CLARITY: MAKE IT EASY TO FOLLOW

In general, you should use one visual to present one (and only one) concept. On the other hand, more complex concepts may be difficult for an audience to follow and for you to discuss. The entire concept may be introduced more effectively - and often more rapidly - by progressive disclosure.

1. First create the visual in which the concept is described in full. This eventually will be the final visual in the sequence

2. Remove elements of the concept one at a time. Begin by removing the final element first, then progressively earlier elements. Save your efforts at each stage under different names.

3. Finally, create the progression by reversing the order of the visuals, going from least to most complex. Number them right away so they stay in the proper sequence

This stepwise approach is easier to explain, easier for your audience to grasp, and implies a logical sequence inherent in the concept you will presenwt.

Another aspect of clarity has to do with the use of color.

Color increases visual impact dramatically, and one of the most effective uses of color is to emphasize selected text. A few reminders:

• Avoid problem color combination such as: Red/green; Blue/black; Brown/green; Blue/purple; Red/black

• Use light lettering on a dark transparency.

• Use dark lettering on a light transparency.

Be aware that, depending on the software you use, some colors you see on the computer screen will be changed in the final product. Another reason to plan ahead and finish the project ahead of time.

CONSISTENCY: IF YOU’RE CONFUSED, THEY’RE CONFUSED

Make sure the stages of your presentation, and the visual aids you use, follow a logical sequence. Use transitions to help the audience understand how successive stages are related to each other, and to the big picture.

One effective strategy is to begin and end the presentation with an identical pair of visuals, which summarize the main points you hope to convey to the audience.

At the beginning, this summary gives the audience a notion of what to expect, and an idea of your logical outline. It also helps to keep you on track with the sequence of concepts that you are presenting.

At the end of the presentation, the summary provides a way to recapitulate the main points you’ve made.

Another aspect of consistency in a presentation relates to the format you’ve chosen. Once you’ve selected a general look of the presentation by deciding on the color scheme, fonts, etc., stick to it! Change distracts an audience; and your audience will pay more attention to a change in background color than what you will be saying.

OTHER TECHNICAL CONCERNS

Equipment Compatibility

If you need specialized equipment, make sure it is available ahead of time. Find out if the host software is compatible with your presentation in terms of:

• Fonts

• Bullets

• Colors

• Transition effects

• Sound card

• Design templates

Back-up your presentation before you leave, and e-mail it to yourself as an attachment. You may be able to access it from your destination if needed. You can also e-mail it to your host and ask that he or she download the file and test it on the computer you’ll be using.

Pointers

•Do not direct laser pointers at the audience. You may flash them on and off on the screen, but don’t swirl or sweep it from place to place across the screen.

• Avoid using the cursor as a pointer in your computer presentations.

• Avoid pointing things out on the computer’s monitor from the podium. Remember that the audience will be looking over your shoulder at the projection screen and won’t be able to see where your finger is pointing.

• Use a pencil – not your finger! – when pointing out items in a transparency.

Lights

If you are speaking in a meeting room or a classroom, the temptation is to turn the lights off so that the slides look better. But go for a compromise between a bright screen image and ambient room lighting. Turning the lights off — besides inducing sleep — puts all the focus on the screen. If you must turn down the room lights, don’t turn them off entirely. The audience should be looking at you more than the screen.

If you are presenting to a small group, then you can connect your computer to a large TV (via the s-video line-in). With a TV screen, you can keep all or most of the lights on. Make sure your text and graphics are large enough to be seen on the small screen.

MAINTAINING CONTACT WITH YOUR AUDIENCE

Avoid standing behind a lectern or desk during the presentation. Stand to one side of the projection screen or blackboard (do not obstruct their view of the presentation!) and closer to the audience if possible.

If you are using a computer, you never need to look at the screen behind you — just glance down at the computer screen briefly. One sure way to lose an audience is to turn your back on them.

Turn off screen savers. Turn the projector off whenever you are not discussing points shown.