Top tips for slide presentations

Mark DawsonStudent Development Coordinator

University of Bradford

What will we cover todayWhat is presentation?StructureClarityDesign

What is presentation?Getting a message acrossUsing relevant, clear pointsBacking it up with evidence

“I am careful with my material & presentation”

(Shelley Berman, Performer)

Structure

The rule of three:◦ Introduction/contents◦ Key points under logical headings

◦ Summary

In other words:◦ Who am I and what am I going to tell you?◦ These are my key points because...◦ Today I have covered these main points

and my conclusion is...

Clarity

You know what you need to say/includeContent is divided into clear sectionsSections are presented in a logical orderMaterial is summarised into key pointsYou have provided evidence (results,

examples, references)

Use key words/phrases, not long sentences

(Harvard Business School, 2007)

DesignUse a template to ensure consistencyTry to keep to the same font/font size

where possibleTry to make it interesting (charts,

images, etc.)Beware of too much on each slide.

ConclusionA good presentation delivers a

valid message!Structure, clarity and design are

all important!Get these right and you will have

a great presentation!

Reference List Cottrell, S(2008). The Study Skills Handbook (3rd Edition).

Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Harvard Business School, 2007. Giving Presentations, Boston,

Harvard Press. Business Balls.com. 2009. Presentation skills

◦ Available at http://www.businessballs.com/presentation.htm (accessed December 2009)