PowerPoint Presentation (P3) Tips 10 C’s to Make Communication Effective 

Workshop on Communication Skills

Ⓒ Copyright 2016-17 Mithileysh Sathiyanarayanan. All Rights Reserved

Mithileysh SathiyanarayananResearch Scientist

Red Sift Research, LondonEmail: mithileysh@redsift.io

P3 Tips to be Covered

Why 10 C’s are essential for Presentation? Why Spelling and Grammar are important? How to Start a Talk? How to have a Good Flow? How to Conclude?

10 C’s for Effective Presentation

1. Compose Slides2. Content3. Consistency4. Clarity5. Comprehensiveness6. Communicable7. Connection 8. Co-ordination9. Colour and contrast (design)10. Creativity (creative content)

10 C’s Communication Model

1. Compose Slides

Slide Structure Custom Slide Sizes Fonts

1.1 Slide Structure

Show one point at a time All Slides must have a title Do not use distracting animation Do not go overboard with the animation Be consistent with the animation that you use

1.2 Fonts

Use at least an 18-point font Use different size fonts for main points and

secondary points– this font is 24-point, the main point font is 28-point,

and the title font is 36-point Use a standard font like Times New Roman or

Arial

2. Content Use 1-2 slides per minute of your presentation Write in point form, not complete sentences (“less

is more”) – Get rid of the clutter. Limit bullet points and text - Include 4-6 points per

slide Avoid wordiness: use key words and phrases only Topic transitions Logical flow in the content

3. Consistency

Consistently use the same font face and sizes on all slides.

Match colors.

4. Clarity

Content/points/statements must have clarity. Cluttered text must be avoided. “Less is More” “Simple is Beautiful”

5. Comprehensiveness

Digestible information must be included The information conveyed must in points Information included must be meaningful

6. Communicable

Communication is a two-way process.• Communicating with INTENTION• Communicating with UNDERSTANDING • Communicating OPINIONS • Communicating Through EMOTIONS • Communicating to MOTIVATE

7. Connection

Logical flow between the slides and the points included in each slide

8. Co-ordination

Different points in various slides must enable audience to link and understand effectively.

9. Colour and Contrast Keep the colours simple and avoid overstyling. Use a colour of font that contrasts sharply with the

background– Ex: blue font on white background

Use colour to reinforce the logic of your structure– Ex: light blue title and dark blue text

Apply brilliance - use colour to emphasize a point– But only use this occasionally

Use backgrounds which are simple and light Use the same background consistently throughout your

presentation

10. Creativity

Creative contents Use Layout to your advantage Keep the design very basic and simple. Use simple and effective infographics/charts/graphs Limit transitions and build (animations) If images are taken from the web – cite the source Use audio and video if necessary

10.1 Charts and Graphs Picturise and Characterise Use charts and graphs rather than just words

– Data in charts and graphs are easier to comprehend & retain than in complete words.

– Trends are easier to visualize in graph form– A picture can say more than a thousand words– Don’t use too many images/charts/graphs

Use high quality graphics to visualise and explain

Always title your figures, charts and graphs

10.2 Why Pictures?

“One Picture Worth Ten Thousand Words”

Why Spelling and Grammar are Important?

Proof your slides for:– spelling mistakes– the use of of repeated words– grammatical errors you might have make

If English is not your first language, please have someone else check your presentation!

Practice

Know your slides inside out. Speak freely. Speak with confidence – loud and clear. Don’t speak too fast. Maintain eye contact with the audience. Try to engage them

How to Start a Talk?

Prepare a script to talk. Always express a Take Home Message. It’s your message, a summary of your data or

story. Make it a highlight that stands out. Well dressed and Standing Posture

Keep Your Audience In Mind

What do they know? What do you need to tell them? What do they expect? What will be interesting to them? What can you teach them? What will keep them focused?

How to Have a Good Flow?

Clarity of thoughts Use an Intermission Vocabulary Familiarity Practice 

How to Conclude?

Use an effective and strong closing– Your audience is likely to remember your last words

Use a conclusion slide to:– Summarize the main points of your presentation– Suggest future avenues of research

Questions??

End your presentation with a simple question slide to:– Invite your audience to ask questions– Provide a visual aid during question period– Avoid ending a presentation abruptly

More info on

http://blog.ted.com/10-tips-for-better-slide-decks/

http://www.participoll.com/powerpoint-presentation-tips/

http://www.ncsl.org/legislators-staff/legislative-staff/legislative-staff-coordinating-committee/tips-for-making-effective-powerpoint-presentations.aspx