What Presenters Can Learn From the TV News

In a newscast, for instance, the news personality is the focus and the news he or she is delivering is the most important element of the broadcast. As speakers, it is important to remember that we are the most important part of a presentation and our message is far more important than any visuals we may use. During a newscast, most visuals are displayed in the top corner of the screen, just over the shoulder of the newscaster. Notice that these visuals are not meant to replace the newscaster. As presenters, we need to remember that visuals should only add to and enhance what we say, not be a substitute for the message.

When a newscast does use a full-screen graphic (a common example is the daily stock market report), the visual has very little text and usually consists of a simple graphic and a word or two that the newscaster then explains. As presenters, we need to design our visuals so that the image is simple and clear. We can then explain the meaning of the visual verbally.

Also, a newscast's time is limited, so the producers select the stories that will appeal to the greatest number of people watching. As presenters, it is important to focus on the material that will help the audience the most, and ruthlessly cut extra material that does not move the audience to the intended conclusion.

To read the rest of this interesting article, check out presentations.com, or the author, Dave Paradi's, website: powerpointlifeguard.com