writing skills for presentations
TRANSCRIPT
Contents
Conference / Presentation guidelines How many slides? How many lines per slide? Font-sizes and Typefaces Colours and Transitions Check-list
How many slides?
Depends on time 2.5 to 4 min per slide
Not all slides need equal time Example: more time for Results and Discussion
How many lines per slide? – 1
First point Second point Third point Fourth point Fifth point Sixth point Seventh point
How many lines per slide? – 2
Four points preferable Five points enough Sixth point – avoidable Seventh point – almost never
Last line of screen often not visible Use only one indent level (i.e. don’t go even this far)
Never go this far! HELP!
I can't see anything! :-(
How many lines per slide? – 3
Single-line bullets preferable Double-line bhii chalegA But do not write complete sentences, with
commas, full-stops, quotations, etc. In presentations, such sentences become tedious paragraphs. No one feels like reading them.
How many lines per slide? – 4
Use phrases with keywords Keep blank the bottom 1/3rd or 1/4th of the
screen– People at the back can also see the whole slide
Font-sizes and Typefaces – 1
This is 32 points (default). Keep defaults. Below 28 points not advisable (see previous slides)
Typefaces – sans serif Liberation Sans (LibreOffice default) Calibri (Office for Windows, Mac) Arial, Verdana, etc.
Font-sizes and Typefaces – 2
Avoid Avoid
Avoid Avoid Avoid
Colours and Transitions – 1
Avoid Avoid
– Colours difficult to read (especially for the visually challenged)
Colours and Transitions – 2
AvoidAvoid Avoid Avoid
– Special effects often (i) don’t work; (ii) are a distraction
Colours and Transitions – 3
Keep transitions simple and consistent
Checklist – 1
Conference guidelines (if any) How many slides?
Time-dependent Not all slides equally important
How many lines per slide? 4 or 5 Preferably single-line bullet points; 2 lines max
Checklist – 2
How many lines per slide? If more than 4-5 points, difficult to process More than 4-5, also physically difficult to read
Font-sizes and Typefaces Use defaults If changing defaults, remain consistent Sober, sans serif typefaces
Checklist – 3
Colours and Transitions Stay with one colour (black) If headings of another colour, stay consistent Transitions: preferably none If any, keep them sober (no wedding-video
transitions!) Keep them consistent
Checklist – 4
Spell-check: Use it! Photos, videos: use sparingly
– Only if necessary– Technical problems likely!
Avoid putting photo and text on same slide– Text difficult to read (Don’t change default size)
Checklist – 5
Within each section, number slide-headings (Findings – 1; Findings – 2, etc.)
Rehearsal: Please do; at the venue, if possible Reading from notes: Perfectly okay Eye-contact, Movement, Voice: All
recommended
