Book Materials

Here are my tools and templates as described in Better Presentations: A Guide for Scholars, Researchers, and Wonks.

Better Presentations Supplies Checklist

Make sure you bring everything you need when you arrange for your presentation and for the day of your presentation. I have provided this checklist in Microsoft Word format so that you can modify it with your own needs and reminders.

Better Presentations Worksheet

This worksheet—described in detail in Chapter 1 of the book—will help you organize your content and thoughts about your presentation. You can use it to condense your message down to a headline, draft your opening and closing statement, and prepare for questions. I have provided it in Microsoft Word format so that you can use it on your computer.

Color Palettes

A set of 6 color palettes presented in the book. Use the RGB, Hex, or CMYK codes to input the color palettes into your own slide software.

Grids

A set of 4:3 and 16:9 Grids provided for your use to help you lay out your content in an organized way. Use the table slide at the end to easily organize and arrange a set of icons or logos.

Header Slides

A selection of PowerPoint Header Slides you can adapt, edit, and modify with your own content. Header slides typically include the section title and maybe a relevant image or icon (depending on your preference). I’ve included several sets of Header slides, including some with numbers for different sections. I’ve included both 4:3 and 16:9 layouts.

Icons

A set of icons found in the book and provided for your use. You may adapt, edit, and modify with your content. I’ve included the raw image files—separated by chapter—and have placed them in a separate PowerPoint file as well.

Title Slides

A selection of PowerPoint Title Slides you can adapt, edit, and modify with your own content. Some of the options simply play around with placement of title and shapes on the image, so use your creativity to find an alignment you like. I’ve included both 4:3 and 16:9 layouts.

References

I derived my core principles of presentation design and delivery from watching and delivering hundreds of presentations, as well as studying research in such fields as neuroscience, sociology, and psychology about how we communicate and perceive information. The book is rooted in these different sciences; this reference list includes those specifically cited in the book as well as some additional references used for background.

Close