Creating a good presentation

1. By Heather Heward Use the Down arrow or Enter to move through the presentation. Creating a good presentation

2. Introduction • This presentation will show you some do’s and don’ts of powerpoints and give you some useful tips • You will then create a presentation of your own using these suggestions. Note: This PowerPoint is not the best example since it is only delivering information and not being presented in person.

3. Outline • Organization • Selecting a template • Picture as background • Editing text boxes • Citations • Concise • Animations • Your assignment

4. Organization • Create and follow an outline - The information in your presentation will be received better if it flows. • Create and outline slide • Create the slides that you expect to have in your presentation. • As you work, adjust the organization as needed • Present your work out loud, preferably to a peer and adjust as needed. • Drag and drop slides on the left to re-order them.

5. Selecting a template • From PowerPoint - on the Design tab there are several options • Online – from the More option on the themes select More themes on Microsoft Online • Custom – With a theme selected change the colors, fonts, and effects and save the theme for later use

6. Pictures as backgrounds • Pictures can be useful and desirable as backgrounds, but look through the next couple slides to see some things to avoid. • To insert a picture as the background • Right-click on background • For the Fill select Picture or texture fill • Check the box for Hide background graphicsif you have selected a theme that has them. • Select Insert from: File • Click Apply to all if you want every slide to have the background

7. Pictures as backgrounds Problem: Text color It is hard to see the text over a picture regardless of the color. Even if you can see it on the computer screen you will not see it well when it is projected.

8. Pictures as backgrounds Solution: Tint the background By tinting the background you can still see the picture but the text can clearly be seen. Here is how it is done. • Use the existing text box or create a new one • Right click on the text box • Select Format Shape • Select Solid Fill and choose an appropriate color • Adjust the transparency so that you can see the text clearly and a little bit of the background Tip: to replicate the text box on other slides, either copy and paste the whole slide or copy and paste the text box. Recreating it each slide will be time consuming and they may end up different each time.

9. Editing text boxes • Autofit - instead of having to change the font size manually if your text goes beyond the slide you can make sure that Autofit is selected. • Right-click on the text box • Notice the options under Textbox  Autofit • Shrink text on overflow is the defualt but this will not be selected if you have created a new text box. • Explore the other options available in this dialog box.

10. Editing text boxes • Color and shape • Edit shape: Insert Shapes Edit Shapes • Explore the different shape styles Consistency is important in presentations so if you make a text box that you like, copy and paste it to make sure it is the same each time you use it.

11. Citations • Information • Same as writing, use short citation when information is given and then provide full citation in a reference slide at the end • Pictures • Unless you have taken the photo every picture needs to have its source listed

12. Citations - pictures • Either create a text box and type the source • Or copy a url and paste it, the textbox will automatically be created • Change the font and size to be small but somewhat visible. Tip: To keep the text box and the picture together you can group them • Select the text box and the picture by holding the Ctrl button down • Right-click on the selection and select Group Photo by: Heather Heward http://www.campfiredude.com/campfire-physics.shtml

13. Concise • Powerpoints are meant to be supplemental to a presentation NOT contain all information on the topic. The following are some examples • Powerpoint slides do not need full sentences, bullet points are better.

14. Concise Example: Bad The take home message from this slide is hard to find and it would be too easy for the presenter to just read off the slide and not engage with the audience. • The ponderosa pine has many features that help it withstand the frequent fires that are common to that ecosystem. • They have thick bark so the fire does not heat the cambium. • They also have high branches which are self thinning. • The roots are deep and the ones that are near the surface are protected by thick duff.

15. Concise Example: Good This now becomes an outline for what the presenter will talk about and the audience can use it for review later. Now there is room for a nice picture. • Ponderosa pine adaptations to fire: • Thick bark • High branches • Deep roots

16. Animations • To use or not to use • Powerpoint is meant to give cues to the presenter and background to the audience. Animations are often too distracting • Use if  it will help show a concept or it makes things look more professional. Get outside opinions before presenting with them • Do not use if  you are just trying to be funny, or if it is taking too much time to add them.

17. Animations Example: Bad • When you are choosing weather or not to add a silly moving animation, choose not to. • Fancy entrances are distracting If you are curious you can practice with different types of animation on the Animations tab. View the outline of animations on your slide by clicking Animation Pane

18. Effect of change in fuel type on relative rate of spread Animations Example: Good Grass 15X Crowns ROS in grass fuels about 3X or 4X faster than in crowns ROS in crown fuels about 4X faster than in litter 1X 4X Litter

19. Your assignmentSee Bblearn for more details on the assignment. Create a powerpoint on your potential career choice. Include the following Presentation style Select a nice background or make your own. Use pictures Presentation should be about 10 minutesIF you were to present it. Information • Job title • Job description • Expected salary • Why this job appeals to you • What you can do now to prepare for this job If you do not know what you would like to do yet, then pick a likely candidate. Use this as an opportunity to do research into potential jobs for you and start working to be qualified for that job.

20. Your assignment You will be graded on: • Level of effort to present quality information • Organization and style • Referencing information (a simple web address will due, remember just copy and paste it and a text box will appear). You can do it! Sorry I could not help it.