Power Point Presentations For Effectively Conveying Scientific Information

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Power Point Presentations For Effectively
Conveying Scientific Information

• Source Kroodsma and Byers (2000). Auk
  117831-835.

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1 - Use Large Enough Text

• This is large enough (50)
• This is large enough (45) This is large enough
  text (40)
• This is large enough text (35)
• This is large enough text (30)
• This is large enough text (25)
• This is large enough text (20)
• This is large enough text (15)

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2- Use the right background for slides
Is This Better
Is This Better
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3 Use Color/Animation/ Pictures Thoughtfully.

• These options can enhance communication.
• Gratuitous c/a/p hinder viewer understanding.
• People should remember your points not how cool
  your slides were.

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4 Strive to Avoid Tables of Numbers.

• Tables of numbers make it hard to meet the 30
  pitch font rule.
• Remember people see/remember trends more readily
  than numbers. So if possible use figures instead
  of tables.

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5- Use Text Only Slides Effectively.

• Long passages can be read by the audience faster
  than the presenter.
• Use both upper and lower cases letters.
• On important points consider progressive
  disclosure.

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6- Project All Slides Horizontally.

• Leads to the efficient use of the projection
  area.
• Slides usually must be made smaller to project
  horizontally.
• Horizontal slides can be projected higher.

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7- Build Graphs Specifically for Presentation.

• Label slides directly.
• Minimize the use of legend.

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Compare the Readability.
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8- Be Consistent In the Style of Slides.

• Consistency should include
• Background color,
• Size and style of letters,
• Choice of color to enhance message,
• Style, so you can use slides for multiple talks.

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9- Organize the Talk Around the Slides.

• Decide what youre important points are and
  design slides for those points.
• Organize presentation around slides so as to form
  a theme.
• Always ask the question, Does this slide help
  make my point?
• Practice

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10- Keep Slides Simple.

• Each slide should contain one main idea, two at
  the most.
• The slides message should be deciphered by the
  crowd in a couple of seconds.
• Simple slides permit the audience to focus on the
  presenter instead of trying to figure out the
  slide.