Microsoft PowerPoint®, Google Slides, Canva, and other presentation software systems and apps provide an effective method for presenting ideas to an audience. Multimedia, such as audio, video, text, and pictures, can be incorporated into the presentation. These tools help organize a presentation and bring it to life. They can be used in place of posters or other visual aids.
It is important to have a clear idea of what is to be presented before selecting backgrounds and transitions. Plan the presentation before creating visuals. Here are some things to keep in mind as you create your presentation.
Text
Use lists and bullets to accentuate your points. Remember the "6 x 6 Rule" -- no more than 6 words per item, 6 bulleted items per page, and no more than 6 text pages in a row.
Background
Use simple backgrounds: a solid color, or perhaps a blend of two colors.
The easiest combination for the audience to read is a light background color with dark text. However, if the room is bright, a dark background with lighter letters will be more readable. It is also wise to preview the presentation in the room where the presentation will be given, if possible. Like all projected presentations, the quality of the image in a digital presentation may be affected by the amount of sunlight streaming into the room, the type of overhead lights, and your ability to control these lights.
Dark-colored backgrounds are commonly used for on-screen presentations because light colors may be too bright and make your audience uncomfortable. However, medium-colored backgrounds may also work if you want a softer impact. Just make sure that the text is clearly visible.
Fonts
The font style selected will affect how your message is received.
Pick Fonts From Families
Use variations within one font. The italicized version or large size for a heading will draw attention. Try to use no more than 3 to 4 different fonts in a presentation.
Avoid Ornate Fonts
Text written in ornate fonts is difficult to read, especially from the back row. When designing for online or slide viewing, use fonts that look good online. The Verdana, Tahoma, and Georgia fonts are designed specifically for online viewing. Arial and Times New Roman also work well.
Color
According to research, color communicates more effectively than black and white. How much more effectively? Here’s what the research says:
- Color visuals increase willingness to read by up to 80%.
- Using color can increase motivation and participation by up to 80% (Green, 1984).
- Color enhances learning and improves retention by more than 75% (Walker, 1991).
- Color can also exhibit “moods.”
- Green is typically more relaxing.
- Red and yellow are urgent colors.
- Blue can be sad or relaxing depending on the hue.
- Black can be a power color.
- Avoid certain color combinations that may be difficult to look at or which some people cannot distinguish, such as red/green, brown/green, blue/black, and blue/purple.
Warm or Cool
Warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) come forward and command attention. Cool colors (blues, green, and some purples) recede from our eyes. Backgrounds in cool colors are easier to get away with because they provide contrast with text. If using awarm color background, the text may be lost or overpowered. This means people will pay attention to the color, not the message.
Contrast
Contrast is the key to using color effectively. To keep from losing the text in the background color, there must be contrast.
Experiment to find the color scheme that works best for you and your presentation. Choose a color scheme and stick with it.
Visual Media
A variety of images, graphics, and videos can be displayed in in a digital presentation. Media helps create an awareness in the audience’s mind. Remember that visual media should be kept to a minimum on each slide. The standard guideline is that 50% of your slides should have some graphic element.
Animation
Animation can be a powerful tool. That’s because animation helps break information down and presents it to the audience visually as we deliver it verbally. And, whether it's bullet slides, bar charts, or illustrations, the gradual introduction of information helps the audience to remember it.
Pick one type of text animation, and use it every time.
A gradual introduction of text keeps your audience tracking with the presenter. Pick one primary transition and stick with it. Subduing the previous bullet when the new one comes on can allow an even stronger focus. If you’re using a dark background, select a subdued color for the previous bullet a few shades lighter than the background. Using a totally different color will have the exact opposite effect by drawing attention to the text you’re trying to de-emphasize.
Animate graphic images when telling complex stories.
Because we think in terms of communicating with words, our first choice for displaying information is often text. The problem is most audiences remember more when content is graphically presented. An animated progression of objects that graphically tell the story while the presenter fills in the details can be more effective than text by itself.
If you use animations, use natural transitions.
The most natural transition is text that moves from right to left because that is how we read. Too many things flying around on the screen detracts from the message and slows down the presentation. An occasional burst of music or sound during a transition or animation can focus the audience on the slide show. You can also play videos that might enhance the story. But remember not to overdo it – frequent use of special effects can draw attention away from the content of your presentation. Not every slide needs to be animated.
Presentation Techniques
- Do not read your presentation from the screen. Use movement, gestures, and eye contact to emphasize points in your presentation.
- If possible, arrange the projector and screen so you are not standing directly in front of the screen and blocking the view.
- Stand to the left of the screen.
- Have a blank slide or two at the beginning and the end. If you end your presentation by clicking out of slide show, you will show the audience the “backstage” view of your presentation. It’s better to have a slide at the end that says “Thank You” or a duplicate of your title slide (then put one blank slide at the end, anyway, so you don’t mistakenly click out of your slide show).
- Save a copy of the presentation in several places (on a cloud, emailed to yourself, on a flash drive, etc.) for emergencies.
4-H Contest Opportunities
Youth enrolled in the Nebraska 4-H Youth Development Program are eligible to participate in the county-based communication contests or the 4-H Illustrated Presentation Contest at the State 4-H Premier Communication Event. Contact your local Nebraska Extension Office for more information.
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Sources:
Walker, M. (1991). The power of color. Avery Publishing Group.