[Closed] Powerpoint

Less is more.

I tend to put things on screen that support what I'm talking about, rather than just repeat what I'm saying. Appropriate visuals add a literal element if it's easier to show an image than describe a process. They also add an extra element, like humour, for example, to help give a clear tone to your words.

Just to force a change, go with white text on a black background. Use only simple typeface - like Helvetica - and keep it all as simple as possible. Avoid, like a plague, 'fancy' transitions or effects. Less, but better.

Don't apply broad brush rules to your powerpoint before you've considered who your audience is. You know, rules like

Avoid, like a plague, 'fancy' transitions or effects.

It all depends on how you use them. We've achieved some very good understanding of the way we're doing things by using transitions in powerpoints and then saving the whole thing as an narrated animation.

Of course, others in the company would hate it. All depends on who you're talking to.

I'm not overly worried about the content. Maybe some diagrams would help but I CBA to draw them. The visual style is a bit embarassing though 🙂

Everyone loves a bouncing entrance and an exit wipe.

Are you presenting it or distributing it?

If the former, I mainly use full page images that act as a visual reminder of what I'm going to talk about. The odd diagram or chart to show a point. Very few (if any) words.

I'll then do notes against each slides covering the points that I've talked about, and distribute as a PDF after if needed.

Don't apply broad brush rules to your powerpoint before you've considered who your audience is.

That's a fair point, but I think it takes a certain consideration to put decent transitions/effects in. Note, also, that I didn't say 'don't use transitions'' I said don't use 'fancy' ones.

molgrips, try a web image search for the thing you need diagrams or graphics for. The internet is full of people who've already done what you're trying to do. Don't forget to add a page of credits if you're using people's work, and check copyright if needs be.

make sure the font is set to Comic Sans 😈

Make sure that you just say what is on the screen.

Max Atkinson in 'Lend Me Your Ear' gives some excellent guidelines about minimalism in powerpoints, it's also very good on public speaking. Mrs MC created a powerpoint for a presentation for her (very good) current job that had no text at all.

Donsimon to the forum
Oh...... 😆

Check out Prezi if want transitions that are the shiz if not a mite distracting.

Or what others say - less words is good. Then you get to talk around your subject and the impatient get to listen to you rather than reading ahead. It assumes you know your subject though...

My personal fave as a 100 pages of training where each transition was accompanied by the sound of a chambered round and a shot. The whole session ought to have ended that way (we were in Georgia, USA).

The 4 Golden Rules;

Lots of words
Plenty of clipart
Animation (slide transition and things flying in from the sides/top etc)
Sounds (on animation you should have 'whooosh' sounds)

Check out Prezi if want transitions that are the shiz if not [s]a mite distracting[/s] a bit vomit inducing.

FTFY.

Colour should be easy on the eye, I find white background a little harsh

Try and use 20 point font and limit sentences to 10 words or less.

If you want to stop the intended audience reading on and not listening to you then a simple 'Appear' transition is ok, avoid slide transitions though.

I agree that the words are there to support what you say, don't put on the screen exactly what you are going to say.

The use of clapping or woosh effects makes you look like an eejit 😉

One of the best presentations I ever saw was a guy talking about a subject he clearly knew with a simple set of pictures swapping every minute or so behind him.. as has already been said, less is more.

I do love me a bit of powerpoint though so if you want me to take a look I'm happy to 🙂

I used to bang out slides for a training consultancy. One of their modules was on Clear Presentations. That was a terrible presentation till I fixed it 🙂

Are you presenting it or distributing it?

They were expecting me to distribute something, but I would have written a proper document (and have done) rather than sent out slides.

I've managed to persude them that we need 'workshops' instead tho.

TBH the slides are just the equivalent of prompt cards for speakers.

Check out Prezi if [s]want transitions that are the shiz if not a mite distracting.[/s][b]you think the problem with bad powerpoint presentations is powerpoint[/b]

FIFY 🙂

I hate doing them from scratch, even starting with an old presentation the deleting all the old content after adding a few nw slides seems to help

Starwipe, starwipe and more starwipe!

😉

my boss gets me to do one every now and then, it's a terrible program to use, I limit it to header footer, helvetica light/bold and make the bullets fly in from the side, import graphics/tables from illy/tattieshop..

Basically the absolute minimum I can get away with! 😆

1.tell them what you're going to tell them

2.tell them

3. remind them of what you've told them

I made a PP that had bouncing Xmas baubles on it...it was teh awsum 😉

Actually using Libre Office Impress. It seems to have periods of heavy slowdown.

Don't forget soundtrack - Abba or Slade - played at a volume that is only just loud enough to overshadow the lower frequencies of the presenters voice. A skilled editor might boost the volume a touch across one of those starwipe transitions. Maybe add a touch of reverb, just to really give it an 'edge'.

I tend to put things on screen that support what I'm talking about, rather than just repeat what I'm saying.