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Top 7 Slides on Communication Skills- Free PPT

Mansi Gawri

Think of flying back to a time when humans lived in caves and conveyed their thoughts, feelings, and expressions through incredible artwork on the walls of these caves. Since they lacked a written language, they communicated ideas and told tales through these paintings.

But have you noticed one thing? If not, let me tell you.

People's ability to interact has been vital throughout history as they have discovered distinct methods to connect and share from pre-historic cave drawings.

As we think about how important communication is over time, it's essential to think about how we can get better at communicating in today's world.

So, let’s discuss some essential aspects to be kept in mind to enhance communication skills:

• Clear and concise: It is important to note that while interacting with others, one needs to express their thoughts clearly and in a simple, short way so the listener does not get confused.
• Body Postures and Facial expression: Despite being transparent, one needs to express their words and non-verbal language, i.e., through gestures.
• Good Listener: One must be open-minded while hearing others to improve communication skills. Apart from that, one must be open enough to adapt to those new ideas and perspectives.
• Provide remedies and resolve issues: Despite being a good listener, one needs to be open enough to present their views on the ongoing problems so that they are solved without having any deep impact within a firm or interpersonal relationships.

As we have discussed, certain aspects are required to enhance communication skills; let me share something with you! SlideTeam has prepared a customizable PowerPoint presentation on communication skills to improve the firm's productivity significantly.

Cover Slide

This is the cover slide of the PowerPoint Template, which establishes the tone of the presentation. Begin by adding the name of your company!

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# Types of Effective Workplace Communication Skills

This slide demonstrates distinct types of interactive skills needed at work.

Further, the different types of communication proficiency include:

• Organizational Interaction
• Representing PPT’s
• Conferences
• Interaction with the Clients

Download this PPT, as the distinct kinds of abilities mentioned in the slide assist in building relationships and ultimately accomplishing aims. Further, this leads to improvement in the efficiency and productivity of the firm.

# Types of Non-Verbal Communication Skills

This slide renders distinct kinds of oral interactive abilities to spread information.

Further, the different non-verbal activities are as follows:

• Interaction through facial expression
• Communication through gestures
• Interacting through eyes
• Presenting information by showing distinct changes in the body posture
• Interacting abstractly

Download this PowerPoint Template; as this slide shows, this kind of interaction is more effective than the verbal one as it enables one to express the messages or thoughts concisely, leading to positive outcomes in a firm.

# Tools for Strategic Business Communication Skills Enhancement

The slide displays tools to enhance skills for Planned business, which covers:

• Electronic mails
• Social platforms
• Chat Services
• Virtual Meetings
• Voice communication platforms

Download this PPT, as this slide enables firms to present their information in such a way that improves relationships with others and easily accomplishes aims as planned.

# Team communication Skills Enhancement Tools

The slide renders improvement tools for group interactive abilities, which are explained below:

Adding this slide to the PowerPoint Template is essential as tools mentioned in the slide enable groups to enhance their interactive abilities, which leads to smoother functioning and, ultimately, improves the firm's productivity.

# Training to Build Effective Communication Skills

The slide highlights the training required to build efficient interactive abilities, leading to smooth working. Ultimately, increasing the productivity and profits of the firms.

Moreover, the strategies that are taken into consideration so that powerful communication is built are as follows:

• To give space so that questions can be asked
• Bring upgradation in the content occasionally
• Undertake training beyond book learning
• Activate and boost learning at the end of every section

This slide is essential as it enables the individuals and groups in the firm to present their perspectives properly, be good listeners, and interact effectively with others. Therefore, leading to improved productivity and enhanced relationships both personally and professionally.

# 7 C’s of Communication Skills Checklist 

The slide describes the Interactive abilities checklist that plays a vital role in the organization and public relations.

Further, the 7 C’s of the Communication Skills Checklist mentioned on the slide are as follows:

Adding this slide to the presentation is essential as this checklist enables individuals and firms to keep the 7 C’s in mind, leading to better and clearer understanding. Ultimately, it improves relationships both at a personal level and at the workplace.

Possessing powerful communication skills is like having a superpower for smooth organizational teamwork. It is the most effective way to interact with people through online and offline collaborations, influencers, promotions, and social media. Similarly, with SlideTeam's editable PowerPoint, having strong interactive abilities positions you for success by guaranteeing that you engage your audience wherever they are.

With the correct resources, like the editable PowerPoint on Communication Skills from SlideTeam , you can improve your interactive skills and change how you approach things.

Also, there's an exciting news. Want to find out about it?

A free PPT to improve your interaction abilities is something exceptional we have for you. Get access to it now!

How can I communicate assertively without being aggressive?

Assertive communication involves expressing your thoughts and feelings confidently while respecting the rights of others. To communicate assertively:

• Use "I" statements to express your perspective without blaming or accusing others.
• Maintain a calm and respectful tone of voice.
• Listen actively to others' viewpoints and acknowledge their feelings.
• Set boundaries and assert your needs without being confrontational.
• Practice assertive body language, such as maintaining eye contact and standing or sitting upright.

How can I adapt my communication style to different situations?

Adapting your communication style involves understanding the context, audience, and purpose. To adapt effectively:

• Assess the preferences and communication styles of your audience.
• Modify your tone, language, and level of formality based on the situation.
• Pay attention to non-verbal cues and adjust your body language accordingly.
• Be flexible and open to feedback on your communication style.
• Practice empathy and consider the perspective of others when communicating in diverse settings.

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Effective Communication Workshop

It seems that you like this template, effective communication workshop presentation, free google slides theme, powerpoint template, and canva presentation template.

Communication is the nexus we have with other people, it’s what helps us build healthy and stable relationships and has a lot of impact in our lives. How can we improve it? We must take into account the rule of the seven C’s: clearness, concretion, coherence, commitment, consistency, completeness and courteousness. If you plan on giving a workshop on effective communication, this template is the perfect fit. The modern design appeals to both young and old generations and the resources included will help you speak about statistics and data in a botch clear and entertaining way. Download it now and start preparing your workshop!

Features of this template

• 100% editable and easy to modify
• 30 different slides to impress your audience
• Contains easy-to-edit graphics such as graphs, maps, tables, timelines and mockups
• Includes 500+ icons and Flaticon’s extension for customizing your slides
• Designed to be used in Google Slides, Canva, and Microsoft PowerPoint
• 16:9 widescreen format suitable for all types of screens
• Includes information about fonts, colors, and credits of the free resources used

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The 5 Means of Communication: Exploring the Different Channels for Effective Interaction

• by Brian Thomas
• October 7, 2023

In today’s fast-paced world, communication plays a pivotal role in our personal and professional lives. It allows us to convey ideas, express emotions, and build relationships. Over time, numerous means of communication have emerged, each offering unique advantages and opportunities. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the five key means of communication and explore how they shape our daily interactions.

From face-to-face conversations to the ever-expanding realm of digital communication , we’ll uncover the various channels that facilitate effective transmission of information. Additionally, we’ll touch upon the four types of nonverbal communication and how they enhance our understanding, as well as the essential tips to help you improve your overall communication skills.

So, whether you’re curious about workplace communication , nonverbal cues, or the different types of communication, keep reading as we unravel the means through which we connect, collaborate, and convey our messages to the world. Together, let’s explore the diverse avenues that make communication the cornerstone of our society.

What are the 5 Means of Communication?

Communication is an essential aspect of human interaction, helping us convey ideas, share information, and connect with others. But did you ever stop to think about the different ways we communicate? In this article, we’ll explore the five main means of communication that we use in our daily lives. So, grab your thinking cap and prepare for a journey through the realms of human connection!

1. Verbal Communication: The Age-Old Art of Words

Ah, the spoken word, the cornerstone of communication! It’s the most obvious means of conveying our thoughts and ideas. From casual conversations to formal presentations, verbal communication allows us to express ourselves with the beautiful dance of words. And the best part? No texting required!

2. Non-Verbal Communication: The Power of the Unspoken

They say actions speak louder than words, and boy, they were right! Non-verbal communication, like body language and facial expressions, can convey a whole new level of meaning without saying a single word. It’s like having a secret language that everybody understands, even if they can’t put it into words. So, don’t forget to give that winning smile or that enthusiastic thumbs-up next time!

3. Written Communication: The Art of Penning Thoughts

In a world of emails, texts, and tweets, it’s clear that writing is here to stay. Whether it’s a heartfelt letter, a snappy email, or a gripping novel, written communication allows us to express ourselves in a more permanent form. It’s like a time capsule that captures our thoughts, emotions, and ideas for generations to come. So, grab that pen, or keyboard, and let your words flow like a mighty river!

4. Visual Communication: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

We’ve all heard the phrase, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” and it couldn’t be truer in the realm of communication. Visual communication, through images, graphs, charts, and videos, allows us to convey complex ideas and concepts with ease. It’s like painting a vivid masterpiece that captures the essence of our message in a single glance. So, get those creative juices flowing and let your visuals do the talking!

5. Digital Communication: The Tech-Driven Revolution

Welcome to the digital age, where emojis reign supreme and acronyms become the norm! Digital communication, through technologies like smartphones, social media, and emails, has revolutionized the way we connect with others. It’s a world of instant messaging, virtual meetings, and online communities. So, whether you’re LOLing with friends or WFH (working from home), digital communication is always there, ready to keep us connected in this technologically driven world.

In conclusion, communication comes in various forms, each with its own unique advantages and charm. From the power of words to the subtlety of non-verbal cues, the means of communication are as diverse as the people who use them. So, let’s cherish the art of communication and continue to connect, share, and understand each other in this vast and ever-changing world of human interaction.

FAQ: What are the 5 Means of Communication?

Introduction:.

Communication is an essential part of our daily lives, enabling us to connect, express ourselves, and share information. But have you ever wondered about the different means of communication? In this FAQ-style subsection, we will explore the answers to commonly asked questions related to the means of communication. So, let’s dive in and uncover the fascinating world of communication!

What are the 4 Types of Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication plays a crucial role in conveying messages without words. The four main types of nonverbal communication are:

1. Body Language:

This form of communication involves gestures, postures, facial expressions, and eye contact. A simple smile or a nod can express a lot without saying a word!

2. Proxemics:

Proxemics focuses on how people use and perceive personal space. It examines the physical distance between individuals during communication and how it affects the message conveyed.

3. Paralanguage:

Paralanguage refers to the vocal cues and elements of speech that accompany verbal communication. It includes tone, pitch, volume, and the use of pauses.

4. Appearance and Adornment:

This type of nonverbal communication involves the way we present ourselves through clothing, hairstyles, accessories, and grooming. Our appearance can influence how others perceive and interpret our messages.

What are the 4 Ways of Workplace Communication

Effective communication is crucial in the workplace to foster collaboration and productivity. Here are four common ways of communicating in the work environment:

1. Verbal Communication:

The exchange of information through spoken or written words is the most common means of workplace communication. Whether it’s face-to-face conversations, phone calls, or emails, verbal communication is essential for clear understanding.

2. Written Communication:

This form of communication includes emails, memos, reports, and other written documents. It provides a permanent record and ensures consistent messaging across the organization.

3. Nonverbal Communication:

Nonverbal cues like body language, facial expressions, and gestures still play a significant role in the workplace. Being aware of these cues can help in understanding colleagues’ emotions and intentions better.

4. Digital Communication:

In the digital age, communication tools like instant messaging, video conferences, and collaboration platforms have become indispensable. These technological advancements allow for quick and efficient communication, regardless of physical distance.

What are the 7 Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication goes beyond words and encompasses various aspects of our behavior. Here are seven elements of nonverbal communication:

1. Facial Expressions:

Our faces can convey a wide range of emotions, from joy and surprise to anger and sadness. Paying attention to facial expressions can provide valuable insights into a person’s feelings.

2. Eye Contact:

Eye contact plays a significant role in communication. It can indicate interest, sincerity, and attentiveness. However, it’s essential to be mindful of cultural differences in eye contact norms.

3. Posture:

How we position and carry ourselves speaks volumes about our confidence, attentiveness, and engagement in a conversation. Maintaining an open and upright posture is generally seen as positive.

4. Gestures:

Hand movements and gestures can enhance the meaning of our words or be used independently to convey messages. Think of thumbs up, waving goodbye, or pointing to indicate direction.

5. Proxemics:

Proxemics explores the use of personal space during communication. Different cultures have varying norms regarding personal space, so it’s crucial to respect individual boundaries.

6. Tone of Voice:

The way we speak, including tone, pitch, and volume, adds layers of meaning to our words. A soothing tone can make someone feel at ease, while a sharp tone may convey frustration or anger.

Physical touch carries significant meaning and can communicate emotions like comfort, support, or affection. However, it’s important to be mindful of personal boundaries and cultural norms.

What is the Most Common Type of Communication

Verbal communication, which utilizes spoken or written words to convey messages, is the most common and widely used type of communication. Whether it’s engaging in conversations, making presentations, or writing emails, verbal communication forms the backbone of human interaction.

What are 3 Tips to Help You Improve Your Communication Skills

Improving communication skills can have a profound impact on personal and professional relationships. Here are three valuable tips to enhance your communication abilities:

1. Active Listening:

Listening attentively and with an open mind is crucial for effective communication. Give your full attention, summarize to ensure understanding, and ask relevant questions to demonstrate your engagement.

2. Practice Empathy:

Being empathetic means understanding and acknowledging others’ feelings and perspectives. It helps create a safe and respectful environment for open communication.

3. Seek Feedback and Learn:

Actively soliciting feedback from others and taking the initiative to learn from it can greatly improve your communication skills. Be open to constructive criticism and work on continuously growing and developing.

What are the Means of Communication

The means of communication refer to the different methods or channels through which information is exchanged. There are several means of communication, including:

1. Verbal Communication: Spoken or written words.

2. nonverbal communication: gestures, body language, facial expressions, etc., 3. visual communication: images, graphs, charts, and visual aids., 4. written communication: letters, emails, memos, reports, etc., 5. digital communication: instant messaging, video calls, emails, etc., what are the two means of communication.

The two primary means of communication are verbal and nonverbal communication. Verbal communication involves the use of words, while nonverbal communication encompasses gestures, facial expressions, and other body language cues.

What are the 4 Means of Communication

There are four main means of communication:

1. Verbal Communication: Using spoken or written words to convey messages.

2. nonverbal communication: expressing messages through body language, gestures, etc., 3. visual communication: conveying information through visual aids like images, videos, and graphs., 4. written communication: transmitting messages through written mediums such as letters, emails, and reports., what are the 10 means of communication.

While there are various means of communication, here are ten common ones:

1. Verbal Communication

2. nonverbal communication, 3. visual communication, 4. written communication, 5. digital communication, 6. interpersonal communication, 7. intrapersonal communication, 8. mass communication, 9. public communication, 10. group communication, what are the 7 types of communication.

Communication takes on various forms to suit different contexts. Here are seven primary types of communication:

3. Written Communication

4. visual communication, 5. interpersonal communication, 6. intrapersonal communication, 7. mass communication, what are the 3 main types of communication.

Communication can generally be classified into three main types:

What are the 5 Elements of Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication comprises five key elements that contribute to the overall message:

1. Body Language

2. proxemics, 3. paralanguage, 4. appearance and adornment, 5. facial expressions, how many types of communication are there.

There are several types of communication, including but not limited to verbal, nonverbal, written, visual, digital, interpersonal, intrapersonal, mass, public, and group communication. The diversity of communication types allows for effective interaction in various situations.

What are the 4 Types of Communication Styles

Communication styles can vary from person to person. However, four common communication styles are frequently observed:

1. Passive Communication Style

2. aggressive communication style, 3. passive-aggressive communication style, 4. assertive communication style, what are the 12 types of communication.

Communication takes on different forms based on purpose, medium, and context. Here are twelve types of communication:

4. Oral Communication

7. formal communication, 8. informal communication, 9. mass communication, 10. external communication, 11. internal communication, 12. group communication, what are the four building blocks of communication.

Effective communication rests on four fundamental building blocks:

4. Receiver

These building blocks work together in transmitting and receiving messages accurately.

What are the 8 Forms of Communication

Communication can take various forms. Here are eight common forms of communication:

What are the 5 Different Levels of Communication

Communication operates at different levels depending on the depth and intimacy of the interaction. Here are the five levels of communication:

1. Intrapersonal Communication

2. interpersonal communication, 3. group communication, 4. public communication, 5. mass communication, what are the 6 means of communication.

Communication can be achieved through various means. Six common means of communication include:

6. Artistic Expression

What is means of communication for class 3.

For children in class 3, the means of communication can be simplified to three main categories:

These three forms of communication are essential components of their language and social development.

Which is the Best Means of Communication

The best means of communication depends on the context, audience, and purpose. While each means of communication has its strengths, choosing the most appropriate one is crucial. For example, face-to-face communication allows for immediate feedback and connection, while written communication provides a documented record. Understanding the specific requirements will help determine the most effective means of communication in any given situation.

What are 5 Good Communication Skills

Developing good communication skills can significantly enhance personal and professional relationships. Here are five essential communication skills to focus on:

1. Active Listening

2. effective speaking, 3. empathy and understanding, 4. nonverbal communication, 5. conflict resolution, what are the 4 types of body language.

Body language is a crucial aspect of nonverbal communication. Four common types of body language include:

1. Facial Expressions

2. posture and body orientation, 3. gestures and hand movements, 4. eye contact.

Being aware of how these elements contribute to our body language can enhance communication and understanding.

What are the Methods of Communication

Various methods are employed for effective communication. Some common methods include:

1. Face-to-Face Conversations

2. phone calls, 3. video conferences, 4. email correspondence, 5. instant messaging, 6. written letters or memos, 7. reports and documentation, 8. visual presentations, 9. public speeches or presentations, 10. social media platforms.

Understanding and utilizing these methods can help convey messages clearly and effectively.

Conclusion:

Communication is a multi-faceted phenomenon that plays a vital role in our lives. Understanding the different means of communication enables us to navigate through various channels effectively. Whether it’s nonverbal cues, written messages, or the spoken word, each form of communication brings its own unique value. So, sharpen your communication skills and embrace the vast world of connectivity that surrounds us!

• body language
• communication
• crucial role
• different ways
• digital communication
• express emotions
• facial expressions
• fast-paced world
• nonverbal communication
• numerous means
• permanent form
• verbal communication
• visual communication
• written communication

Brian Thomas

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Communication PPT PowerPoint Presentation Template

Create a communication presentation by simply editing this communication powerpoint template from Venngage.

• Design style modern
• Colors light
• Size Custom (1024 x 576 px)
• File type PNG, PDF, PowerPoint
• Plan business

This fully editable communication powerpoint template is perfect for training future leaders the significance of effective communication. The communication powerpoint template is delivered in a professional, clean format to allow you maximum flexibility when customizing it. This is a great template for anyone who wants to teach others about emerging leaders communication. This communication powerpoint template is perfect for teachers, professors, mentors, coaches, peers and anyone else that wants to educate others on this important topic. This communication powerpoint template is perfect for anything you’d like to communicate it allows you the utmost flexibility. If you don't have any design experience or if you simply want to create a communication powerpoint template without going through the hassle of learning a new skill, then using a template is the perfect solution. These templates are easy to use and fully customizable for even the newest of designers! If you need a little inspiration before getting started with your own design, browse through our creative communication powerpoint template. Our editor makes it easy to customize your infographics without learning any new skills or dealing

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Encyclopedia

Writing with artificial intelligence, effective use of powerpoint in professional & technical presentations.

• CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 by Anna Lee

Regardless whether you are an engineer or a writer, a professional or a student, a business person or a scientist, you will be expected to communicate effectively with your supervisors, colleagues, clients, and the public. For most, that communication includes at least an occasional formal presentation.

Formal presentations in the workplace usually take one of three forms:

• Informational
• Instructional

Informational presentations are useful for reporting on research or giving a project update. Persuasive presentations can be used to make pitches to clients or supervisors. Instructional presentations, or “how-to” presentations, are formatted to teach, explain, or train.

In technical presentations, like most other genres of technical communication, good visual information design is essential. Visual aids are useful for increasing audience understanding of both the subject and the organization of a presentation.

Presenters should remember they have an array of options for visual aids from live demonstrations to interactive activities to old fashioned white boards; however, presentation software is the most commonly used option. Among the presentation software choices, PowerPoint is widely available and widely used in the workplace and in educational settings. Other software like Presi or Google Slides are becoming more popular and present may of the same opportunities and challenges that PowerPoint does.

PowerPoint can be a very effective tool for students and professionals if it is used appropriately for the purposes of a technical presentation. Unfortunately, effective use of this tool is not as intuitive as one would think considering its prevalence. To more effectively use PowerPoint often requires unlearning many of the common techniques displayed in the typical college class or even in the workplace.

Table of Contents

Pitfalls of PowerPoint

Unfortunately, PowerPoint is controversial. Most students have experienced an ineffective PowerPoint presentation. In fact, a 2015 article on the website The Conversation claims PowerPoint “makes students more stupid and professors more boring” (Sorensen). Although this author and others make good points on the ineffectiveness of PowerPoint, others (Horvath & Lodge, 2015) contend that a tool is only as effective as the person using it. PowerPoint does not make students stupid and professors boring; rather, poor use of this tool makes for ineffective presentations and can lead to laziness in both the audience and the presenter.

One issue with PowerPoint is the preset templates and layouts Microsoft provides. These can guide a novice user to make inappropriate design choices that affect usability. For example, reversed text on a dark background can be challenging for audiences to read. Bullet points do not take advantage of the program’s visual potential. Purely decorative designs can distract from functional visuals and text.

Many of the problems with PowerPoint presentations are the result of a tool that is readily accessible being used by individuals untrained in rhetorical and visual design. Fortunately, students of technical communication can implement a change of strategy and follow a few guidelines to use PowerPoint more effectively.

Rethinking Bullet Points

The key to improving your use of PowerPoint as a presentation tool for technical or professional communication is to rethink the usual layout of presentations you have seen. Most poorly constructed PowerPoints have far too much text, usually in the form of bullet points covering, albeit in shortened form, everything the speaker is going to share. Your purpose should not be a mystery to your audience, but the audience cannot both read and listen to what you are saying at the same time. Rather you should treat your slides as true visual aids that primarily use something other than text to support your points.

Every substantive slide should present a visual that illustrates or supports the point you are making orally rather than summarizing or reiterating that point in text form. In other words, instead of the typical topic and bullet point slide layout, a more effective strategy for PowerPoint presentations slides can be to offer a claim and a visual support in the form of a photo, graph, illustration, chart, etc. (Alley & Neeley, 2005; Markel, 2009).

Sample slide with claim/visual support layout

This claim/support strategy accompanied by various orientation features creates a presentation that is free from visual noise, complimentary to the oral presentation, and easy for the audience to follow. Creating a PowerPoint presentation of this type requires significantly more thought and effort than a traditional summarizing bullet point format, but the payoff is worth the time spent.

Designing a Claim/Support Style Presentation

Although no one size fits all prescription exists for building an effective PowerPoint slide set for a professional or technical presentation, students can use the following steps and stratagems to guide their process.

1. Plan your presentation before making your slide set.

Rather than sitting down at the computer and opening PowerPoint to begin preparing for a presentation, you should start with your topic—the information you need share, the points you need to make, or the process you wish to teach—and determine what types of visual aids will best support your purpose. PowerPoint may not be the right fit for every purpose. If it is the best tool to employ, remember that the slide set is notyour presentation in and of itself but rather a way to visually support your claims and guide your audience through the organization of your presentation.

Follow the same process you would for any piece of academic or professional writing. Research your subject, narrow your scope to fit the constraints of the assignment, analyze your audience, and draft your presentation around your main points. Once you have a strong, organized case to make in support of your purpose, you can begin creating the visuals that will most effectively enhance your claims.

2. Design your template.

When you are ready to build your slide set, first prepare a slide template. This step will save you time formatting each slide and create consistency. Although PowerPoint provides many predesigned themes, avoid them. Creating your own template will give you more control and help you avoid some of the poor design choices represented in many of the preset templates. Using the “Master Slide” feature is a good way to design once and apply your choices throughout your presentation.

When designing a slide template for the body slides of your presentation, keep in mind these suggestions:

• Opt for a white (or very light) background. Although, many presentation slide sets use a dark background with light text, a more audience friendly choice is a light background and dark text. This combination is universally easier to read especially on a screen. Another benefit of a white background is that you can use a wider variety of image files and types without dealing with the white boxes that often appear in JPEG image files.
• Prefer a san serif font. As is true for reading on computer screens, san serif fonts are also easier to read on the large screens of PowerPoint slides. This is not to say that all serif fonts are unacceptable but rather a good rule of thumb is to prefer a san serif font.
• Include an orienting footer. Be sure to design a footer on your slides that includes the title (or abbreviated title) of your presentation, the date of the presentation, and particularly the slide number. This information is helpful for you in archiving the slide set or changing it for future presentations, but it is especially helpful in orienting the audience. It is much easier to ask a specific question at the end of a presentation if one can refer to specific slide number rather than trying to describe the visual after a single viewing.
• Avoid visual “noise.” In Presentation Zen, Reynolds explains the principle of signal-to-noise ratio and the effects of cluttering a slide with too much visual information that is unrelated to a point being made. He says, “There is simply a limit to a person’s ability to process new information efficiently and effectively” (2012, p. 134). In other words, avoid unnecessary design elements and visuals on slide in a technical presentation. This means eliminating meaningless clip art, images, or even an organizational logo on every slide in order to focus the audience’s attention on the visual that supports your claim. In most cases, less is truly more on a slide.

3. Create your orienting slides.

In addition to acting a visual aid to support the claims of presentation, the purpose of a slide set is also to help the audience understand the organization and follow the speaker’s thoughts more coherently. Many slide sets miss this opportunity. First, be sure to create a title slide that introduces your presentation and you to the audience. Next, slide sets, even for short presentations, should include an outline. The audience wants to know where a talk is going and when they can anticipate its conclusion. Your point in making a technical presentation should not be a mystery; tell the audience what you are about and show them in the form of an outline slide. Revisit this slide to reorient you audience in the middle of the presentation or even before each major point in a long presentation.

Sample of an outline slide

Another orientation feature that you should consider adding is borrowed from pedagogical theory: the advance organizer . A good presentation should help audience members connect new information to previous knowledge and understand why the information is important to them. This is also the purpose of an advance organizer.

Simply put, the advance organizer in slide set is a slide (or several) dedicated to visually introducing background or introductory material so the audience is prepared to accept the claims of the presentation. An advance organizer may take many different forms depending upon the type and purpose of a presentation. One example is visual “list” of supplies needed to perform a task you are teaching. Another might be a definition of a subject or an image of a finished product that the presentation aims to demonstrate the process of creating. Accompanied by the speaker’s oral explanation or even audience interaction, these slides help orient the audience and prepare them to receive the bulk of the material more effectively.

Sample of an advance organizer slide

4. Lay out your organization.

With a template created and orienting slides in place, you can now deal with the body content of the presentation. Follow the same form you would in presenting information effectively and persuasively in any medium by including the following elements: an introduction, several points (or claims), a conclusion, and a call for questions. The audience is familiar with receiving information in this way and will become confused or fail to recall your purpose if you do not sum up your points in a conclusion, for example.

Another organizational feature on the body slides that can become a missed opportunity is the headers. Many presentation slides employ single word or phrase headers. Research shows (Alley & Neeley, 2005) that this may not be the most effective format to persuade or teach. Alley & Neeley and others (Markel, 2009) advocate for the use of sentence case headers on body slides that make a strong, clear claim in a complete thought. Punctuating and capitalizing them as sentences is also recommended.

Sample of a slide using a sentence case header

Switching to sentence headers can be a challenge for students at first—even the student examples provided below do not fully follow this advice— because it is different from what most of us have experienced. However, using it can be effective when bullet points are eliminated in place of a visual support on each slide.

5. Add your visuals.

The final step, and arguably the most difficult, is adding visuals to the slides to support the your claims. Determining visuals that are effective in emphasizing the points, simple enough to comprehend, within the designer’s ability to create, or available to use without copyright infringement is quite a challenge. The following tips can help you begin to design visually based PowerPoint slides:

• Consider your options. Although challenging to think through whether an idea can be represented graphically, you have many possibilities available that work well in PowerPoint. Good options for visuals include graphs or charts for presenting data, tables for displaying lists (an alternative to bullet points), photographs or screen shots for showing steps in a process, illustrations or line drawings for simplifying complex images or showing internal workings, and PowerPoint SmartArt graphics for demonstrating relationships and processes. These are only a few of the choices available and a few potential uses for each. Once you have an idea of the type of visual to use, you will need to create or find it.
• Create your own visual. It is always best to create a visual yourself—if you have the programs and skills to do it—because it gives you complete control of the visual and avoids copyright issues. Although some programs for creating visuals are expensive or require specialized skills, others are readily available and easy to use. Consider screenshots, for example. These are simple to create and excellent for demonstrating a digital process. Likewise, most students can take their own photographs at a quality acceptable for presentations. Graphs are easy to make in Word or Excel and transfer into PowerPoint.
• Use the drawing tools in the presentation software. PowerPoint supplies easy to use tools, such as SmartArt, for creating visuals. You will find these tools intuitive to use, but you must be careful to select diagrams or graphs that accurately match the concept you are attempting to represent. Markel correctly notes, “Microsoft has always done a better job creating drawing tools than explaining how to choose the appropriate one” (2009, p. 126). You must also be careful to avoid design features on these graphics that make them difficult to read and understand. For example, a three-dimensional pie chart can be not only hard to read on the screen but also misleading, particularly if you use color inappropriately. Again, less is usually more; basic designs and simple color schemes are best.
• Find an existing visual. Sometimes you will not be readily capable of creating your own visual, and will need to find one somewhere else. If you work for an organization, check with the marketing department for photographs and logo files. (They can also supply you branded fonts and colors and perhaps even predesigned company slide templates.) Subject matter experts within your organization may be able to provide technical diagrams, line drawings, cross sections, etc. As a student, you can glean from the Internet helpful images of this kind, but should use them for educational purposes only. Be careful to credit borrowed images, and do not use images without permission for anything intended for a professional setting or for which you or anyone else will gain a profit.

Pulling It All Together

Shifting your thinking about the purpose and design of presentation slides and using the processes and tips provided is not rocket science, but pulling everything together will require careful thought and planning. The following examples show many of the elements discussed here in action. These are presentations created by real undergraduate students. They are not perfect cases, but they offer creative, real-life solutions to the same challenges you will face in implementing this new style of PowerPoint construction.

Powerpoint sample #1

Powerpoint sample #2

In addition to the strategy discussed in this article, students creating formal presentations using presentation software should study principles of good visual design. Also, study of graphic design tools for creating visual images would benefit students who need to present technical information frequently. This article certainly does not encompass everything you need to know about using PowerPoint effectively, but implementing the strategies advocated should dramatically improve your presentations.

Alley, M., & Neeley, K. A. (November 2005). Rethinking the design of presentation slides: A case for sentence headlines and visual evidence. Technical Communication, 4(52), 417-426.

Horvath, J. C., & Lodge, J. M. (2015, June 26). It’s not PowerPoint’s fault, you’re just using it wrong. Retrieved February 5, 2016, from https://theconversation.com/its-not-powerpoints-fault-youre-just-using-it-wrong-43783

Markel, M. (May 2009). Exploiting verbal–visual synergy in presentation slides. Technical Communication, 56(2), 122-131.

Reynolds, G. (2012). Presentation Zen: Simple ideas on presentation design and delivery. Berkeley, CA: New Riders Pub.

Sorensen, B. M. (2015, April 29). Let’s ban PowerPoint in lectures – it makes students more stupid and professors more boring. Retrieved February 5, 2016, from https://theconversation.com/lets-ban-powerpoint-in-lectures-it-makes-students-more-stupid-and-professors-more-boring-36183.

Brevity – Say More with Less

Clarity (in Speech and Writing)

Coherence – How to Achieve Coherence in Writing

Flow – How to Create Flow in Writing

Inclusivity – Inclusive Language

The Elements of Style – The DNA of Powerful Writing

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