Stage 3 · Lesson 3 of 7
Slides that help instead of distract
Slides are there to support you, not to be read aloud. Use few words, large text, one idea per slide and images or diagrams when they explain better than words. A useful rule is that someone at the back should understand each slide in a few seconds.
Put detail in a handout or a follow-up document instead. For charts, show only what supports the point and label it clearly; Storytelling with Data is a good guide. Number your slides so people can refer to them in questions.
Common trapthe slide full of bullet points that you then read word for word, which makes the audience read ahead and stop listening to you.
A question to check yourself come when you add the roadmap to your account. Add it
Resources for this stage
Start with· follow one of these
- CourseFreeIntroduction to Public Speaking (University of Washington, Coursera)
University of Washington on Coursera · Beginner
A free-to-audit University of Washington course on preparing and giving talks
- VideoFreeHow to Speak So That People Want to Listen (Julian Treasure, TEDGlobal 2013)
Julian Treasure (TEDGlobal 2013)
Short, practical talk on voice, pace and habits that make people stop listening
Practise
Keep handy
Struggling right now? If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, contact local emergency services or a crisis line: Find a helpline (any country), Umang (Pakistan), Tele-MANAS, 14416 (India).