Speech Communications ENGL 300 – Study
Notes – Presentation Skills
Section 1: What Makes an Effective Presentation?
1) Microsoft PowerPoint:
A) Advantages:
➢ Popular ➢ Gives less experienced presenters ➢ Saves
➢ Easy to the confidence to present presenters a
use ➢ Reusable lot of time
B) What to Do Before Using PowerPoint:
i. Brainstorm to get all the idea you want
ii. Use a mind map to organize ideas
iii. Be selective: throw out all ideas that aren't relevant to the topic and
to the audience.
iv. Make sure there is a coherent structure
2) How to Make an Effective PowerPoint Presentation:
A) Avoid Using a Script:
Avoid overloading the slides with information
Include only the main ideas and relevant information you want the
audience to learn
You then elaborate on the points in each slide
Proof-read your slides to avoid spelling mistakes, grammar mistakes,
and omissions
B) Font and Transition:
Capitalize when necessary since it's difficult to read
Don't use complicated or distracting transitions
Don't use complicated fonts. Sans serif fonts like Arial, Verdona, and
Tahoma are good for presentations
Text size is important. If the size is too small, the audience won't be able
to read the text
C) Using Color:
Use a font color that contrasts with the background
Don't use color for decoration
Using a different color for each point is not necessary
D) Images:
1
, Images are an excellent way to help the audience make links between
their previous experiences, their perceptions, and what you're saying
and to promote discussion
Only use images that are related to what you're saying, or they'll become
a distraction
Sound effects might not be necessary. They might come across as
distracting
E) Background:
Avoid using backgrounds that are distracting or difficult to read from
Usually pastel background colors are good
Always be consistent with the background used
F) Small and Intricate Diagrams:
Intricate diagrams are best giver as handouts
If the diagram is going to be too small, it's better not to display it in
PowerPoint
PowerPoint is great for displaying complex images in stages
G) References:
You reference info in a PowerPoint the same way in a written assignment.
If you're using someone else's ideas, you need to give the family name and
date of publication.
For a direct quote, you have to provide what's mentioned earlier plus the page
nb.
You need to reference diagrams, images, graphs, photos, etc...
H) Full References:
Include the full references on the last slide or in a handout
Shows that you've researched properly and referenced correctly
I) Notes:
The speaker's notes feature allows you to add the details you would like to say
when the slide is showing
J) Screen Captures:
You can use screen captures instead of accessing the internet during
presenting
K) Effective Use of Properly Designed Slides:
a. Be careful where you stand:
Don't stand directly in front of your visual aid in order not to
obscure the view of your audience
2
Notes – Presentation Skills
Section 1: What Makes an Effective Presentation?
1) Microsoft PowerPoint:
A) Advantages:
➢ Popular ➢ Gives less experienced presenters ➢ Saves
➢ Easy to the confidence to present presenters a
use ➢ Reusable lot of time
B) What to Do Before Using PowerPoint:
i. Brainstorm to get all the idea you want
ii. Use a mind map to organize ideas
iii. Be selective: throw out all ideas that aren't relevant to the topic and
to the audience.
iv. Make sure there is a coherent structure
2) How to Make an Effective PowerPoint Presentation:
A) Avoid Using a Script:
Avoid overloading the slides with information
Include only the main ideas and relevant information you want the
audience to learn
You then elaborate on the points in each slide
Proof-read your slides to avoid spelling mistakes, grammar mistakes,
and omissions
B) Font and Transition:
Capitalize when necessary since it's difficult to read
Don't use complicated or distracting transitions
Don't use complicated fonts. Sans serif fonts like Arial, Verdona, and
Tahoma are good for presentations
Text size is important. If the size is too small, the audience won't be able
to read the text
C) Using Color:
Use a font color that contrasts with the background
Don't use color for decoration
Using a different color for each point is not necessary
D) Images:
1
, Images are an excellent way to help the audience make links between
their previous experiences, their perceptions, and what you're saying
and to promote discussion
Only use images that are related to what you're saying, or they'll become
a distraction
Sound effects might not be necessary. They might come across as
distracting
E) Background:
Avoid using backgrounds that are distracting or difficult to read from
Usually pastel background colors are good
Always be consistent with the background used
F) Small and Intricate Diagrams:
Intricate diagrams are best giver as handouts
If the diagram is going to be too small, it's better not to display it in
PowerPoint
PowerPoint is great for displaying complex images in stages
G) References:
You reference info in a PowerPoint the same way in a written assignment.
If you're using someone else's ideas, you need to give the family name and
date of publication.
For a direct quote, you have to provide what's mentioned earlier plus the page
nb.
You need to reference diagrams, images, graphs, photos, etc...
H) Full References:
Include the full references on the last slide or in a handout
Shows that you've researched properly and referenced correctly
I) Notes:
The speaker's notes feature allows you to add the details you would like to say
when the slide is showing
J) Screen Captures:
You can use screen captures instead of accessing the internet during
presenting
K) Effective Use of Properly Designed Slides:
a. Be careful where you stand:
Don't stand directly in front of your visual aid in order not to
obscure the view of your audience
2
