Creating a Successful PowerPoint Presentation

Creating a Successful PowerPoint Presentation Academic Success Center June 2015

1

Many of us will at sometime or the other be called upon to prepare and give a presentation. PowerPoint is the Microsoft Office software most often used to prepare a professional and successful presentation. At Northcentral, you may be asked to prepare an assignment using PowerPoint. This presentation will offer some guidelines to creating a successful presentation.

• The following topics will be discussed: • Preparation • Organization • PowerPoint Tutorial • Writing the Script • Graphics 2

• • • • •

Select your topic Gather your sources Collect visual images if you will use them Become familiar with the PowerPoint software Select a layout and design

3

• Prepare an outline - Introduction - Include the problem statement or thesis statement. - Include a literature review if required.

- Body of Text - Supporting material

- Conclusion/Recommendations - Reference Page

Proper APA in-text citation is required.

4

Microsoft Office offers online tutorials on their software free of charge. Training - PowerPoint - Microsoft Office Take advantage of these short videos. Your confidence in preparing a presentation will be increased. 5

• Use text sparingly. • Use bullet points • Five or Six per slide • Select your font and font size carefully. • This is Calibri font at 28. • This is Arial font at 28. • This is Times New Roman at 28. • Be consistent. Do not change font style within the same slide. • The software will adjust the font size to fit the frame. 6

Your slides are like an outline. Use the “note” section for assignments requiring Speaker Notes

7

• Visual images are helpful. • Make sure they are appropriate to your topic. • Make sure they are appropriate in size. • If you change the size – keep the dimensions • Avoid animation unless it adds to your topic. Otherwise animation is distracting. • When selecting your slide colors, be cautious. Colors can change between one computer and the next or from the computer screen to the projector screen. 8

• Prepare and organize. • Review the PowerPoint tutorials if you are unfamiliar with the software. • Keep text on slide minimal. Six bullet points should be enough to get your point across. • Choose font style and size carefully. • Use graphics/visual images if appropriate. • Animation can be distracting.

9

Questions, comments, or feedback? Contact the Academic Success Center at [email protected].

10