Power Point Presentations
For Effectively Conveying
Scientific Information
Source: Kroodsma and Byers
(2000). Auk 117:831-835.
1 - Use Large Enough Text
This is large enough (50)
This is large enough
(45)
This is large enough text (40)
This is large enough text (35)
This is large enough text (30)
This is large enough text (25)
This is large enough text (20)
This is large enough text (15)
2- Use the right background
for slides
Is This Better
Is This Better
3 – Use Color/Animation/
Pictures Thoughtfully.
•These options can enhance
communication.
•Gratuitous c/a/p hinder viewer
understanding.
•People should remember your
points not how cool your slides
were.
4 – Strive to Avoid Tables of
Numbers.
•Tables of numbers make it hard to
meet the 30 pitch font rule.
•Remember people see/remember
trends more readily than numbers.
So if possible use figures instead of
tables.
5- Use Text Only Slides
Effectively.
• Long passages can be read by the
audience faster than the presenter.
• Use both upper and lower cases
letters.
• On important points consider
progressive disclosure.
6- Project All Slides
Horizontally.
•Leads to the efficient use of the
projection area.
•Slides usually must be made
smaller to project horizontally.
•Horizontal slides can be projected
higher.
7- Build Graphs Specifically
for Presentation.
•Label slides directly.
•Minimize the use of legend.
Compare the Readability.
MGMTCODE
; LS Means
Stream Width = 6.04
Elevation = 1455.39
Gradient =
1.26
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AvWDRat
Width-to-Depth Ratio
Current effect: F(1, 265)=19.847, p=.00001
(Computed for covariates at their means)
Vertical bars denote 0.95 confidence intervals
21
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18
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Managed
MANAGED
Unmanaged
Unmanaged
MGMTCODE
8- Be Consistent In the
Style of Slides.
Consistency should include;
• Background color,
• Size and style of letters,
• Choice of color to enhance
message,
• Style, so you can use slides for
multiple talks.
9- Organize the Talk
Around the Slides.
•Decide what you’re important
points are and design slides for
those points.
•Organize presentation around
slides so as to form a theme.
•Always ask the question, “Does this
slide help make my point?”
•Practice
10- Keep Slides Simple.
•Each slide should contain one main
idea, two at the most.
•The slides message should be
deciphered by the crowd in a couple
of seconds.
•Simple slides permit the audience
to focus on the presenter instead of
trying to figure out the slide.