Lecture Notes: Building Effective Slide Decks for Presentations

Introduction

• Purpose: Provide tips for creating a slide deck for the final presentation in English 203.
• Fair Use: Discussed the fair use of images (Dilbert example) in academic contexts versus professional speaking engagements.

Creating Purposeful Slide Decks

• Slide decks are to supplement oral presentations, not substitute them.
• Use images, graphs, and charts to convey information succinctly.
  • Example: Person using a graph to present data effectively.
• Assignment Requirement: Include at least three charts or graphs.

Designing Effective Slides

• Avoid "Death by PowerPoint." Use slides to support the spoken narrative.
• Slides should not be cluttered; keep them clean and simple.
  • Minimalistic design helps maintain audience focus.
• Exceptions exist: More elements can be added if there is a specific, justified purpose.

Rules for Slide Creation

• Keep a consistent design across slides.
  • Consistency helps reduce confusion.
  • Avoid varied designs to maintain clarity and focus.
• Adapt the slide content to the needs of your specific audience.

Presentation Structure

• Have a narrative arc: beginning, middle, end.
• Ensure slides supplement, not replace, the spoken content.

Interactive Presentations

• Allow the audience to ask questions for better engagement.
• Consider the audience's ability to interact with content (e.g., pausing, printing).

Conclusion

• Emphasize clarity and purpose in slide design.
• Use guidelines as adaptable tools, not strict rules.
• Focus on the strength of the content to engage the audience.