Using the Build

Sometimes parallelism isn't applicable , and so the relationships among the bullets will not be readily apparent. And sometimes, a single concept will require more than four bullets; it may take five or six or even eight bullets to fully explain one main concept. But throwing a diversity or a multiplicity of bullets up on the screen at once is too much input for your audience's eyes and minds. It overwhelms their reception .

The effective solution for either case is to build the list, one bullet at a time. The build is easy to do with the Custom Animation feature in Microsoft PowerPoint or any other presentation graphics program. Reveal the first line and explain and discuss it. Then click to reveal the next line and explain and discuss it, until you reveal all the bullets.

Build your bullets by bringing them in from left to right.

When building your bullets, keep in mind Perception Psychology: Audiences find left to right movement natural and easy. Make it easy for your audience. Build your bullets by bringing them in from left to right. (In the XP version of Microsoft PowerPoint, you can accomplish this by selecting Custom Animation, then Entrance, Wipe, and From Left.)

As you build, provide continuity in your narration by describing the relationships as you move from one bullet to another. You can also control the revelation of your bullets, keeping the audience in synchronization with your flow. They cannot get ahead of you. Best of all, you can add value beyond each bullet by discussing, interpreting, and providing supporting evidence.

You can add value beyond each bullet by discussing, interpreting, and providing supporting evidence.