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Attention....
Microsoft
PowerPoint User

Laptop
computers, LCD projectors and portable screens have
changed the way attorneys make presentations to both
juries and other audiences. Once you've mastered the
manuals, remember to go these extra steps for smooth and
comfortable presentations.....
- Program your presentation carefully.
Keep the screen and text colors simple; use
no more than six colors on each slide. Keep slide
transitions simple; your jury/audience grew up with
TV; they want your presentation to be entertaining,
but not too Hollywood. Remember, revealing one point
at a time allows them to stay up with you.
- Test
your jury/meeting slides for size and
readability. Stand six feet away
from the screen; if you can read the screen, your
jury/audience will most likely be able to read it
too. If you are speaking to large audience in a big
room, stand at the back of the room and read your
slides. You may need to make the screen image
bigger.
- If
possible, find out about your presentation location
in advance. Identify electrical
outlets which work; decide where you are going to
place your laptop, digital/video projector, speaker,
screen. Make sure you have: a table on which to
place your video/digital projector; power and
computer cables with a long enough reach.
- Arrive early and test everything !!!
- Learn how to use the toggle switch on your
laptop computer. Often this toggle
switch is a Function key. This switch controls
whether your laptop or projector, or both, are
showing your electronic images. You want both to be
on so that you can look at the laptop while the
audience/jury watches the same image behind you on
the screen.
- Turn
off all screen savers and energy
savers. If possible, hook up your
laptop to AC power; your batteries will be your
backup.
- Stand to the left side of the jury or
audience. Because in English, we
read from left to right. That way, it's simpler for
them to both read your slides and look at you.
- Be
seen and heard. Stand away from your
computer and in the light. Use a remote mouse so you
can walk away from your computer. It is best to
arrange the light in the room so the screen is in
the dark and you are in the light.
- Motion attracts people's eyes.
Gesture to the screen when you want
the jury/audience to look There. Make use of moving
text to grab attention. Stand still when you want
them to focus on The screen. Move when you want to
get their attention again.
- Remember Murphy's Law. Any
thing can go wrong. Be prepared to give your
presentation without your laptop and hardware. If
possible make overhead transparencies. Bring backup
files, a power source for your laptop, and batteries
for your wireless mouse.
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