Presentation Skills Training Structuring a Compelling Narrative 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which narrative technique involves starting a presentation in the middle of an action or conflict before going back to explain the context?
- In medias res (Correct answer)
- The Freytag Pyramid
- The Rule of Three
- Anaphora
Correct answer: In medias res
In medias res drops the audience into the action immediately, creating instant engagement before backstory is revealed.
Question 2: When building tension in a presentation narrative, the 'complication' phase serves what purpose?
- It introduces the speaker's credentials
- It presents the conflict or challenge that demands resolution (Correct answer)
- It summarizes the key takeaways
- It establishes the call to action
Correct answer: It presents the conflict or challenge that demands resolution
The complication introduces the central problem or conflict that makes the audience care about what comes next.
Question 3: A presenter opens with: 'Imagine you've just lost your biggest client.' What narrative device is being used?
- Anecdote
- Hypothetical scenario (Correct answer)
- Data visualization
- Rhetorical restatement
Correct answer: Hypothetical scenario
A hypothetical scenario invites the audience to place themselves in a situation, building empathy and engagement.
Question 4: The 'resolution' in a presentation's narrative arc should primarily do which of the following?
- Restate every supporting data point
- Show how the central conflict is addressed or solved (Correct answer)
- Introduce a new problem for future discussion
- Provide the longest section of the talk
Correct answer: Show how the central conflict is addressed or solved
The resolution satisfies the tension built during the complication by showing the path forward or solution.
Question 5: Which structure is best suited for a persuasive presentation where you want the audience to adopt a new behavior?
- Chronological order
- Problem-Agitate-Solution (PAS) (Correct answer)
- Alphabetical listing
- Random anecdote collection
Correct answer: Problem-Agitate-Solution (PAS)
The Problem-Agitate-Solution structure first identifies a pain, amplifies its consequences, then presents your solution as relief.
Question 6: Why is it important to plant a 'narrative seed' in the introduction of a presentation?
- To display the presenter's vocabulary range
- To create a thread the audience will want to see resolved by the end (Correct answer)
- To increase slide count
- To allow time for latecomers to arrive
Correct answer: To create a thread the audience will want to see resolved by the end
A narrative seed is an open loop or question introduced early that keeps the audience engaged until it is answered.
Question 7: A speaker ends every major section by connecting back to the opening story. This technique is called:
- Circular narrative (Correct answer)
- Linear escalation
- Parallel processing
- Factual anchoring
Correct answer: Circular narrative
A circular narrative returns to its starting point, giving the presentation a sense of completeness and thematic unity.
