Now let us look at how to make an excellent PowerPoint presentation by focusing on the third section which has to do with timing and confidence. We are looking at these two aspects because timing is mainly an external component and competence is mainly an internal component that affect the performance of a presentation. The timing of the presentation has to be followed closely. So, prepare yourself according to the time limit set. Most presentations are 10 to 15 minutes in length with a five minute for question and answer A session Some are from 20 to 30 minutes. Others like a master's thesis or a PhD defense presentations last somewhere between 45 minutes to an hour.
However, keep in mind that experts have mentioned that audience have a 20 minute attention span after which they tend to be either distracted or even those off, really. So it is your job as a presenter to keep them focused till the very end. The rule of thumb is usually one minute per slide. However, I had data in which one slide like a transition slide, took a few seconds and another slide which took over a minute to complete When you open a PowerPoint presentation such as PowerPoint 2013, you can use icons under the slideshow. You will encounter under that tab, rehearse timings and record slow slideshow tabs. These two resources should help you prepare well in terms of the time use for the talk for each slide and also for the overall talk.
I personally tend to talk faster and then the actual time. In other words, I tend to talk faster when on the day of the presentation, when compared to when I rehearse it or prepare for it. So, just rehearse, to have an idea as to where you will learn in, let's say, five minutes if it's a five minute talk and adjust accordingly. But at the end of the talk, you may have to leave some time for question and answers. In terms of time, the main thing is to be conscientious of others timing. No one likes to stay around for longer time they're needed or allocated.
So as they say, be respectful of their time. Do not take it for granted. Other seminars may have to be arranged in the same conference room. A professor may need to go back to this to lecture his class. Students may have to get back to their classes, or it may be their lunch hour that they're spending looking at your talk. In the middle of your talk, people may start leaving because of their commitments Do not let this distract you or the rest of the audience in the room.
Some of this of course can be out of our control. Finally, the day has arrived when you will give your presentation The time has come. Now it is all about having confidence. This confidence has to do with the knowing the content matter, and preparing for the talk. Being confident removes any anxiety and nervousness. Do not focus on the audience.
Focus on your talk. However, look at the audience every so often so that you're connecting with them. You may be the shy type of a person but shyness and nervousness somehow get removed and replaced with confidence when you focus on your subject matter on which you are interested, and you are excited about your topic, and your goal is to transfer that knowledge to others. Some people, including myself, use lined flashcards to recall what is to be said. I use the beginning of each paragraph of my script as a reminder to know what to say next. If you're behind a podium that allows you to place the flashcards that's even better, also use a laser pointer to direct the audience to the specific data.
Places in the slide are to be specific to the topics you want them to focus on. No know your subject matter when it comes to the defense Software pieces or dissertation are simple talk. No one knows the subject matter better than you. You are the expert in your area. However, think of all the possible answer questions that may arise and all the possible answers you may have for them. The best way to prepare is to think outside the box.
Be prepared to answer those questions. Even if you do not know the answer, do not lose your confidence. As you're not expected to know everything, you're still learning. All that is expected from you is that you do your best and again, be confident till the very end.