Creating a slideshow presentation for a speech can be very useful because it can…
- make speeches more interesting
- make speeches easier to understand
- make you appear more dedicated and professional
However, a slideshow presentation is only helpful if it is strong. If you have many mistakes, it can be confusing or distracting. Follow the rules below to make a strong presentation.
| 1. Find good pictures | Pictures should be clear, appropriate, and connected to the topic. Think about how you want your audience to feel. If they should feel sad, don’t choose a cute cartoon. If they should laugh, choose a funny picture |
| 2. Write important words | Include your title, name, topic, main points, and new or difficult vocabulary words. |
| 3. Make pictures and words big | Everyone in the room should be able to see and understand the words and pictures. |
| 4. Don’t write everything on the slideshow | A slideshow is not a book. Your audience should be listening to you, not just reading. Try not to write more than 20 words on a slide. |
| 5. Watch the audience | Don’t watch the slideshow. You should have good eye contact with your audience. |
| 6. Use a notecard | If you use a notecard, you won’t have to turn around to look at the screen. This way, you can always face your audience. |
There are many programs you can use to make slideshow presentations.
There are other, free programs you can use, including:
- Google Docs: In your Google Drive, click “Create.” Choose “presentation.”
- Prezi: Click “Learn” at the top of the page to watch a video that explains how to use the website.
Exercise
Please open the exercise to continue.