LibGuides: Interprofessional Practice Based Research Resource Guide: Creating Engaging Presentations Session Handout

Session Handout from January 19th, 2017

PDF Version of Handout

Links to check out:

Mark Bowden, keynote speaker, expert in body language (videos on website) http://truthplane.com/home/people/mark-bowden/
TED Talk playlist with interesting public speaking videos, including Your body language shapes who you are https://www.ted.com/playlists/226/before_public_speaking
TED Talk from Nancy Duarte: The Secret Structure of Great Talks
https://www.ted.com/talks/nancy_duarte_the_secret_structure_of_great_talks
SlideShare: Death by PowerPoint (and how to fight it) http://www.slideshare.net/thecroaker/death-by-powerpoint

1. When to Use Visual Aids

Think about using visual aids at the following times:

Introduction

display the title of your presentation;
define particular technical terms or units;
indicate a structure to your presentation by listing your main points;
display an image which encapsulates your theme(s);
highlight a question you intend answering during the course of your presentation;

Main points

highlight new points with an appropriate image or phrase;
support technical information with clearly displayed data;
indicate sequence by linking points together;
offer evidence from your research to support your argument;

Conclusion

summarise your main points on a slide;
present your conclusion in a succinct phrase or image;
display your key references to allow your audience to read more on your topic.

2. PowerPoint General Design Rules

Text:

Not too much text on the slide.
Don't give away the content before you've said it, or you will lose the audience's interest (they know what you are about to say so they check out)

Colour:

Using the same or similar colour schemes for your slides is visually appealing and adds consistency to your presentation. You can use PowerPoint's design templates for this.
There are two types of contrast – brightness and colour. The highest brightness contrast is between black and white. The highest colour contrast is when the colours are complementary.
Avoid red or green text or highlighting. It is difficult to read.
Dark background colours and bright colours for the text avoids glare. i.e. white font on a deep blue background is a very good combination

Font:

Use sans serif font types such as Helvetica, Arial and Veranda
Avoid italic font style
Don't use all caps
At least 32 point size
Left justification
Try not to use more than one font type per slide. If you do, decorative fonts should only be used for the title text.

Images:

Even more impactful than text.
NO CLIP ART
Be aware that images have copyright – make sure you search for copyright free images
Images should be the appropriate size (don't try to enlarge a small image if it will get distorted).
Images should be relevant and not just decorative.
Images should be simple enough to be easily seen at a distance

3. Sources for Content and Inspiration

adlib.info/design-resources/

This page links to over 70 places where you can find design inspiration, infographic makers, creation tools, free stock photos, fonts, icons, and more.

4. Resources

Wolfe J. Team writing: A guide to working in groups. Bedford/St. Martin's; 2010. [Click here for SMH catalogue link]

Saver C. Anatomy of writing for publication for nurses. Sigma Theta Tau; 2014 Mar 24.[Click here for SMH catalogue link]

Elements of a Paper/Structured Abstract https://www.nlm.nih.gov/bsd/policy/structured_abstracts.html

5. PowerPoint Shortcuts

Shortcut Key	Function
Space, N, right or down arrow, enter or page down	Advance to the next slide
Backspace, P, left or up arrow, or page up	Return to the previous slide
Number followed by Enter	Go to that slide
B	Blacks/Unblacks the screen
Esc	End slide show
F5	Start slide show