Presentation Builder

Standing-preference binding (inherited from coach, inlined here for standalone use).

When the user states a stylistic/structural preference 2+ times in a session ("less terms", "fewer bullets", "more visuals", "premise-only", "no headers", "shorter", "denser", "simpler"), treat it as a STANDING preference for the rest of the session — not a per-turn correction. On the 2nd occurrence: self-prompt before every subsequent deliverable with "STANDING PREFERENCE (this session): {verbatim quote}. Conform before deliver.", run a self-check, and re-draft if non-compliant — do not deliver and ask "is this better?". If brain_store is available: at boot, first search for tag:standing entries from the last 2 hours with valid_until not expired — adopt their session_id if found (compaction-safe), otherwise mint a fresh session-{YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SSZ} from date '+%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ'. Tag entries with session-preference + standing + {session-id}, importance:3, and put both session_id: and valid_until: end-of-session-... in the body. Future-session searches must require session_id match (not just date) before applying. If coach is also loaded, prefer its canonical definition.

Presentation Builder Skill

Build great presentations step by step. Based on Michal's Speakers Workshop (TechGym/Melio), Oren Efraim's "Art of Building and Delivering Great Presentations", Uri Alon (Weizmann), and 6+ expert sources.

Full rules reference (local, gitignored): docs.local/speakers-workshop/presentation-rules.md

Usage

/presentation-builder [workflow]

Workflows:

• /presentation-builder premise — Find and refine the single premise (Session 1)
• /presentation-builder build — Frame, draft with AI, polish, slides, opening/closing (Session 2)
• /presentation-builder review — Review and practice a finished presentation (Session 3)
• /presentation-builder full — Walk through the entire process start to finish
• /presentation-builder rules — Show all extracted presentation rules (quick reference)

The Method (3 Sessions)

Session 1: Find the Main Subject (Premise)

Goal: One sentence that captures the entire talk. Everything else flows from this.

Process:

1. Ask the user: "What's the talk about? Who's the audience? How long?"
2. Brainstorm 3-5 possible angles together
3. Narrow to ONE premise — it should be tweetable
4. Test: "If the audience remembers only one sentence, what is it?"

Uri Alon's Rule: Every good talk has ONE single premise. Write it FIRST. If a slide doesn't support it, cut it.

Output: A single premise sentence + audience definition + time constraint.

Session 2: Build the Presentation

This is the main work session. Follow this order strictly:

Step 1: Frame the Structure

Use Oren Efraim's 10-minute structure (scales to any length):

1. Hook — grab attention (don't start with "about me")
2. Problem — what are we solving?
3. Solution — the answer
4. Why this / Why us — what makes it special?
5. Summary — callback to opening

Ask the user to map their content to these 5 sections.

Step 2: Build the First Draft with AI

Help the user write a prompt for AI to generate a first draft:

• Include: premise, audience, time limit, structure, key points per section
• Include: tone (casual/formal), language, any must-include stories or data
• The AI draft is a STARTING POINT, not the final product

Step 3: Polish and Synthesize (Michal's Rule)

Go through the draft and:

• Cut ruthlessly — if it doesn't serve the premise, remove it
• Synthesize — combine overlapping points, tighten language
• One message per slide (Oren Efraim's golden rule)
• Kill bullet points — max 3 per slide, or use images instead
• Big text — what looks good on laptop doesn't look good projected

Step 4: Content/Media (Do This BEFORE Opening/Closing)

For each slide, check:

• Does it convey exactly ONE idea?
• Is the text big enough to read from the back?
• Are bullet points minimized? (max 3, highlight one at a time)
• Colors: max 5, consistent palette
• Code: monospace, large, syntax highlighted, show LESS not more
• Charts: simplified, noise removed, key data highlighted
• Architecture diagrams: progressive reveal, not everything at once
• Numbers: big and prominent (they're proof, not the story)

Oren Efraim: 10-30 seconds per slide. If you need more time, split the slide.

Step 5: Opening and Closing (LAST — Michal's Rule)

Opening is the LAST thing you write. You need to know all your slides before you know the best hook.

5 Hook Types (Oren Efraim):

Closing: The LAST point MUST callback to the opening. Full circle = closure.

Session 2 output: A complete presentation wireframe — structure, polished slides, opening, closing. Ready to practice.

Session 3: Practice and Polish

Goal: Make the presentation as good as possible. Practice, get feedback, refine.

This is where you take the wireframe from Session 2 and turn it into a performance.

Practice Runs

• Practice out loud — don't just skim in your head (Oren Efraim)
• Memorize only the first 30 sec - 2 min — the opening must be smooth and powerful
• After opening, use slides as anchors — each slide = one message, talk naturally
• Record yourself (video) — watching yourself is the fastest improvement
• Time it: 1 minute = ~150 words
• Have water nearby — drinking = strategic pause

If voice is available (VoiceLayer), use voice_ask for practice runs:

• Speak the opening, get feedback
• Time the full run
• Note where energy drops

Review Checklist

• Premise is clear in the first 2 minutes
• Hook grabs attention (not "Hi, I'm X and today I'll talk about...")
• Each slide = one message
• Energy varies: warm (story) → cool (technical) → warm (insight) → cool (data) → warm (close)
• Closing callbacks to opening
• Timed and within limit
• First 30 sec - 2 min memorized cold

Feedback to Give/Look For

• Where did energy drop?
• Which slide felt too long?
• Was the hook compelling?
• Did the closing feel connected to the opening?
• Audience engagement: would you have stayed?

Present to the Group

Show your opening, get live feedback, iterate. This is the final polish before the real event.

Delivery Rules (Quick Reference)

Voice & Pace

• Speak clearly, vary pace — slow for important, faster for setup
• Use methodical pauses — silence after key points is powerful
• Water = strategic pause when rushing or confused

Body

• Stand, don't sit. Use the stage. Hands visible.
• Face the audience, not the screen
• Eye contact with individuals (3-5 sec each), including back rows

Nerves

• Reframe: excitement, not fear (same physical symptoms)
• Breathing: 5 sec in, 5 sec out (Huberman protocol)
• First 30 seconds are the hardest — it gets easier
• Know your first sentences cold

DON'T

• Don't memorize word-for-word — sounds robotic
• Don't apologize ("This is my first time")
• Don't read slides with your back to the audience
• Don't switch languages mid-sentence (unless technical term)

Environment

• Arrive early, check projector/adapter
• Close all notifications (DND mode)
• Know your mic type (Madonna = belt pack)
• Conferences are always cold — wear sleeves

Audience Engagement

• Raise hands / small jokes work in most cases
• Have a comeback if audience doesn't participate
• The Airplane! trick: Plant a mystery number/fact at the start — someone will ask about it at the end (solves "no questions" problem)

Q&A (Uri Alon)

• Listen to the full question
• Repeat it for the audience
• "I don't know" is valid — follow with "but here's what I think..."
• Long/confused questions: "Let me make sure I understand — are you asking...?"

Voice Integration

When VoiceLayer is available, use it for:

• Practice runs: voice_ask — speak the opening, get timed feedback
• Debrief after presenting: voice_ask — "How did it go? What would you change?"
• Quick notes during review: voice_speak — capture insights silently (use insight: prefix)
• Reading back the premise: voice_speak — hear it spoken, check if it sounds natural

Sources

• Oren Efraim — "The Art of Building and Delivering Great Presentations" (TechGym YouTube)
• Michal — Speakers Workshop at Melio (TechGym, Feb 2026)
• Uri Alon — "How to Give a Good Talk" (Weizmann Institute, PubMed)
• Oren Eini — Technical Presentation Delivery Notes (RavenDB/Ayende)
• Ben Orenstein — Speaking for Hackers
• Method Queen — How to Build a Good Lecture (Hebrew)
• Harvard — 10 Tips for Public Speaking