We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

What Makes an Effective Presentation?

Martyn Clayden, Adam Williams, Andrew Preshous, Zahra Shaygan, and Navami Leena

Martyn Clayden, Adam Williams, Andrew Preshous, Zahra Shaygan, and Navami Leena

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is for anyone interested in developing their presentation skills in business. Please note that the individuals detailed in the ‘Who will you learn with?’ section below, are current staff members and may be subject to change.

Topics Covered

Delivering effective presentations
Presenting in practice
How to deal with nerves

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.

Save

Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for What Makes an Effective Presentation?. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete What Makes an Effective Presentation? will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.

Cover image

Cover image

Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs (ENHANCED EBOOK)

Save

The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs book that analyzes the presentation style of one of the most successful presenters in history. It is full of insights and techniques that can help you improve your own presentation skills.

Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs (ENHANCED EBOOK)

Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs (ENHANCED EBOOK)

Cover image

Cover image

The Pyramid Principle

Save

The Pyramid Principle book that explains the importance of clear and concise thinking in presentations. It provides a framework for organizing your thoughts and ideas in a way that is easy to understand and follow.

The Pyramid Principle: Logic in Writing and Thinking

The Pyramid Principle: Logic in Writing and Thinking

The pyramid principle: Logic in writing and thinking

(中文) THE Minto Pyramid Principle:logic in Writing,...

The Pyramid Principle: Logic In Writing And...

Cover image

Cover image

HBR's 10 Must Reads on Public Speaking and...

Save

This collection of articles from Harvard Business Review covers essential aspects of public speaking and presenting, including conquering nerves, structuring messages, and using visuals effectively. It's a valuable resource for professionals looking for concise, expert advice on improving their presentation skills.

HBR's 10 Must Reads on Public Speaking and...

HBR's 10 Must Reads on Public Speaking and...

Cover image

Cover image

The Art of the Start 2.0

Save

The Art of Presenting book that is full of practical advice and tips on how to create and deliver effective presentations. It is written in a clear and concise style, and great read for anyone who wants to improve their presentation skills.

Art of the Start 2.0: The Time-Tested, Battle...

(Pусский) Стартап по Кавасаки: Проверенные методы начала...

Cover image

Cover image

A Student's Guide to Presentations

Save

The Presentation Book comprehensive book that covers the entire presentation process, from planning to delivery. It is full of in-depth insights and case studies, and valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their presentation skills.

A Student's Guide to Presentations

A Student's Guide to Presentations

Cover image

Cover image

Presentación Zen : ideas sencillas para el diseño...

Save

Presentación Zen es un libro práctico que cubre los fundamentos para crear y dar presentaciones efectivas, desde elegir las imágenes adecuadas hasta estructurar tu contenido. Está escrito con un estilo claro y conciso, y está lleno de consejos y técnicas útiles.

(Español) PRESENTACIÓN ZEN: Ideas sencillas para el diseño de...

Cover image

Cover image

Save

Provides a step-by-step method for delivering engaging and memorable presentations, drawing lessons from successful TED speakers. It's excellent for gaining a broad understanding of what makes a presentation effective and is suitable for all levels, from high school to working professionals. It serves as a great starting point for understanding the core principles of impactful public speaking.

The Money Ladder, Talk Like TED, Philosophy@Work &...

(Español) Hable como en TED / Talk Like TED (Spanish Edition)

Never Split the Difference, The Storyteller's...

Ted Talks and Talk Like TED 2 Books Collection set...

Talk Like TED, Hyperfocus, Eat That Frog!, How to...

So Good They Can't Ignore You, 10% Happier, Talk...

(Deutsch) Talk like TED

The Storyteller's Secret [Hardcover], Talk Like TED...

(中文) TALK LIKE TED:The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the...

Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the...

(Deutsch) Talk like TED: Die 9 Geheimnisse der weltbesten...

Cover image

Cover image

Presentation Zen

Save

Focusing on simplicity and storytelling, this book offers a visual approach to creating effective presentation slides and delivering compelling talks. It's highly relevant for understanding presentation design principles and is valuable for students and professionals looking to improve their visual communication. is often considered a key text in presentation design.

Presentation Zen

Presentation Zen

Cover image

Cover image

Save

Comprehensive guide to presentation design, emphasizing the importance of visual communication and providing a step-by-step approach to crafting visually engaging presentations. It's particularly useful for those wanting to deepen their understanding of slide design and valuable reference for anyone creating presentations.

Cover image

Cover image

Save

Nancy Duarte's book focuses on the power of storytelling in presentations, guiding readers on how to structure narratives that connect with audiences and inspire action. It's excellent for deepening understanding of presentation structure and must-read for anyone wanting to create more impactful and memorable talks.

Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform...

(中文) Communication: the story resonate with(Chinese...

(Deutsch) resonate: oder wie Sie mit packenden Storys und...

Communicate with resonate empathy (Korean Edition)

Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform...

Cover image

Cover image

Confessions of a Public Speaker

Save

Offering practical advice and humorous anecdotes, this book addresses common fears and challenges in public speaking. It's highly relevant for gaining a broad understanding of the psychological aspects of presenting and helpful resource for building confidence.

Confessions of a Public Speaker

Confessions of a Public Speaker

Cover image

Cover image

Storytelling with Data

Save

Focuses on effectively communicating with data through visualization and storytelling. It's particularly valuable for those who need to present data in a clear and compelling way and great resource for understanding contemporary approaches to data-driven presentations.

Storytelling with Data: A Data Visualization Guide...

Daphne Draws Data: A Storytelling with Data...

Storytelling with Data: Let's Practice!

storytelling with data podcast

(Deutsch) Storytelling mit Daten: Die Grundlagen der...

(Italiano) Data storytelling: generare valore dalla...

Cover image

Cover image

The Art of Public Speaking

Save

A timeless classic in the field of public speaking, this book offers foundational principles on building confidence, preparing speeches, and engaging audiences. It's essential for gaining a broad understanding of public speaking fundamentals and valuable resource for all levels.

The Art of Public Speaking

The Art of Public Speaking

Cover image

Cover image

Save

Emphasizes the power of visual thinking and simple drawings to create clear and engaging presentations. It's great for understanding alternative approaches to presentation design and delivery, and is particularly helpful for those who want to move beyond traditional slide-based presentations.

Cover image

Cover image

The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs: How to Be...

Save

Analyzing the presentation style of Steve Jobs, this book breaks down his techniques for creating anticipation, presenting the an offer, and making presentations memorable. It's useful for gaining insights into high-impact presentations and good read for those looking to elevate their delivery.

The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs: How to Be...

The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs: How to Be...

Cover image

Cover image

Save

Written by the head of TED, this book offers insights and advice on how to deliver a compelling talk, focusing on the importance of a clear message and authentic delivery. It's highly relevant for understanding contemporary presentation styles and valuable resource for anyone aspiring to give impactful presentations.

Ted Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking

Thank You for Coming to My Ted Talk: A Teen Guide...

Never Split the Difference, The Storyteller's...

(Português) TED Talks: O guia oficial do TED para falar em...

(Deutsch) TED Talks: Die Kunst der öffentlichen Rede. Das...

Cover image

Cover image

The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking

Save

Another classic from Dale Carnegie, this book provides practical techniques for improving speaking skills, building confidence, and communicating effectively in various situations. It's an excellent resource for beginners and those looking to build a strong foundation in public speaking.

The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking

Cover image

Cover image

Pitch Anything: An Innovative Method for Presenting...

Save

Presents a unique method for pitching ideas, drawing on principles of neuroscience and psychology to structure presentations that win deals. It's particularly relevant for professionals in sales and business roles and offers a contemporary perspective on persuasive presentations.

Pitch Anything: An Innovative Method for Presenting...

Pitch Anything: An Innovative Method for Presenting...

Cover image

Cover image

The Visual Display of Quantitative Information...

Save

A seminal work on information design and data visualization, this book provides principles for effectively displaying quantitative data. While not solely focused on presentations, its concepts are fundamental for anyone creating data-driven slides. It's a classic reference for understanding how to present data clearly and accurately.

The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, 2nd...

Cover image

Cover image

Save

Slide:ology comprehensive book that covers the entire presentation process, from planning to delivery. It is full of in-depth insights and case studies, and valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their presentation skills.

slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great...

(Deutsch) slide:ology - Oder die Kunst, brillante...

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Copy Link

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.

Time

6 hours

Via

FutureLearn

Institution

Coventry University

Instructors

Martyn Clayden

Adam Williams

Andrew Preshous

Zahra Shaygan

Navami Leena

Share this

Share to help others discover this course.

Link

Begin learning today

Enroll now to gain full access to What Makes an Effective Presentation?.

Enroll now Enroll in this course

Save for later

Add this course to your list. Find it anytime.

Save

Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser