People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria ‫الجمهورية الجزائرية الديمقراطية الشعبية‬

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research ‫وزارة التعليم العالي والبحث العلمي‬
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Mohamed Lamine Debaghine Sétif 2 University 2‫جامعة محمد لمين دباغين سطيف‬
Faculty of Letters and Languages ‫كلية اآلداب واللغات‬
Department of English Language and Literature ‫قسم اللغة واألدب اإلنجليزي‬

Instructor Dr. Ikhlas Gherzouli

This handout complements the PSS course content. It covers some hints to help
students prepare their PowerPoint Presentations.

PowerPoint (PPT) is a media designed to enhance a student’s presentation rather than

be the presentation itself.

When preparing PowerPoint presentations, it is highly recommended to use the 10-20-

30 rule developed by Guy Kawasaki.

10 requires you include only 10 slides in your presentation

20 requires your speech to be under 20 minutes

30 requires you use a font smaller than 30 point

The following sections will discuss these rules in a different way and with more
details.

I. Outlining the Content

Title and the Main Points

When preparing a public talk, the first step is always to come up with a working title
for your presentation. The title should be specific, short, accurate, attractive and
valuable.

The second step is to make a list of the main points of the presentation to give this
latter some structure.

The Outline

To create an outline you should ask yourself the following questions:

 What do your audience members already know?

 What new information can you teach them?
  What are they expecting from your presentation?
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 What's going to be interesting to them?
 What will keep them focused and engaged?

The next step is to formulate your content as a narrative.

Data and Examples

The use of data and examples will give your argument content, and people will
understand what you are saying much better. Nevertheless, data should come from a
reputable source.

Graphs and Charts

Make sure the audience can read your graphs and charts.

Simple diagrams are great communicators.

Illustrations

Use illustrations only when needed, otherwise they become distracters instead of
communicators. Illustrations should relate to the message and help make a point.

When using pictures for illustration, these should be big and easy to see.

Animation

Use the same animation throughout the entire presentation

II. Outlining Your PowerPoint Design

Colour Scheme

The first step is to choose a colour scheme – one that has enough contrast between
colours to make them stand out. Using a good mix of colours will make your text
readable.

PowerPoint Slide

PPT slides should highlight key points. The information included in the slides should
be concise and to the point, and include only key words and phrases for visual
reinforcement.
Never use too many words on one slide, and be sure your slides are clear and readable
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Slides Background

The choice of the background should not distract the audience from the message.

Filling in the Content

Filling in the content requires using information on slides based on the text outline
created earlier.

Your content should start with a strong opening, comprise concise language, and end
with a strong message.

Filling in the PowerPoint Design

Filling in the PPT design requires the use of a font or fonts that are readable and
images to impact the audience. Font sizes for headers and texts should be consistent
on all slides.

PowerPoint Layout

PPT headings, subheadings, and logos should show up in the same spot on each
frame.

Margins, fonts, font size, and colors should be consistent with graphics located in the
same general position on each frame.

Font size should be readable.

Lines, boxes, borders, and open space should also be consistent throughout the whole
PPT.

Caps and Italics

Do not write all your phrases in capital letters

Use italics for quotes; to highlight thoughts or idea;, and for books, journals, or
magazines titles.
Templates
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Use the same background on each slide

III. Preparing for the Presentation

While practicing your talk, please:

1) Review and edit your slides

2) Practice your speech with the PowerPoint
3) Make sure your slides and speech flow easily from one thought to another
4) Bring your laptop and backup copy of your presentation

For extra reading, please visit Garr Reynolds official website at

www.garrreynolds.com