Public Speaking Skills: Using Vignettes in Your Presentations

He was just shy of 35 pounds. A giant poof of coarse, blonde fur. If you didn’t already know he was a dog, you would think he was a teddy bear. With a round face and button nose. Dad and I dangled cheese just above his nose and chuckled as the dog would shift his body weight to his hind legs and pirouette across the wood floors of our kitchen. Mom always yelled at us. Said too much dairy was dangerous for a dog Crimson’s size. But, dangers lurked farther than our refrigerator.

In the excerpt above, I used a literary device called a vignette to achieve a couple different objectives. First, I explored a character by providing physical and behavioral descriptors about my dog. Second, I illustrated a pinnacle scene from the first year after my family adopted Crimson. Unfortunately, my family unexpectedly lost Crimson to a car accident. But that’s why memories of him dancing for cheese mean so much to me. The ability to weave a vignette into your presentation is one of many effective public speaking skills. Vignettes are short descriptions of a single moment to add depth to a setting, character, or idea.

Vignettes

In a previous job as a reporter for a local newspaper, I was given the task of attending a popular festival and writing vignettes based on my experience. For hours, I strolled past crowds of people – sneaking a peek of families enjoying ice cream together, of a couple soaking in new sights and sounds, and of individuals snapping photos to document their visit at the event. As I walked, I took notes and stopped to talk to attendees. I heard their stories, their own perspectives of the festival, and their reasons for heading out on that particular evening. During those few hours, I gained insight into the lives of people I will probably never see again. But, it was magical. And the next day, those vignettes ran in the newspaper with the sole purpose of giving a taste of the experience to those who were unable to attend.

While a vignette has many functions in literature and storytelling, it can enhance your presentation in unique ways. You are capable of using the literary device to help audience members get a sense of what it’s like to work with you, use your product, or engage with your service in a quick and compelling manner.

Describe an Opening Scene

Vignettes don’t have to be a central component of your narrative. They are merely windows into the room of the larger story. So, at the beginning of your presentation, set the stage for the rest of your message through a surprising and delightful vignette. If you are delivering a presentation about the years of research required to make a significant breakthrough, tell a vignette or provide a brief description of a personal experience where persistence was the only way through. Open up to your audience in a real and meaningful way and you will see positive returns by the conclusion of your presentation.

Examine a Character

Within the Crimson example, I analyzed my dog as a character. However, you also learned more about myself, my mom, and my dad. By reading just 5 or 6 sentences, you now view my mom as a protective and concerned human being. You probably caught onto the similarities between myself and my dad through our playful natures. And the description likely pulled you into the message more effectively than a straightforward account would have.

In your professional business presentations, a vignette can serve several purposes. You can turn a case study into artistic prose to contribute to the overall mood of your speaking script. Use a series of vignettes to chronicle the value your idea, product, or service has added to a diverse set of individuals’ lives.

Reinforce a Point

The fascinating characteristic of the vignette is its flexibility. If you prepare far enough in advance for your presentation, you could develop 2-3 vignettes and use them in a role playing exercise. An audience activity centered on vignettes helps emphasize a main point. It can even ease comprehension of a complex idea or piece of information.

How could you insert a vignette or group of vignettes in your next presentation?

For more literary and grammar tips and tricks, check out the Ethos3 archives:

Presentation Skill: Using Juxtaposition in Your Content

3 Steps for Using Motifs in Presentation Content

The Importance of Understanding Your Presentation Content

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