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How to Create a Highly Effective Pecha Kucha Presentation

Brevity is considered the soul of wit, but it can also be a powerful technique for effective communication. When you say more with less, you capture your audience’s attention and leave a lasting impression. This is precisely what Pecha Kucha is all about.

It’s a quick-fire format presentation where the speaker tells a story using photos within strict timing.

Whether you’re a seasoned presenter or just starting, Pecha Kucha has something to offer those who want to take their presentations to the next level. In this article, we’ll dive into its benefits as a presentation style and provide tips and strategies for creating effective Pecha Kucha presentations.

What Is Pecha Kucha Presentation?

The format of a Pecha Kucha, or 20×20 presentation, is simple: the presenter shows 20 slides containing an image, each displaying for exactly 20 seconds. The images will auto-forward, so there’s no way of going back to or skipping ahead of the slides. This means each presentation is exactly 6 minutes and 40 seconds long.

This style is quite similar to lightning talk, where the speakers have five minutes to present a five-slide presentation, or the ignite talk, where presenters have 15 seconds to present each slide of a 20-slide presentation.

The challenge for presenters is to convey their idea with the combined use of images and concise, impactful statements within this tight time frame.

Pecha Kucha, which means “chit-chat” in Japanese, was created by architects Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham, who seek to encourage a fast-paced presentation style. Since then, it has become a worldwide phenomenon, used in settings ranging from academic conferences to business meetings and even informal gatherings.

The Benefits of Pecha Kucha

Pecha Kucha presentations are highly engaging. The timing of Pecha Kucha presentations adds an element of excitement. Each slide changes every 20 seconds, keeping the audience engaged, and this helps hold their attention and prevents them from becoming distracted or disengaged.

Pecha Kucha helps you focus on the main topic. The time limit helps presenters stay on track and avoid going off on tangents, which can be a problem in more traditional presentations. This can be a valuable skill in the corporate world, where time is often limited, and getting to the point quickly is crucial.

Pecha Kucha presentations are highly visual. Because Pecha Kucha presentations rely heavily on visual aids, they can effectively communicate complex or abstract ideas to an audience. This helps make presentations more memorable and impactful, as the brain processes visual information more quickly and effectively than written or spoken information.

Pecha Kucha promotes creative thinking and communication. The format challenges presenters to distill their ideas into a concise and visually engaging format. So instead of running around the bush and filling in their talk with non-essential information, they focus on the most important aspects of their message. 

Furthermore, the challenge of syncing the message with images stimulates creativity by inspiring connections and associations between ideas.

How to Make a Pecha Kucha

1. define your main message.

Defining your main message, a.k.a thesis, is crucial in preparing a presentation or communication. When you can pinpoint the core message you want to convey during a presentation, it becomes easier to identify which information to include and which to eliminate.

To narrow down your presentation’s key message or idea, ask yourself the following questions.

• What is the purpose of my presentation – to inform, to inspire, to convince?
• What do I want my audience to know?
• What do I want my audience to do after the presentation?

Your main message should be a direct answer to these questions and something your audience can easily grasp and remember.

Example: Let’s say you are giving a presentation on a new diet cereal bar product. A good thesis could be, “Diet cereal bars are a convenient and nutritious snack option that can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

From here, you can start outlining and structure your presentation. Let the main message lead the way.

So, in our example, you can cite studies showing the health benefits of eating a nutritious diet and present the nutritional value of cereal bars that can help achieve that goal.

2. Select the Best Visuals

You can identify the main message of your presentation and the points that go along with it. The second step would be turning them into visuals.

Many presentation guides will tell you how important visualizations are in a PowerPoint, but Pecha Kucha takes that even further. As mentioned, it emphasizes storytelling with the use of images.

You may still use text to provide context for visual elements, but use it sparingly and avoid paragraphs. Remember, you only have 20 seconds to present each slide, so your audience won’t have the time to read lengthy texts.

Instead, you should use high-quality images directly related to your message. This will help reinforce your message and ensure your visuals are not distracting or confusing.

It’s a hard rule to avoid cartoonish and clipart photos, especially in the business setting, as they make your slide look tacky. This might mean using more modern, minimalist images for a sleek, professional look or more vibrant, colorful images for a more playful and creative feel.

It’s also important to consider the overall aesthetic of your presentation template and choose images consistent with that theme. If you represent a brand, use slides with the look and feel you are known for.

Example: In our diet cereal bar example, you may choose images that showcase the bar’s ingredients, such as images of whole grains, nuts, and dried fruits. You could also use images of people engaging in healthy activities, such as jogging or hiking, to reinforce the idea that the cereal bar is a healthy snack option for people on the go.

3. Structure Your Presentation

Like other forms of presentation, a Pecha Kucha presentation should have a clear structure – no matter how short. You may need it more in this scenario to avoid losing any of your precious time going off on tangents.

Conversely, it will be easier for your audience to follow along and understand your message if you present it organized and coherently.

You can follow several presentation structures, but for something like Pecha Kucha, we recommend a more linear style. One that has an introduction, body, and conclusion.

The Pyramid Principle has all these elements and might work in a fast-paced presentation format. In this style, the main idea or conclusion is presented at the beginning, followed by a series of supporting points that are organized hierarchically. This approach can help your audience engage in critical thinking, as they are encouraged to consider how each piece of information relates to the larger message being presented.

Example: Let’s return to our diet cereal bar example to illustrate how the Pyramid Principle can be applied in a Pecha Kucha presentation.

Open your presentation by stating your main idea or message: “Our diet cereal bars are a convenient and nutritious snack option that can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

Then, discuss the supporting points that further develop the main idea.

• You may discuss the natural ingredients and X calories it contains, making it a healthy snack option.
• You may talk about the range of delicious flavors that it comes with, establishing the idea that it’s a nutritious option that does not compromise on taste.
• You may talk about the convenient packaging that makes it perfect for busy people on the go.

4. Practice, practice, practice

Pecha Kucha’s presentation is all about timing and mastery, so you must conduct a  dry run to ensure that you’d feel comfortable with the flow of your presentation on the actual delivery.

Rehearse your presentation multiple times as if it’s the real thing. This means setting a strict timer for 20 seconds per slide to ensure that you are staying on track and not going over time. Google Slide and PowerPoint have an option that automatically advances slides within several seconds.

Although 20 seconds may feel very short, speak at a moderate pace to ensure you are not rushing through the presentation. But, also avoid lingering on any one slide for too long.

Tips and Tricks for an Effective Pecha Kucha Delivery

1. using engaging storytelling techniques.

Although we did say that you may state your main idea at the beginning of your presentation , you don’t just get to drop the bomb, or it will sound dry. Using an engaging story will help you do this with finesse.

People are naturally drawn to stories – they love journeys. Structure your presentation like a story, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Sharing personal experiences or anecdotes can help to humanize your presentation and make it more relatable for your audience.

Example: You can share a personal anecdote about your struggles with maintaining a healthy diet. You could talk about how you struggled to find healthy snack options while working long hours at your desk job.

2. Connecting With Your Audience and Maintaining It

Sharing a story or a personal experience is one way to connect with your audience. Still, it isn’t just about getting their attention – keeping their attention on you is far more important.

It’s common advice for speakers to keep eye contact with the audience. We’d like to add something to this – look at your audience intently and respond to what you see. Knowing your audience’s nonverbal cues can help you connect with them and respond to their needs.

Speaking of nonverbal, you should be aware of your body language too. Use intentional hand gestures, but avoid excessive movements that may take the audience’s attention from you.

Finally, don’t forget to smile. Smiling helps convey a positive and approachable attitude and shows that you like your audience.

3. Handling Unexpected Challenges Or Technical Issues

With over six minutes to present your case, there should be no room for mistakes when making a Pecha Kucha presentation. The best advice is to have a backup plan for your backup plan.

No, we don’t mean carrying 2 laptops and 2 projectors around! But it’s best practice to have a USB drive with your presentation saved on it, just in case. You may also save your presentation on the cloud if you lose both copies on your device and external drive.

In the event of a complete technology failure, be ready to present without the slides. Remember, the slides are only a visual aid, and your delivery and message are the most important aspects of your presentation.

Pecha Kucha makes it possible to deliver a compelling presentation within minutes. Remember to keep your main message at the forefront when creating this type of presentation, choose high-quality visuals that reinforce your message, and practice your timing to ensure your presentation flows smoothly. With these tips, you can deliver a presentation that leaves a lasting impression on your audience.

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Tips For Giving Your First PechaKucha Presentation

The average human attention span is eight seconds. That’s shorter than the average attention span of a goldfish, and probably less time than it would take to introduce yourself on stage. In a survey, 4 out of 5 professionals claimed that they shift their focus away from the presenter during any given presentation they’re watching. If you’re going to lose your audience before you even really begin, what’s the point? In an effort to be more successful, presenters are constantly testing new formats to package their message in a way that both resonates with their audience, and keeps them engaged from slide to slide.

Basically, we’re all trying to solve the infamous “death by PowerPoint”? The solution: Beautiful.ai meets PechaKucha.

PechaKucha is a presentation format that has been adopted by many. From PechaKucha nights with friends, to new curriculum standards at universities, PechaKucha has changed the way people present. But what is it, exactly?

What is PechaKucha?

Not to be confused with Pikachu (any Pokémon fans out there?), PechaKucha— which is Japanese for chit-chat— is a particular presentation style. In 2003, architects Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham of Tokyo’s Klein Dytham architecture invented PechaKucha in an effort to bring “More show. Less tell,” to life in presentations. Essentially, the duo wanted to streamline the process and delivery of long design presentations to make them more digestible to audiences. The format follows a simple 20x20 rule in which each presentation is 20 slides, and each slide is shown for only 20 seconds each. Think of it as a speed presentation, where the presenter has to make their point— beginning to end— in 7 minutes total. 

The PechaKucha format is used among friends for PechaKucha nights (similar to the TikTok-famous PowerPoint nights ), in business, and at schools. It’s an elevator pitch for your topic. The short-form presentations keep distractions to a minimum, and engagement at a maximum. Specifically, teachers have found the format to be extremely useful when trying to engage students and encourage critical thinking in the classroom. “This presentation style was designed to help people tell a story instead of lecturing to others,” Jim Ave, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Kinesiology at Fresno Pacific University said in an interview . “This keeps students engaged. It’s another tool to use in class to foster learning.”

Tips for giving your first PechaKucha presentation

Now that you have a little bit of background on the ever-popular PechaKucha, here's how to nail your first 20x20 presentation .

Be passionate about your topic

Because of the nature of a PechaKucha presentation, presenters have to be quick on their toes. Providing commentary for each slide in under 20 seconds is no small feat, and in order to do it well presenters need to be knowledgeable in the topic. It’s considerably easier to make your point quicker when you’re passionate about the topic. If you’re planning a PechaKucha presentation, choose something that genuinely interests you and that you can speak on with little-to-no effort. 

Know your story

As with any presentation, you should know your story before you even think about designing a slide. But this is especially true when you’re trying to scramble to hit your point in under 20 seconds. With a firm stance on your positioning, it will be easier to structure your story and touch on all key points. If you’re going through each slide like you’re telling a story to your best friend, it will be more seamless and you’ll be a lot less likely to slip up on your words or get stuck mid-slide. 

Let your slides do the talking

When you’re on a time-crunch, your slides have to pull more weight. Let them say what you can’t in 20 seconds. Images are your friend here. Nobody wants to attempt to read (and comprehend) a big block of text in 20 seconds before it’s gone, so lean into visual storytelling. In fact, most PechaKucha presentations don’t include any text at all and simply use images for each slide. Your image should be relevant to the point you are trying to make, and have an obvious connection to your topic. Beautiful.ai’s free image library boasts an impressive collection of hundreds of thousands of quality photos and icons. Regardless of your PechaKucha topic, there is truly something for everyone. 

Keep your takeaways to a minimum

Obviously with such limited time, you have to be intentional about your key takeaways. At its core, PechaKucha forces you to say more with less. Keep your main points to a minimum so you can easily zip through each slide in the allotted 20 seconds. You should be able to make your point easily and quickly, and then be ready to move on to the next one. In order to do so without giving your audience whiplash, make sure you structure your presentation in a way that flows and makes sense. Your story should be easy to follow, even if it’s fast. 

Timing is everything

A PechaKucha presentation is all about timing— obviously, that’s the whole basis of the format. To make sure you’re prepared to run (literally, run, don’t walk) through your presentation in less than 7 minutes, you’ll need to practice. And then practice again. We recommend going through your presentation a minimum of three times to ensure you can stay on track with the 20-second per slide limit. 

Jordan Turner

Jordan is a Bay Area writer, social media manager, and content strategist.

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In the fast-paced world of modern presentations, brevity is not just the soul of wit; it's the essence of communication. Pecha Kucha , a concise and visually captivating presentation format, has risen to prominence for its unique approach to storytelling. In this article, we will explore the principles, benefits, and best practices of Pecha Kucha presentations , along with a guide to creating and delivering your own. Whether you're a seasoned presenter or a novice seeking to make a powerful impact, mastering Pecha Kucha can be your key to success.

In this article

• Understanding Pecha Kucha Principles and Benefits
• Anatomy of an Effective Pecha Kucha Template
• 2 Best Pecha Kucha Presentation Templates Sites
• Mastering Delivery Techniques in Pecha Kucha Presentation

Part I. Understanding Pecha Kucha Principles and Benefits

1. origins and evolution of pecha kucha.

Pecha Kucha, a Japanese term meaning "chit-chat," was first introduced by architects Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham in Tokyo. We'll delve into the origins and evolution of this format, tracing its journey from casual gatherings to international stages.

2. Key Principles: 20x20 Format and Conciseness

The heart of Pecha Kucha lies in its 20x20 format: 20 slides, each lasting 20 seconds. We'll dissect the significance of this structure and how it forces presenters to distill their message into its purest form.

3. Why Pecha Kucha Matters in Communication

Discover why Pecha Kucha has become a preferred format for TED talks, business pitches, and creative presentations alike. We'll explore how its unique principles resonate with today's audiences.

4. Benefits of Using Pecha Kucha Templates

Streamlined Presentation Creation

Pecha Kucha templates streamline the presentation creation process, making it efficient and focused. Learn how this format helps you cut through the clutter and present with purpose.

Enhanced Visual Storytelling

Visual storytelling is at the core of Pecha Kucha. We'll explore how using templates can help you craft compelling narratives that resonate with your audience.

Captivating Your Audience in 6 Minutes and 40 Seconds

With Pecha Kucha, you have just 6 minutes and 40 seconds to leave a lasting impression. Discover how this short duration can actually work to your advantage and keep your audience engaged.

Part II. Anatomy of an Effective Pecha Kucha Template

1. title slide.

The title slide is your presentation's first impression. We'll guide you in crafting an engaging title, choosing a suitable subtitle, and providing essential speaker information.

2. Content Slides

Discover how to structure your content across 20 slides effectively. We'll discuss the art of maintaining visual consistency while conveying your message succinctly.

3. Transitions and Timing

Perfecting the 20-second rule is crucial. We'll provide tips for keeping your timing on point and ensuring smooth slide transitions for a seamless presentation flow.

Part III. 2 Best Pecha Kucha Presentation Templates Sites

Elevate your Pecha Kucha game with these three outstanding presentation template sites:

Prezi emerges as a valuable resource, offering a diverse selection of Pecha Kucha templates designed to enhance your presentation experience. Whether you're a seasoned presenter or new to the 20x20 format, Prezi provides an extensive range of templates that cater to various themes and styles. With Prezi, you gain access to the tools necessary to engage your audience effectively while maintaining the creative flexibility to convey your message with precision. Dive into Prezi's versatile collection of templates and elevate your Pecha Kucha presentations, ensuring that your message resonates and lingers in the minds of your audience.

2. SlideServe

SlideServe, a renowned online platform for presentation resources, offers a comprehensive collection of Pecha Kucha presentation templates. With a neutral perspective, SlideServe welcomes individuals, professionals, and enthusiasts alike to explore their diverse library of templates tailored specifically for this concise and engaging presentation format. Users can discover templates that span various themes and industries, designed to help craft compelling narratives within the unique 20x20 framework. SlideServe's user-friendly interface and easy accessibility make it an invaluable resource for those seeking to elevate their Pecha Kucha presentations with visually captivating and well-structured templates. Whether you're a seasoned presenter or a novice looking to make an impact, SlideServe provides a wealth of options to help you craft memorable and effective Pecha Kucha presentations.

Part IV. Mastering Delivery Techniques in Pecha Kucha Presentation

1. rehearsing your pecha kucha presentation.

Effective delivery is key to Pecha Kucha success. Learn how to rehearse your presentation to perfection, ensuring that you hit the mark with every slide.

2. Managing Nervousness and Timing

Overcoming nervousness and managing timing are essential. We'll provide strategies to keep anxiety in check and stay on track during your presentation.

3. Engaging Your Audience Effectively

Engagement is paramount in a short-format presentation. Discover techniques for keeping your audience engaged and leaving them with a memorable experience.

4. Enhancing Your Presentation with Presentory

Elevate your Pecha Kucha presentations effortlessly with Presentory . Whether you're looking to enhance your existing templates or start fresh, Presentory has you covered. Import your Pecha Kucha templates and give them a polished touch with additional transitions, stickers, and captivating effects. Alternatively, explore our library of Pecha Kucha templates to kickstart your creation journey. Plus, with Presentory's user-friendly interface, the creative process becomes a breeze. Once your presentation is ready, you can seamlessly record it to MP4 for easy sharing or stream it on your preferred platforms. Join the ranks of Presentory users who have transformed their presentations into engaging and impactful experiences.

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Plus, you can take advantage of our  AI-generated outlines feature to streamline your content creation process. Simply let AI assist you in shaping your presentation's narrative and content, saving you valuable time and effort. Whether you're starting from scratch or refining an existing Pecha Kucha, Presentory's AI capabilities are at your service.

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How to Give a Great Pecha Kucha Talk

• By: Kelly Allison

Pecha Kucha is an innovative and effective presentation method designed by a pair of architects that’s completely transformed the way presentations are delivered.

The rules for a Pecha Kucha presentation are simple: The presentation must contain exactly 20 slides that are displayed for precisely 20 seconds each, making the total presentation time six minutes and 40 seconds. That’s why Pecha Kucha presentations are also frequently called 20×20 presentations.

But just because the rules of this format are simple doesn’t mean their application is. If you’re interested in designing one of these groundbreaking presentations yourself, then apply the following tips to make it a whole lot easier.

Say Your Topic in a Sentence When giving this type of presentation, it’s critical that your topic is concise and straightforward. If you try to say too much, you’ll end up not really saying anything at all. To be sure your topic is tight and to-the-point, try to say it in one sentence. If you struggle to do this, you’re probably trying to present too much information that’ll get lost in this short format.

Keep Slide Text to a Minimum We always advise using minimal text on each slide, but this is especially important for Pecha Kucha presentations. Because the slides automatically advance every 20 seconds, your audience won’t be able to process more than a few words on each slide, so don’t include any more than that. Instead, focus on compelling slide imagery and design.

Find the Story in Your Topic It’s nearly impossible to engage an audience in six minutes using dry facts and figures alone. In fact, research suggests that good storytelling is key to making any audience pay closer attention, no matter the format. That said, to really engage your audience here, you need to find a compelling story behind it that conveys the importance and value of your topic.

Tell a Story With Images Speaking of storytelling, rather than focus on adding a lot of text to each slide, focus on adding beautiful images that enhance your narrative instead. However, keep in mind that what’s beautiful up close can often look fuzzy and confusing from the perspective of your audience. Your images should be as clear and straightforward from afar as your content.

Use Just a Few Main Points It’s really challenging to present more than a small handful of main points in this short format. Generally speaking, try not to present more than three main points and fill the rest of your presentation with facts and examples that support those points.

Practice Your Timing In addition to practicing what you’re going to say and how you’re going to say it, you must also pay close attention to the timing of what you’re saying. Since the slides are moving forward at 20-second intervals, you need to make sure that your speech is perfectly in line with the timing of those slides otherwise you’ll leave your audience incredibly confused.

Give Yourself Some Visual Cues To help ensure your speech coincides with your slides, it’s a good idea to include visual cues on each slide that serve as subtle reminders for what to say next. This will also help diminish the panic and anxiety that comes with worrying that you’ll forget what to say.

Ever wondered what kind of a presenter you are? Then take Ethos3’s Badge Assessment to discover your unique presentation persona.

Kelly Allison

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Home / Business / Captivate Your Audience with Pecha Kucha Presentation

Captivate Your Audience with Pecha Kucha Presentation

Looking out for ways to make your next presentation stand out? Got bored of the usual presentation style? Research has shown a fact that 79% of the audience agree that” most presentations are boring.” So, how to make your presentation interesting? How to make your audience glued to their seats and focus on the topic? The perfect way to get your audience involved with your presentation is by trying  Pecha Kucha’s presentation style .

What is Pecha Kucha Presentation? 

Pecha Kucha is an innovative and effective presentation method that drastically transformed the way presentations are delivered. It’s a way that shares your ideas in style and promotes creativity, efficiency, and effective communication of ideas.

Pecha Kucha presentations often follow a fast-paced and visually engaging style. For example, in a Pecha Kucha presentation, the speaker uses a specific format of 20 slides, each displaying for exactly 20 seconds. This means that the entire presentation lasts for 6 minutes and 40 seconds. In addition, the format encourages brevity and conciseness in communication, forcing presenters to distil their ideas into a limited timeframe.

Origin of Pecha Kucha

Pecha Kucha style of presentation originated in Tokyo in 2003 by architects Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham with the aim to bring together fellow architects to exchange ideas and showcase their works in concise, short-format design.

Fans of alternative presentation styles soon started adopting the Pechakucha presentation system. This presentation style became so popular that it inspired Pecha Kucha nights across 500 cities around the world, where audiences gathered in the venues to watch presentations.

Tips for Creating Pecha Kucha Presentation 

Creating a Pecha Kucha presentation is easy. If you’re interested in creating one, apply the following tips to make it much easier.

• Say Topic in Presentation:  While giving Pecha Kucha a presentation ,  it’s crucial to have a topic that’s short, concise, and straightforward. If you try to include a lot in your presentation, you will not say anything.
• Don’t Use Text-Heavy Slides:  It’s recommended not to use text-heavy slides, especially in Pecha Kucha presentations. As each slide is just displayed for 20 seconds, your audience won’t be able to read more than a few words on each slide. So don’t include any more than that. Instead, try to add more creative and imagery design.
• Tell a Compelling Story in Presentation:  Engaging with the audience in six minutes is impossible without an interesting story. Research shows that a compelling story can make the audience pay closer attention, no matter the format.
• Be Thorough at What You Are Presenting : The best way to be confident is to understand the topic thoroughly. Pecha Kucha’s presentation isn’t just about the content and the slides. The presenter needs to be greatly knowledgeable about the topic. Making your points quickly is easier when you are passionate about the topic. So choose a topic that interests you, and you can speak with no effort.
• Timing is Everything : Pecha Kucha’s presentation is all about timing. As the presentation lasts just for 6 minutes and 40 seconds, the fast flow and inability to delay means you should know the topic by heart. You need to learn speech word by word. That’s why we recommend you go through a presentation at least a minimum of three times to ensure you stay on track.

Your audience might have gotten bored of the usual presentation style, or you might be in short of time to present your topic; then Pecha Kucha’s presentation style is what you should try. The introduction is what can differentiate you from other presenters. Check out our blog on  How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation Like a Pro . You give your presentation a kickstart.

About The Author

Priyanshu Bharat

Priyanshu is a copywriter who loves to tune into what makes people tick. He believes in presenting his ideas with flair and wit, which has made him an expert at standing on stage and charming the pants off of any audience he's faced with. Priyanshu lives for learning as much as he can, so if you ever need help understanding something - just ask!

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I first learned how to pronounce PK from Kelly Chandler Olcott as she used the following video to illustrate the correct pronunciation. In future work, my own pronunciation will follow the video below, but while trying to flatten the tone each time. Regardless of how “correctly” you pronounce PK, you’ll most definitely have people look at you quizzically when you suggest it.

I’ve given countless PK style talks ( example & example ), facilitated sessions including PK talks, and include PK/Ignite talks as an assessment device in my classes. I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly in PK presentations. In this post I’ll share my tips, tricks, and lessons learned from these experiences. Keep in mind that for every rule for a PK talk, I see someone break the rules and do something magical.

Preparing your slide deck

As you develop your slides for a PK presentation, keep in mind that the format should utilize images more than words. As a result, I strive for primarily images with very little (or no) text on each slide. Large, dramatic images that will capture the attention of the audience are a great strategy as you create a narrative with your words. I recommend reviewing this post to learn more about the images that you choose and use in your PK slides, and general PPTs. You might also check out Unsplash , Flickr CC Search , Compfight , and  CC Search  as you search for Creative Commons licensed content to use .

If you do include text on the slide, keep in mind that the audience is also “on the edge of their seats” in your presentation. Allow them to focus on the words on the screen as opposed to the words coming out of your mouth. Alternatively, you can explain to them exactly  what you want them to focus on in the text. Please also consider how to use presentations and PPT docs to get the most out of the audience …and hit your objectives.

Keep it simple. Don’t include transitions. Don’t include slide animations, or callouts. The more things you add in to make it fancy become the things that delay and derail your presentation.

The best way to prepare your slides is to use Microsoft Powerpoint. As a lover of Google Slides  this pains me…but Slides will only let you automatically transition after 15 seconds. You can set up your Powerpoint slides to automatically advance by clicking on the “transitions” settings, and clicking the button to have your slides advance every 20 seconds. Make sure you don’t click that option to advance on the “mouse click.” There’s nothing more aggravating than getting rolling in your PK talk and realizing that the first slide isn’t advancing automatically…and then having to restart. I know from experience. 🙂

Preparing what to say…and how to say it

As I prepare for my sessions, I generally identify a story, or narrative across the slides and my time. For each slide, I identify a point, or key idea I want to make for that slide. In the development of the slide deck, I make sure there is a visual cue that will help me remember the point that I wanted to make on that slide. Between the intersection of the larger narrative of the presentation and the points per slide, I generally can map out the trajectory and guidepoints to keep me focused. If it’s not clear to me, I adjust the slides to make sure I’ll have those guidepoints in my head as I present.

I do not recommend writing a script for this presentation style. I definitely do not recommend bringing a script in to the session with you to present. In my own experience, I know the general story that I want to tell, and the specific words don’t matter. I’ve had colleagues bring in their script and stare down at the cue cards in the talk and it creates a disconnect with the audience. A script is also problematic if/when you have glitches with timing in your presentation. If you miss a transition…then you’re feverishly trying to read the cue cards to get caught up. Also…if you have a script and cue cards, it’s probably a sign that you’re trying to squeeze too much in to the format. 🙂

Last, but not least…practice. This is one of the common themes on this PK guide from USC. In my own preparation I run through the slides numerous times in my head as I’m developing…and then reviewing them. It’s also a good habit to let the slides run and advance in Powerpoint to see what the timing will look like.

Actually presenting it

When the day of reckoning comes…relax. Have fun. You’ve put in the work up to this point. You know your content. Now you just need to get up there and make it happen. There may/will be technology or glitches out of your control. Nothing will ever be perfect…and that is part of the art form. Remind yourself that is performance, and presentation.

In my experience the audience is as nervous as the presenters. The audience usually doesn’t know what to do (cognitively) with the presentations. There is so much information, so much to see/hear and consider that they don’t know where to focus. There is also usually a buzz in the air as this is something new that is unexpected. In larger sessions with multiple PK speakers, we usually direct the audience to “just take it all in.” We provide breaks in between sets or themes of speakers to give them a chance to debrief.

Practice for practice sake

If you want to play with the medium, and challenge yourself or your students, you can play with PK. Known as Powerpoint-Karaoke, or BattleDecks , these are PK sessions in which you do not know the slides that are coming up. The slide decks are chosen/compiled at random. The speaker may know the theme, or nothing at all before they begin. It’s the ultimate in thinking on your feet.

One tool that I love to use with colleagues and students is PechaFlickr by Alan Levine . This wonderful tool has you start by adding in a search term, and then scraping Flickr for images. These images are pulled into a presentation file that is set up to automatically advance for each slide. This tool is tons of fun, and it has you focus on the content and your cognitive flexibility. 🙂

Next slide please…

Now that you hopefully have a better idea of what PK is…get out there and do it. The best way to learn how to do it is to just get started. You can review the links in this post for more ideas of what you’re in store for. I also recommend this post by Catherine Cronin as you’re searching for more guidance.

Get out there and have fun. 🙂

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Cover photo by triplefivechina https://flickr.com/photos/triplefivechina/4877744304 shared under a Creative Commons (BY) license

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10 Comments → How to plan, present, & survive a Pecha Kucha style presentation

It’s a fun challenge, for sure!

I am about to do a Pecha Kucha poetry challenge right now.

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Learn about Pecha Kucha presentation

The following article will put a stop to your never-ending quest for cooler, more effective and more engaging presentations with the popular presentation format called Pecha Kucha, which is a fast, engaging and effective way to deliver succinct and impactful information.

Though there are loads of and ways to communicate your ideas, but the most revolutionary is the  Pecha Kucha  format.

Pecha Kucha is simple layout that asks the speaker to present against a backdrop of twenty slides, each changing every twenty seconds. 

• What is Pecha Kucha
• Why create format

What is Pecha Kucha night?

Creating a pecha kucha presentation.

• Links for reference for Pecha Kucha presentation

What is Pecha Kucha?

Pecha Kucha is a special style of presentation that involves short, powerful messages, where a presenter shows 20 slides for 20 seconds of commentary each (6 minutes and 40 seconds total).

The images advance automatically and you talk in synchrony to the images. Therefore, it’s sometimes called a 20×20 presentation. Since each Pecha Kucha presentation consists of 20 images shown for 20 seconds each – they will auto-advance as a slideshow, so there is no going back, pausing, or skipping around.

 Its translated as “chit-chat” or “the sound of conversation” in Japanese and created by two architects, Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham of Tokyo’s Klein-Dytham Architecture (KDa ) in 2003 who were inspired by the idea of “talk less, show more”. The first Pecha Kucha Night was held in Tokyo in their gallery/lounge/bar/club/creative kitchen, SuperDeluxe, in February, 2003.

 Klein Dytham architecture still organize and support the global Pecha Kucha Night network and organize Pecha Kucha Night Tokyo. It’s quite similar to a haiku poem in terms of its composition.

Here are few examples of Pecha Kucha presentations https://www.pechakucha.com/presentations

Why create Pecha Kucha format?

Because architects talk too much, like any other creative person, can go on forever once handed over a microphone and images to present.  So the basis of Pecha Kucha is presenting 20 images, each for 20 seconds a piece the kicker is that the slides advance automatically to discourage rambling and to keep the presenter on track. The presentations are concise, specific and powerful.

If you consider some of the downsides of traditional presentations and how easy it is to lose the audience’s interest, the benefits of Pecha Kucha are more apparent. For presenters, the format is predetermined so a lot of the guess work is taken out of building a talk. For the audience, every 20 seconds the slides, and therefore the ideas, advance, meaning it’s easier to stay engaged and attentive.

Here’s a link on how to make efficient use of the time spent on a presentation as of industry standard and you can notice the attention span is decreasing day by day thus Peach Kucha also gaining popularity

Originally started in Tokyo, Pecha Kucha has spread through the idea of the Pecha Kucha Night™, which is a fun and informal gathering where creative people come together and on any topics such as travels, research projects, student projects, hobbies, collections, or other interests in the Pecha Kucha 20×20 format.

These informal get-togethers have reached nearly 700 cities in the world and give anyone a platform to share their work, ideas or whatever they’re passionate about.

 A typical Pecha Kucha Night (PKN) normally includes 8 to 14 presentations. Organizers in some cities have customized their own format.

 For example, in  Groningen, Netherlands, two six-minute, 40-second presentation slots are given to a live band, and the final 20 seconds of each presentation includes an immediate critique of the presentation by the host’s sidekicks.

Another such example of a Pecha Kucha night held in Mumbai is in the link

This is how you can prepare a Pecha Kucha presentation and improve your presentation.

1. Choosing a topic

If you’re a beginner start out with a topic you love or are passionate about. This way not only will your passion shine through your presentation but also motivate you and make it more personal.

Many times, presenters get tempted to choose complicated topics that need so many facts to be explained even before you get to the topic.

 Let’s face it – not everything in this world is simple enough to be explained in less than 7 minutes. But you can simplify your topic, or you can choose another topic that is simple enough to be explained within that time frame.

Once you have chosen a topic, leave out the un-required and focus on your message – you should be able to condense the gist of your entire message in one, simple line. Then elaborate as required.

2. Creating an outline

Once you’ve decided on the topic, you should start with an outline. You can call your outline a structure, a story, etc.

Think about the main points you want to make about it. These will likely guide what your images will be. It’s suggested that you write down the two key points you want to make for each slide and try to stick to that.

 You can make use of paper sheets, PostIt notes, an iPad or tablet, or even Microsoft Word, Evernote, or OneNote. Work with whichever medium makes you feel comfortable, as long as you end up with a rough outline.

Outlining will help streamline your content and focus on the most important points of your message.

3. Creating slides

Once you’re done with outlining, import your outline into PowerPoint or any other slide program. PowerPoint can import outlines to create slides, but even if you do not want to import your outline, you can still create slides from your text content.

Keep it simple without the use of texts, bullet points or facts and figures. You The key point of a successful Pecha Kucha is the strong, impactful and striking images along with the speak over.

Check out this link on how to cut down on texts used in a ppt

4. Images  

Images are the key to an effective Pecha Kucha talk. Try to find images that are illustrations or metaphors of your key points and / or use words as image.

This makes delivery of your presentation much easier, as you’re not trying to race through a list of points. It also makes your presentation more engaging. The images you choose should reinforce your ideas. Make sure your images are high quality and that you have permission to use them. You can reach to professional agency for designing PowerPoint presentation if you are participating in high stake meeting

5. Practice

Practice, practice, practice! That’s the only way to get the presentation to flow like a conversation. Practice really makes the difference and it is okay to have notes.

The best way to get rid of those nerves and build confidence for speaking in front of a group is to practice your presentation several times. You can either learn your speech by heart, word to word or understand the meaning of each slide and talk about it naturally.

Though you may be tempted to fit as much words as possible in the 20 seconds per slide time limit try to keep your voice natural and calm at an appropriate pace with the audience. Remember Pecha Kucha is a space for creativity.

Links for reference  

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PechaKucha
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq1Jnx51pW0
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32WEzM3LFhw

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Pecha Kucha: An Innovative Pedagogy to Cultivate Cultural Competency in 21 st Century Nursing Students

Cultural competence is a vital component of undergraduate nursing education, as it is essential to prepare future nurses to care for persons in a global society. To meet this challenge, nursing educators must prioritize developing cultural competence in nursing students, yet there is little evidence about the most effective way of doing this. Cultural competence is a topic that is difficult to teach via the traditional pedagogy of lectures, texts, and clinical experiences in the local community. Also, teaching the concepts in isolation is often the method used and does not necessarily support the cultural readiness of student nurses. The literature suggests that the most optimal way to foster cultural awareness, sensitivity, and competence in nursing students is a complete immersion in another culture, such as a study abroad. 1 , 2

Furthermore, faculty often use reflective journals to capture students' self-reflection of their experience during a study abroad to develop cultural skills. In previous course iterations of a study abroad for baccalaureate nursing students, one required assignment was to write a reflective journal and present a 10-to-15-minute presentation summary to their peers. Course evaluations from the students revealed that they did not see the value of reflective writing, nor did they enjoy hearing their peer's presentations and learning from them. However, the faculty felt that writing reflective journals promoted students' understanding or ‘making sense’ of their immersion experiences and encouraged them to acquire new insights regarding their cultural beliefs. Also, the faculty valued the guided group reflection during the students' presentations because it helped students challenge their assumptions and enhanced intercultural reflection and learning.

Nurse educators are challenged to develop educational methodologies that meet the characteristics of today's learners. Millennial and Generation Z students often prefer to use technology and smartphones rather than traditional formats. An alternative teaching strategy for a written journal that may have a pedagogical advantage for this group of learners is the Pecha Kucha 20 × 20 method (Pecha Kucha). 3 The Pecha Kucha's anecdotal structure paired with its use of technology support students' twenty-first-century literacies. This paper discusses using this learner-centered approach in a study abroad in Italy to foster reflection of their cultural encounters.

Pecha Kucha

Pecha Kucha, which means “chit-chat” in Japanese, is a strategic style of presenting information to maintain the audience's engagement and interest. Pecha Kucha is a storytelling format where a presenter shows a 20-slide presentation displaying each slide for 20 seconds. The entire presentation lasts less than 7 minutes. Architects developed the Pecha Kucha in 2003 to make various presented materials more interesting for all parties involved. 3

In Pecha Kucha presentations, the designer uses slides filled with images, pictures, graphics, and very few words. This presentation structure creates a more narrative-style approach rather than solely focused on delivering information. The lack of text on the slides encourages the presenter to make more eye contact and engage with their audience more than in traditional PowerPoint presentations. The presenter also must go through a process of intentional preparation and rehearsal to adhere to the timing requirements of the Pecha Kucha. The time constraint also forces the presenter only to include the most pertinent information and to explain it clearly and concisely.

Study Abroad

This study abroad program spanned 2-weeks, during which students had opportunities to learn about Italian culture and health care through observational experiences in acute care hospitals and outpatient settings. Students also took basic Italian language lessons and participated in guided tours of important cultural sites. The group was composed of 3 faculty members, 3 graduate MSN-Education students, and 23 undergraduate BSN students. The graduate students assisted with program facilitation and gave various seminars to the undergraduate students while in-country, covering topics such as cultural competency and proper presentation and formatting skills.

During the study abroad experience, the undergraduate students were encouraged to reflect and journal their feelings, thoughts, and observations. Suggested topics for reflection were individual daily experiences related to nursing practice; interactions with people in the community; descriptions of sights, smells, sounds, and tastes encountered; and beliefs about Italy and Italian healthcare prior to the course. Along with this journaling, the students documented their experiences via photographs. The journaling and photographs aided the students in developing a Pecha Kucha presentation submitted following the completion of the study abroad. The students had a detailed rubric outlining the specific expectations of the assignment. The Pecha Kucha presentations were recorded, submitted to an online platform, and graded using the criteria outlined in the rubric.

Feedback From Nursing Students

The Pecha Kucha assignment received positive feedback from the students' course evaluations and verbal comments. The students highlighted the importance of choosing from their many pictures to create a summary of their cultural encounters. Also, the students benefited from each other's presentations because of the shared perspectives related to their cultural experiences. Students stated that it gave them an avenue to introspectively reflect on their prior assumptions and evaluate whether their cultural skills improved.

Assessment by Nursing Faculty

Students demonstrated a beginning understanding of the customs and practices of Italy's art, architecture, music, and food. Also, there was a noticeable synthesis of the intersection of culture and health care delivery for individuals living in an Italian community, from students' pre-perceptions to post-perceptions, meeting the learning outcomes of the course and indicating enhanced cultural awareness. Additionally, the faculty concluded that the Pecha Kucha supports students' 21st-century literacies by developing their digital skills to effectively communicate to an authentic audience about their cultural experiences. The Pecha Kucha promoted students' ability to combine speech, images, and written sources to convey meaning through a creative composition.

Implementing a Pecha Kucha as a reflective tool is an innovative pedagogical strategy that may not only be beneficial for just studying abroad but also transferrable to other nursing courses or online education. 4 Pecha Kucha provides an alternative method of engaging with content and helps to involve students and promote learning resulting in increased student enjoyment, creativity, and improved presentation skills. Studies are needed to investigate if using the Pecha Kucha as alternative to the traditional reflective journal affects the development of cultural competence.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Early Access: November 16, 2022

Christine Schafer Pecha Kucha

Apr 22, 2024

Christine Schafer

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Christine Schafer EDUC 5420 Spring 2024

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