Support: Checklist

Consider the following points before creating your presentation:

The objective of your presentation.

Before considering a PowerPoint or Flash presentation, consider what you hope to achieve. That will help you focus your message.

Your core statement or primary message.

Every presentation has a core statement, just one, so make sure you are not folding one presentation into another.

Primary points in support of your core statement.

Typically, you should have no more than three primary points to support your core statement, and you should re-state your core statement after each point is given.

Supporting evidence to substantiate these points.

This is where simple animations, Flash, or even video clips can be a very effective tool to support your primary points. PowerPoint and Flash are ideal when used to explain your primary points, and are essential when demonstration or “documentation” is required.

The nature of the audience you will be addressing.

Who you are presenting to, where, and why, can be essential in determining whether PowerPoint and Flash are used as primary or supporting communication tools, and in determining the extent of content detail, including explanatory visuals.

The questions your audience may have.

Anticipating questions and incorporating them into your three primary points or the support material will gain greater acceptance for your core statement and create more involvement in your presentation. Remember, it’s never a good idea to have somebody thinking about asking a question, when he or she should be listening to your presentation.