Have you ever noticed that sitting through a lengthy talk can leave you feeling exhausted and physically drained? Your audience may experience the same effect. The solution? Keep your presentation concise. This not only makes it easier for audiences to remember the content but also enhances their engagement.

Consider Paul King, a professor at Texas Christian University, who divides his weekly three-hour class into three separate sessions, each lasting 50 minutes. The outcome is that students retain more information and often achieve higher scores on exams. TED conferences, known for their impactful talks, adhere to an 18-minute presentation limit, falling within the ideal timeframe of 15 to 20 minutes.

In addition to brevity, it’s crucial to limit your presentation to no more than three distinct themes. The reasoning behind this lies in the way people remember information. In 1956, a Harvard researcher found that individuals could remember approximately seven pieces of new information. However, further research refined this concept into three or four basic information units, known as “chunks.” For example, the number 2,222 is easier to remember than 3,948 because it represents one chunk (the “2”) and two chunks (39 and 48), respectively.

Thus, the fewer the chunks, the more manageable it is for people to remember. Consequently, a presentation should encompass no more than three core aspects. These aspects can be organized within a message map. Start by answering the question: “What’s the single most important message I want my audience to take away?” Write this message at the top, like a headline. Next, identify the three (or fewer) messages that support your headline and list them below it. Finally, under each supporting message, outline the specific content to create a well-structured and memorable presentation.