Intermediate
60 mins
Teacher/Student led
+65 XP

Content: Filling in the Structure

In this lesson you populate your locked presentation structure with purpose-driven content such as text, images, and data. You then remove any elements that do not serve the overall purpose before saving an updated version.

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    1 - Introduction ~5 mins

    Welcome

    Illustration for IntroductionLast day you locked the structure for format 1: titles, order, and one idea per section only. Today you fill that skeleton with real words, one picture, and one number for your own Something Real project. Then you cut anything that does not help a VET interviewer follow your story.

    Simple rule: structure first, content second. If the structure is right, plain wording works. If the structure is wrong, polish will not save it.

    Before we start — file check: Open {{code:Project_Portfolio}} → {{code:09_specialism}} → {{code:sm2}} and find your format 1 structure (most of you: {{code:sm2_vet_presentation_v1.pptx}}, or your script / Canva / storyboard skeleton). If it is missing, tell your teacher now and rebuild a titles-only skeleton from your title list before you add any body content.

    By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

    • Only add text, images, and data after the structure is locked
    • Cut anything that does not help the VET interviewer
    • Turn your format 1 skeleton into a content-complete v2 file

    Warm-up

    Think of the last presentation, Reel, or carousel you saw that felt messy. Was the problem too little content, or content dumped into a weak structure? Keep that answer in mind as you fill your own slides or sections today.

    2 - Key Concepts ~5 mins

    Key point

    Four rules before you type. They apply whether format 1 is a slide deck, a Canva pitch, an infographic, a short video storyboard, or a podcast script outline.

    ConceptWhy it mattersExample
    Structure locked first — titles, order, and one idea per section stay fixed before body content is added Filling a weak structure spreads confusion faster; fixing order after full paragraphs wastes time Your VET deck already has titles such as Problem, Offer, Proof, Ask; you only add short bullets under each today
    Purpose filter — every sentence, image, or number must help the audience do or decide something The VET interview audience needs evidence of learning and a clear story, not every fact you know A price table that shows break-even stays; a long hobby story that does not prove the pitch is cut
    Content types — text for claims, images for proof or process, data for numbers the examiner can check Mixing all three makes the piece usable for readers, visual learners, and number-checkers €12 unit cost and €20 sale price on a Proof slide; a photo of the stall setup on a How it works slide
    Cut ruthlessly — if removing a line does not weaken the purpose, remove it Shorter content is easier to present live under interview pressure and harder to hide behind filler Six bullet lines become three; a 90-second script becomes 60 without losing the ask

    DEMO ONLY snapshot: Coastal Crafts (not your project)

    Watch out

    Your teacher will project these sample lines and fill one or two slides live. Do not copy them into your file.

    • The gap: Shoppers want unique GAA-county cases; high-street stock is generic.
    • Proof (data): Unit cost €6.50, sale price €15, target 40 units at the next county final market.
    • The ask: Feedback on pricing and one introduction to a stall-holder contact.

    Notice what is missing: no long company history, no ten font colours, no section that exists only to look busy.

    3 - Step-by-step Task ~8 mins

    Key point

    Teacher demo first (about two sample slides), then you follow for setup and your first content section only. Full own-project fill happens in Portfolio build.

    Use the steps for your slide app to open your locked structure, save a content v2 copy, and fill your first content section with short purpose-led lines about your Something Real project (not the Coastal Crafts demo). Your teacher will also show one image insert, one data moment, and one cut pass so you know the pattern.

    If format 1 is not a slide deck

    Use this parallel order in your tool (script outline, Canva, infographic, storyboard, podcast plan):

    1. Open your locked skeleton in {{code:Project_Portfolio}}/{{code:09_specialism}}/{{code:sm2}}.
    2. Save or duplicate it as a clearly named v2, for example {{code:sm2_vet_script_v2}}, {{code:sm2_vet_infographic_v2}}, {{code:sm2_vet_storyboard_v2}}, or {{code:sm2_vet_canva_v2}} (or a teacher-agreed equivalent). Keep it inside {{code:sm2}}.
    3. Fill each headed section or beat with 2–3 short purpose-led lines about your project.
    4. Add one visual or audio proof point (photo, simple icon block, or a short audio note that proves process).
    5. Add one checkable number or data moment (honest estimate is fine if labelled as a target or estimate).
    6. Run the purpose filter; paste at least two cut lines into a short “Cuts” box at the end of the file before you delete them from the main sections.
    7. Confirm the v2 file is in {{code:sm2}}.
    Tip

    Slide students: follow the platform steps below for open → v2 copy → first content section. Finish the remaining sections in Portfolio build using the same pattern.

    4 - Common Issues ~4 mins

    Common Issues

    Tip

    Keep this table open. Your teacher will also call a one-minute stop-and-check halfway through Portfolio build using the same four stalls.

    IssueSolution
    I cannot find {{code:sm2_vet_presentation_v1.pptx}} in my folder Check {{code:Project_Portfolio}} → {{code:09_specialism}} → {{code:sm2}}. If it is still missing, rebuild a titles-only skeleton from your title list, save it as {{code:sm2_vet_presentation_v1.pptx}} (or your non-slide skeleton name), then copy to v2 before editing. Non-slide v2 names: {{code:sm2_vet_script_v2}}, {{code:sm2_vet_infographic_v2}}, {{code:sm2_vet_storyboard_v2}}, {{code:sm2_vet_canva_v2}}.
    My slides are full of long paragraphs Rewrite each paragraph as two or three short bullets. Put detail you still need into speaker notes or your spoken rehearsal, not on the slide the examiner must read at speed.
    I keep redesigning colours and layouts instead of writing content Stop formatting. Finish every section’s words, one image, and one data moment first. Design polish comes in later sessions; today is content-complete v2.
    I do not know what to cut, or cutting feels painful Read each line and ask whether the VET audience needs it for purpose, process, proof, or ask. Paste lines you might cut into speaker notes or a Cuts box first so nothing feels lost, then delete from the main slide or section. When in doubt, cut and see whether the story still stands.

    5 - Portfolio Build ~28 mins

    Portfolio build

    Your goal: Turn your locked format 1 structure into a content-complete v2 so a VET interviewer can follow your Something Real project without you redesigning mid-sentence.
    Time: ~30 minutes
    Task: Your teacher will set the pace and circulate while you work. Open {{code:Project_Portfolio}} and work inside {{code:09_specialism}}/{{code:sm2}}. If you have not already, open your format 1 structure and save or copy it as a clear v2 before you edit: slide decks use {{code:sm2_vet_presentation_v2}}; non-slide formats use {{code:sm2_vet_script_v2}}, {{code:sm2_vet_infographic_v2}}, {{code:sm2_vet_storyboard_v2}}, {{code:sm2_vet_canva_v2}}, or a teacher-agreed equivalent. Fill every locked section with short, purpose-led content for your Something Real project (not Coastal Crafts). Include at least one image or visual proof point — prefer a real project photo; if you have none yet, use a stock image that shows process or proof, not decoration. Include at least one real number or data moment — honest round estimates labelled as targets or estimates are fine if you do not have final prices yet. Run a purpose cut: paste at least two deleted lines into title-slide speaker notes or a short Cuts box, then remove them from the main content. Halfway through, pause for your teacher’s stop-and-check against the Common issues table.
    Success criteria:
    • {{code:sm2_vet_presentation_v2}} (or {{code:sm2_vet_script_v2}} / {{code:sm2_vet_infographic_v2}} / {{code:sm2_vet_storyboard_v2}} / {{code:sm2_vet_canva_v2}}) sits in {{code:sm2}} and is clearly separate from the structure-only v1
    • Every section that had a locked title now has short content a stranger can follow about your own project
    • The file includes at least one image or visual proof point and at least one number or data moment tied to your project (estimates labelled as such count)
    • At least two cut lines are visible in speaker notes or a Cuts box so you can show what failed the purpose filter
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