Using PowerPoint

Using PowerPoint in a Speech Use PowerPoint’s resources to go beyond traditional visual aids Use PowerPoint only when it will genuinely enhance your message Plan your use of PowerPoint carefully

Slide A single frame in a PowerPoint presentation.

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Presentation A PowerPoint file containing all the slides for a speech.

PowerPoint Screen Elements Menu bar Upper toolbar Lower toolbar Main part of screen

PowerPoint Templates AutoContent Wizard Blank Presentation Design Templates

AutoContent Wizard Predetermined outlines and sample text Seldom used outside business settings

Blank Presentation No preset designs Maximum flexibility Difficult for beginners

Design Templates Preselected combination of colors, fonts, and graphics Avoid templates with distracting backgrounds

Slide Layouts Use slide layouts to arrange items on your slides More than 24 slide layout options available for Design Templates and Blank Presentation

Elements of PowerPoint Slides Text Photographs Clip Art Graphs Sounds Video

Using Text Can be used by itself or with photographs, clip art, video, etc. Don’t put too much text on a single slide Make sure text is large enough to be read easily

Using Photographs Ease of using photographs is a major benefit of PowerPoint Photographs can come from your personal collection or from the Internet Be sure to include copyright credit for downloaded photographs

Clip Art Pictures and symbols that represent common objects, processes, and ideas.

Clip Art

Using Clip Art Use clip art sparingly Use clip art only when necessary to communicate your ideas Make sure clip art is consistent with the tone and message of your speech

Using Graphs Excellent for statistical trends and patterns Can be downloaded from the Internet Can be created using PowerPoint graph program

Using Sounds Can be played from a CD Can be downloaded from the Internet Can be a personal recording Use only when essential to communicate your message

Using Video Use video only when essential to communicate your message Edit video so it is smoothly integrated into your speech Don’t allow video to overwhelm the rest of your speech Make sure your computer will run video properly

Formatting Slides Color Fonts Space Animation

Using Color Use a limited number of colors Use one color for background, another for titles, and another for text Use colors consistently across slides Use light text against a dark background for computer projection

Serif Font A type face with rounded edges on the letters.

Sans-Serif Font A type face with straight edges on the letters.

Using Fonts Choose fonts that are clear and easy to read Avoid using ALL CAPS Don't use more than two fonts on a single slide

Using Fonts Use fonts consistently across all slides Put titles and major headings in 36- to 44-point type Put subheads and other text in 24- to 32-point type

Using Space Don’t put too many items on a single slide Arrange text, photographs, clip art, etc. to achieve a pleasing sense of visual balance

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Cesar Chavez 1927-1993 Grape Boycott United Farm Workers Medal of Freedom

Animation The way objects enter or exit a PowerPoint slide.

Using Animation Use animation to help communicate your message Avoid distracting animation effects Use a limited number of animation effects Use animation effects consistently from slide to slide

Delivering Your Speech with PowerPoint Recheck your slides Know slide show commands Practice your speech with PowerPoint

Delivering Your Speech with PowerPoint Display slides only while discussing them Check the room and equipment Develop a backup plan in case the equipment fails

Copyright and PowerPoint You must credit your sources and display the copyright symbol— © —when using copyrighted materials in a PowerPoint presentation.