PowerPoint Reality: Slides in Real Time for Real Audiences with Real Easy Steps

This distinctive and visually-engaging text provides readers with foundational information on effectively communicating with their audiences with the use of PowerPoint visual support.  

Using a communication theory perspective, Sawyer emphasizes and establishes PowerPoint as a link between the speaker and their audience, allowing listeners to visually picture the speaker’s message. The author supplies readers with instructions on how to create audience-centered templates and unique delivery techniques that will separate the reader from other bland presenters. Whether presenting to a large public audience or in a small private setting, this PowerPoint text gives readers new insight on connecting with their audience through powerful, effective visual representation of their speech.

Table of Contents:

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In the Book/ Not in the Book/ Why this Book? ..................................................................... 3

Making it Easy ........................................................................................................................... 4

Critics, Opponents, Detractors — What’s Up with That? ................................................... 4

“To… Not From” ....................................................................................................................... 6

Template Construction ........................................................................................................... 7

Audience Feel ........................................................................................................................... 8

Let’s Take A Moment To Discuss Legality ........................................................................... 8

To Cite Or Not To Cite… Should Never Be A Question ...................................................... 9

Design Your Own Templates ............................................................................................... 11

Steps to Creating a Slide Template .................................................................................... 13

Manipulate Given Designs .................................................................................................. 19

Outlines .................................................................................................................................. 24

Speech to Visual Aid Link ...................................................................................................... 24

How Many Slides??? ................................................................................................................ 24

Common Visual Outlining Errors ....................................................................................... 26

Eek, Misleading Headings ..................................................................................................... 26

Eek, The First Slide Gives It Away ........................................................................................ 26

Eek, Neglecting the Need for a Theme ............................................................................... 27

Eek, Layout Is Random From Slide to Slide ....................................................................... 28

Eek, Visual Use Of Bullet Type Does Not Make Logical Sense ........................................ 28

Texting, Texting, Texting .................................................................................................... 29

Be Simple ............................................................................................................................... 30

Not Too Much Text .............................................................................................................. 30

Avoid Too Much Animation ................................................................................................ 31

WordArt… whew! .................................................................................................................. 32

Be Clear and Legible .............................................................................................................. 32

Have Strong Contrast ........................................................................................................... 32

Make It Visible ....................................................................................................................... 33

Serif and Sans Serif — and Other “Fonty” Decisions ....................................................... 34

No Orphaned Text ................................................................................................................ 35

Proofreading ......................................................................................................................... 36

Images, Pictures, Photos, and Art (Oh My!) .................................................................... 36

Finding Images ..................................................................................................................... 36

Internet .................................................................................................................................. 36

Microsoft PowerPoint .......................................................................................................... 37

CD Books .............................................................................................................................. 37

YOU!! ..................................................................................................................................... 38

High Quality ......................................................................................................................... 38

Pixels (300 X 300) .............................................................................................................. 39

Too Big and Too Small ....................................................................................................... 39

Clip Art is Evil ..................................................................................................................... 39

Graphing It Out .................................................................................................................. 40

Alterations .......................................................................................................................... 41

The “Format” Tab ............................................................................................................... 41

To Frame or Not to Frame ................................................................................................ 43

Drag From the Edges ........................................................................................................ 44

Placement ............................................................................................................................ 44

No Text/Limited Text ........................................................................................................ 44

The Bells and the Whistles ................................................................................................ 48

Animation and Transitions .............................................................................................. 48

Sound .................................................................................................................................. 48

Inserting a Video ............................................................................................................... 48

Auto Play ............................................................................................................................ 49

Unexpected Extras ............................................................................................................ 49

Tooooo Much Text ............................................................................................................ 49

File Size ................................................................................................................................ 49

Look What I Can Do! .......................................................................................................... 50

Delivery ................................................................................................................................ 51

Interacting with Your Slides ............................................................................................. 51

Interacting with Your Audience ....................................................................................... 52

B & W ..................................................................................................................................... 52

Jumping Slides ..................................................................................................................... 52

Video Transfers .................................................................................................................. 53

Ooops’s ............................................................................................................................... 53

Screen Savers ...................................................................................................................... 53

Staying in Play ...................................................................................................................... 54

“Talking” PowerPoint ........................................................................................................... 55

It’s About Communication ................................................................................................ 56

A Quick Test .......................................................................................................................... 58

The Answers .......................................................................................................................... 61

Features

• A standalone chapter, which includes step-by-step instructions, on audience-centered slide templates enables readers to construct presentations that will impact their audiences through intelligible main ideas and visual engagement.
• Instructions and images are in PowerPoint 2007 format, giving students and instructors information on the most up-to-date technology for Microsoft Office.
• Step-by-step instructions provide students the guidance they need to impact their audience, without taking up valuable class time.
• The final Delivery Chapter, alongside helpful hints and formatting tricks found throughout the text, will break readers of boring, habitual slide creation in their PowerPoint presentations.
• The Legality section allows readers to understand the appropriate use and citation of outside information, within the slide.
• Web addresses with free images provides readers with legal sources for engaging and visually stimulating their audience.
• Text instructions are compatible with both MAC and PC users, providing valuable information and tips for both operating systems.