I’ve talked about how to reduce text in your presentations, how to use colors, pictures, display data… But what happens when you just can’t get rid of any more text? Or you really need to show that huge graph? Well, if we assume you really can’t break down the information any more, then it’s time to start thinking that this might just not be presentation material. Why put together a slideshow with lots and lots of data, when we have a better framework in which we can display this kind of information? When your slides are trying to inform on their own, instead of support your arguments, they are not slides anymore, they are a document.

People have gotten used to putting information on slides and using them in presentations or even sending them around, because of the apparent organization of ideas. You can also include design in a document. Word processors allow you to format your document in whichever way is more convenient for you to present your information. Learn how to use these formatting tools and if your intention is to create a document that will speak for itself, do so, and attach it to an email, instead of presenting with it. Believe me, a well formatted document will look much more professional and be far more efficient that giving another typical presentation.

Sometimes it’s better to create two different documents: a slideshow for your presentation which will be visual and support your arguments; and a document, which should self-explanatory, to give out as a handout after the presentation or send to those who couldn’t attend the talk.

As usual, I encourage you to give it a try and let me know how it works out for you. Until next time,

Byron Stanford for Project Presentation.

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1. How to rehearse a presentation