PowerPoint Basics Instructor: Vicki Weidler Assistant: Joaquin Obieta

Overview Explore the PowerPoint interface Create a presentation Work with different viewing options Add and modify slides Add content including text, shapes, & graphics Change color schemes and backgrounds Add slide effects Use the slide master Save and print presentations, handouts, & speaker notes Review design and presentation tips

Design & Presentation Tips Use light objects on dark backgrounds or… Preferably, dark objects on light backgrounds If the room remains dark for your whole presentation, you may lose your audience so insert a light-background slide occasionally or pause to turn the lights on Use a “black slide” when needed to refocus attention on you and your message Avoid decorative text

Design & Presentation Tips Use sans-serif fonts (i.e. Helvetica, Arial) for more technical presentations or to lend authority to your titles Use serif fonts for a more personal, humanistic character Avoid mixing too many typefaces; if you do, choose tow that visually contrast (i.e. Arial Black and Footlight MT Light) Bigger type is easier to read (36 pt minimum for text and 24 pt minimum for graphics) Leave “white space”

Design & Presentation Tips Mixed upper and lower case is always easier to read then all capital letters Combine normal, bold, italic, bold italic within a single typeface Plain text conveys simple information; bold or italic convey emphasis Avoid underlining which clutters up a page and could look like a hyperlink If you use slide transitions, use the same one throughout the presentation unless you are using for emphasis

Design & Presentation Tips Don’t overdo custom animations; it will distract your audience from the message you are delivering PowerPoint can help organize and focus your presentation, but it can also limit your talk if you “overdesign” it

Summary Explore the PowerPoint interface Create a presentation Work with different viewing options Add and modify slides Add content including text, shapes, and graphics Change color schemes and backgrounds Add slide effects Use the slide master Save and print presentations, handouts, and speaker notes Review design and presentation tips

Resources Questions & Answers Evaluations Thank You!!! Conclusion