Presentation Zen, by Garr Reynolds , is a book that emphasizes simple ideas on presentation, design and delivery.  This easy reading, to the point book is a great read for anyone planning a presentation or for those who do presentations on a regular basis.  Reynolds emphasizes simplicity and the avoidance of text filled PowerPoint slides that repeat what the speaker is saying.  Presentation Zen promotes letting go of bad habits that cause both the audience and presenter to suffer, and learning to connect with the audience by minimizing chaos and clutter in a presentation. 

            Before PowerPoint is even opened, a presenter should start with the end in mind.  Understanding the purpose of the presentation and who will be in the audience are important things to consider in planning a presentation.  A presenter needs to think about how to connect to the audience.  Reynolds recommends starting in “analog mode.”  Starting with pen and paper or whiteboard or post-it notes, sketch out and map out the presentation.  It is important to use stories; especially personal ones that help connect to the audience and provide examples to support your major points.  Always remember that the audience is the most important aspect of the presentation and the last thing you want to do is bore them. 

            Live talks are enhanced by well prepared multimedia slides. When preparing slides, it is important to keep three things in mind: “simplicity, clarity and brevity.”  It is important to limit text to a minimum.  Slides should support a narration, not duplicate it.  Handouts can be given as a takeaway from the presentation, but the slides presented should not duplicate the narration.  People come to a presentation in hopes of being moved or informed.  Reynolds stresses keeping the following concepts in mind as slides are designed: “subtlety, grace, and understated elegance.”  Simple slides that have limited text and plenty of “white space,” reduce clutter and provide a more powerful message.  The use of high quality graphics and photographs, instead of clip art, accentuate a presentation.  Offsetting text away from the center can add impact.  Using the principle of repetition throughout the slides can provide consistency and organization.  Alignment and proximity of elements within a slide are important to keep a well organized look.  Reynolds emphasizes “maximum effect with minimum means.”

View example slides from Presentation Zen:

www.slideshare.net/garr/sample-slides-by-garr-reynolds

Wabi Sabi in Presentation Zen

For further information on professional presentation skills, check out Garr Reynolds blog at:

www.presentationzen.com/presentationzen/

And Reynolds' interview titled  Ten Questions with Garr Reynolds led by a random blogger whose blog is titled How to Change the World. In this interview, Reynolds is asked to discuss his book presentation zen through a series of ten questions asked of him. This interview highlights the parts of the book that stand out, and may attract those who have not yet read the book to do so.

Authors at Google:  Garr Reynolds 

Examples of top slide presentations:

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One of the greatest slideshows on slideshare I thought is called Mr. Presentation. This slideshow did not win any of the contests, it just got an honerable mention. The slideshow is about presentations and shows how presentations should be layed out by bringing up points like that presentations should be short, contain not a lot of words, and also be entertaining. This is an excellent slideshow to watch to realize what makes a good presentation. Not only does it bring up the points of being a good presentation, but it also is a good presentation. Thats a double winner. So, come on and help Mr. Presentation Mr. Presentation be a better guy!

Writing in the Digital Age

digitalage.ning.com/

PWR209: Wiki Project