First let’s talk title….. Creative Attention grabbing Informative Not too long Simple Let’s look at some examples and see which title pages you like the best….

The Founding Fathers or was it The Founding Fathers?

Now let’s look at images related to topic… Be specific….just “government” isn’t enough –“American Government Constitution”? Now that’s better! Look for clarity –If you can’t see it neither will your audience A little text as possible –Remember you are searching for images!!! Now let’s see some examples for American Government Constitution….

When you see this image do you automatically think “constitution”? Is the text clear enough to read, is it too much or too little?

MonarchicalAristocraticDemocratic 2 Consuls + other magistrates SenateAssembly of Tribes Tribune Directed government and army Acted as judges Could issue edicts Acted as chief priest Controlled state budget Could pass laws Approved/rejected laws Decided on War Tribune could veto actions of magistrate Acted as final court Basis of power: possess imperium, the right to rule need for leadership Basis of power: members were richest men in Rome. Basis of power: provided most of the soldiers Limits on power: one year term each could veto Limits on power: could not control army needed majority as soldiers. Limits on power: Could not suggest laws often paid as clients by the elite Roman Government Checks and Balances.

MonarchicalAristocraticDemocratic 2 Consuls + other magistrates SenateAssembly of Tribes Tribune Directed government and army Acted as judges Could issue edicts Acted as chief priest Controlled state budget Could pass laws Approved/rejected laws Decided on War Tribune could veto actions of magistrate Acted as final court Limits on power: one year term each could veto Limits on power: could not control army needed majority as soldiers. Limits on power: Could not suggest laws often paid as clients by the elite The Roman Republican Government was divided into three sections to evenly distribute power and interest.

So how do you like that??? So much better, right??? Deleted unnecessary text Added images to support column titles Changed font color in order to link information together visually Now let’s talk about commentary on this slide. Take a look at it again and hold onto your first thoughts!

Now think to yourself…what is the most simple way to explain what that slide shows? Keep in mind…. Audience: Who will be viewing your presentation? Will they have the appropriate background knowledge to understand what they are viewing? Purpose: What is your task? –Comparing Roman and American governments –Compare Compare Compare: Commentary should use similar language. Clarity: Be clear short and sweet!

YUCK! We can do better than that! Let’s recap the commentary…. The Roman Republican Government was divided into three sections to evenly distribute power and interest. Three ways to improve commentary meant to be simplistic: 1.Synonyms: Replace key phrases with common vocabulary that even Homer Simpson would understand. 2.Condense phrases into single or more simple words 3.Think one step ahead (ie what you will compare it to) and use common language. Now let’s try again…..

MonarchicalAristocraticDemocratic 2 Consuls + other magistrates SenateAssembly of Tribes Tribune Directed government and army Acted as judges Could issue edicts Acted as chief priest Controlled state budget Could pass laws Approved/rejected laws Decided on War Tribune could veto actions of magistrate Acted as final court Limits on power: one year term each could veto Limits on power: could not control army needed majority as soldiers. Limits on power: Could not suggest laws often paid as clients by the elite The Roman Republic was split into three branches of government to create a system of checks and balances.

Specific and informative Picture helps make it clear at first glance Not too much text, visually interesting ExecutiveLegislativeJudicial PresidentCongressSupreme Court Specific, would be better with a title Relatively clear at first glance Not visually interesting, not too much text either

In a way similar to the Roman Republican government, the American government was split into three branches for the some purpose.

Time to improve….. In a way similar to the Roman Republican government, the American government was split into three branches for the some purpose. Synonyms Condense phrases One step ahead (common language)

The American government was similarly split into three branches for to create a system of checks and balances.

So let’s recap what we have learned….. Title –Keep it simple and interesting Searching for Images –Specific, Clear, Less text is better, Don’t be afraid to alter images to fit your needs Commentary –Audience, Purpose, Clarity –Synonyms, Condense Phrases, One step ahead (common language)