2. Creating an Effective PowerPoint Presentation
D Brodsky1 and E Doherty2
1Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston,MA
2Winchester Hospital and Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA

3. Video Note to presenter:
1. Select videotape of a short PowerPoint presentation to discuss with audience
2. Ideal if videotape is short; can create own or find one at: ted.com/talks
3. Discuss with audience:
What worked well?
What could have been done better?

4. Overview Extensive preparation Creating slide content
Precise formatting
Successful delivery
Self-reflection and modifications, as needed

5. Planning the Presentation
Know the audience
Who are they?
What is their baseline knowledge of your topic?
What do they need to learn about your topic?
How many audience members are anticipated?

6. Planning the Presentation
Know the program
What are you being asked to do?
How much time have you been allotted?
Where are you in relation to the rest of the program?
What is the room layout?
What technology is available to you?

7. Planning the Presentation
Determine the focus of the talk
What do you want to convey?
Research the topic
Become an expert
Use peer-reviewed sources that are up-to-date
Develop a detailed outline
Include learning objectives and key points
Select visual aids

8. Creating Slide Content
Introduction
Body
Conclusion

9. Creating Slide Content
Introduction
Gain the attention of the audience
Striking statement or powerful quote
Provocative question
Personal anecdote
Short questionnaire
Demonstration
Review the learning objectives
Provide an overview of the presentation
Vary opening because any dramatic technique loses impact with repetition.
Providing an overview of the presentation will help audience understand the sequence of your talk.

10. Creating Slide Content
Body of talk
Ensure that content is focused and congruent with objectives
Explain concepts clearly
Maintain organization within and between slides
Reinforce key concepts
Keep the audience engaged

11. Creating Slide Content: Body of Talk
Potential format of medical presentations:
Classical: Case  Diagnosis  Epidemiology  Pathophysiology  Management  Outcome
Problem-to-solution: problem presented and various solutions are described
Sequential: cased presented in a time sequence
Comparative: comparison of two or more methods, models, perspectives, treatments
Thesis: assertion made and then proven or refuted

12. Creating Slide Content: Body of Talk
Solidify concepts by:
Using examples
Putting concepts into various contexts
Providing mini-summaries of key concepts
Posing questions to audience
Leads to:
Deeper audience understanding of topic
Posing questions to audience is helpful for speaker to assess audience understanding before discussing the next concept and has the added benefit of engaging the audience.

13. Creating Slide Content: Body of Talk
Engage audience
Varying visual aids
Posing questions, asking for comments, seeking opinions from group
Including role-play
Audience member can pose as a physician, consultant, family member, patient
Asking audience to solve problems individually or in small groups
Most adults have an average attention span of minutes during passive listening (during an uninteresting take, this time period may even be shorter), so speakers need to think of strategies to deliberately engage the audience.

14. Creating Slide Content
Conclusion
Finish on a positive note
Avoid comments such as: “And let me just add one more thing…” or “I guess I ran out of time, so I better end now”
Provide a sense of closure
Review the learning objectives and key concepts
Encourage self-directed learning
Discuss need for further research
Consider concluding with a thought-provoking question or problem
Studies have found that audience attention peaks again just before the presentation ends.

15. Formatting in PowerPoint
Attendees judge slides as well as content
Speaker should not apologize for poor quality slides—just don’t use them!
Speaker should use slides as a means to enhance the presentation (not as a crutch)

16. Master Slide Use master slide to ensure consistent formatting
Adjust font and font sizes
Modify color scheme
Create background
Add images that will automatically be added to each slide

17. Font Selection Use simple, legible font
Use standard font common to all computers to avoid font substitution if font not available on presentation computer
Minimize various fonts
Use at most 2 different fonts throughout presentation

18. Less preferred: Font Style Arial Courier Tahoma Garamond Univers
Verdana
Less preferred:
Courier
Garamond
Georgia
Times New Roman
“Serif” fonts (e.g., Courier, Garamond, Georgia, Times New Roman) have little “feet” attached to each letter. Best for reading printed word.
“Sans serif” fonts (e.g., Arial, Tahoma, Univers, Verdana) do not have these “feet” and are easier for reading projected words.

19. A Font Size Largest size in text 32 pt
Ideal at this size or above 24 pt
Mostly legible 22 pt
Barely legible 18 pt
8 Foot Rule: Print out slide and tape to wall; should be able to read slide from 8 feet away
Tool to adjust font size by 4-6 pt: A

20. Colors Create sharp contrast between text and background color
Use basic background so audience is not distracted
Remember that colors on computer screen not always same as projected colors

21. Do you prefer this color combo?
Colors #1
Do you prefer this color combo? #2
How about this one? #5 #4
Or this one?
And last one…??
This one?
White or yellow on blue background easiest to read in dim light
Use of a white background can lead to screen glare but this is minimized with black text
Use of black background provides too much contrast
White or yellow on black background—provides too much of a drastic contrast
White background with any color can lead to screen glare #3

22. Bulleted Lines
Much better if presenter doesn’t have too many words per bulleted line, as shown here, because this makes it difficult for the audience to read the text, listen to the speaker, and understand the content all at the same time
Try to limit words to ≤ 7 words per line
Try to limit bullets to ≤ 5 bullets per slide

23. Line Spacing Important to adjust line spacing
Instead of placing an extra line between bulleted lines, explicitly define space by using “Line spacing”
Find line spacing by:
“Format”  “Paragraph”
In newer program versions, click symbol below in toolbar and then “Line Spacing Options”

24. Line Spacing
Line spacing too small (.70 lines) resulting in lines on top of each other
Line spacing (.85) and additional spacing “Before paragraph” (.55)
Similar to previous bullet but also has spacing “After paragraph” (.60)
To move this bullet closer to previous, decrease “Before paragraph” in this bullet or decrease “After paragraph” in previous bullet

25. Sort Slides Views: Normal Slide Slide sorter show
To obtain a quick overview of slides to assess flow and rearrange slides, as needed
Located on bottom toolbar
Also accessed within “View” in upper toolbar (“Slide Sorter”)
Views: Normal Slide Slide
sorter show

26. Indent Lines First level Second level
Third level
Fourth level
Fifth level
Can adjust bulleted lines to a specific level
Tool to move text to next or prior level:

27. Order, Align and Group Objects
Quicker and simpler to use automatic computer commands than using your eye or grids
Access “Draw” tab in Drawing toolbar
To control relative positions of 2 or more objects, select one object, and “Order to…” (options include bring to front, send to back)
To move or resize items simultaneously  “Group” objects
To align objects  use “Shift” and then select each item, position by using “Align” or “Distribute”

28. Small Positional Changes
To make minor positional changes:
Click on item
Click on “Control” button
Adjust position of image/text by using arrows on keyboard

29. Navigating Between Slides
Use action button to navigate from 1 slide to another within the same presentation
Alternatively, can use action button to navigate from slide to hyperlink
Access by:
“Slide Show” in upper toolbar  view “Action buttons”  select one
In newer PowerPoint versions: “Insert”  “Shapes”  “Action Button”
Place action button within slide
Then, determine what action occurs when this button is clicked

30. Navigating Between Slides
To return to previous slide, insert action button:
Note: these action buttons will only work in Slide Show mode

31. Visuals Use visuals to stimulate interest and increase understanding
Use only legible images
Eliminate any unnecessary marks/words
Highlight important components of a complicated visual with circles or boxes
Eliminate any patient identifiers
During the talk:
Take the time to explain the visual
Give the audience enough time to absorb the information in the visual

32. Visuals
Common misconception that material from Web is available for anyone to use
Need to site source
May need copyright permission
If you cannot find the source, best not to use the image!

33. Videotapes
Insert videos as “Embedded” (i.e., stand alone within presentation)
Inserting video as “Object linked”  requires original computer folder to be open
Compress video
Configure video to play “When clicked”
Use presentation video to practice opening video prior to talk

34. Animations Use judiciously
Add emphasis
Explain a complicated concept
Helps build layers of information
Forces audience to focus on just one part at a time
Use consistent type of animation throughout talk
Limit frequency of animations because may become distracting

35. Practicing the Presentation
Know the talk environment
If conference room with large table in front, bottom of slides may not be seen by audience
Some projectors cut off edges
Some computers may alter slide images or content
Be prepared for something to go wrong
Have a hard copy of slides available

36. Practicing the Presentation
“Case the joint” (C. Hatem)
Put presentation on room computer or hook up your computer into their set-up
Quickly view all slides in presentation mode
Confirm video clips are working properly
Be aware of nuances of the venue (lighting, outside noise, temperature) and if possible/necessary, make adjustments
Practice using slide changer and laser pointer

37. Tips to Effective Delivery
Minimize nervousness
Relax and take deep breaths prior to the talk
Remind yourself that nervousness lessens as you get underway
Memorize the first few slides in anticipation of early anxiety
As a back-up plan, refer to detailed notes of first few slides in large font
Practice, practice, practice

38. Tips to Effective Delivery
Maintain eye contact
Look at as many people as possible
Mentally divide room into 3-5 sections and make eye contact with someone in each section during the talk
Look in the middle of 2 attendees or look at listener’s foreheads if direct eye contact disturbs your concentration
Look at someone for ≤ 5 seconds (a longer glance will make most people uncomfortable)
Observe cues to the audience’s understanding and interest level and adjust talk accordingly

39. Tips to Effective Delivery
Show enthusiasm
Use facial expressions
Vary your pitch
Focus on the meaning of what you are saying as this will make you more expressive

40. Tips to Effective Delivery
Be natural
Avoid reading notes
If absolutely necessary, limit the amount of reading time
Speak as if you are having a conversation with the audience
Incorporate anecdotes or stories into your lecture

41. Tips to Effective Delivery
Monitor pace of delivery
Know midway point in talk and when you get there, assess if you are behind or ahead of schedule
If you are behind schedule, best not to speed up to cover everything (ideal to make a contingency plan and anticipate possibility of omitting a few slides)
Plan to leave time for questions

42. Tips to Effective Delivery
Emphasize key points
Take advantage of “the pause”
Let audience know that something is important
“This is a really significant finding and important for you to remember.”
Speak more slowly when want to emphasize key points

43. Presentation Techniques
Clear slides on screen
To temporarily make screen black or white and allow audience to concentrate on your words:
Press letter “B” to create a black screen
Press letter “W” to create a white screen
To return to presentation, press any key

44. Presentation Techniques
To view website or document open on computer:
Pre-open website or document on screen computer
During slide show, press “Alt” and keep finger on “Alt” key
Then press and release “Tab” to view options
Continue to hit “Tab” to scroll to internet or to document that you want to view
Release “Alt” to view

45. Responding to Questions
Repeat question
Makes certain that everyone hears the question
Confirms that you have understood the question
Allows time for you to process the question
Helpful if can anticipate questions

46. Responding to Questions
Response to specific questions:
If don’t know answer: acknowledge this, offer to get back to group after research question
If complicated answer: consider discussing after session
If argumentative audience member: best not to be confrontational but rather, be respectful, acknowledge comment, offer to meet later
If monologue instead of question: feel free to kindly interrupt and provide your thoughts

47. Improving the Presentation
Self-reflect
What went well?
What could be improved?
Review learner evaluations
Review videotape of session to gather information about specific behaviors
Level of enthusiasm
Degree of nervousness
Use of filler words
Ask colleague to observe talk and provide feedback

48. Improving the Presentation
Based on these actions:
Alter the content of the presentation as soon as possible
Write down recommended behavioral changes so that prior to next presentation, tips can be reviewed
Regardless of speaker’s level of experience or success of the presentation, there is always room for improvement

49. Steps to Follow to Create the Ideal PowerPoint Presentation:
Proper preparation
Keen organization
Appropriate formatting
Use of audiovisual aids
Diligent practice
Applying constructive feedback

50. Characteristics of an Ideal PowerPoint Presentation:
Connect and build on previous knowledge
Teach complicated concepts
Allow the audience to process information
Engage the audience
Motivate the audience to learn more

51. References
Bellamy K, McLean D. The mechanics of PowerPoint. J Audiov Media Med ;26:74-78
Bellamy K, McLean D. Using PowerPoint. J Audiov Media Med ;26:
Brodsky D, Doherty EG. Creating an effective PowerPoint presentation. NeoReviews.org. In press (anticipated publication 2012) (note: primary source for this talk)
Brown G, Manogue M. AMEE Medical Education Guide No 22: Refreshing lecturing: a guide for lecturers. Med Teach ;23:
Davis BG. Tools for Teaching. 2nd edition. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers;1993
Giving a presentation. J Vis Commun Med ;29:115-8
Harden RM. Death by PowerPoint – the need for a ‘fidget index’. Med Teach ;30:

52. References
Hatem CJ. Crafting effective lectures. Seminars for Rabkin Fellowship in Medical Education. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA. November 19, 2009
Holzl J. Twelve tips for effective PowerPoint presentations for the technologically challenged. Med Teach. 1997;19:
McLaughlin K, Mandin H. A schematic approach to diagnosing and resolving lecturalgia. Med Ed ;35:
Niamtu J. The power of PowerPoint. Plast Reconst Surg. 2001;108:
Wear D. A perfect storm: The convergence of bullet points, competencies, and screen reading in medical education. Acad Med ;84: