PowerPoint – Visual Aid or Visual Distraction? Pt 3

Equipping, Good Practice, PowerPoint
Having looked at some of the potential pitfalls and started to look at some 'How tos', we will continue with design matters and then conclude with some presentational issues. Design The graphic element of design becomes a matter of personal preference. I encourage clean uncluttered graphics as far as possible, choice of colour etc being important to ensure good contrast, particularly as presentations may be made in daylight conditions without good blackout. Also bear in mind that some of the audience may have visual impairments so avoid using colour to convey meaning unless you know the audience have no problems. Backgrounds seriously affect readability. Some guidelines are: In dark rooms it may be best to use a dark background and light text. In light rooms the reverse is true ie…
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PowerPoint – Visual Aid or Visual Distraction? Pt 2

Equipping, Good Practice, PowerPoint
Some Hows? and Whys? PowerPoint is a very powerful tool if used well and there are many features available for the creative speaker. However, because it has many possible ‘tricks’ and animations some speakers feel these must be used at all costs. So words 'swoosh' onto the screen, then spin and zoom without purpose. Rather than enhance the presentation, such activity can lead to the point that the speaker is making becoming lost in visual activity. Don't do it! Admittedly, some animations can liven up a presentation, but do be careful that each one is used purposefully and not just because it is possible! So, in constructing a PowerPoint presentation where do we start? 1. Venue When preparing a presentation it is important to know the venue and the size of…
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PowerPoint – Visual Aid or Visual Distraction? Pt 1

Equipping, PowerPoint
The pros and cons of PowerPoint These days PowerPoint is part of any speaker’s armoury. Yet no doubt you, like me, have seen PowerPoint used both well and badly. Used well it can contribute greatly to the hearer’s understanding. Used badly it can be a significant distraction as the hearer is trying to work out what a slide says and means rather than listening to the speaker. In this three part series I shall look at some of the basics I have found useful in using PowerPoint, whether for sermon illustration or as part of a presentation in a training programme. How not to Recently I have been in two ‘bad’ settings. In one a responsibility tree was put on the screen with a minimum of 50 ‘pods’, probably more.…
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