Success Tips for Developing Effective Multimedia
Center Presentations
Multimedia presentations developed on programs such as PowerPoint, Prezi,
Google Slides and MovieMaker can strengthen and enhance oral presentations.
Multimedia refers to content with several forms of expression. These forms of
expression – known as media – may be linguistic, visual, audial, or
videographic, a combined form. By displaying content in ways different than the
spoken word, multimedia can make oral presentations more advanced and
interesting for the audience.
In order to be effective, multimedia presentations must be created with the
audience in mind. When making a presentation, ask yourself what rhetorical
effect you want the presentation to have on your audience:
• What is your purpose?
• How will you convey that purpose to your listeners and viewers?
• What kinds of media will most successfully connect with your audience
and purpose?
• How can you design your slides to fit the desired tone of the presentation?
• For group presentations, how will your part blend with the group’s
presentation as a whole?
Remember that multimedia resonates with the audience most successfully
when it is used in addition to an oral presentation, not to replace it. It is
important that the slideshow enhances what the presenter is already saying.
That said, be sure to follow your instructor’s guidelines regarding how much
information you can put on your slides.
The following guidelines will help you create valuable multimedia content to
make your presentation more organized, well-designed, and rhetorically
effective.
An effective multimedia presentation:
✓ Supplements the oral presentation
✓ Focuses on a main purpose
✓ Contains slides that all relate to or expand on a specific idea
✓ Presents content in a logical way that establishes credibility
✓ Utilizes visual, audial and/or videographic materials
✓ Guides viewers with transitions between points and concepts
✓ Avoids lengthy sections of text
When preparing to present:
✓ Practice, practice, practice
✓ Monitor the length of the presentation to be sure that you don’t go over
time
✓ Test the presentation ahead of time in the location where you will deliver
it, if possible
✓ Back up the presentation on a flash drive or email attachment
✓ Bring a remote clicker to change slides, if desired
✓ Check the volume setting if you are using videos or sound clips
✓ Create an outline or use the notes function in PowerPoint or Google
Slides to guide you
✓ Proofread slides for spelling and grammar mistakes
✓ For groups, determine who is responsible for each section of the
presentation
During the presentation:
✓ Introduce yourself
✓ Pose questions to the audience when appropriate
DO DON’T
Select a theme or template that suits Use distracting animations and busy
the purpose and tone of the themes.
presentation.
Choose slide layouts that enhance your Choose slide layouts at random that
purpose and message. distract from your purpose and
message.
Use images, graphs, charts, videos, Choose inconsistent image formats,
etc. to illustrate points to the audience blurry images, or clipart.
whenever possible.
Limit each slide to no more than 5 Include lengthy passages of text or
points and follow the 6x6 rule: no more entire paragraphs on slides or insert
than 6 words across + 6 lines down. more than 5 points per slide.
Break up complex information into Cram a large amount of information
multiple slides. onto one slide.
Use a clear font (minimum 18-pt.) that Choose a fussy, complicated or
is easy to read for all members of the unprofessional font.
audience.
Raimes, Anne and Susan K. Miller-Cochran. “Design, Media, and Presentation.” Keys for Writers. 3rd ed. USA: Cengage, 2014. 337-387. Print.
Pick a few colors that contrast sharply Select too many different colors that are
and enhance message. off-putting to the viewer.
Face the audience and make eye Face the slideshow and/or hide behind
contact across the room. the podium, desk or computer.
Present from memory or briefly Read directly off the slides, your notes,
reference notes or an outline or an outline.
throughout the presentation.
Pace yourself and pause at new slides Rush through the presentation and
to allow the audience to read them. slides.
Limit hand gestures and body Use distracting hand gestures, slouch,
movements and adapt your posture to pace, sway, or tap your feet.
present yourself professionally.
Speak deliberately and enunciate Mumble, speak quickly, or speak in a
clearly, adjusting your voice to an monotone voice.
appropriate and professional tone.
Raimes, Anne and Susan K. Miller-Cochran. “Design, Media, and Presentation.” Keys for Writers. 3rd ed. USA: Cengage, 2014. 337-387. Print.
