid presentation formats are becoming trendy because they feel alive. Mimicking writers’ conversational tone—variance, pacing, rhythm—makes presenters feel authentic.

Action Items:

  • Trim jargon. Write like you speak: short sentences, contractions.
  • Leave space for asides or audience queries—build in slide “pauses.”
  • Use Q&A as a narrative device: pose a question, then answer live with slide support.

6. Emerging Trend: Narrative Data Visualization

Instead of chart overload, writers turned designers use annotated, story-driven visuals to guide interpretation. Think of it as an infographic with voice—telling a plot with data.

Steps:

  • Start every chart with a headline-like narrative: “Sales dipped when we changed packaging.”
  • Annotate key shifts, use images or icons instead of raw data.
  • Add a brief “story caption” summarizing findings.

7. Audience Awareness

Writers obsess over audience—tone, reading level, interests. Presenters often present information based on what they think is important. That’s one of the main things What writers know that presenters forget.

From writing’s fundamentals: “Know your audience.” Saul Bellow learned this: “If I couldn’t picture them, I’d be sunk”.

Practical Steps:

  • Collect intel: industry, roles, familiarity with topic.
  • Embed touchstones: “As a marketer, you’ll recognize this shift…”
  • Adjust content: simplify or expand depending on audience knowledge.

8. Balancing Art and Utility

Writers like Ursula K. LeGuin remind us that writing isn’t just commodity work—it’s art. Similarly, presentations shouldn’t just package corporate messaging—they should be crafted with creativity and purpose.

Blend Creativity with Clarity:

  • Start with a compelling title or tagline.
  • Use metaphors or analogies to explain complex concepts.
  • Design slides with visual thoughtfulness—not just corporate templates.

9. Practical 5-Step Guide for Presenters

Here’s a roadmap combining writerly craft and AI tools:

  1. Outline Narrative Arc
    • Map intro → tension (problem) → resolution.
    • Identify key turning points.
  2. Draft in Plain Text
    • Use storytelling language before slides.
    • Insert data, quotes, examples inline.
  3. Revise & Trim
    • Read aloud. Cut jargon, clarify transitions.
    • Apply grammar/clarity AI tools.
  4. Design Story-Driven Slides
    • Use narrative headlines and annotated visuals.
    • Apply pacing: not more than 3 bullets per slide.
  5. Rehearse Conversationally
    • Practice with audience-style prompts.
    • Leave room for interjections or questions.

Conclusion

What writers know that presenters forget is rooted in narrative design: they outline arcs, revise meticulously, write for readers, and use vivid imagery. As AI tools bridge writing and presentation creation, this writer’s craft becomes essential.

By incorporating these steps—story arcs, revision cycles, audience awareness, and AI-enhanced clarity—presenters can move beyond boring slides to engaging talks that inform and inspire.

References

Williams, R. (2025). What Most Forget When Preparing a Talk. Medium.
Highlights the importance of “writing in the mind” before drafting, helping presenters plan for audience impact and flow. Retrieved from
https://medium.com/@SaltAndRebecca/what-most-forget-when-preparing-a-talk-d35535dc71aa

Harvard Medical School. (2022). Seven Tips for Creating Powerful Oral Presentations.
Explains how to “craft a good story,” simplify language, and use effective cues—techniques that writers typically employ but presenters often overlook. Retrieved from
https://learn.hms.harvard.edu/insights/all-insights/seven-tips-creating-powerful-oral-presentations

Hopcraft, N. (2013). How to Give a Presentation That Bores Your Audience.
A candid critique of common pitfalls—like overloading slides and excessive background detail—that writers naturally avoid but presenters frequently fall into. Retrieved from
https://nickhop.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/how-to-give-a-presentation-that-bores-your-audience-giving-a-rubbish-impression-of-you-and-your-research/