What’s the purpose of using slides when presenting?

• Provides visual and/or auditory supplements for an oral presentation
• Provides organizational framework for audience
• Reaches a large audience

What are the advantages?

• Incorporates a wide range of graphics in a presentation (i.e., maps, charts, sound, or graphs)
• Provides a concrete outline
• Displays detailed or general information  
• Enhances the words of the speaker

What are the disadvantages?

• Can divert attention from the speaker
• Can be time-consuming
• Can limit speaker’s ability to adapt to the situation

Two audiences are possible:

• Primary: those who attend the presentation.
• Secondary: those who read the presentation slides online or in print.

Select the best style: 

• Simple combinations of titles and lists
• Complex combinations that incorporate heavy illustrations and formatted text

Designing your visual presentation:

• Identify your purpose for using PowerPoint: informative, entertainment, etc.
• Identify your audiences: you may need two versions if you have both a primary and secondary audience. Also, think about how knowledgeable the audience is and the main message(s) you need to convey. Are you trying to explain, persuade, or entertain?
• Identify the appropriate level of formality. Formal or business audiences prefer a simpler style with less animation or fancy designs.
• Consider your audience and select an appropriate slide design template.
• Outline your slide show:
  1. Title must capture the main idea of the presentation.
  2. One or more slides can serve as introductory slides, which provide a general overview.
  3. Main points are presented in the slides after the opening.
  4. Include a summary or closing slide.
     • Choose relevant visuals that are appropriate for audience needs and ability.
     • Use  key phrases to highlight your topic & main point:
  5. Keep it short.
  6. Limit yourself to key phrases & critical information.
  7. Maintain parallel lists:
     • Non-parallel (I like swimming, to run and biking.)
     • Parallel (I like swimming, running, and biking.)

Highlight information through…

1. colors
2. fonts
3. tables
4. audio
5. video clips
6. animation
7. links to online documents

Remember:

Use legible, large fonts (at least 14 pt) and illustrations because some presentations are viewed on a computer or projection screen. Keep slides simple and consistent in font types and sizes.                   

Consider this:

During a presentation, slides should not draw the audience’s attention away from the speaker.  Instead, slides should support the presentation and increase a speaker’s effectiveness as a presenter.

If readers are focused on reading slides, they will not be able to effectively listen to the information a speaker is presenting. Their attention will be focused on the visual input, rather than the auditory message. To avoid this dilemma, a speaker should maintain an equal balance between both senses.

References

The American University in Cairo. “PowerPoint Presentations.” Mar 12 2007. <http://www.aucegypt.edu/academic/eclt/wp/WritingCenter/WritingProcess/PowerPoints/PowerPoint%20Tips_files/frame.htm>.

Palmquist, Mike. Design Writing: A Practical Guide. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2005.