• Planning• Organizing your talk• Slides

Elements of a Good Presentation  Slide 1 of 16

Hints & Tips For Good Presentations

• Audience• Goal• Time Available• Site Constraints

Elements of a Good Presentation  Slide 2 of 16

Planning Considerations

Do not use long and wordy sentences in your PowerPoint and read from them. This drives people crazy. Use words and short phrases that help people navigate your presentation. Less is best.Also add graphics to break up the visual monotony of your words.By the way, this slide is horrible, the next one is better

Elements of a Good Presentation  Slide 4 of 16

Your PowerPoint

Simple & Brief

Navigate, Emphasize, Don’t Ramble

Elements of a Good Presentation  Slide 5 of 16

Your PowerPoint

Goal – clarityUse sans serif fonts (Arial, Tahoma) Serif fonts (Times) can get too complexSimple background -- light and dark workOne set of colors and fontsUse simple templates

Elements of a Good Presentation  Slide 6 of 16

Design ‐ 1

Photo backdrops -- a contrast nightmarePlan for poor lighting. Red text usually does NOT workAnd

Elements of a Good Presentation  Slide 7 of 16

Design ‐ 2

Photo backdrops -- a contrast nightmarePlan for poor lighting. Red text usually does NOT workAnd Never use silly transitions, especially sounds!

Elements of a Good Presentation  Slide 8 of 16

Design ‐ 2

One goal – clarity

Use sans serif fonts (Arial, Tahoma)

Serif fonts (Times) can get too complex

Simple background. I use both light and dark

Stick to one set of colors and fonts

Use simple templates

Elements of a Good Presentation  Slide 9 of 16

Design – Light Background

One goal – clarity

Use sans serif fonts (Arial, Tahoma)

Serif fonts (Times) can get too complex

Simple background. I use both light and dark

Stick to one set of colors and fonts

Use simple templates

Elements of a Good Presentation  Slide 10 of 16

Design – Horrible Contrast

One goal – clarity

Use sans serif fonts (Arial, Tahoma)

Serif fonts (Times) can get too complex

Simple background. I use both light and dark

Stick to one set of colors and fonts

Use simple templates

Elements of a Good Presentation  Slide 11 of 16

Design – Horrible Contrast

Avoid odd fonts, embed them Embedded videos can be a nightmare – codec hasslesThe RIGHT way to paste in imagesResize images – a PPT > 20 Mb has problemsMac compatibilityConsider using PPS versus PPT files (better yet, have both)Expect crummy lighting

Elements of a Good Presentation  Slide 12 of 16

Tech Issues

6 word max

Simplicity – which one do you like?

Elements of a Good Presentation  Slide 13 of 16

Keep It Simple

3-6 main points per slideConsider dropping them in one my one

Elements of a Good Presentation  Slide 14 of 16

Keep It Simple

3-6 main points per slideConsider dropping them in one my oneGray out previous points to keep attention on current one

Elements of a Good Presentation  Slide 15 of 16

Keep It Simple

NEVER read your slides or your talkUse PPT as a navigatorHumor?Eye contactEnthusiasmNotes are OKWalk your audience through complex graphics

Elements of a Good Presentation  Slide 16 of 16

Delivery

Make mental note of what works in other talksGo to other seminarsPeer feedback

Elements of a Good Presentation  Slide 17 of 16

Getting Good