Research Guides: ACC 212 Research Guide: Presentation Skills

Read About Presentations

Slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations
Call Number: HF5718.22 .D83 2008
This book will show you how to create more effective visual aides for your presentations. Millions of presentations and billions of slides have been produced -- and most of them miss the mark. Slide:ology will challenge your traditional approach to creating slides by teaching you how to be a visual thinker.
Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery
Call Number: HF5718.22 .R49 2012
Presentations are generally poor because their creators have learned bad habits and lack awareness and knowledge about what makes for a great presentation (and what does not). This book aims to help people break out of the rut of making typical PowerPoint presentations.
Public Speaking and Presentations Demystified
Call Number: PN4121 .T395 2010
Techniques for effective speaking, avoiding common errors, and overcoming stage fright. With these skills, you will feel confident when you find yourself in the spotlight.

Presentations that Pop! from Tufts University Powerpoint and presentation skills from University Information Technology Training & Documentation Department at Tufts.
PowerPoint and Presentation from Ellen Finkelstein
Toastmasters International Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of meeting locations.

Your presentation supports your speech. Don't let it take focus away from your ideas.
Use bullet points, not complete sentences
4-6 points per page, one point at a time
Only use images if they are relevant and are high quality
Make graphs/diagrams as simple as possible
Use consistent backgrounds and layouts for all slides
Avoid bright backgrounds or cluttered layouts
Use high contrast font; dark on light, or light on dark
Use color to emphasize, but use with care
Avoid extremely bright colors
Avoid odd color combinations
Use no more than two fonts types, nothing cursive or ornamental
Minimum of 18 font, 20 or 24 is better
Use animation sparingly
Avoid distracting or annoying sound effects


Red-Eyed Tree Frog (Agalychnis Callidryas) Nicaragua	Camille Jenatzy's Battery-Powered Electric Car Set World Speed Record of 65mph in 1899.