Creating Presentations A presentation of two halves

Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

Creating PresentationsA presentation of two halves

Bruce Scharlau

Computing Science Department

OutlineOutline

Need a messageNeed a message Focus on the messageFocus on the message Follow the rulesFollow the rules Avoid the painAvoid the pain

The messageThe message

Each presentation should have one message to Each presentation should have one message to convey to the audienceconvey to the audience

This is the same as for an essayThis is the same as for an essay

TemplatesTemplates

Templates get you started quicklyTemplates get you started quickly Templates need to be modified to work with Templates need to be modified to work with

your themeyour theme

Look and FeelLook and Feel

Templates focus on look and feel of your Templates focus on look and feel of your presentationpresentation

You need to make them work with the content You need to make them work with the content tootoo

The messageThe message

Your templates should support the message Your templates should support the message you’re presentingyou’re presenting

The message has to be clear and not clutteredThe message has to be clear and not cluttered

Rules to followRules to follow

There are three rules to follow for good There are three rules to follow for good presentationspresentations

Introduce your topicIntroduce your topic Explain your topicExplain your topic Review your topicReview your topic

ControversyControversy

Some say that PowerPoint is uselessSome say that PowerPoint is useless Others say it puts people to sleepOthers say it puts people to sleep

SummarySummary

Following the rules should keep your audience Following the rules should keep your audience awake and guide you to a successul awake and guide you to a successul presentationpresentation


And now for something completely different…


A presentation should have one message Get the Ark,

or save the kids, or find the Grail -

not all at once

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=573291733&size=o


The PowerPoint templates don’t ensure a consistent message

http://www.presentationzen.com/presentationzen/2007/09/steve-bill-redu.html


The templates focus on look and feel, but not the message



You need to keep the message clear



There are some basic rules to follow for good presentations

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dunechaser/567753250/in/set-72057594083213751/

It may look hard, but it’s not really


First, use complete sentences as titles

Full sentences force you to

clarify your ideasRight, Steve,

and it makes it easier for others too

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dunechaser/160405659/in/set-72057594116462049/


Sentences force the author to clarify ideas

Headings leave room to waffleHeadings leave room to waffle


Sentences as titles will still work on their own

Headings are ambiguousHeadings are ambiguous


Sentences make the storyboard clearer

Sentences develop the plotSentences develop the plot


Second, add an appropriate image to reinforce the message

http://flickr.com/photos/dunechaser/345032729/

I can do anything with

a greenscreen


An image should illustrate the point of the slide

http://headrush.typepad.com/creating_passionate_users/2005/06/kill_your_prese.html


Try different images to set the correct tone of the presentation

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dunechaser/103294071/ http://www.summerglau.co.uk/gallery/summer-in-serenity/index.php?imgDisplay=Serenity-(60).jpg


Mixing images with words makes the slide more memorable

http://headrush.typepad.com/creating_passionate_users/2006/01/crash_course_in.html


Third, use the notes to explain your slides


Notes help you remember the words you will say for that slide


Notes also provide a handout


Notes provide a presentation for when you’re not there


Fourth, use a rule of three’s to support your message

1. Point1. Sub-point2. Sub-point3. Sub-point




Your presentation has three acts (just like a movie)

http://www.sociablemedia.com/thebook_resources.php4


The second act needs supporting evidence to develop the argument of the plot

http://indexed.blogspot.com/2007/06/just-desserts-or-drive-thru-value-meal.html


PowerPoint presentations don’t have to be painful

http://flickr.com/photos/oskay/265899841/

Pain, what pain?


You can also add extra dimensions to make the presentation stick

SimpleSimple UnexpectedUnexpected ConcreteConcrete

StoriesStories CredibleCredible Emotional

Emotional

http://www.madetostick.com/


Remember to deliver one message and you’ll do fine

Escape the ball, find the treasure,

save the girl, not all at once

http://flickr.com/photos/dunechaser/665480669/


Resources to support this presentation

Royalty Free Imageshttp://www.sxc.hu/http://www.morguefile.com/http://openclipart.org/http://flickr.com/search/advanced/(creative commons tagged photos)

More about presentations and learninghttp://www.beyondbullets.com/http://www.presentationzen.com/presentationzen/http://headrush.typepad.com/creating_passionate_users/

Examples using this approach:Why mobile matters Agile Games for Software DevelopmentAgile at the University

Creating Presentations A presentation of two halves

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