Preparing and Presenting Effective PowerPoint Presentations Dr. Brandi Frisby Laura Young

Agenda EFFECTIVE PRESENTATION Nonverbal Delivery Verbal Delivery Powerpoint

True or False? My PowerPoint slides are my speaking notes. My audience should focus on the PowerPoint. My entire paper/project should fit on the PowerPoint. Slides should balance visual strategies. False! True!

So, what is the purpose of PowerPoint? To Enhance, Aid, Assist To appeal to visual learners

Design Principles Contrast Alignment Repetition Proximity

Contrast Create Focus – Size Contrast – Easy to Read – Color Contrast – To direct attention – Type Contrast – Creates Repetition Color, Size, Weight, Form, Structure

Alignment Unify your slides with strong lines – Nothing Randomly Placed – Strength in Edges – Power of Unity – Control White Space

Repetition Consistency in Visual Elements – Standardize Look – Keep Contrast within Form – Make Consistent Elements Strong

Proximity Organize – Slides Group Slide Elements by Relation Separate Different Points – Presentation Group Points in Simple Order Engage Audience in Series of Points

Application Death by PowerPoint

So, what are some best practices or tips for powerpoint design?

Tip #1 Keep text simple and consistent.

Tip #2 Reduce details creatively.

Tip #3 Use key words and phrases.

Tip #4 Avoid bullet tips on every slide. (Presenter shows first slide whilst talking) Bla Bla di bla di bla bla bla (Brain says to itself) Ooh, look, bullet points! And the presenter is talking, too Okay, reading the bullets Ahhh – what did she just say? Uh oh. Can’t both read AND listen Yaaaaaawn… Must.Focus.On.Listening What did those bullets say again? Mmm, I wonder if there’ll be cake after lunch? Brain shut down commences Tired.Must.Focuzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Tip #5 Make color choices deliberately.

Tip #6 Use animation to enhance meaning. Not Just to Impress The Audience

Tip #7 Remember design principles.

Tip #8 Check consistency. Don’t rely on spell check alone.

Tip #9 Have a backup plan.

Tip #10 Conceal

Application: Using the best practices, can you find the mistakes in the following slides?

Fresh fruit leads Chile's export mix - Chile emerges as major supplier of fresh fruit to world market due to ample natural resources, consumer demand for fresh fruit during winter season in U.S. and Europe, and incentives in agricultural policies of Chilean government, encouraging trend toward diversification of exports and development of nontraditional crops - U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Economic Research Service Report Chile is among the developing economies taking advantage of these trends, pursuing a free market economy. This has allowed for diversification through the expansion of fruit production for export, especially to the U.S. and Western Europe. Chile has successfully diversified its agricultural sector to the extent that it is now a major fruit exporting nation. Many countries view Chile's diversification of agriculture as a model to be followed. Meanwhile, the U.S. remains the largest single market for Chile's fruit exports. However, increasing demand from the EC and Central and East European countries combined may eventually surpass exports to the U.S., spurring further growth in Chile's exports. If you’ve read this far, your eyes probably hurt and you’ve been reading this tedious long-winded text instead of listening to me. I’m insulted- can’t you see I’m doing a presentation up here? Look at me! Congratulations, however, on having such good eyesight. Chilean Exports

Death by Poor Presenter?? With a partner, come up with a list of top 10 presenting mistakes focused on delivery.

Verbal Delivery: Voice Volume Rate Expressiveness Conversational

Verbal Delivery: Language Choose language strategically Audience Analysis – Level of understanding – Avoid offensiveness – Purpose of speech – Pronunciation, articulation, grammar – Vivid and memorable

Nonverbal Delivery: Eye Contact Why? How much is too much? Common Mistakes

Nonverbal Delivery: Gestures

What affects delivery? 1) ANXIETY

Addressing Anxiety View as communication, not performance Recognize and Replace Negative self-talk Visualization Practice!

What affects delivery? 2) Lack of preparation and practice

Prepare for Rehearsal Preparing speaking notes – Size of notes, size of text, one sided – Key words/phrases only Handling presentational aids – Timing – audience needs – logistics – Talk to your audience, not the presentational aid

Rehearsal First practice Reflection Second practice Reflect Again Additional practices??

Take Away Messages Less is more Be strategic Enhancing Practice

Need more help? Multimodal Communication Consulting Center (MC3) – Grehan 107A – Director: Dr. Jeff VanCleave – –

Questions? Thank You!