Think about the last time you were genuinely surprised. Remember that “Wow! Really?” moment that made you pay extra attention to where you heard it, like from a book, TV show, or lecture? To capture your audience’s attention and imagination, USE SURPRISE, you should introduce fresh and surprising information into your presentation.

In a popular TED talk, deep-sea explorer Robert Ballard made a persuasive case for investing more in deep-sea research. Among the facts he shared, two stood out: NASA’s annual budget is equal to the NOAA’s budget for 1,600 years, and the Earth’s greatest mountain range is underwater, not on the surface. Unusual and intriguing information grabs people’s attention and makes it easier to remember.

Memory relies on a brain chemical called dopamine. When you learn something new, your brain releases dopamine, acting like a “save” button. The more unique and exciting the information, the more dopamine is released, enhancing our ability to remember it. In another example, Susan Cain gave a TED talk about the power of introverts, a potentially unexciting topic. To engage her audience, she challenged their belief that talking the most in meetings equals creativity. This fresh perspective caught their attention and increased the chances of them remembering her idea. So, surprising facts and new angles can make your message unforgettable.