This document discusses the principles of "PresentationZen" which aims to improve presentations by making them simpler, clearer and focused on meaningful content. It recommends using fewer bullet points with verbs, high contrast colors, relevant images instead of text, and short video/audio clips. Presenters are advised to rehearse thoroughly, tell a story, be present during the delivery and follow principles like the "rule of thirds". The goal is to promote understanding instead of boring the audience with long-winded PowerPoint presentations.

1. PresentationZen
PresentationZen
Kathy Kraemer
Kathy Kraemer

2. Credits
Garr Reynolds
John Unruh-Friesen
Ben Friesen

3. Death by Powerpoint

4. Death by Powerpoint

5. Death by Powerpoint

6. Bad and good presentations

7. What we want
• Clarity
• Meaning
• Great content

8. What we get
• Confusion
• Boredom
• Wasted time

9. What’s Zen got to do with it?
• Simplicity
• Less is more

12. Death by PPT

14. Here’s your structure
building assignment…
• Get into 4 groups. You’ll be given the following
materials: 1 yard of masking tape, 1 yard of
string, 20 strings of spaghetti and 1
marshmallow.
• Goal: To see which group can build the largest
structure.
• Time: You’ll have 18 minutes to complete the
task
• Be sure to have the marshmallow at the top of
your structure. Good luck!

28. ZenPreparation:
Know where you’re going

29. ZenPreparation: Use Verbs
• Tell a story.
• Use anecdotes.
• Promote life by PPT instead of death by PPT.

31. Follow the six by six rule:
6 bullet points, 6 words across.
• Verb word word word word word
• Verb word word word word word
• Verb word word word word word
• Verb word word word word word
• Verb word word word word word
• Verb word word word word word

33. ZenPrep:
Choose Font Well

34. ZenPrep:

35. Use text according to
background color
• Use dark text on light screen.
• Use light text on dark screen.

36. Use up to date research.

37. Choose color well.

40. Use images
instead of text.

41. Use faces.

42. Use faces.

43. Use faces.

44. Use 1 image per idea.

45. Use 1 idea per slide.

46. Use 1 idea per slide.

47. Practice less is more.

48. Use the Rule of Thirds.

49. Use the Rule of Thirds

50. Use Rule of Thirds

52. Avoid illegal photos.

53. Use short video and audio clips.

54. Use the slide sorter.

55. ZenDelivery

56. ZenDelivery: Storytelling

57. ZenDelivery: Storytelling

58. ZenDelivery

59. ZenResources
• Creative Commons: images, video, sound
• Google images

60. Delivery: Be present.
Presentation Zen Master
• Rehearse like mad.

61. Thank you!
Kathy Kraemer, Fridley Public Schools