PowerPoint, not PowerPoint-less

12 Strategies for Effective PowerPoint

1. Plan

Success requires good planning Use a story board to determine content, font, graphics, and designContent makes PowerPoint PowerFul

Story BoardSlide #Slide LayoutImage or GraphicsText

Title SlideSlide Layout Slide Design (Entire Presentation)Font Style (Entire Presentation)Transition (Entire Presentation)Image or GraphicText

Slide #Slide LayoutImage or GraphicText

Slide #Slide LayoutImage or GraphicText

Slide #Slide LayoutImage or GraphicText

Slide #Slide LayoutImage or GraphicText

2. Contrast: Seeing is Believing

Preview the facilityContrast a dark room with a light or white background and dark textUse a dark background with mauve text in if there is abundant natural light.

Use the shadow feature

3. The 6X6 Rule

Keep it simple6 bullets per slide, 6 words per bullet PowerPoint is a visual outlineAudience listens, rather than readsText is a reference point

4. Rules are Made to be Broken

Sometimes quotes and complete sentences are necessary to make your pointContent matters!The 6x6 rule - misapplied

5. Remember the Audience

Quality, not quantityImages, charts & tables with clear explanationsProvide handouts BEFORE presentationProvide non-attendees with the same documentation

Use the Notes section

6. Keep it Professional

1 Show, 1 Background, 1 TransitionUse the same template on every slideUse transitions to move from slide to slideReveal all of the slide at transition

Use Images to help tell the storyUse the audience's “corporate” image

7. Less is More

“Phluff allows speakers to pretend that they are giving a great talk, and the audience to pretend they are listening”Avoid PHLUFF

Animated GIFsUnnecessary sound effectsExcessive transitions Poor color choicesOverwhelming text and graphics

Edward Tufte http://www.edwardtufte.com

8. A Word About FontsTitle fonts convey “Mood”

HistoryEducationMathematicsChemistryPhysical Education

FashionUse sans-serif fonts (Arial, Geneva, or Verdana) in bodyRemember to load the font on the presentation computer

9. Tables and Charts

Avoid Chart Wizard, as Data is easily compromised Print the chart, give it to the audienceReference chart as you speak

Bad Chart

http://www.edwardtufte.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=0000Jr&topic_id=1&topic=Ask%20E%2eT%2e

Better Chart

http://www.edwardtufte.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetchmsg?msg_id=0000Jr&topic_id=1&topic=Ask%20E%2eT%2e

10. Hierarchy

Keep the hierarchy simple. Use a two-tiered approach for each slide. Each slide should contain a topic. Bullet points reinforce the topic.

Essential points only.

Keep slides to a minimum.

What is Important on this Slide?

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0C13FB38590C7B8EDDA00894DB404482&incamp=archive:search

11. Use Synonyms when Possible

Adjectives can have the same meaning but different contextUse synonyms when possibleUse the built-in Thesaurus

Thesaurus

Right-click on a wordMouse over Synonyms Click the word that fits your needs.

12. Rehearse

Do not read directly from slidePractice, practice, practice! Add depth, comfort, authorityFocus & emphasis or re-organizeHave someone listen.

Questions?

Terence Peak, M.Ed.Coordinator of Technology TrainingThe University of the Incarnate Word(210) 829-3920tpeak@uiwtx.edu