How to Make a PowerPoint Presentation

The most widely used software for making presentations in Microsoft's PowerPoint. With it, you can generate slides at the click of a mouse. You can edit them on a monitor and print them out for use on an ordinary OHP. Or you can connect the computer to an LCD projector and run a slide show.

HOW TO MAKE A POWERPOINT PRESENTATION

1. Design slides which are easy to read and understand.

– Fonts, images, and graphics should be large enough.

– Choose text and background colors that offer a good contrast. Eliminate unnecessary text. Use keywords and phrases.

– Try to be consistent with the format, style, fonts, colors, capitalization, punctuation, etc. For graphics, clearly label columns, rows, axes, units, etc.

– Avoid dense slides. Make proper use of white space.

2. If borrowed material appears on a slide, cite the source

– Don't make the citation so big that it dominates the slide.

– Don't use complete internet addresses. They clutter up the slide. Identify websites by their basic names. (e.g. www.sony.com, www.yale.edu). If listeners want the exact URL, they can get it from you later.

3. Practice physically "relating to" the PowerPoint slides.

– In order to direct the audience's attention to what you want them to see, use gestures, pointer, or colour.

– Do not turn away completely from the audience. Keep your body "open" to them

– Avoid standing in the light from the projector.

4. Integrate PowerPoint with your oral presentation.

– Show a slide only when it's relevant.

– Your speech and slide projection must be correctly related to each other.

– Always give context so that your audience understands the visual.

– Explain to the audience what they see. You know the matter, they don't.

5. Never bring private or "backstage" elements.

– Never display your email on the screen whole setting up your PowerPoint presentation.

– Avoid using PowerPoint within the browser frame.

– If you're not ready to show the slides to the audience, use a black screen or a blank slide to hide.

There is no single winning formula for achieving success in life. However, good presentation skills can go a long way in shaping both your professional and personal life.