Chapter 11 Flashcards — Reflecting the Pyramid on a Screen
flashcards tpp slides storyboarding visual-communication presentation
What is the fundamental difference between a “visual presentation” and a “visual recitation”?
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A visual presentation is a show where the speaker is the star and the slides are aids that move the presentation forward — a clear distinction is made between what you say (the full, nuanced script) and what you show (the stripped-down essential idea). A “visual recitation” (Gene Zelazny’s term) is when the presenter reads every word of every slide aloud, boring the audience, or changes the words from those on screen, causing confusion.
What is the ideal ratio of exhibit slides to text slides in a business presentation?
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Approximately 90% exhibit slides to 10% text slides. Text slides clarify structure and emphasize key thought groups; exhibit slides (charts, graphs, tables, diagrams) demonstrate relationships that cannot readily be conveyed by words alone.
What are the three roles of text slides in a presentation?
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- To clarify the structure of the presentation (showing where you are in the argument). 2. To emphasize important thought groups such as conclusions, recommendations, or next steps. 3. To show relationships among ideas that benefit from visual arrangement (treating the text slide as a layout-based exhibit).
What are the seven guidelines for designing text slide content?
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- Present and support one idea at a time. 2. Use statements, not captions (“Sales outlook is favorable,” not “Sales outlook”). 3. Keep text brief — no more than ~6 lines or ~30 words per slide. 4. Use simple words and numbers. 5. Make type size readable (distance in feet ÷ 32 = minimum letter height in inches). 6. Design slides to be visually interesting through layout and type. 7. Use “build” slides to reveal complex slides part by part.
What are the five questions that exhibit slides are designed to answer?
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- What are the elements? (answered by organization charts and process flowcharts) 2. How do amounts compare to the whole, to each other, or over time? (pie charts, bar charts, column charts) 3. What has/how has it changed? (line charts, paired bar charts) 4. How are items distributed? (frequency distribution curves, histograms) 5. How do items co-relate? (side-by-side bar comparisons, scatter plots)
What is the rule for exhibit slide titles?
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The title must directly convey the slide’s message as a full sentence or a phrase that contains a verb. “Western Region accounts for almost half the profits” is correct; “Share of profits by region” is not. A statement title focuses all viewers instantly on the same message and eliminates the risk that different viewers draw different conclusions from the visual.
What is the formula for calculating minimum readable letter height for a slide?
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Divide the viewing distance (in feet) for the farthest viewer by 32 to get the minimum legible letter height in inches. Example: 16 feet ÷ 32 = 0.5 inches minimum. Conversely, multiply letter height (inches) by 32 to get the farthest readable distance in feet.
What are the six steps of the storyboarding process?
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- Write the introduction in full — every word in order. 2. Have blank storyboard forms; write the points to illustrate across the top of each blank slide (from introduction, Key Line, and one level below Key Line). 3. Rough out the visual treatment for each point (without real numbers — just types of data and relationships). 4. Script the words to be said around each slide, ensuring story flow. 5. Complete the design and send for proper drawing. 6. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse.
What does a storyboard look like, and what does each cell contain?
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A storyboard is a sheet of paper turned sideways and divided into sections, each representing a blank slide. Each cell contains: a sentence or phrase at the top stating the point the slide will illustrate, a rough sketch of the visual treatment (text or exhibit type), and notes to the designer about data and relationships to show. This device serves as a reminder to the speaker while presenting and a signal to the audience about what the slide means.
What is a “build” slide and when should you use it?
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A build slide reveals its content progressively — showing parts of the slide one at a time as the speaker develops the explanation. Use it when: (a) you want to heighten interest and suspense, or (b) you are dealing with a complex diagram that would appear overwhelming if shown all at once. Example: show the first circle alone, then add three more circles, then add the surrounding boxes.