{"id":507,"date":"2014-10-22T13:51:03","date_gmt":"2014-10-22T13:51:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/advancingecocomm.wordpress.com\/?p=507"},"modified":"2014-10-22T13:51:03","modified_gmt":"2014-10-22T13:51:03","slug":"a-short-guide-to-better-powerpoint-presentations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/esa.org\/communication-engagement\/2014\/10\/22\/a-short-guide-to-better-powerpoint-presentations\/","title":{"rendered":"A short guide to better PowerPoint presentations \u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Written & illustrated by Simon J. Brandl<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Title<\/p>\n

I love conferences. But, during every scientific symposium I experience moments that leave me in stupefied disbelief. Why?<\/p>\n

At any given scientific conference innocent scientists are exposed to abysmally bad presentations. Since I\u2019m unaware of a law that requires great science to be presented in a mind-blowingly boring way, this post highlights key elements of a presentation that can easily be enhanced.<\/p>\n

For the purpose of this exercise, let\u2019s imagine a dummy project in which you investigated belly-sliding behavior in penguins, its effect on the cleanliness of their bellies, and subsequent mortality rates due to predation. What a great project!<\/em><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    Story<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Long story short: you need a plot.<\/strong> Most people probably have their research written down as a paper. While I don\u2019t doubt that this paper is a marvelous piece of work (although your reviewers may disagree), it really isn\u2019t much use when it comes to presentations. The average paper gets read by about three people and there\u2019s a good reason for that \u2013 scientific papers are about as thrilling as watching a replay of the world\u2019s longest cricket match.<\/p>\n

    No matter what you are presenting, you need to turn it into a story that gets your audience excited.<\/strong> Analogies, historic events, or the latest news can provide you with ideas.<\/p>\n

    2.\u00a0Introduction<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Your first few slides are crucial.<\/strong> That means: don\u2019t set your first slide up like this.<\/p>\n

    \"A

    A good example of how not to start your talk.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

    In all likelihood, everybody in the room has read your name and title before they decided to see your talk. They\u2019ll have no interest in remembering it if you start with a slide that features nothing more interesting than the conference program.<\/p>\n

    Instead, consider a slide that only has a single statement or illustration. That way, you foster interest among your audience and lure them into paying attention. Here\u2019s an option for the penguin story.<\/p>\n

    \"A

    A more compelling way to begin your presentation.<\/p><\/div>\n

    Finally, introducing your topic with \u201cas everybody is aware\u201d or \u201cwe all know,\u201d is pure poison in two equally gruesome ways.<\/p>\n