Gixo Lumen · deck how-to
Types of Presentations
Presentation types differ by what they ask of the audience, not by subject. Getting the type right decides your structure: a decision deck that is built like an informative one will not get a decision.
Last reviewed: August 2026
The eight types at a glance
| Type | Asks the audience to | Structure that fits |
|---|---|---|
| Informative | Understand something new | Chronological or concept-example-recap |
| Persuasive | Change a belief or position | Cost of status quo, concession, evidence, ask |
| Decision | Choose between options | Options scored against criteria, then a recommendation |
| Training | Acquire a skill | Explain, demonstrate, practise, check |
| Sales | Buy, or take a next step | Buyer problem, proof, objections, next step |
| Status | Unblock and decide | Status, variance, blockers, decisions needed |
| Pitch | Invest or partner | Problem, solution, traction, team, ask |
| Ceremonial | Feel something | Story, specific detail, shared meaning |
How to tell which one you are giving
Where these get mixed up
- Decision decks built as informative ones. Forty slides of context, options on slide 38, no time to decide.
- Sales decks used as launch decks. One persuades a buyer, the other coordinates a team; they share almost no content.
- Training built as a briefing. No practice means no skill, regardless of how clear the explanation was.
- Status meetings that become plan reviews. Bring exceptions and decisions; leave the plan in the tracker.
- Pitches that inform. If the ask is not stated in numbers, it is a company overview.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the main types of presentations?
Informative, persuasive, decision, training, sales, status, pitch and ceremonial. They differ by what they ask of the audience rather than by subject matter.
How do I know which type I am giving?
Finish the sentence 'By the end, they will…'. Understand means informative, agree means persuasive, decide means a decision deck, be able to means training, buy means sales.
What is the difference between informative and persuasive?
An informative presentation succeeds if the audience understands. A persuasive one succeeds only if they change position, which requires conceding the counter-argument and naming an ask.
Which type is hardest?
Decision decks, because they need the options, the criteria, the recommendation and enough time left to actually decide. Most fail by spending too long on context.
Can one deck be more than one type?
It can serve a secondary purpose, but it should have one primary type. Decks trying to inform, persuade and sell at once usually do none of them well.
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