PowerPoint Prowess
PowerPoint Prowess
How PowerPoint Affects Audiences and Speakers
Heather Martin
Technical Communications Tutor
Mech 290 Lecture
January 19, 2006.
Introduction
The prevalence of PowerPoint
The need to use PowerPoint effectively
Understanding how the audience, the speaker, and PowerPoint are linked
The Relationship between the
Audience, PowerPoint and the Speaker
The Speaker
PowerPoint
The Audience
This presentation will review each of these relationships
The Audience and PowerPoint
PowerPoint and the Speaker
The Speaker and the Audience
Understanding these relationships allows speakers to create effective presentations
The Audience and PowerPoint
A PowerPoint Presentation’s Benefits
Entertains while Informs
Clarifies Purpose and Organizational Structure
Distinguishes One Presentation from Others
Aids Memory & Creates a Lasting Impression
Directs Audience to Limited Set of Key Points
The Audience and PowerPoint
A PowerPoint Presentation’s Pitfalls
Distracts from Speaker’s Message
Discourages Audience Involvement
Discourages Discussion of Tangential Topics
Directs Audience to Limited Set of Key Points
This is an Example of an ineffective slide
These words are too small
There is too much information on one slide
Where does one point end and the next one begin? Where are the bullets?
Why is there a green race car on here anyway?
The title font is hard to read
That animation is so distracting and doesn’t seem to have much to do with presentations.
It’s hard to read red words on a red background.
Avoid these visual errors by following the suggestions on the next slide
Even though PowerPoint offers a lot of transitions, clipart, and animations to use, it’s best to keep your slides simple.
Do
The Audience and PowerPoint
Keep slide layout simple
Use the PowerPoint Design Templates
Choose relevant clipart and images
Develop these images as memory aids
Involve your audience
Assess your audience’s needs
Let each participant decide what is important
PowerPoint and the Speaker
A PowerPoint Presentation’s Benefits
Offers Effective Design Templates
Requires Speakers to Organize Presentations
Integrates Speaking Notes with Visuals
Prompts Speaker’s Memory
Graphics Enhance Verbal Descriptions
PowerPoint and the Speaker
A PowerPoint Presentation’s Pitfalls
Slide Text Replaces Speaker’s Notes
Advancing Slide Distracts Speaker from Speech
Affects Pace of Presentation
Auto Content Templates Dictate Content
Templates are useful starting points, but you should always adapt a template for and your message your audience.
Sample PowerPoint Storyboard
To avoid the pitfalls of Auto Content Templates, consider making your own storyboard.
The Speaker and the Audience
The relationship you want your audience to notice
Common Goal for the Presentation
Competent Image for the Speaker
Clear and Logically Presented Information
Your audience’s needs should always guide your presentation
The 3 PowerPoint Relationships
The Audience and PowerPoint
PowerPoint and the Speaker
The Speaker and the Audience
Conclusion
The Audience and PowerPoint
Effective graphics add to your message
PowerPoint and the Speaker
Your message structures the presentation
The Speaker and the Audience
The audience determines your message
In summary, considering these PowerPoint relationships results in great presentations
Questions?
Questions and Discussion
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4.
5.
Why didn’t I use more graphics in this presentation?
Exactly how much information should be on each slide?
What functions should slides fulfill?
How can speakers cope with nervousness?
How can speakers best answer questions?
Speaker Contact Information: heather290@gmail.com
References & Resources
CSD at Kansas University. “Using Visual Aids.”
Cyphert, Dale. BCQ “The Problem of PowerPoint.” (2004)
MIT- RISE. “Microsoft PowerPoint Tutorial.” (2001)
Radell, Jeff. “Handling Questions.” (2005)
Susskind, Joshua E.
Classroom.” (2005)
C&E “PowerPoint’s Power in the
Virginia Tech. “Rethinking the Design of Presentation
Slides.” (2006)
For More Reference Details: heather290@gmail.com
