

Nancy Duarte's Sparkline: The Secret Structure Behind Every Great Speech
22 snips May 19, 2025
Uncover the secrets of powerful speeches through the Sparkline framework, which contrasts current reality with future aspirations. Discover how this structure resonates deeply, echoing the Hero’s Journey and triggering emotional engagement. Learn to avoid common pitfalls in presentations by balancing tension with transformation. Delve into storytelling analysis with Steve Jobs’s iconic 2007 iPhone launch as a prime example. Whether crafting a pitch, speech, or social media post, this insight promises to transform your communication skills.
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Sparkline's Essential Contrast Rhythm
- The Sparkline structure alternates between 'what is' and 'what could be' to create contrast and engagement.
- This rhythm builds tension and release, drawing audiences emotionally into the narrative.
Avoid Report or Pitch Pitfalls
- Avoid presentations that are mostly reports or mostly pitches; these bore or repel the audience.
- Balance your storytelling between presenting problems and exciting potential solutions to maintain engagement.
Resistance and Storytelling Flow
- Audience resistance to new ideas often stems from fear and comfort with the status quo.
- The Sparkline's ebb and flow mimics cutting through resistance, like a sailboat tacking against the wind.