Conceptualizing Better
Presentations
Michael Emory
February 1, 2013
Oral Communication Program: E103
Stanford University
Complex ideas communicated with
clarity, precision, and efficiency
- Edward Tufte
Envisioning Information, 2008
Complex ideas communicated with
clarity, precision, and efficiency
- Edward Tufte
Envisioning Information, 2008
Complex ideas communicated with
clarity, precision, and efficiency
- Edward Tufte
Envisioning Information, 2008
Complex ideas communicated with
clarity, precision, and efficiency
- Edward Tufte
Envisioning Information, 2008
Presentation vs. Written Report
Information retention
Time constraint
Multi-sensory
Audience expectations
Human element
Presentation vs. Written Report
Information retention
Time constraint
Multi-sensory
Audience expectations
Human element
Structure
Body
Define
Introduction
Conclusion
Thesis
Point 1
Point 2
Point 3
Preview
Review
Hook
Finale
Structure
Body
Define
Introduction
Conclusion
Thesis
Point 1
Point 2
Point 3
Preview
Review
Hook
Finale
Organic
Transitions
Multimedia Learning
Be Visual
Mayer, Richard (2001). Multimedia Learning. Cambridge University: New York.
Design
Modality Principle
Be Visual
Mayer, Richard (2001). Multimedia Learning. Cambridge University: New York.
Design
Redundancy Principle
Be Visual
Mayer, Richard (2001). Multimedia Learning. Cambridge University: New York.
Design
Be Visual
# of Worms Caught by Hour of Day
4 AM 5 AM 6 AM 7 AM 8 AM 9 AM 10 AM
Robin 10 9 9 5 3 2 0
Sparrow 7 7 6 4 3 1 1
Pigeon 6 5 5 3 2 0 0
Eagle 3 3 3 2 1 0 0
Ostrich 0 0 2 1 0 0 0
Average 5.2 4.8 5 3 1.8 0.6 0.2
DesignDesign
Be Visual
# of Worms Caught by Hour of Day
4 AM 5 AM 6 AM 7 AM 8 AM 9 AM 10 AM
Robin 10 9 9 5 3 2 0
Sparrow 7 7 6 4 3 1 1
Pigeon 6 5 5 3 2 0 0
Eagle 3 3 3 2 1 0 0
Ostrich 0 0 2 1 0 0 0
Average 5.2 4.8 5 3 1.8 0.6 0.2
Design
4 AM 5 AM 6 AM 7 AM 8 AM 9 AM 10 AM
Robin 10 9 9 5 3 2 0
Sparrow 7 7 6 4 3 1 1
Pigeon 6 5 5 3 2 0 0
Eagle 3 3 3 2 1 0 0
Ostrich 0 0 2 1 0 0 0
Average 5.2 4.8 5 3 1.8 0.6 0.2
Be Visual
# of Worms Caught by Hour of Day
Sparrows can catch worms late in the day
Design
Coherence Principle
One Slide, One Idea
Mayer, Richard (2001). Multimedia Learning. Cambridge University: New York.
Design
Segmentation Principle
One Slide, One Idea
Mayer, Richard (2001). Multimedia Learning. Cambridge University: New York.
Design
One Slide, One Idea
13%
17%
13%
57%
Food
Rent
Tuition
Fun
My Quarterly Budget
Design
Food:
• Necessary for survival
• Cash back via credit card (1%)
Rent:
• Necessary for survival
• Rigid, not easy to change price
Tuition:
• Worth the investment (?)
• Majority of wealth goes here
Fun:
• Clothing
• Leisure (surf and ski rentals)
• Gas for car
13%
17%
57%
13%
This sentence is written in plain text using a size 14 font…
This sentence is written in plain text using a size 24 font…
This sentence is written in bold using a size 36 font…
And this one is size 48 font!Design
Design For Everybody
Dark background
with light text
Dark Background
With dark text
Light background
with dark text
Light background
With light text
Limit number of colors used
Design
Design For Everybody
ReferencesAtkinson, Cliff (2005). Beyond Bullet Points. Microsoft: Redmond, WA.
Columbia Accident Investigation Board (2003). Report. 1. Available:
http://shemesh.larc.nasa.gov/fm/ifm2003/cmh-caib-presentation.pdf
Duarte, Nancy (2008). Slide:ology. O’Reilly: Sebastapol, CA.
Mayer, Richard (2001). Multimedia Learning. Cambridge University: New York.
Mayer, Richard. and Moreno, Roxanna. (1991). A Cognitive Theory of Multimedia
Learning: Implications for Design Principles. ACM SIGCHI Conference on Human
Factors in Computing Systems: Los Angeles, CA.
Parker, P; Chao, D; Norman, I., and Dunham, M (2003). Orbiter Assessment of STS-
107 ET Bipod Insulation Ramp Impact. Available:
http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/2203main_COL_debris_boeing_030123.pdf
Pavio, Allan (1971). Imagery and Verbal Processes. Holt, Rinehart, and Winston:
New York.
Tufte, Edward (2006). The Cognitive Style of PowerPoint. Graphics: Cheshire, CT.
Information on Tutorials
Website: www.stanford.edu/class/engr103/msande
Only one member from each group should sign up
Must sign up more than 24 hours in advance
Tutorials meet in Huang 49
Scheduling emergency: contact [email protected]
Information on Tutorials
Website: www.stanford.edu/class/engr103/msande
Only one member from each group should sign up
Must sign up more than 24 hours in advance
Tutorials meet in Huang 49
Scheduling emergency: contact [email protected]
Come Prepared