Page 59 - The New Articulate Executive_ Look, Act and Sound Like a Leader
P. 59

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                              TALKING


                       WITH PICTURES









                    W STANDS FOR WINDOWS

           In our model, a window is a way to see inside the presentation. Win-
           dows represent concrete examples.

              A strong message without specifics to back it up is a bankrupt
           message. Every proposition needs proof for credibility. To provide
           credibility, we have to build in windows—concrete examples, perti-
           nent illustrations, proper data, anecdotes, or analogies that provide

           the flip side to the concept.
                                 -

           A concept is only an abstraction, and abstractions are about as easy
            to remember as a dream after waking. Every idea linked to a theme
           must have a solid example, a window, linked to the idea—because we
             know from experience that concepts that try to stand alone fall
           alone. They go in one ear and out the other. So it is not a good use of
                 an audience’s time to endure a string of abstractions—




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