How To Powerpoint Presentation

Preparing a Powerpoint presentation is not that difficult. The user interface is point and click, and it is easy to customize the size and color of text, the background colors and images used. You can even add animation, sound and video. For those who aren't good with computers, Microsoft offers a tutorial at the following page:

http://www.microsoft.com/education/ppttutorial.mspx

The general rules in terms of design is that you want to use high contrasts colors for text and background. Black on white background is always a safe bet. You should think about who your audience is when designing the slides. Try to make it appropriate for the audience, the subject matter and the occasion.

Generally, you should have a headline for each slide. One mistake a lot of people make is to have too much text on a slide. A general rule of thumb is to limit each slide to 3 or 4 short points, usually in bullet format. You basically want to state the main points, and then expand on them verbally. You don't want to write out everything you are saying. If you know that it's a large audience and people will be seated far away, try to make the font sizes large so people at the back can read them.

The slides and the presentation should flow in a logical sequence, with each transitioning into the next. If you can't finish making all of your points on a given topic in one slide, then the next slide should repeat the headline and say "continued".

Your Powerpoint presentation (or any presentation for that matter) should have a beginning, a middle and an end. In your introduction, you want to explain what you'll be covering in the presentation, giving a brief overview of the subject. In the middle, you present your information in detail. And then at the end, you summarize what you've been talking about and present the conclusion.

Most of the time, you want the focus to be on you, not on the Powerpoint. You should just use the Powerpoint to highlight the important points you are covering. You should still be facing the audience most of the time, and make eye contact, which is crucial for effective communication.

Make sure that your laptop and projector are working properly before giving the presentation. Also, run through the Powerpoint presentation to make sure there are no technical issues. Also, remember to stand off to the side so as not to block the view of the Powerpoint. If you need to point things out on the slides, then you may want to use a laser pointer.

That's really all you need to know about giving a Powerpoint presentation. Good luck!