Content

• Make sure your information is understandable and relevant
• Provide interesting examples

Structure

• Make sure your structure is logical and clear
• Avoid giving too much information
• Formulate a clear key message

Supporting tools

• Pay attention to legibility: no more than 5 lines of 5 words on 1 PowerPoint slide
• Vary text and images
• Use the University house style to create your PowerPoint presentation. Templates can be found in the Leiden University house style guide.
• Create a hand-out with your presentation, web references and contact information

Verbal and non-verbal communication

• Use understandable language, avoid or explain technical terms
• Pay attention to your tempo, tone of voice and volume
• Make sure there is enough variation
• Pay attention to your posture, gestures and facial expression
• Use humour

Contact with the audience

• Invite the audience to ask questions
• Stimulate interaction
• Speak enthusiastically
• Adjust your story to your circumstances and audience

Timing

• Start and end on time
• Make sure your information is spread evenly over the presentation
• Make time for questions

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Why did my audience come to listen to me?
• What is my core message?
• Do I come across as motivated and enthusiastic?
• Do I make enough contact with my audience?
• Is all my equipment working?
• Is my story short and understandable?
• Do I have an exciting opening?
• Do I have a concise ending?