BUILDING EFFECTIVE PRESENTATIONS COURSE EXERCISE FILE – 1/16/14

USE POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS TO:  As a visual aid  Persuade  Inform  Inspire

BULLET LISTS…  Should be “short and sweet”  Why?  The key points of your argument can be lost in the jumble otherwise.  Your audience will be reading the slides instead of listening to you otherwise.  So your slides are not cluttered  6-7 bullet maximum  We’re already there.

BASIC DESIGN TIPS  Simple usually better.  “Less is more.”  Don’t just ‘say it,’ “SHOW IT!”  “A picture can say 1000 words.”  Maintain consistent fonts and colors.  Through SlideMaster and/or Themes  Content first; then format  Focus on your message!

GRAPHIC TIPS  Keep # of images to a minimum  It’s about design, not decoration.  Photographs are usually more effective than illustrations.  In 10/13 you can remove the background to make the photo less “blocky”.  Make the photo “fall off” the page for added visual interest and dynamism. (shift + F5 to view!)  Pick photos of people wearing the emotion you want to evoke.

SMARTART

USE SMARTART TO:  Make graphical representations of bullet lists  Add variety  Convey an idea  Look professional