Beyond Bullet Points: Using PowerPoint to tell a compelling story that gets results, 4th edition

Published by Microsoft Press (March 25, 2018) © 2018
Cliff Atkinson

Title overview

Now in its fourth edition, this popular classic illuminates an innovative, step-by-step methodology designed to unlock the amazing visual story waiting to be released from your message. Communications expert Cliff Atkinson shows how to apply classic storytelling tenets and practical, research-based guidelines as you work with Microsoft PowerPoint—for memorable, meaningful, and persuasive visual stories.

Find your story thread
Create an emotional connection to increase your impact.


Cut through the clutter
Distill your message and get right to the point.


Bring your story to life
Storyboard your ideas, find your natural voice, and deliver a compelling presentation!

  • Fully-revised and re-written
  • Focuses on quick, practical things you can apply right now
  • Much more visual approach
  • Full color makes the content pop
  • Brief, snappy and accessible chunks of content, like:
  • “Top 5 Mistakes Presenters Make — and How to Fix Them”
  • “The 7 Best Practices for Better PowerPoint”
  • “The 3 Secret Story Structures that Work Every Time”
  • “The 1 Thing That Will Make the Most Difference”

Key features

What is a VitalSource eTextbook?

The full text downloaded to your computer.

With VitalSource eTextbooks you can:

  • search for key concepts, words and phrases
  • make highlights and notes as you study
  • share your notes with friends

eTextbooks are downloaded to your computer and accessible either offline through the Bookshelf (available as a free download), available online and also via the iPad and Android apps.

Upon purchase, you'll gain instant access.

Table of contents

  • 1. A Theater of Persuasion
  • 2. Busting the Top 3 Myths About PowerPoint
  • 3. The 5 Principles and 10 Building Blocks of Persuasive Visual Storytelling
  • 4. Crafting Your Story Structure
  • 5. Anchoring Your Story in Your Audience’s Minds
  • 6. Thinking Like a Storyboard
  • 7. The Magic of Sketching Your Graphics First
  • 8. Getting Graphics, Quick and Easy
  • 9. Delivering Your Visual Story
  • 10. Present This, Not That
  • Appendix BBP Guidelines
  • Appendix Starting Your Challenge and Desire Headlines
  • Appendix: Starting Your Map Headlines

Author bios

Cliff Atkinson is an acclaimed writer, popular keynote speaker, and an independent communications consultant to leading attorneys and Fortune 500 companies. He crafted the presentation that persuaded a jury to award a $253 million verdict to the plaintiff in the nation’s first Vioxx trial in 2005, which Fortune magazine called “frighteningly powerful.”

 

Cliff’s bestselling book Beyond Bullet Points (published by Microsoft Press) was named a Best Book of 2007 by the editors of Amazon.com, and has been published in four editions and translated into a dozen languages including Chinese, Korean, and Russian. This book expands on a communications approach he has taught internationally at top law firms, government agencies, business schools and corporations, including Sony, SC Johnson, Chevron, Toyota, Del Monte, Nestlé, Deloitte, BBDO, The NPD Group, Ipsos, Facebook, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Intel, Microsoft, the American Bar Association and the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal.

 

Cliff’s work has been featured in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, and Fox News. Cliff received his B.A. in English and journalism from Baylor University in Texas and his M.B.A. from Richmond, The American International University in London. After serving as a captain in the U.S. Air Force, he held marketing positions for start-up companies and then launched his own business as a full-time communications consultant in 2001. He currently resides in New York City.

Loading...Loading...Loading...