PRESENTATION GUIDELINES

Dr. John V. Richardson Jr.,

UCLA Professor of Information Studies

A study conducted by the University of Minnesota and the 3M Corporation found that visuals make a presentation 43% more persuasive. Consider providing handouts; these should be printed six or nine slides per page and will make it easier for the audience to take notes.

General observations:

A. Make good eye contact (i.e., don’t read the paper)

B. Gestures (i.e., be nature; not stiff)

C. Disfluencies and other distractions (e.g., don’t play with coins in pocket)

D. Humor

E. Use of appropriate technology (see below)

Organizationally:

At the outset, identify the problem you want to solve. At the end, give a clear and concrete conclusion—how do you want of the listener? To think differently? To act differently?

Transparencies/Overheads:

Here are some simple rules for creating effective overhead transparencies [update that to read PowerPoint presentations]:

Non-projected overhead transparency should be readable from 6-feet away

Each visual should convey a single idea

No more than six words per line. No more than six lines per visual

Change visuals every 45-60 seconds

Avoid vertical lettering

Use bullets rather than numbers in lists of items

Use no more than two typefaces in any visual [Use Arial bold]

Use UPPER and lower case letters

Use blue backgrounds [high contrast of light text against darker background]

[Once you arrive, check that the presentation can be seen from every seat in the

room]

SOURCE: For the overhead transparencies, see ASIS "Guidelines for Speakers"