How to Prepare Slides for a Business Presentation Advanced Business Writing Assignment: The Progress Report

Start with a title slide Identify yourself and the aim of your presentation.

Plan for uniformity Use the same background for all the slides:Use the same background for all the slides: –Same Color –Same Design

Plan (cont’d) Consider using one of the software templates to help you organize your information.Consider using one of the software templates to help you organize your information. TIP The project status template in PowerPoint is helpful for this assignment.

Prepare Your Slides Choose words carefully.Choose words carefully. Aim for:Aim for: –No more than seven words per line. –No more than seven total lines. –No more than 7x7=49 words per slide.

Use Visual Elements When Appropriate –Charts –Graphs –Pictures –Clip art –Lists

Visual Elements (cont’d) Use only one dominant visual per slide.Use only one dominant visual per slide. Keep it simple.Keep it simple. TIP Go to Insert--Picture to find the Microsoft clip art choices..

Visuals (cont’d) Be sure to document borrowed images.Be sure to document borrowed images. –Use footnotes if appropriate. –Get written permission for public presentations.

Proofread Carefully Use a spell checker.Use a spell checker. Double-check proper name spellings. Double-check proper name spellings. Use punctuation correctly. Use punctuation correctly. Make sure lists are parallel. Make sure lists are parallel.

Use Animation for Online Presentations Use the “effect” feature for movement of text lines onto screen.Use the “effect” feature for movement of text lines onto screen. Use the “transition” feature for movement between slides.Use the “transition” feature for movement between slides. Note: You can find these features in View--Slide Sorter in Office In XP, find them under Slide Show.