Embedded Files
When giving a presentation, there are two main programs you can use to make your slides: Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides.
You can use either one to make your slides - choose which you prefer to work with.
This page will help you to:
- use PowerPoint
- use Google Slides
- design effective slides (with either software)
PowerPoint
PowerPoint
Install PowerPoint
Install PowerPoint
If you haven't already got PowerPoint on your computer, follow the instructions on the Microsoft Office page to download it.
Using basic PowerPoint features
Using basic PowerPoint features
This video shows you how to make a basic PowerPoint (note: the slides are not an example of good slide design!)
Microsoft has some clear instructions for using basic PowerPoint features.
On a small screen? Read this on the Microsoft website
Google Slides
Google Slides
Accessing Google Slides
Accessing Google Slides
You have access to Google Slides through your University Google account. Here is how to make a new Slides document:
- log in to Google using your university email address
- on the Google homepage, click on the grid of nine squares in the top right
- click on the Google Drive icon and go to My Drive
- if you want to put your presentation in a specific folder (e.g., a folder for all your work for the module), open the folder now
- click on + New in the top left and select Google Slides
- Google will create a new presentation in the Drive folder you were in - you're now ready to start!
(there are other ways to make a new Slides document, but this is the way we recommend)
Using basic Slides features
Using basic Slides features
This video shows you how to make a basic Slides presentation
Google has some clear instructions for using Slides features
On a small screen? Read this on the Google website
Effective slide design
Effective slide design
Once you can create basic slides, you need to learn how to make effective slides. This section will help you understand what to avoid, and give you some tips to create clear, well designed slides.
Poor slide design
Poor slide design
It's easy to make slides that are distracting, hard to read, or just plain annoying. This video is a great example of what not to do when creating slides:
Effective slide design
Effective slide design
Some key tips to designing effective slides:
plan!
plan!
- your slides should be the last thing you do - plan your presentation before you begin
- arrange information in a logical order, with clear sections
- how many slides do you need - more is not necessarily better!
- make sure you show your interest in the subject
basic slide design
basic slide design
- use a light colour, plain background (white is best)
- use consistent style across slides - you can use a theme and slide templates to do this
- make sure the information is easy to understand on a large screen
structure
structure
- use different slides for each section - overview, body sections, summary, references
- overview: only include the sections in the presentation
- use heading etc. to show the different sections clearly
- give references on your last slide
information
information
- include only key information - you can talk about the details
- avoid full sentences
- don't use too many bullet points
text
text
- use a font that is easy to read: san-serif style and large enough
- colour: good contrast to background (black is best)
- avoid ALL CAPTIALS - use bold to highlight
animations & slide transitions
animations & slide transitions
- they can be very annoying, and are usually unnecessary - avoid them
- if you must use an animation, use something simple (appear is best)
images & figures
images & figures
- use to help illustrate your meaning - don't use images that are only for decoration
- use simple, easy to understand figures
Useful websites
Useful websites
These websites give some more in-depth advice about effective slide design:
Psychology-driven slide design (super skills!)
Psychology-driven slide design (super skills!)
Want to go further into your understanding of effective slide design? Here's some materials that look at designing slides from a psychology perspective:
Report abuse