Presentation Project

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWVTSg2qW6c

For my presentation, I chose Wounded Warrior Project as my philanthropic organization. I have completed multiple Powerpoint presentations in the years past for various classes and for presentations in my workplace. However, this was my first time being “trained” on the correct way to give memorable presentations. It was also my first time recording my own voice along with a presentation.

If I were to give myself a letter grade on how well I completed this project, I would give myself an A- or B+. I think I did well, but there were a few points that could have been improved. For example, there were a few spots in the voice recording where I stumbled on my words. Looking back, I should have re-recorded this and made it smoother. I believe I performed strongly in all of the other areas based off the Presentation Evaluation Rubric. There was a logical flow and sequence of content: I started out introducing the organization I was discussing, gave some information on what they do, who they serve, examples of programs, and how my audience can help. On my peer critique, the grader stated that I could have done a better job grabbing the audience’s attention. I agree with this. Maybe my next presentation could start out with a question or a story to draw them in. All of the information I presented could be validated and confirmed through the Wounded Warrior Project website, which is where I gathered my information. One thing I learned during the Presentations week is how to reduce clutter. I tried to minimize information on the screen and eliminate bullet points as much as possible. I know personally that I have a hard time reading what is on a screen and listening to the presenter simultaneously. I did not want my audience to have to try to do this and potentially miss an important point I was saying.

Overall, I think I did well on the presentation project. I applied tips I learned from the presentations week and Dr. Means’ lectures, which made my presentation more effective and hopefully memorable. Also, critiquing myself and having a peer critique my work allowed me to see what was done well and what needs improvement for my next presentation. 

Week 5: Clear- Presentations

Week 5: Clear

Week 5 was all about proper Powerpoint presentations. The material offered numerous tips from various sources about “do’s and don’ts” of presentations. I personally believe Powerpoint presentations can be extremely effective, if done right. For example, the method in which information can be delivered to an audience through presentations is virtually unlimited. Text, audio, video, and images can all be used to evoke an emotional response from an audience. The key to successful Powerpoint presentations is moderation and creativity. A slideshow full of text with no images or other forms of multimedia to engage the audience will surely result in some snoring from the crowd. On the other hand, too many images can cause a slideshow to seem cluttered and the audience can lose focus on what you are trying to get across. Once again, moderation is vital in creating a memorable presentation.

My first exposure to Microsoft Powerpoint was when I was in middle school, circa 2001. Powerpoints were never regularly used in my classrooms until I got to high school. I have seen countless presentations since then and many of the “don’ts” that were reviewed in the lecture material are common mistakes, some that I am even guilty of doing. Here are some things to keep in mind when creating a Powerpoint and presenting it to an audience.

1.      Be clear in what you are trying to get across. Unneeded information and getting sidetracked on irrelevant information will lose the attention of your audience and leave them confused on the main point.   

2.    Do some spring cleaning! Lose the clutter and “extra stuff” that is on your slideshow. If it isn’t a key factor in demonstrating your argument, it’s usually a good idea to eliminate it.

 3.        Use multimedia wisely. If possible, use images and your own voice rather than reading text on the screen. Images, video, and audio can all be used to illicit an emotional response from the audience.

      4.      Don’t overcomplicate or make your graphics too vague. For example, having too many images on the screen can be just as harmful to your presentation as having a single picture that is vague & your audience cannot make the connection

      5.    Readability: Make sure the text is big enough to read, even from the back of the room.  Another component of readability is only putting what is necessary. Putting a whole slide full of text can overwhelm your audience.

      6.     Don’t forget that your audience might not have any background information on the topic you are presenting. If they do, they still are probably not familiar with the topic at hand now. Therefore, it is important to tie all loose ends on whatever topic you are presenting, so your audience doesn’t walk out of the room scratching their heads.

       7.    Meet the needs of your audience. For example, if you are attempting to sell a product from your company to the CEO of another company, it is crucial to get inside his or her head. They are listening to your presentation, thinking “how will this benefit me and my company?” Make sure you address these questions and tailor your presentations to your specific audience.

By remembering these suggestions regarding Powerpoint presentations, it can ensure that the next presentation you have to give will be a phenomenal and memorable one. 

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