Effective Presentation Techniques: Structure, Fonts, Content, and Colors

1. Presenting EffectivelyPart 1Effective Slides TERENA NETWORKING CONFERENCEPrague, Czech Republic2 February 2007 Carol de GrootConference & PR Officer degroot@terena.orgwww.terena.org

2. Outline • Structure • Templates • Fonts • Content • Colours • Language • Animation • Sequence • Summary degroot@terena.org

3. Structure • Start with an outline of your presentation • Make your points logically and clearly • Summarise your main points • Come to a definite conclusion • Invite questions degroot@terena.org

4. Structure • Use a professionally designed template • Available in your slide software • Search for free resources, for example: http://www.poweredtemplates.com/free-ppt-powerpoint-templates.html • Select a clear, simple template degroot@terena.org

5. with enough flexibility to display different types of data joanne@terena.org

6. Structure effectively!

7. Fonts This is Verdana 12 point This is Verdana 18 pt This is Verdana 24 pt This is Verdana 32 pt This is Verdana 36 pt This is Verdana 44 pt degroot@terena.org

8. Fonts Step back about 2 m. from your screen to check your font size. 12 point is too small 18 point is also very small 24 point is good for text 30 is recommended 44 point is ‘in your face’ degroot@terena.org

9. Fonts • CAPITALISE ONLY WHEN NECESSARY. IT IS • DIFFICULT TO READ • Don’t use a complicated font • Serif fonts like Times New Roman can look busy – use with care • Sans serif fonts like Arial or Verdana • are clear, sharp and legible degroot@terena.org

10. Fonts • Italics are difficult to read on screen • Normal or bold fonts are clearer • Underlines may signify hyperlinks • Instead, use colours for emphasis degroot@terena.org

11. Content • 1 slide for every minute or two • 4 or 5 bullet points per slide • 4 to 5 keywords per point • Don’t read your slides • Use keywords to support your talk degroot@terena.org

12. Colour • Using a font colour that does not • contrast with the background colour • is hard to read • Using colour for decoration is • distracting and annoying • Using a different colour for each • point is unnecessary degroot@terena.org

13. Colour Trying tobe too creative can alsobe a mistake degroot@terena.org

14. Colour Over 12% of men of European origin are colour blind. Avoid usingredandgreen together in your illustrations. Many in the audience will see this: Avoid usingredandgreen together in your illustrations. degroot@terena.org

15. Colour Avoid using dark red shades and black in text and illustrations. Some in your audience will see this: Avoid using dark red shades and black in text and illustrations. degroot@terena.org

16. Language Set the language for your talk - degroot@terena.org

17. Language and remember to run a check. degroot@terena.org

18. Animation Excessive animation distracts degroot@terena.org

19. Animation A simple fade attracts degroot@terena.org

20. Sequence Use a numbered list only for points with a logical sequence: How to put an elephant in the refrigerator? Open the door Put the elephant in Close the door degroot@terena.org

21. Sequence • Use bullets for lists of information • elephants are large • you need a big fridge • elephants don’t require refrigeration degroot@terena.org

22. Summary degroot@terena.org

23. Summary • Start with an outline • Use a professionally designed template • Make your points logically and clearly • 18 point should be the smallest font you use • Use a sans serif font like Arial or Verdana degroot@terena.org

24. Summary • 1 slide for every minute or two • 4 or 5 points per slide • 4 to 5 keywords per point • Use contrasting colours – dark on light • Set the language and run a spelling and • grammar check degroot@terena.org

25. Summary • Keep animation simple • Use a numbered list only for points with • a logical sequence • Use bullets for lists of information degroot@terena.org

26. Conclusion • Come to a definite ending • Thank them for their attention • Invite questions degroot@terena.org