Craft One Memorable Moment That Lasts Forever

You’re setting your slides for tomorrow’s big pitch. You know the data backwards, but how will they remember you? Nancy’s method calls for one S.T.A.R. moment—a peak that everyone talks about afterward. So you decide on a live demo: a simple paper airplane glides across the front of the room, landing perfectly in a volunteer’s hand. That single, unexpected flight anchors your message on aerodynamics, teamwork, and fun.

You dim the overhead lights and cue the volunteer, heart racing as the audience leans forward. Then you whisper, “Watch closely,” and launch the plane. Silence, then applause. Phones come out—shots shared instantly. In that moment, your audience isn’t counting slides; they’re sharing your story.

Psychologists call this the Von Restorff effect: we remember things that stand out. By isolating that one bright moment, you burn your Big Idea deep into their memory. It’s not the 27th bullet point they’ll recall; it’s the paper airplane soaring across the stage.

So as you build your next presentation, think less about packing it all in, and more about crafting that one indelible scene. That’s the power of a S.T.A.R. moment.

First, choose the emotional high point that best illustrates your central promise. Decide if it’s a live demo, a story, a striking image, or a shocking stat. Build in a beat of silence before revealing it to amplify suspense. Then tie it back to your one-sentence Big Idea. Practice the exact timing and tone until you can deliver it effortlessly under bright stage lights. That one unforgettable moment will define your presentation.