Creating Effective PowerPoint Presentations: 5 Keys for Success

Samantha J. BlevinsJuly 25, 2012

OverviewWhy are effective presentations important?

Discussion 5 key points Examples and non-examples

Activity: 8 slide presentation on your favorite hobby

Conclusion

Why are effective presentations important?PowerPoint can put your audience to

sleep if you Read your slides Include too much text or too many

graphics Don’t proofread Make each slide different

Luckily, there are 5 keys to help prevent audience boredom!

Image Source: http://mikeramm.com/2007/05/an-awful-presentation/

5 Keys to Creating Great PresentationsChoose a theme

Be consistent

Color is important

Less is more

Whitespace is your ally

Choose a ThemeGives a professional feel

Can provide structure Fonts and color are preselected and coordinated

Can be tweaked to meet your needs

Example and Non-example

Be ConsistentFont should be the same throughout your

presentation Color Size Placement

Punctuation Differences can be distracting

Slide transitions should be complimentary A different transition for each slide can be

distracting

Example and Non-example

Color is ImportantMood for presentation

i.e. Use school or company colors when appropriate

Legibility Make sure your text color doesn’t interfere with

your background color Contrasting colors can help

Example and Non-example

Images Source: http://www.thugmed.com/2009/01/medical-presentation-skillz/

Less is MoreDon’t fill up every square-inch of your slide

Watch out for distracting slide or text effects Too many can overwhelm

Example and Non-example

Image Source: http://speakupforsuccess.com/services/powerpoint/Image Source: http://carmenchongky.blogspot.com/

Whitespace is Your Ally Images

Effective when appropriate Don’t need to take up the whole slide Golden rule: 2 per page

Text Keep it brief

Example and Non-example

Image Source: http://speakupforsuccess.com/services/powerpoint/Image Source: http://www.mondofacto.com/study-skills/presentation/how-to-create-a-presentation/03.html

Summary of the 5 KeysChoose a theme

Be consistent

Color is important

Less is more

Whitespace is your ally

Practice ActivityLet’s practice using the key points of our

discussion Create an 8-10 slide PowerPoint Presentation Topic Ideas

Favorite hobby Favorite vacation Place you want to visit

Expectations: Present your topic in an open discussion Credit will be given for completion Let’s learn from each others triumphs and mistakes