Document Design

We as college students, are always asked to prepare powerpoint presentations during our entire study life. Even though we have gone through numerous presentations, that does not mean that we are already an expert in preparing a good powerpoint presentation that attracts the interest of our audience. So, how is a good powerpoint presentation should be?

Let's talk about the content of the presentation first. We always say that a good writing can attract people's interest but what a good writing is? According to Putnis and Petelin (1996), this is an complex question as there is no such thing as definitely right or wrong writing but only effective writing at a given situation and readership. They gave an example that newspaper readers may not be interested in reading a well-researched essay. This is because newspaper readers expect something short and straight to the point. This is supported by Rothman (2005) who states that a good scientific and technical writing relays specific information directly and literally with no symbolic or associative interpretations. Marques (2010) also mention in his article that write down only the principal matters related to the topic you are presenting.

• The content in the presentation slide shown above is way too lengthy. 
• Presentation slide should have points that are short and precise for the understanding of audience

The second part of the presentation will be focused on the layout. Layout is important as it also play a role in attracting audiences' interest. This is supported by Russell who mentions that slide layout is important and the slides should be easy to be followed. She also mention that contrasting colours should be used for text and background so that it will be easy on eyes. Putnis and Petelin (1996) also state that negative space (white) and positive space (text, title, visuals) should be balanced. Besides that, Singer (2002) says that slides are easier to read using unjustified (ragged) margins. This is supported by Putnis and Petelin (1996), that compared to a justified right margin, a ragged right edge on a one-column page is easier to be read.

• The layout of presentation slide shown above is too blank, only black and white.
• The usage of negative and positive space is imbalance.
• The picture should be placed beside the words and the background of the slide should not be white.

So now, we have discuss the way to create a good powerpoint presentation from the content to the layout. Hopefully this post will be useful to those who are and will be preparing a powerpoint presentation.

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References

1. Marquez, Z.L 2010, How to Make a Good Powerpoint Presentation, viewed on 27 August 2010, <http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Make-a-Good-PowerPoint-Presentation&id=4313178>

2. Putnis, P and Petelin, R 1996, 'Writing to communicate', Professional communication: principles and applications, Prentice Hall, Sydney, pp.223-263.

3. Rothman, S 2005, What Makes Good Scientific and Technical Writing, viewed 27 August 2010, <http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/9447/error?cat=4>

4. Russell, W , 10 Tips For Creating Successful Business Presentations, viewed 27 August 2010, <http://presentationsoft.about.com/od/powerpointinbusiness/tp/bus_pres_tips.htm>

5. Singer, D 2002, Ten Steps to Good Document Design, University of Alabama, Huntsville, viewed 27 August 2010, <http://www.uah.edu/colleges/liberal/english/shared/doc_des_singer.htm>