EDITOR'S NOTE: This article is the second of a two-part series. The first part appeared online on June 27. Link to read the first part of the series.

Tips for Creating a PowerPoint Slide Presentation
When creating a PowerPoint presentation, you may wish to consider these tips:

• Slide Sorter View allows you to see the entire slide show. Double-click on a slide of interest to edit, change font style and size, add graphics, etc. If you right-click on the slide, you can easily customize animation and use other program features.

• Text can be selected by blocking the text and selecting a font size from the tool bar. I like to use 44 to 68 point font size, which is ideal for an average-sized classroom. I recommend that 24 point be the smallest font size you choose.

• Bold your text and use attractive colors.

• Use bulleted lists (or numbered lists) whenever possible.

• Don’t put too many details on one slide; keep the information simple. Use keywords rather than sentences.

• Each slide should convey one main idea.

• You can enhance your presentation by using graphics. Graphics can be added from files by clicking on the “Insert” menu, then clicking on “Picture,” then “From File.”

• You can also add sound effects to your presentation.

• When appropriate, use tables, charts, or pictures to illustrate your presentation. You can even include video or animated files.

• You can create lecture notes for each slide. Then print the entire presentation if you wish to use these notes during your presentation.

• For small classes, you can print handouts for students that show the content of each slide.

• You can create colorful transparencies from your PowerPoint slides.

• You can add hyperlinks to Web addresses allowing you to link to those sites while in your slide show.

• Ask others to preview your slide show and offer suggestions.

• If you wish to share your slide show, post it to your Internet site.

There are two ways to deal with Internet sites in a PowerPoint presentation:

1. Screen capture Internet sites appropriate to the subject and build your slides around those sites. In this way you can be sure to show the pages from the Web site, and you are able to add text and graphics. This is my recommendation.

2. Hyperlinks can be displayed in your presentation to the Web site of interest. Although this has the advantage of accessing the Internet “live,” the disadvantage is that you are relying on the Internet. My experience has been that the Internet can sometimes be unreliable in a teaching situation, such as in a conference center.

Once you have created your presentation, click on the Slide Show icon, review your work, and make any necessary changes. Then save your presentation. I like to save my slide presentations on my laptop’s hard drive, then make a copy on my desktop and on a zip disk. (I use zip disks to back up all my files.) I also like to make color transparencies and take them with me in case there is a problem with the computer or computer projection equipment. It’s always wise to have a backup of your presentation in a different format.

You should arrive in the classroom or convention center early and check your laptop and the computer projector. Some speakers own their own projector. Rehearse your presentation again. It’s helpful to use a pointer when teaching. If you’re uncertain about the electrical connections, take a power cord with you. Good luck with your slide show!

Selected Bibliography
Finkelstein, Ellen. PowerPoint 2000: Professional Results. Berkeley, Calif.: Osborne/McGraw-Hill, 1999.

Leech, Thomas. How to Prepare, Stage, and Deliver Winning Presentations. 2nd ed. New York: American Management Association, 1993.

McCue, Camille. PowerPoint 2000 for Windows for Dummies Quick Reference. Foster City, Calif.: IDG Books, 1999.

Microsoft PowerPoint 2000 Step by Step. Redmond, Wash.: Microsoft Press, 1999.

Nelson, Stephen L. Microsoft Pocket Guide to Microsoft PowerPoint 2000. Redmond, Wash.: Microsoft Press, 1999.

PowerPoint 2000 Introduction, Windows, Student Manual. Rochester, N. Y.: Ziff-Davis Education, 1999.

PowerPoint 2000 Advanced, Windows, Student Manual. Rochester, N. Y.: Ziff-Davis Education, 1999.

Teach Yourself PowerPoint 2000 Visually. Foster City, Calif.: IDG Books, 1999.

Wempen, Faithe. Microsoft PowerPoint 2000 Bible. Foster City, Calif.: IDG Books, 1999.

Zimmerman, Beverly B. and S. Scott Zimmerman. New Perspectives on Microsoft PowerPoint 2000. Cambridge, Mass.: Course Technology, 2000.

Kip Sperry is an associate professor of family history at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.