Try this out: Short-term (”working”) memory test. Easy for some, wicked hard for others. Chances are that you thought, while taking it, you would do fine. They are all short, familiar words, right?

Recalling them cold is another thing altogether. Unless you are good at hacking your own memory, recalling a random sequence of unrelated facts is tough.

Now that you know, use this to boost your presentation skills. Good logic flow connects the dots to make related points easier to recall. Repetition, storytelling and other techniques help make your points memorable. Building emotional connections between each concept and what is already familiar to the audience is probably the most important thing you can do to get the audience to remember — and repeat — what you’ve said. People recall what they are interested in. They more readily remember relevant things, things they feel they need. Your job is to pique that interest.

UPDATE: Also seen on Lifehacker, a bonus link on communication in Body Language