TIPS FOR CREATING AND PRESENTING AN EFFECTIVE

PRESENTATION

ANALYZE YOUR AUDIENCE• Take the time to determine who will be

listening. • Ask yourself, “Why am I giving this

presentation?”

MAKE A PLAN• After you have determined your audience,

decide what to say and how to say it. • Create an outline after you have analyzed

what items must be covered and how you want your audience to respond.

KEEP THE NUMBER OF WORDS PER SLIDE TO A MINIMUM

• The general rule is to limit the number of words per slide to eight.

• It is better to have more slides with less information than vice versa.

KEEP IT SHORT• Resist creating a lengthy presentation. • The longer the presentation, the greater the

danger of losing your audience’s attention.

TITLE SLIDE• Start with a “title” slide to introduce yourself and

presentation.

SLIDES SHOULD NOT BE PARAGRAPHS OF INFORMATION

• Slides should not repeat what you have to say; they should supplement your presentation.

FONTS• Choose a font that is simple and professional.• Keep the font style consistent.• Using a design theme will help with this.• Fonts should match your topic. You would not

use Curlz MT font creating a presentation on WWII.

FONT SIZE• Choose a font size that your audience can

read from a distance.• Font measurements indicate the size of a

font on your computer screen, not projected on a screen for your audience.

KEEP YOUR TEXT SIMPLE • Use bullet points and short sentences. • Keep to one line without text wrapping. • You want your audience to listen to you

present, rather than read the screen.

GRAPHICS/ IMAGES/CHARTS• Use graphics, images, and charts to help

tell the story. • Don’t overdo!

THEMES AND BACKGROUNDS• Make backgrounds/themes subtle and keep

them consistent. • You don’t want the design to distract from your

message.

TEXT COLOR• Use high contrast between background color

and text color. • Dark background with light colored text is

easiest to see.

REFERENCES AND SOURCES• On the last slide, reference all the sources used.

PROOFREAD• Check the spelling and grammar.• Have someone else check.• Use proper capitalization and punctuation.

DELIVERING THE PRESENTATION

1. Be prepared; make sure your presentation will work on another computer.

2. The presentation should be well organized. It must have an introduction, a main body, and conclusion.

3. Know your audience. Don’t make your presentation too complicated or too simple.

4. You must rehearse your presentation. Practice the timing to make sure you stay within the allotted time. Know the topic so you can answer questions.

5. Speak clearly and loudly enough to be heard in the back of the room.

• DO NOT READ THE PRESENTATION.

7. Dress properly; be relaxed, cheerful, and enthusiastic.

8. Face the audience and have good eye contact.9. Maintain an even speaking pace. Most people

talk too fast when they are nervous. Don’t rush or go too slowly.

WHAT NOT TO DO WHILE CREATING A POWERPOINT

• Don McMillan: Life After Death by PowerPoint

• http://youtu.be/lpvgfmEU2Ck