Create a Better Presentation

Your slide presentation should look more like a poster than a handout.
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Your slides should:
  • reinforce the points in your speech
  • include  just a few words, at most, on each slide
  • use images, when appropriate, to enhance your message
  • be easy to read from the back of the room

Organize Your Information Ahead of Time

Put the information from your notes into a logical order based on your assignment requirements and what you want to communicate to your audience. Need to show the history of your topic, to describe it, show how to solve or show causes and effects of a problem or compare and contrast two things? 

Try using a graphic organizer to think it through first.

Themes & Backgrounds

Most Google Slides and PowerPoint themes are created by professional graphic designers. They are usually a better option than creating your own.

If you use the built-in themes, stick to the fonts and colors included in the theme.
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SlidesCarnival and SlidesGo have some other free Google Slides templates as well.
If you choose to create your own theme:
  • pick two main colors -- one for the background, another for text
  • a white background and black text is your best option
  • a dark background is okay, but make sure to use very light color text
  • use the same colors, fonts and other elements across all slides

Text

Like a billboard on the highway, text on slides should be short and easy to process right away. 
​Slide Text Guidelines:
  • Font sizes should generally be 30 or more
  • Lines of text per slide should be 6 or less (mostly less)
  • Pick two fonts to use. A Sans Serif font for titles and Serif for body text.
  • Include only one main idea per slide. A few details are okay, if necessary.
  • Spread text and ideas across multiple slides. More slides don’t cost you a cent.​
Avoid lines of text with bullet points if you can. Most of this information should be said by the presenter, not read by the audience. The text is too small and there are too many words.
This slide has just the main idea in just one sentence in large letters. The presenter can fill in the details verbally or with a handout provided to the audience.
This example has the main idea at the top and three supporting details. The icons help to reinforce the meaning of each detail.

Speaker Notes

Move most of the text to the Speaker Notes section under the slide.You can print out the slides in notes view and use them when presenting. 
If you have a computer in front of you while presenting to the audience, you can also use Presenter View so that the current slide, a  presentation timer, and your notes are on your screen.

Images

Eye catching photographic, icons, or infographics, along with short text can really enhance your audience’s understand much more than just your verbal explanation.

Be careful when choosing graphics for your presentation. Choose slide images related to the content (not just cute or distracting) to reinforce your message.

Limit the number of images to 1 or 2 per slide.

Enlarge the image so that all of your audience can see it. Fill half or the whole slide.
If you add text over the photo, make sure you use a color that makes it easy to read the text.

Do not use slide animations (e.g. flying text and makes noises) unless you have a really good reason.
There are (maybe) one or two good reasons. Just don’t do it.

​There are plenty of places to get high quality photos, icons, and other graphics. 
icons: Flaticon, Noun Project
​photos & graphics: Unsplach, Pixabay
These puppies may be cute, but the pictures are too small and an audience member won't know where to focus. Plus, there is too much text on the screen.
Increasing the size of the picture and adding a question related to your presentation gets your point across. The picture and question are obviously connected now. 
Another option is to have a picture fill up the whole screen. A single word on the screen connects the topic with the picture. 

Presenting Your Speech

  1. Make sure you have practiced your speech enough beforehand so that your eye contact, body movement, and voice level are all comfortable and appropriate. 
  2. Make eye contact with various audience members during the speech 
  3. For the majority of the presentation, you should face the audience, and not read the screen to the audience. 
  4. Use hand gestures when appropriate to emphasize a point; try not to be fidgety or rigid.
  5. When speaking, make sure your words are clear and loud enough for your whole audience to hear. 
  6. ​Build your confidence by practicing your speech several times before presenting it. If you plan out what you want to say for each slide, you are less likely to sound rushed, look down at your notes too much, or use too many “ums” and other word fillers that don’t sound great in a speech.

For information about citing your sources during your presentation, check out our when should I document sources in my text page.