Presentation: Assignment

Desktop setup for an online presentation, with notes on two computer screens and a Blue microphoneUsing screenshots, photographs, and other relevant visual resources, create a 5- to 6-minute slideshow presentation (using PowerPoint or Google Slides) for your classmates and your professors that provides instructions on how to use an online site or software program to perform an activity.

Now that everyone is trying to do as much as possible with online tools, rather than face-to-face interaction, you should be able to think of many options that classmates will need instructions for. Aim for something unique and creative. Here are some general ideas to help you begin thinking about the options:

  • How to do something in Canvas that people are often confused about.
  • How to beat a particular obstacle in an online game.
  • How to do something in Zoom, Google Hangouts, or another synchronous meeting program.
  • How to determine an accurate count of COVID-19 cases in your local area.
  • How to complete a task that someone working at home needs to do online.
  • How to record videos for online classes or business presentations.

Once you have an area that you are interested in pursuing, focus your presentation on a very specific activity. Here’s an example of how you might focus:

  1. You are considering the idea of completing a task someone working online at home needs to do.
  2. You narrow your topic down to something someone would need to do that relates to cybersecurity, because of your major.
  3. You narrow your topic down even more to “how to protect yourself on public WiFi.”

By choosing a very specific topic, you should be able to outline the steps someone needs to complete in your presentation within the allotted time.

Check These Sources

From Technical Communication:

  • Analyzing the Speaking Situation, on page 583.
  • TABLE 20.1 Questions To Answer in Introducing a Description, on page 550.
  • GUIDELINES: Providing Appropriate Detail in Descriptions, on page 551.
  • Characteristics of an Effective Slide, on page 587–589.
  • GUIDELINES: Designing Clear, Attractive Pages, on page 561.
  • TABLE 20.2 Signal Words, on page 564.
  • GUIDELINES: Drafting Introductions for Instructions, on page 566.
  • GUIDELINES: Drafting Steps in Instructions, on page 566.
  • Using Language To Signal Advance Organizers, Summaries, and Transitions, on page 600.
  • Guidelines: Using Memorable Language in Oral Presentations, on page 601.
  • Writer’s Checklist, on page 576.
  • Speaker’s Checklist, on page 610.

Project Tips

Documentation Tips

Project Requirements

Your Final, Finished Draft must meet these requirements in order to earn a B or better in this course:

  • Meets all of the requirements listed in the assignment description above.
  • Is a slideshow/presentation created in PowerPoint or Google Slides, that meets the following expectations:
    • Has a clear title that is specific to the project (p. 566).
    • Opens with introductory slides that (p. 556):
      • state the purpose of the task.
      • describe the safety measures or other concerns that readers should understand.
      • list the necessary tools and materials.
    • Includes slides with step-by-step instructions that are
      • numbered (p. 567).
      • expressed in the imperative mood (p. 567).
      • simple and direct (p. 567).
      • accompanied by appropriate graphics for each step (p. 568).
    • Ends with a conclusion that includes (p. 568)
      • any necessary follow-up advice.
      • if appropriate, a troubleshooting guide.
    • Includes a bibliography that provides documentation for all of the resources you have consulted. You may use the bibliographical format that is appropriate for your field. Here are some tools if you are unsure what to use:
    • Has presentation graphics that meet these five characteristics:
      • They present clear, well-supported claim(s). (p. 587)
      • They are easy to see. (p. 587)
      • They are easy to read. (p. 588)
      • They are simple. (p. 589)
      • They are correct. (p. 589)
      noun_Tips_2021795.pngTIP: Avoid clipart (which typically looks unpolished or unprofessional), and use only graphical elements that directly relate to the information in the presentation.
    • Uses professional design and formatting that does the following:
      • Makes a good first impression as a polished, professional presentation.
      • Uses appropriately-sized headings and text (24 pt minimum).
      • Makes information easy for readers to find and read.
      • Emphasizes important information.
      • Uses well-integrated, well-designed visuals to clarify the information (p. 592)
    • Includes Speaker Notes that accomplish the following:
      • Reminds you (the presenter) of key points or stories to include.
      • Helps build transitions between slides.
      • Focuses on short notes (NOT a word-for-word script).
    • Uses accurate/appropriate grammar, spelling, punctuation, mechanics, linking, and formatting.
    • Is an original project, written by you, not copied or rephrased from another source. If you copy or rephrase from another source, you will earn zero points for the project.

Activities Making Up This Major Writing Project

The following activities will all contribute to your Poster Presentation. You can complete all of them, or you can pick and choose. *Remember that the Final, Finished Draft is required in order to earn a B or better in this course.

Week of April 13

Week of April 20

Week of April 27

Credits
Photo: Online presentation setup by Michael Sauers on Flickr Links to an external site., used under a CC-BY-NC 2.0 license.