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touch of humor to flavor the speech.

5. Slide layouts

There are several slide layouts available in PowerPoint, so you don't have to rely on the standard text-based format. Try it sometime. Some points are better illustrated in text. Some are better presented in images or movies. The blank slide format allows you to be creative and use images and text together. Use the layout that delivers your message best.

Another handy idea is to use the title layout more than once. Many speeches have several "subheadings" or topics. Rather than endless bulleted slides with one topic after another, try dividing the sections of your speech with title slides. This provides some visual stimulation and variety, and gives your audience a clear indication that you are switching gears.

6. Who's giving the speech here?

PowerPoint is a great tool that can enhance your presentations. Enhance. Not take over. You are the presenter. Keep the focus on you, and keep some flexibility and style in your presentation. Allowing your PowerPoint slides to lead the show, with you as the assistant, makes for a poor show. Presenters who do this often come across as anxious, unprepared, or less knowledgeable. Instead, use the slides to punctuate your speech. Provide information that is not written on the slides. Your slides should be a high tech version of note cards and overhead visual aids. Make it clear to your audience that you are the one in charge. You are the expert.

7. Did you hear the one about?

Add a little humor. Humor can break up a monotonous hour of sitting for your audience. It can draw a day dreamer's attention back to you. It can also encourage your audience to be more engaged. I like to add a relevant joke here and there, especially when teaching in a classroom. You can also add a bit of humor with images. Just be sure to select your humor with care. Surefire ways to alienate your audience are offensive jokes and irrelevant material.

8. Consistency

Your slides should be consistent. Backgrounds should be as consistent as possible. If you must change the background on a slide, try to select a color and style that is similar to the rest of your presentation. Use the same size and style of font in all slides. Use title case for all titles.

Random transitions may look fun, but they can be distracting. I do not recommend this option. Instead review the transitions you like best, and select one or two that you would like to use in the presentation. That said, a new or dramatic transition may make a splash when emphasizing a particular point or illustration. This should only happen once or twice in the whole presentation. Any more than that, and the novelty will wear off and possibly reflect poorly on you.

With a little forethought, creativity, and eye towards the image and message you want to give your audience, PowerPoint can be a tool to make a good presentation great. Try to think about how you would feel watching the presentation. It will give you an idea of what your audience may be looking for.

Learn more about this author, Kayanne Nelson.
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