Weekend Language audiobook cover - Presenting with More Stories and Less PowerPoint

Weekend Language

Presenting with More Stories and Less PowerPoint

Andy Craig, Dave Yewman

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Categories:
Career & SuccessCommunication SkillsMarketing & Sales

If You're Curious About These Questions...

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Key Takeaways from Weekend Language

Learning Tools

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Mind Map

Weekend Language
Core Philosophy+
The PowerPoint Problem+
Storytelling Tools+
Narrative Organization+
Delivery & Body Language+
The Illusion of Spontaneity+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8
What is the core concept behind 'weekend language' in professional communication?
  • A. Using casual slang to make presentations more relatable to younger audiences.
  • B. Adopting the natural, conversational storytelling style people use in social settings.
  • C. Delivering presentations only at the end of the workweek when audiences are relaxed.
  • D. Replacing all written reports with informal verbal updates.
Question 2 of 8
According to the text, what is the fundamental problem with how most people use PowerPoint?
  • A. They use too many complex animations and distracting transitions.
  • B. They fail to provide printed handouts of their slides for the audience.
  • C. They build presentations backwards by starting with slides instead of the narrative.
  • D. They rely on the 'three-second rule' instead of detailed data charts.
Question 3 of 8
Why are analogies, such as calling a golf store 'The Home Depot of the golf retail industry,' highly effective in presentations?
  • A. They create instant understanding and are easily repeated by others.
  • B. They make the presenter sound more intelligent and data-driven.
  • C. They replace the need for an overarching narrative or backstory.
  • D. They force the audience to ask follow-up questions to understand the comparison.
Question 4 of 8
How should a presenter organize their narrative to maximize audience engagement?
  • A. Build up slowly and save the most important information for a dramatic conclusion.
  • B. Start with detailed technical specifications to establish credibility early on.
  • C. Avoid using 'signposts' so the audience is pleasantly surprised by the presentation's direction.
  • D. Use the inverted pyramid structure, delivering the most important information first.
Question 5 of 8
What is the recommended approach to physical movement during a live presentation?
  • A. Stand firmly behind a podium to establish authority and keep notes hidden.
  • B. Move with purpose in a shallow semicircle facing the audience to maintain attention.
  • C. Pace rapidly back and forth across the entire stage to keep the audience's eyes moving.
  • D. Remain completely stationary so as not to distract from the slides on the screen.
Question 6 of 8
What does the book suggest is the secret behind presentations that appear completely natural and spontaneous?
  • A. Trusting your instincts and speaking off-the-cuff without notes.
  • B. Memorizing the presentation silently by reading it repeatedly in your head.
  • C. Relying heavily on audience interaction to guide the flow of the talk.
  • D. Rigorous, out-loud preparation and rehearsal to build muscle memory.
Question 7 of 8
How did President Obama effectively use his voice during his 2009 inauguration speech, according to the text?
  • A. He spoke at a very rapid tempo to convey a sense of urgency.
  • B. He utilized strategic pausing to isolate critical words and let the audience absorb them.
  • C. He maintained a constant volume level of 10 out of 10 to project power.
  • D. He varied his pitch wildly to keep the massive audience entertained.
Question 8 of 8
What is the purpose of the 'So what? Who cares? test' mentioned in the text?
  • A. To ensure the presentation focuses on customer benefits rather than technical features.
  • B. To determine if the audience is awake and paying attention during the middle of the talk.
  • C. To evaluate whether visual aids are too complex for the audience to understand.
  • D. To test the audio equipment and microphone levels before speaking.

Weekend Language — Full Chapter Overview

Weekend Language Summary & Overview

Weekend Language (2013) is a practical guide to bringing your natural storytelling abilities into corporate presentations. It demonstrates how the conversational style we naturally use on weekends is far more effective than the jargon-filled, slide-heavy approach most professionals adopt during the workweek.

Who Should Listen to Weekend Language?

  • Nervous executives preparing important presentations
  • Technical experts translating complex ideas
  • Anyone who wants to sound more authentic

About the Author: Andy Craig, Dave Yewman

Andy Craig is a communication consultant and co-founder of Elevator Speech, a company specializing in presentation coaching and messaging strategy. He previously worked in advertising and political communications before focusing on helping executives improve their communication skills. Craig has established himself as an authority in business communication through his consulting work with Fortune 500 companies.

Dave Yewman is a communication consultant and co-founder of Elevator Speech alongside Andy Craig. He is a former journalist and corporate communications executive who now helps leaders deliver clear, compelling messages. Yewman has built his reputation through his work coaching executives at major corporations on effective presentation techniques.

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