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This segment supplements a larger section on the class's Moodle.

Here are the basic rules for Power point or sharing slides or virtual backgrounds.

     The enlarged world of Zoom has changed the remote options available with Power Point, like with virtual backgrounds used on this site's many Zoom-recorded speeches.  However, the standard PP guidelines given here,  remain intact.

Limit info for each slide

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  • Replace sentences with key phrases

  • Use five or less bullets each

  • Bullet in six or less words

  • Begin bullets with action verbs 

  • Avoid distracting special effects

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Animate simply with  bullet by bullet or element by element, disclosing each progressively as you speak. 

The top slide is way too busy.

Say                                                        What ?

(clever or corny)

     Glitzy or corny special effects or backgrounds or fonts, just like most sound effects, distract from the message.   Try to be concise and have consistency of style for the best flow.

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Delivery Suggestions:

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  • Speak conversationally

  • Imagine you are speaking to your ideal audience of mentor, friends, etc.

  • Share eye contact, one person per thought before move on

  • Plan an opening attention-grabber and an ending clincher

This powerpoint at BRCC has a number of issues or "grows."  Certainly, an obvious one is to lessen the distraction of at least some of the board scrawl and paper on the table!

General pointers for the power point slide presentation

 

Generally, less is better.  Simplify.  The slides are to assist only and not be THE show.

 

A. If you have only six slides in a 5-7 min. show:  title, preview/intro, point one, point two, point three, conclusion

      1.  Each slide should have contrast between the background color and the font color.  For example, a

             light background slide means a dark font used for letters.

       2. Pictures should be effectively presented, usually with just two per slide and one with text in a slide.

       3. Have a uniform, simple format or style with no video and no audio and no cartoony clip art (unless

           appropriate for the subject).

       4. Have font clean, simple, and of a size that is very visible from the back of the room.

 

B.  Have limited info per slide.

      1. Replace sentences with key phrases

      2. Have five or less bullets per slide; three to four is usually better

      3.  Each bullet should have six or less words

      4. Begin bullets in parallel fashion, usually with action verbs

      5. Avoid any distracting special effects

 

C.  Progressive disclosure reveals info step by step, focusing on each idea in succession:

      1. It builds word or phrase, one at a time, bullet by bullet rather than overwhelming with all at once.

      2. It may begin with a close-up and then a long shot or in reverse order to show relative size.

      3. This additive approach or even a subtractive one can also be applied to charts or graphs:

            a. Parts of the graph could be disclosed part by part

            b. Parts of the chart could just be eliminated to focus on just the small picture rather than the big one.

 

D.  The whole aim is to be supportive and not distracting with the visual medium. 

      1. Be sure to practice with the remote just prior to the presentation to see all is in order.

      2. Engage well with eye contact with your audience and only minimally with the slides.

      3. Slides are but one tool: use them as chisel to get at meaning rather than as a sledgehammer

      4. You as speaker are to use all your tools to drive home the message.  

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