(Reuters) - When giving a presentation with slides, creating a straightforward narrative is more useful than the repetitive use of an agenda, says Harvard Business Review.

The Management Tip of the Day offers quick, practical management tips and ideas from Harvard Business Review and HBR.org. Any opinions expressed are not endorsed by Reuters.

"When presenting, it's essential to keep your audience clued into where you are in your speech. Structure helps them follow along and receive your message.

But if you're using slides, the repetitive use of an agenda can be annoying, and even patronizing. Instead of littering your presentation visuals with this device, focus on creating a straightforward narrative.

Look at a panoramic view of your slides. Then rehearse your presentation aloud several times, moving from frame to frame. Along the way, you may want to add, delete, or shuffle slides to improve the flow.

Come up with verbal connections that link the slides together. The result: a story that's easy for you to deliver, and more importantly, easy for your audience to follow."