Unit 4: Building presentations
Basics of Computer notes · PTU syllabus (BSTD 105-20)
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Unit summary
Good presentations are simple, visual and well paced. This unit covers formatting, backgrounds, graphics, animation, transitions, audio and video.
After this unit you can
- Format slides with colour, gradients and objects
- Insert pictures, movies and audio
- Apply animations and transitions with restraint
PTU syllabus topics
- Formatting a presentation
- style
- colour and gradient fills
- arranging objects
- slide backgrounds and layouts
- adding graphics/pictures/movies
- animation and transition effects
- audio and video
- 1Choose a layout and theme
- 2Add content
Text, pictures, video
- 3Format
Colours, gradient fills, backgrounds
- 4Add animations and transitions
Keep them subtle
- 5Rehearse the slide show
Topic 1
Formatting a presentation
Use a slide master for common fonts and colours, style and colour schemes, gradient fills for backgrounds and Arrange to align and layer objects. Keep text large (24 pt or more), contrast high and one idea per slide.
Use plenty of white space; no more than six lines of text per slide
Topic 2
Graphics, animation and media
Insert pictures, shapes, SmartArt, movies and audio from the Insert tab. Animation moves objects within a slide; transitions change how slides appear. Use sparingly: one subtle transition and animations only to reveal points in order.
| Do | Avoid |
|---|---|
| High contrast text | Busy background images |
| Consistent fonts (two at most) | Many animation types |
| Short phrases | Long paragraphs |
Key terms
- Slide master
- Template controlling all slides
- Gradient fill
- Blend of colours
- Animation
- Movement of objects on a slide
- Transition
- Effect between slides
- SmartArt
- Ready-made diagrams
Quick revision
- Keep slides simple with large text.
- Animations and transitions in moderation.
- Use the slide master for consistent design.
Important exam questions
Practice questions written to the PTU exam pattern for this unit's syllabus: short answers (Section A style) and long answers (Sections B and C style).
Short-answer questions
- Q1.What is the slide master?
- Q2.Differentiate animation and transition.
- Q3.Name two media you can insert.
- Q4.What is a gradient fill?
Long-answer questions
- Q1.Explain how to build an effective presentation with graphics and animation.
- Q2.State good practice rules for designing slides.
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