PPT Don'ts

How to Avoid tuning out your Audiences – the Don’ts of visual presentations Document comprehension  Persuasive use  Focus of attention  Rendition of story  Evidence display 

© Jay Flynn

When words fill a slide, the audience tunes out   

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Sure it is a handy outline the attorney can read from, but the negatives far outweigh the positives Judges don’t care to be read to Educational research shows retention drastically decreases if words are spoken and shown at the same time This is because people have dual processing channels (visual/verbal). They can pay attention to only a few pieces of information in each channel at a time while actively processing it

Careful editing is needed  The general rule is no more than a few    

chunks of data per slide Extraneous information needs to be edited Otherwise the mental energy of the audience will be wasted One example involves use of logos Other than self edification, the logo wastes one “chunk” each time it is shown.

Use restraint in applying animation When listing items  It may seem helpful  To use sequencing  So the observer doesn’t read through everything before you’ve even begun 

This is called: “the dreaded slow reveal”

Don’t try to get cute with color   

It can be distracting Confusing Or simply down right irritating.

Clip art is not real.

This is a very important document. See here in the third paragraph it says…

Vehicle t-boned • • • • • • • •

9:00 pm BMW SUV 40 mph Stop sign Failed to yield Toyota Passenger door Extensive damage

© Jay Flynn