Presentation Powerpoint TIPS, got any?

Question

Hello,

Im working on a presentation for 2nd uni year and its my first one in university. Im really nervous, so is there any tips and advice you have out there for me please.

Pointers on powerpoint presentation?
Pointers on actual presentation?

Thankyou x x

WOW, read everything and all of you wrote useful things thanks alot! x x

Answer 1

I mark ppt presentations on a regular basis, here is what loses you marks (apart from poor content anyway)

DON'T

Use animations except a reveal if necessary
Use fancy backgrounds
Put too much info on a slide - they should illustrate and highlight not say everything that you are going to!
Put something on a slide which you never mention
Read your slides to the audience
Put a timer on your slide change unless you are very disciplined

DO

Practice before hand so you know when to change slides and how long it will take (although you will go slightly faster on the real one)
Try to learn your speech and just carry brief notes to refer to your audience will lose all interest if you just read things and if your notes are too detailed and you lose your place you'll never find it again
Make sure you knowledge is indepth enough that you can answer questions which could be asked on the points you raise in your presentation
Always accurately reference any diagrams or text which are not yours either on the relevant slide or on the final slide as acknowledgements. - yes we really do notice that stuff, a lecturer will very rarely be marking work outside their own field in which they will know most people and have read everything, if you 'borrow' it they'll recognise it.

Finally be relaxed, remember everybody finds them nerve-wracking and the more you practice the more confident you'll be - oh and never ever run over time by more than 10% equally try to be no more than a minute short of the required time.

Good Luck

Answer 2

Don't put too much on a slide.
Don't put exactly what you plan to say on each slide. They should either summarize what you are saying, or they should provide supplemental information.
Don't use too many slides. You don't want to be clicking constantly. I usually use 7-10 slides for an hour and a half class.
Make sure you have contrast in your slides - people should be able to distinguish the writing from the background without squinting.
In a room with a lot of light coming in, you want a light background and dark typeface. If you are presenting in the evening, and it will be dark, a dark background with light typeface works well.
Be careful not to stand in front of your screen so that they can see what is on there.
Don't speak to the slides themselves. Too many people turn around to read their own slides from the screen and have their backs to the audience. You should be speaking to the audience. Look at the computer screen in front of you to see what is on the screen (but before you start, make sure that the slides are actually showing on the screen the audience is looking at. I've gotten ten minutes into class before realizing that while I could see my slides on the computer, my class was staring at a dark screen!).

Answer 3

Beware of Death by Power Point! This is a case of less is more!!!

Keep to four or five bullet points on each slide.

On slides---Refrain from complete sentences......Use the few key words/phrases that your learners need to know.

The slide is a visual for your participants and an outline for you......Speak from the slides---but do not read them word-for word.

Make slides colorful......Use graphics and cartoons when possible......A picture is worth a thousand words.

Use a font that will be both easy to see and read.
.....Use 30 and LARGER when possible---36 to 44 is a good size......A font style such as Tahoma or Ariel is easy to read.

Personally I color the background of the slide -- the deepest navy there is---and then use bright yellow, white, turquoise or green for the letters. When the feedack forms are turned in---almost everyone remarks how great and fun the power-point in itself was!

I don’t know what your format is…but generally…Connect the learning material and activities to the learner. At the beginning---answer the un-asked question of “What’s in this for me? Being here is worth it to me because ______.
I often use, "If you'd like to ______________raise your hand and say YES!"

An hour learning session should consist of one major topic with a few discussion points. It’s better to cover one topic thoroughly then several subjects lightly. Remember: Too much- too fast- won’t last…or…Too much-too quick-won’t stick!

Be sure to periodically check for understanding of new materials and directions.
Example: Use thumbs up /thumbs down or head nodding.

When one person is talking, lecturing, or teaching, keep it UNDER twenty minutes of continuous lecture at a time. Because the brain craves novelty, mix talking with quick “brain breaks”. Continue with lecture after learners have been given a minute or two to re-focus their energy and attention. …..This can be done by Interspersing lengthy lectures with small or large group-talk, peer- sharing ideas, or a review of what was just discussed.
.....If that’s not possible, mix your talk with analogies, metaphors, real-life examples, humor and stories.

If your presentation is shorter--still mix in what is described above about every 7-10 minutes.

Begin and end with high energy. We remember most what is presented first and last.

When using cartoons or graphics give your group some time to refocus and take in what they are seeing.

Most of all, practice it out loud several times!!!! That can't be empasized enough...paractice, practice, practice. Before you present---Stand in front of the room you'll be working in to get a feel for it.Get the beginning down pat…look at your group as you talk to them. Relax (fake it till you make it if needed!) and have fun with it!

Answer 4

Firstly, always use the T-Shirt Rule - never put any more info on your slide than you would have on a t-shirt! (really works, I do presentations almost daily)
Second, choose a clear font - Verdana is good.
Third, don't choose your background until you have finished your slides. You will waste a whole ton of time with this. (when you do choose your background, keep it unfussy and choose one with clean design lines, straight, not zig zaggy!)
4th, try to have same font size and postion for titles all the way through - same for main text (44 good for title, 28 for text)
5th, If you do have to animate, do it sensibly - this is a Uni presentation and animations are not always appropriate.
6th, switch on the rulers and gridlines options in the menu, it helps position and centre text, pictures etc. Nothing worse than a presentation jumping round the screen, bit like a CD skipping!
7th,write your verbal presentation out in full in the notes box, blank area below the line on the slide you are working on. Use the notes view when printing out.
8th, never, ever, ever just read out what you have on the screen - unless you want to crash and burn.
As for giving the presenting, relax and talk slowly and know your subject (it really shows when you do).
Lastly - practice it and read it aloud - even if just to yourself (I have never practised in front of folk, just makes me feel silly)
Good Hunting, I am sure you will do well!

Answer 5

Use a clear background for the setting.

Do not use too many different custom animations.

Do not waffle too much on each slide.

When you give the presentation, practise it in front of someone first, as when you do the presentation it will normally be a lot quicker than you practised.

Hope this is of some use!!!!

Answer 6

Keep your slides simple and don't put everything you're saying on your slides!

This way, it doesn't look like you're just reading off of your slides. Utilize your slides like notecards, keep main points on them. Don't try to make your slides too showy. It's very clean if you use a template for your slides- the visual consistency looks more professional then a background or font that changes.

Make sure everything is spelled correctly on your slides, take your time and speak clearly. Don't worry about getting lost, that's why you have slides! Just don't get too ahead of yourself.

Overall, just try to keep your presentation clean cut and professional.

Hope that helps! Good luck and have fun!

Answer 7

If your animating it i.e. words flying on etc. don't use loads of different effects. Pick one or two and stick to them. When you use loads it looks messy and is just annoying to watch.

And i suppose don't be too nervous. All the thoughts in your head are silly. I'm sure you don't pay huge attention to other people giving presentations. So no ones gonna be watching you like a hawk.

Answer 8

dont have too much going on in the powerpoint, you are better off keeping it simple so it does not take away from your presentation.

Know your material, speak clearly, and make eye contact

Good Luck!

Answer 9

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Answer 10

Some tips:
1) speak clearly
2) stand with your hands behind your back like they do in the army xD
3)Smile =]
4)Try make eye contact with everyone