![[Review] Better Presentations: A Guide for Scholars, Researchers, and Wonks (Jonathan Schwabish) Summarized](https://episodes.castos.com/660078c6833215-59505987/images/2351584/c1a-085k3-ww7np149iq9-mfzc3r.jpg)
Show Notes
Better Presentations: A Guide for Scholars, Researchers, and Wonks (Jonathan Schwabish)
- Amazon USA Store: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0231175213?tag=9natree-20
- Amazon Worldwide Store: https://global.buys.trade/Better-Presentations%3A-A-Guide-for-Scholars%2C-Researchers%2C-and-Wonks-Jonathan-Schwabish.html
- eBay: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Better+Presentations+A+Guide+for+Scholars+Researchers+and+Wonks+Jonathan+Schwabish+&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5339060787&customid=9natree&toolid=10001&mkevt=1
- Read more: https://english.9natree.com/read/0231175213/
#academicpresentations #slidedesign #datavisualization #researchcommunication #publicspeakingforanalysts #policybriefings #storytellingwithdata #BetterPresentations
These are takeaways from this book.
Firstly, Start with a message, not with slides, A central idea in the book is that strong presentations begin before any slide is opened. The presenter should clarify the purpose of the talk, identify the single most important takeaway, and decide what the audience should think or do afterward. This approach pushes scholars and analysts to move from a data first mindset to a message first mindset, while still respecting evidence and nuance. The book emphasizes understanding the audience: what they already know, what they care about, and what constraints they face, such as limited time or competing priorities. With that context, the presenter can choose an appropriate scope, set expectations, and create a structure that supports comprehension. Rather than trying to cover everything, the talk becomes an act of selection and prioritization. This section also highlights the value of building a clear narrative arc, including an opening that orients listeners, a middle that develops the argument logically, and a close that reinforces the main point. The aim is not entertainment, but clarity, relevance, and retention.
Secondly, Design slides to support the speaker and the audience, Schwabish argues that slides are visual aids, not documents, and that they should reduce cognitive load rather than add to it. Many academic and policy decks fail because they try to do too much at once: long bullet lists, small fonts, crowded charts, and multiple messages competing on a single screen. The book promotes a more intentional visual hierarchy, where each slide has a clear purpose and the most important element stands out immediately. Readers are encouraged to use whitespace, alignment, consistent typography, and limited color palettes to make content easier to scan. Another theme is redundancy management: if the speaker will say it, the slide should not repeat it verbatim. Instead, visuals can highlight the key idea, show a relationship, or provide a memorable anchor. The book also addresses common slide components like titles, section dividers, and transitions, showing how they can guide the audience through the argument. Overall, the slide design guidance is positioned as a way to respect the audience and strengthen the credibility of the work.
Thirdly, Present data and visuals with honesty and clarity, For researchers and wonks, data visualization is often the heart of a presentation, and the book treats charts as communication tools that require editorial judgment. It encourages readers to choose chart types that match the question, avoid clutter that hides patterns, and label directly so viewers do not waste effort decoding legends and axes. A recurring point is that the presenter should decide what the audience should notice first, then design the visual to make that point obvious. This can include simplifying the display, focusing attention through color or annotation, and removing nonessential elements. The book also underscores accuracy and ethical presentation: design choices can mislead unintentionally, so scales, baselines, and comparisons should be selected with care. Because audiences vary in statistical fluency, the presenter may need to scaffold interpretation by explaining what the chart shows and why it matters. The book’s broader message is that strong data visuals do not merely display results; they help an audience understand uncertainty, magnitude, and practical implications without sacrificing rigor.
Fourthly, Write and rehearse for spoken delivery, A good deck cannot rescue a talk that is poorly delivered, so the book addresses the craft of speaking as part of the same communication system. It encourages presenters to write in a way that sounds natural when spoken, using clear sentences, signposting, and pacing that helps listeners follow complex reasoning. Transitions matter because audiences cannot reread what they missed, so the presenter should remind listeners where they are in the story and why the next point follows. The book also covers rehearsal as a strategic activity, not a last minute run through. Practicing helps refine timing, identify confusing sections, and coordinate speech with slide changes. It also improves confidence and reduces reliance on reading text from slides. Another emphasis is on handling questions and discussion, which is especially important in seminars and policy briefings. Being prepared with backup slides, knowing which details to emphasize, and responding succinctly can preserve the thread of the talk. Delivery, in this framing, is not performance for its own sake; it is the disciplined execution of a clear plan.
Lastly, Adapt to different presentation contexts and constraints, Presentations occur in many settings, from conference sessions and job talks to internal research meetings and high stakes briefings. The book highlights how format and context should shape decisions about content, visuals, and pacing. A short lightning talk may require a single strong narrative and minimal detail, while a workshop talk might include more methodological explanation and space for interaction. The book encourages presenters to plan for constraints such as room size, screen quality, remote participation, and time limits that can shrink unexpectedly. It also considers the practicalities of sharing materials afterward, noting that slide decks are often circulated beyond the room. That reality affects how much context to include and whether a separate handout or memo is needed. Another aspect is aligning the talk with the norms of the field or institution while still communicating effectively. By treating context as part of the design problem, the presenter can make choices that protect the message and make the experience smoother for the audience. The result is a flexible approach that travels well across disciplines and professional environments.
- Amazon USA Store: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0231175213?tag=9natree-20
- Amazon Worldwide Store: https://global.buys.trade/Better-Presentations%3A-A-Guide-for-Scholars%2C-Researchers%2C-and-Wonks-Jonathan-Schwabish.html
- eBay: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Better+Presentations+A+Guide+for+Scholars+Researchers+and+Wonks+Jonathan+Schwabish+&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5339060787&customid=9natree&toolid=10001&mkevt=1
- Read more: https://english.9natree.com/read/0231175213/
#academicpresentations #slidedesign #datavisualization #researchcommunication #publicspeakingforanalysts #policybriefings #storytellingwithdata #BetterPresentations
These are takeaways from this book.
Firstly, Start with a message, not with slides, A central idea in the book is that strong presentations begin before any slide is opened. The presenter should clarify the purpose of the talk, identify the single most important takeaway, and decide what the audience should think or do afterward. This approach pushes scholars and analysts to move from a data first mindset to a message first mindset, while still respecting evidence and nuance. The book emphasizes understanding the audience: what they already know, what they care about, and what constraints they face, such as limited time or competing priorities. With that context, the presenter can choose an appropriate scope, set expectations, and create a structure that supports comprehension. Rather than trying to cover everything, the talk becomes an act of selection and prioritization. This section also highlights the value of building a clear narrative arc, including an opening that orients listeners, a middle that develops the argument logically, and a close that reinforces the main point. The aim is not entertainment, but clarity, relevance, and retention.
Secondly, Design slides to support the speaker and the audience, Schwabish argues that slides are visual aids, not documents, and that they should reduce cognitive load rather than add to it. Many academic and policy decks fail because they try to do too much at once: long bullet lists, small fonts, crowded charts, and multiple messages competing on a single screen. The book promotes a more intentional visual hierarchy, where each slide has a clear purpose and the most important element stands out immediately. Readers are encouraged to use whitespace, alignment, consistent typography, and limited color palettes to make content easier to scan. Another theme is redundancy management: if the speaker will say it, the slide should not repeat it verbatim. Instead, visuals can highlight the key idea, show a relationship, or provide a memorable anchor. The book also addresses common slide components like titles, section dividers, and transitions, showing how they can guide the audience through the argument. Overall, the slide design guidance is positioned as a way to respect the audience and strengthen the credibility of the work.
Thirdly, Present data and visuals with honesty and clarity, For researchers and wonks, data visualization is often the heart of a presentation, and the book treats charts as communication tools that require editorial judgment. It encourages readers to choose chart types that match the question, avoid clutter that hides patterns, and label directly so viewers do not waste effort decoding legends and axes. A recurring point is that the presenter should decide what the audience should notice first, then design the visual to make that point obvious. This can include simplifying the display, focusing attention through color or annotation, and removing nonessential elements. The book also underscores accuracy and ethical presentation: design choices can mislead unintentionally, so scales, baselines, and comparisons should be selected with care. Because audiences vary in statistical fluency, the presenter may need to scaffold interpretation by explaining what the chart shows and why it matters. The book’s broader message is that strong data visuals do not merely display results; they help an audience understand uncertainty, magnitude, and practical implications without sacrificing rigor.
Fourthly, Write and rehearse for spoken delivery, A good deck cannot rescue a talk that is poorly delivered, so the book addresses the craft of speaking as part of the same communication system. It encourages presenters to write in a way that sounds natural when spoken, using clear sentences, signposting, and pacing that helps listeners follow complex reasoning. Transitions matter because audiences cannot reread what they missed, so the presenter should remind listeners where they are in the story and why the next point follows. The book also covers rehearsal as a strategic activity, not a last minute run through. Practicing helps refine timing, identify confusing sections, and coordinate speech with slide changes. It also improves confidence and reduces reliance on reading text from slides. Another emphasis is on handling questions and discussion, which is especially important in seminars and policy briefings. Being prepared with backup slides, knowing which details to emphasize, and responding succinctly can preserve the thread of the talk. Delivery, in this framing, is not performance for its own sake; it is the disciplined execution of a clear plan.
Lastly, Adapt to different presentation contexts and constraints, Presentations occur in many settings, from conference sessions and job talks to internal research meetings and high stakes briefings. The book highlights how format and context should shape decisions about content, visuals, and pacing. A short lightning talk may require a single strong narrative and minimal detail, while a workshop talk might include more methodological explanation and space for interaction. The book encourages presenters to plan for constraints such as room size, screen quality, remote participation, and time limits that can shrink unexpectedly. It also considers the practicalities of sharing materials afterward, noting that slide decks are often circulated beyond the room. That reality affects how much context to include and whether a separate handout or memo is needed. Another aspect is aligning the talk with the norms of the field or institution while still communicating effectively. By treating context as part of the design problem, the presenter can make choices that protect the message and make the experience smoother for the audience. The result is a flexible approach that travels well across disciplines and professional environments.
