How NOT† to make a presentation! Carlo Segre PHYS 100 † Others may have different ideas but I am teaching this class ;-)

Too many words It is important that you never put too many words on the slide. Your audience can read and it is likely that they will be reading what you write instead of listening to what you say. More importantly, you DO NOT want to be reading directly off the slide. It makes your presentation seem stilted!

Keep animation to a minimum Using too much animation will distract the audience. Admit it, how many of you are watching the slides change instead of listening to me...

Get rid of the funky backgrounds This one is pretty busy, it distracts from the presentation.

Color choice is critical Can you see this? How about this? I bet this one is tough!

Figures “float” on white ...

Now, that's better!

Choose the right number of slides 1 It is bad form to...

Choose the right number of slides 2 ...flip through many slides...

Choose the right number of slides 3 ...quickly. Give the audience time...

Choose the right number of slides 4 ...to see what you have written and...

Choose the right number of slides 5 ...and digest it. Count on 3-5 minutes of...

Choose the right number of slides 6 ...talking per slide.