This set of slides stresses two points. First, since PowerPoint slides are only tools, they should not take over a speech. This point has several implications, a few of which appear below:

  1. Don't include a slide for every little point in a speech.
  2. Start a speech positioned in front of the lectern and with a blank slide on the screen.
  3. End a speech positioned in front of the lectern and with a blank slide on the screen.
  4. Insert an occasional blank slide for times when you don't need visual aids.
  5. Use PowerPoint "Speakers' Notes" so don't have to read off the screen.

Second, a speaker should only use PowerPoint if he/she uses it well. Most people, even professionals, don't use PowerPoint to maximum effect. On the other hand, I've had many students who ended up using this form of visual aids with a high level of effectiveness.

Note that the slides at this website involve not just speaker talk but also audience work. For example, an early bulleted list breaks several rules, including the rule that bulleted items should be parallel. If used in the classroom, the teacher could show this slide, ask students to note what's wrong with it, and then ask them to make all of the items parallel. Various students could share their revisions, and then the instructor could click to the next slide which shows one "right answer."

I hope this set of slides proves helpful to you. Click here to view the slides (.PPT 200KB).

Happy clicking!