PowerPoint Presentation Hints and Tips

1
PowerPoint Presentation Hints and Tips

• 2003 Summer Institutes
• Dennis Small, OSPI
• dsmall_at_ospi.wednet.edu

2
Overview

• Basics for creating presentation graphics in
  Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Most principles apply to any presentation
  software.
• Avoid creating flashy presentations with little
  content, rigor or thought - what the Australians
  call PowerPointlessness

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Demonstration of PowerPoint Basics

• Creating slides
• Using templates
• Inserting Text and Graphics
• Using the slide sorter
• Presenting a slide show
• Notes and Handouts

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Make your text large!

• Titles should be around 36 40 point or more
  (this is 40 point).
• Body text should be about 24 point or more (this
  is 32 point).
• This is 24 point.
• Text that is smaller than 24 point is TOO SMALL!

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Visually punctuate your message!

• Use statements instead of sentences.
• Keep them short - no more than eight words per
  line.
• Use key words - focus on your message.
• No more than eight lines per slide.
• Eliminate unnecessary or repetitious points to
  avoid losing audience interest.

6
Use of Color

• Use a color format that gives good contrast
  between background and text.
• Dark backgrounds with light colored text work
  best.
• Text drop shadows should be black or a darker
  value of background color.

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Use of Clip Art

• Should enhance and clarify your message.
• Subdue art that has text overlaid on it for
  clarity.
• Use drop shadows on text that overlays clip art.

Warning Clip art can greatly increase your file
size!
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Use of Photos

• Can use as backgrounds or foreground objects.
• Resolution (pixels per inch) affects quality of
  images.
• High-resolution bit-mapped photos slow down slide
  transitions.

• Warnings
• Scanning photos takes time.
• Greatly increases file size (higher
  resolutionlarger file size).

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Use of Graphics

• Use graphics to illustrate trends, complex
  issues, or abstract concepts.

Written Text

• Increases comprehension and retention.

Graphics and Diagrams

• Use outlines, flowcharts, graphs, and cue slides
  to emphasize your main points.

Spoken Presentation
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Displaying Data with Charts
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Adding Web Links

• Connect to real-time data such as State Report
  Card

• Allows for additional exploration of items that
  particularly interest the audience (i.e., Nine
  Characteristics of High-Performing Schools)

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PowerPoint Presentation Hints and
Tipshttp//www.k12.wa.us/edtech/powerpoint.htm

• Dennis Small, OSPI
• dsmall_at_ospi.wednet.edu
• [phone]