Powerpoint Presentation, Keynote, whatever you use is amazing, until you forget to save or there is an error. However, the point I want to get across is, these programs are powerful and can make a great slide show, if done right. Now I know I already went on about slideshows early, but I really feel the need to get this point across. Slide shows are not notecard. Every time I am subjected to endless presentation with powerpoint, I end up leaving the class because these power points are usually annoying. I'd rather go get a latte.
So things to avoid:
1)Filling up the whole slide. I was talking with my friend who works in advertising, she told me that certain ads are made so overloaded, except for one part, so that the viewer is forced subconsciously to see the simple part. It is too much for the person to take in at once. So when I see a slide with 4 pictures all with captions and text, I find a simple spot. It is usually my phone.
2) Text. Slides are not book pages. A little text is cool, but if I am already reading the slide, why do I need to listen to you? I can probable read whatever you are presenting faster than you can tell me, I can hear and comprehend. I might as well cut out the middle man, and pick up a book from the library.
Plus, you'll look pretty stupid, sitting up there regurgitating.
Nice post. In the book "Powerful & Effective Presentations: How to Avoid Death by PowerPoint" by Duren Thompson and Bill McNutt, COABE 2009 – Louisville KY research shows that effective presentations are clear, concise, and make effective use of visuals.
ReplyDeleteYou can improve the effectiveness of your presentations by addressing these areas:
- Audience: Who are they, what are their needs/wants/expectations? How can you appeal to them/persuade them?
- Focus: No more than 3 big ideas per presentation. If they take way only THREE things – what three do *I* this is most important for them to take away? (keep in mind your audience!)
- Delivery: Be enthusiastic,personable, and expressive. Interact with the audience. Rehearse to build confidence and plan for the unforeseen.
- Narrative: Use real experiences, colorful metaphors, real situations to “frame” your big ideas/critical concepts
- Simplify: ONE thought/point per slide, text to a minimum, avoid templates & bullets – remember additional slides cost $0 each!
- Images: The powerpoint is for emphasis – images are your “hook”, the more powerful the image, the more effective – use photos, big & clear, pull out key data.
I could not agree with you more. One of the most horrible thing about speech days is sitting through speeches where the person just filled the whole slide with information as if it were a note card and then reads directly off the slides word for word. In regards to your comment about having too many pictures on a slide, this reminded me to limit some of the pictures on my slide. After I read that I went through a couple of my slides and took off some images that were a little repetitive. There is no need to put five pictures of almost the same thing on a slide. Also, you made a good point that there should not be too many wordy captions. It can be really overwhelming and distracting.
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