PowerPoint Presentations

Most common error is non-effective presentation of information.  Information should be organized according to an outline.

Reference should include

Print (books, magazines, encyclopedias, etc.

Non-print (Internet, television, CDs, databases, etc.)

Interviews

Be sure to create a bibliography

Be sure to cite your sources of information

Caution:  When sources are not cited, this is considered plagiarism.  This will make a presentation invalid.

Information should be outlines in preparations of building a PowerPoint presentation.

I.  Main Point

A.  First Major Subdivision (relates to first main point)

1.  details about the First Subdivision

2.  details about the First Subdivision

            B.  Second Major (relates to first main point)

                        1.  details about the Second Subdivision

Pages are referred to as a slide.  The first slide should be the title page. 

Slide 2 or Overview Slide

The second slide will give an overview to the audience of what the presentation is about.  The most direct approach is to bullet information from your outline.  However, sometimes an explanation of the project may be more beneficial.

Slide 3

This slide will be I from the outline (the first Main Topic).  Each Major Subdivision of this topic should be bulleted.

Note:  the presentation should not contain all of the information being presented.  It is a visual aid for the audience.  The slide should show a bullet of information which the presenter will discuss.

After completion of your outline you should have a summary slide.  This slide will give a conclusion. 

Do Not Use:  "in conclusion" or "to summarize"  - state the facts and review and mention the main topics.

The next slide would be an acknowledgement to anyone who helped with the presentation.

Last is your bibliography.

Design

The design should never overwhelm the information.  Color, layout, design, and fonts should all harmonize to create a successful PowerPoint presentation.

The elements of design in a PowerPoint slide are:

Theme (if used) -  Click on the design name to preview it.  Select the desired template and click OK. 

Background and color Click format>background

Fonts - No more than three fonts should be used in one presentation

Graphics - clipart, digital photos, graphs, charts, etc.

Special effects, movies and sounds only use to enhance the presentation

Slide transitions - use the same transitions throughout the presentation.

REMEMBER LESS IS MORE!

Tips for Presenter

The presenter should never read from the screen.  The screen is a visual to keep the audience informed.  The narrator should know the information well enough not to refer to notes.

Practice is important.  It is very obvious to an audience when someone is not familiar with their information.

The presenter should scan the audience visually to keep audience interest at peak and maintain eye contact.  They should not fidget (sway, rock, adjust clothing, etc.).  Hand gestures and small movements enhance the presentation.  The narrator should dress appropriately for the presentation.

Have a hard copy or transparencies of your presentation in case of system problems.  Prepare you presentation knowing that, regardless of the problems or breakdowns you may experience, the "show must go on."

Finally, don't apologize, keep a positive attitude,  don't start your presentation with OK.  You are the "authority" when making your presentation.