{"id":2068,"date":"2020-10-22T15:40:04","date_gmt":"2020-10-22T15:40:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-publicspeaking\/?post_type=chapter&p=2068"},"modified":"2024-08-30T22:19:38","modified_gmt":"2024-08-30T22:19:38","slug":"bad-presentations","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-publicspeaking\/chapter\/bad-presentations\/","title":{"raw":"Bad Presentations","rendered":"Bad Presentations"},"content":{"raw":"
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Learning Objectives<\/h3>\r\nIdentify common missteps that lead to bad presentations.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2560\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"]\"See A 20,000 year old painting of a cave hyena in Chauvet Cave (southeastern France)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nFor millions of years before the invention of modern technology, humans used the tools available to perpetuate traditions and culture and to document\u2014and often rewrite\u2014history. Do a few internet searches and immerse yourself in the Egyptian tombs; the caves of Chauvet; or El Castillo, the Temple of Kukulcan. What you\u2019re experiencing is a feat of both artistry and communication. Although we don\u2019t know the full significance of these early carvings and structures, there\u2019s no doubt that these early humans captured their worldview in a way that is still deeply resonant. While the tools have changed, the communication challenges\u2014and opportunity\u2014remain the same: to communicate an engaging and inspiring point of view.\r\n\r\nGiven our vibrant storytelling tradition and with so much at stake, why are there still so many bad presentations? Wouldn\u2019t you think that modern communication technology\u2014considering the advances in graphics and communications software alone!\u2014would lead to more compelling presentations? Interestingly, the problem is, to some extent, the technology. It\u2019s estimated that 30 million PowerPoint presentations are created every day, with (seemingly) a majority of presenters opting for default layouts and templates. The problem is, we\u2019re wired for story, not bullet points. A related failure is our use of available technology.\r\n\r\nIn 2001, Seth Godin wrote a wonderful\u2014and instructive\u2014rant on these points: Really Bad PowerPoint (and How to Avoid It)<\/em>, blaming Microsoft for countless ineffective presentations:\r\n
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Microsoft has built wizards and templates right into PowerPoint. And those \u201chelpful\u201d tools are the main reason that we\u2019ve got to live with page after page of bullets, with big headlines and awful backgrounds. Let\u2019s not even get started on the built-in clip art.[footnote]Godin, Seth, Really Bad PowerPoint (and How to Avoid It)<\/em>, 2001.[\/footnote]<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\nIn response to a question regarding \u201cdeath by PowerPoint\u201d on the TechTarget Network, Margaret Rouse provided this definition: \u201ca phenomenon cause by the poor use of presentation software,\u201d identifying the primary contributors of this condition as \u201cconfusing graphics, slides with too much text and presenters whose idea of a good presentation is to read 40 slides out loud.\u201d[footnote]Rouse, Margaret. \"What is death by PowerPoint?<\/a>\" TechTarget Network<\/em>. [\/footnote]\r\n\r\nSo how do we avoid causing \u201cdeath by PowerPoint\"\u2014or by whatever presentation software we use? The common denominator of presentation mistakes is that they represent a failure of communication. This failure can be attributed to two errors: too much or too little. The error of too much is generally the result of trying to use slides as a teleprompter or a substitute to a report, or, it would seem, to bludgeon the audience into submission. Of course, this method tends to have an alternate effect, namely, prompting audience members to walk out or tune out, turning their attention instead to doodling or their device of choice.\r\n\r\nWhat bad presentations have too little of is emotion. Presentation expert and author of the classic Presentation Zen (and four related books) Gar Reynolds captures the crux of the problem: \u201ca good presentation is a mix of logic, data, emotion, and inspiration. We are usually OK with the logic and data part, but fail on the emotional and inspirational end.\u201d[footnote]Reynolds, Garr. \u201c10 tips for Improving Your Presentations Today<\/a>,\u201d Presentation Zen. Nov 2014.[\/footnote] There\u2019s also a hybrid too-little-too much mistake, where too little substance and\/or no design sensibility is\u2014in the mind of the presenter\u2014offset by transitions and special effects. Heed Seth Godin\u2019s advice: \u201cNo dissolves, spins or other transitions. None.\u201d[footnote]Godin, Seth. Fix Your Really Bad PowerPoint<\/em>. Ebook, sethgodin.com, 2001.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nThe 10\/20\/30 rule, generally attributed to venture capitalist Guy Kawasaki, is a good guideline to help you achieve a \u201cjust right\u201d balance in your presentations. Geared for entrepreneurs pitching their business, his advice is a discipline that would improve the quality\u2014and effectiveness\u2014of most presentations. In brief, 10\/20\/30 translates to a maximum of 10 slides, a maximum of 20 minutes and a minimum of 30 point font.[footnote]Kawasaki, Guy. The 10\/20\/30 Rule of PowerPoint<\/em><\/a>. December 2005.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2069\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"400\"]\"A Your presentation should have no more than 10 slides, take no more than 20 minutes, and use type no smaller than 30 point font.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nWhile this rule is a good starting point, it doesn't overrule your audience analysis or understanding of your purpose. Sometimes, you may need more slides or have a more involved purpose\u2014like training people in new software or presenting the results of a research study\u2014that takes more than 30 minutes to address. In that case, go with what your audience needs and what will make your presentation most effective. The concept behind the 10\/20\/30 rule\u2014to make new learning easy for your audience to take in, process and remember\u2014should still be your guide even if you don't follow the rule exactly.\r\n

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Practice Question<\/h3>\r\nhttps:\/\/assess.lumenlearning.com\/practice\/7e984232-bcc4-4167-adfd-1c6739c96e4d\r\n\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"
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Learning Objectives<\/h3>\n

Identify common missteps that lead to bad presentations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"See<\/p>\n

A 20,000 year old painting of a cave hyena in Chauvet Cave (southeastern France)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

For millions of years before the invention of modern technology, humans used the tools available to perpetuate traditions and culture and to document\u2014and often rewrite\u2014history. Do a few internet searches and immerse yourself in the Egyptian tombs; the caves of Chauvet; or El Castillo, the Temple of Kukulcan. What you\u2019re experiencing is a feat of both artistry and communication. Although we don\u2019t know the full significance of these early carvings and structures, there\u2019s no doubt that these early humans captured their worldview in a way that is still deeply resonant. While the tools have changed, the communication challenges\u2014and opportunity\u2014remain the same: to communicate an engaging and inspiring point of view.<\/p>\n

Given our vibrant storytelling tradition and with so much at stake, why are there still so many bad presentations? Wouldn\u2019t you think that modern communication technology\u2014considering the advances in graphics and communications software alone!\u2014would lead to more compelling presentations? Interestingly, the problem is, to some extent, the technology. It\u2019s estimated that 30 million PowerPoint presentations are created every day, with (seemingly) a majority of presenters opting for default layouts and templates. The problem is, we\u2019re wired for story, not bullet points. A related failure is our use of available technology.<\/p>\n

In 2001, Seth Godin wrote a wonderful\u2014and instructive\u2014rant on these points: Really Bad PowerPoint (and How to Avoid It)<\/em>, blaming Microsoft for countless ineffective presentations:<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

Microsoft has built wizards and templates right into PowerPoint. And those \u201chelpful\u201d tools are the main reason that we\u2019ve got to live with page after page of bullets, with big headlines and awful backgrounds. Let\u2019s not even get started on the built-in clip art.[1]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

In response to a question regarding \u201cdeath by PowerPoint\u201d on the TechTarget Network, Margaret Rouse provided this definition: \u201ca phenomenon cause by the poor use of presentation software,\u201d identifying the primary contributors of this condition as \u201cconfusing graphics, slides with too much text and presenters whose idea of a good presentation is to read 40 slides out loud.\u201d[2]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

So how do we avoid causing \u201cdeath by PowerPoint”\u2014or by whatever presentation software we use? The common denominator of presentation mistakes is that they represent a failure of communication. This failure can be attributed to two errors: too much or too little. The error of too much is generally the result of trying to use slides as a teleprompter or a substitute to a report, or, it would seem, to bludgeon the audience into submission. Of course, this method tends to have an alternate effect, namely, prompting audience members to walk out or tune out, turning their attention instead to doodling or their device of choice.<\/p>\n

What bad presentations have too little of is emotion. Presentation expert and author of the classic Presentation Zen (and four related books) Gar Reynolds captures the crux of the problem: \u201ca good presentation is a mix of logic, data, emotion, and inspiration. We are usually OK with the logic and data part, but fail on the emotional and inspirational end.\u201d[3]<\/sup><\/a> There\u2019s also a hybrid too-little-too much mistake, where too little substance and\/or no design sensibility is\u2014in the mind of the presenter\u2014offset by transitions and special effects. Heed Seth Godin\u2019s advice: \u201cNo dissolves, spins or other transitions. None.\u201d[4]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

The 10\/20\/30 rule, generally attributed to venture capitalist Guy Kawasaki, is a good guideline to help you achieve a \u201cjust right\u201d balance in your presentations. Geared for entrepreneurs pitching their business, his advice is a discipline that would improve the quality\u2014and effectiveness\u2014of most presentations. In brief, 10\/20\/30 translates to a maximum of 10 slides, a maximum of 20 minutes and a minimum of 30 point font.[5]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Your presentation should have no more than 10 slides, take no more than 20 minutes, and use type no smaller than 30 point font.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

While this rule is a good starting point, it doesn’t overrule your audience analysis or understanding of your purpose. Sometimes, you may need more slides or have a more involved purpose\u2014like training people in new software or presenting the results of a research study\u2014that takes more than 30 minutes to address. In that case, go with what your audience needs and what will make your presentation most effective. The concept behind the 10\/20\/30 rule\u2014to make new learning easy for your audience to take in, process and remember\u2014should still be your guide even if you don’t follow the rule exactly.<\/p>\n

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Practice Question<\/h3>\n

\t