PowerPoint Presentation Tips

Less is better

Main Ideas with subpointsUse Key words and phrases-not complete sentences-certainly not complete paragraphsOrganize your main ideas -Most important to least-Or Least important to mostUse as few slides as possible for your time limit and topic-Choose main points carefullyDesign choice-preference-relative-colorLight colors do not display as well with the lights on. Choose dark or bold colors on light background or the reverse.Make sure whatever you choose does not hurt the eyes. You want your audience to read it, not go blind!Font size-Choose a little higher than the default in the design. It’s very hard to read when projected on the wall unless the font is large enough.Do not read the slides. Let the audience read; you explain. This means you must have notes and you must know your material. You do not want to stand there and read your notes either. Your classmates could have read the book. Teach them instead.Pictures-from clip art, websites, Google images-relevant-enlarge, but do not stretch out the pixels too much (copying a small picture and enlarging it to fit the screen usually looks distorted)Short Video clipsFair UseSpeaking in front of the class-eye contact, practice, knowing your content, knowledge that everyone else has to do this too can take away the fright-Groups can share the limelight and change speakers as the main points change.Speak loud enough so the person in the back row can hear you. Speak TO the audience. Don’t turn around to read the screen and read. Be confident.

Get the point?

Less is betterMain Ideas with supporting details

Key Words or Phrases not huge amounts of information

OrganizeMost important to least important

Or

Least important to Most important

OrganizeKeep supporting details with their

main point.

Don’t skip around.

Color Do not make your viewer go blind.

Does this make me look

too bright?

Color Too bright results in temporary blindness. Too light cannot be seen.

Can you see me?

Color Too bright results in temporary blindness.

Too light cannot be seen.

Go for Contrast.

Make it Easy to Read.

FontSize matters.

PicturesInsert from

Clip Art Picture files Web Sites

Videos Enter URL from site will mean you will need

Internet access during the presentation.

It’s usually best to download the video to a USB or laptop file.

Sound & Movement You can customize your slides with sound

and movement, but adding too much will cause distraction.

Fair Use For instructional purposes

Use mostly Pictures Information: limit to phrases

However, Not permitted to use trademarks Cite your sources for anything not just general

information

Speaking Before the presentation

Research Study Practice

During the presentation Use Eye Contact Use appropriate Volume Be Confident

Don’t just read – TEACH! Give more

information than is included on the slides.