Effective Presentations

Outline PowerPoint basics –Templates, colors, fonts, etc. The presentation –Introduction, body, conclusion, and audience Presentation pointers –Dress, speech, movement, etc. Bad slides

The Template Template options –Use an existing template –Create your own

Creating Templates Background –Choose either: One color – provides good readability Gradient – adds a little flair to a presentation Texture - sets a mood Pattern – is not used often Picture – can be utilized for impact or specificity Keep it readable!!

Colors Dark colored background –More formal presentations –Use light fonts Light colored background –Less formal presentations –Use dark fonts Red is the least readable color

Fonts Slide title fonts –Capitalize the first letter of every word –Set sans serif font from 36 to 44 pts Text fonts –Capitalize only the first letter of the first word –Set serif font from 14 to 32 pts –Set to different color than title font

Design Elements Clipart –Best to position in bottom right-hand corner –Use the appropriate size AutoShapes –Useful for design aspects Pictures –Formal presentations Keep It Relevant!

Animation –Transitions –Slide animation Sounds Hyperlinks –URL’s –Other slides

Transferring the Document Floppy disk Pack and go Zip disk FTP Internet

Other PowerPoint Tips 7 x 7 rule –Seven words per line –Seven lines per slide Parallelism –Same type of word to start each bullet Divider slides –Nice transitions

Before Creation Pick a subject Become familiar with the material Set your goals Determine the audience Determine the time limit

Introduction 5 to 10 percent of the presentation Capture the audience’s attention –Humor –Story –Anecdote –Quote –Surprise

Body Keep focus of your goals Cover the material Make the major points if limited in time Do not get too detailed –You will lose the audience

Conclusion 10 to 15 percent of the presentation Tie it back to the introduction Summarize the main points Leave the audience in awe Keep it relevant Most important part

The Audience Know who they are –Backgrounds –Purpose Make it –Interesting –Readable Keep them relaxed

Presenting Yourself Dress –Tailor to the audience –Look professional Speech –Dialect – A way of talking in a country Southern, Cajun, Northern, etc. –Accent – Speaking a foreign language

Body Movement Do not –Stand in front of the screen –Have repetitive motions –Stay lifeless –Be out of control Do –Stay relaxed –Realize everyone makes mistakes

Eye Contact Look at everyone at least 5 seconds Try not to sweep the audience Do not constantly look at the screen Do not constantly look down or at one person Try to remember everyone you see

Presenting Others Do not say exactly what they will say Do treat them professionally –i. e. The golden rule Do wait to say their name Here’s Johnny !!

Preparation Know the material Practice, practice, practice –Especially the opening and conclusion Be enthusiastic –The audience and your teacher will enjoy it more Know the room –Get in there and practice –Test the equipment in advance

Bad Slide Number One What is wrong with this slide? It’s the big clip art

Bad Slide Number One What is wrong with this slide? You just can’t read this stuff!

Bad slide number three What Is Wrong With This Slide? There Are Three Things. The Fonts Are All Messed Up. –Capitalization –Font choice –Same color

Financial World

Another Bad Slide The text is hard To read In some areas because the gradient doesn’t allow good readability