Most of our lives revolve around abstract concepts. We call for peace among nations. We have pride in our families. We regularly tell others that we love them. That we trust them. Phrases, words, ideas, and concepts are abstract when the amount of meanings attached to them are practically infinite. Storytellers and non-storytellers alike wield a special tool to turn an abstract concept into a concrete term. With a metaphor, a speaker gains the ability to compare two entities – not entirely the same, but also not very different from one another. Consider the example from a scene near the beginning of John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars:
Hazel (played by Shailene Woodley) doesn’t understand why Augustus (played by Ansel Elgort) would chance a greater opportunity for death than he already has with smoking. He explains through the metaphor of the cigarette that death can’t do you in if you don’t give it the power to do so. According to a recent study produced by Lacey et al Brain & Language (2016), using metaphors related to arms, legs, or other body parts helps listeners perceive the particular concept visually. Where could you use the assistance of a metaphor in your presentations? We’ve outlined 3 core areas to consider:
The Title Slide
Set the tone for your whole presentation by beginning a metaphor with the first slide. Edit all of your main points to fit into this metaphor. Using a metaphor throughout an entire presentation works best if it is tied to a specific theme. For example, if you want to demonstrate how a certain internal process is a journey, create a metaphor of a mountain peak. This will allow the audience to visualize the objective of your process as the final destination; as a success.
A Middle Section
Instead of integrating a metaphor throughout every slide of your deck, utilize it for a singular section of your presentation. If you want to describe a difficult and convoluted concept or strategy, lean on the metaphor to help you connect with your audiences more quickly.
The Opening/Closing
Lastly, a metaphor is capable of adequately bookending a presentation. A presenter has the opportunity to start their speech with a story that incorporates an appropriate metaphor for the rest of the message. Then, the presenter can conclude his or her talk with that same story that depended on that same metaphor. End the presentation by tying up the loose ends from the beginning.
Brands, companies, and individuals who take advantage of the metaphor will win over audiences every time. For more literary elements to experiment with in your presentations, discover your options below:
Change Perspective: Point of View and Your Presentations
Strike the Right Tone: Examples for Your Presentation Content
