10 Tips for making a presentation

By David Hutton

1.The information before the presentation

• When creating the slides for your presentation, you need to ensure that you have decided on the structure and foundation of the presentation. This means that all of the crucial information has been placed in the slide, before you start to embellish the slides with designs or pictures.

2.All the slides must be consistent

• For the presentation to act as a story and to successful convey a message to your audience, the whole slide must be consistent.

• This means that similar typography must be used in each slide, similar imagery is used on each slide, and the same colours and style in used throughout the presentation.

• This will help the presentation flow smoothly from slide to slide.

3.Topic transitions • Don't make all the slides identical to each other. • Allow each individual slide to be slightly

personalised. When transitioning between topics, use slide design that contrast the previous slides.

• This allows for the presentation to be broken down into smaller arcs which allow the audience to have a respite.

4.Never use too much text

• When creating your presentation you should never use large bodies of text. T

• This is due to the fact that it is easier for the audience to take in and understand what is being said and what information is in your presentation.

5.Use photos that have meaning to the presentation

• When creating your presentation, use photos that will have the greatest impact on both the audience and the presentation itself.

• This means use photos that have a connection to the topic of the current slide.

• The photos themselves must be simple, so that the meaning of them can be quickly grasped by the audience.

6.Don’t go overboard when using effects.

• When creating your presentation, don’t fall into the trap of using effects and transitions all of the time.

• This is because it can cheapen the audience’s experience and, with longer effects and transitions, can make the presentation feel sluggish.

• Keep all effects and transitions simple and consistent.

7.Directing the attention of the audience.

• To direct the audience’s attention to pictures or, you can use arrows or highlighting to make the picture eye catching.

• Emphasising or highlighting information can also be used to direct the audience's attention.

8.Screenshots of large picture

• If you decide to use a screenshot of a webpage or of a large image you can use panning to make it fit onto one slide.

9.Never use autoplay on videos

• When placing a video into a PowerPoint, never use autoplay on the videos.

• This is due to the fact that autoplay can take a couple of seconds to load. Some presenters then click on the video to make it start, which causes the next slide to transition.

Adding simple charts and graphs

• When any charts or graphs are added to a slide, they run the risk of disrupting and stopping the flow of the presentation.