In the Presentations portion of the TSA, you will be required to use Microsoft PowerPoint to produce a presentation similar to the example linked to this page.

PowerPoint Help

If you have never used Microsoft PowerPoint before, you may want to consult  some tutorials created by Microsoft that will teach you the basics of presentations.

Specific Tasks for the TSA

Applying a slide design

To add some style to your presentation, most presentation applications provide some design templates with pre-defined text and background styles.

Using Microsoft PowerPoint's "help" found on the toolbar (in PowerPoint 2013 it is the "?" in the top right corner)  or one of the links provided above, search using any of these key phrases:

  • Slides
  • Designs
  • Templates

Adding slides with text

Adding text to slides and adding new slides is as easy as typing new lines.

Using Microsoft PowerPoint's "help" found on the toolbar or one of the links provided above, search using any of these key phrases:

  • Adding new slides
  • Add text to slide

Adding images to slides

Images are usually referred to as graphics or pictures. It is important to know where the image you want to place in your presentation is stored on your computer.

Using Microsoft PowerPoint's "help" found on the toolbar or one of the links provided above, search using any of these key phrases:

  • Insert a picture or a clip art
  • SmartArt Graphics

Adding hyperlinks to pictures/slides

Hyperlinks are usually found on webpages as text, or sometimes linked to images, that you can click on to visit another page. You can also insert them into presentations. Hyperlinks can be used to give the necessary credit to the source of information, images, etc. in your presentation. They can also be used to take you from one slide to another in a presentation. This is useful for creating more interactive presentations, such as Jeopardy games.

Using Microsoft PowerPoint's "help" found on the toolbar or one of the links provided above, search using the key phrase: Create Hyperlink.

Adding shapes to slides

Most office suites offer a wide library of shapes you can insert into documents and presentations, often referred to as autoshapes.

Using Microsoft PowerPoint's "help" found on the toolbar or one of the links provided above, search using the key phrase: Add Shapes.

Adding animations to images

Any object on a slide, including images, can be animated to move or have other special effects. This animation feature  can be used to highlight certain information or to  reveal the information only at a specific point where it fits in the presentation.

Using Microsoft PowerPoint's "help" found on the toolbar or one of the links provided above, search using the key phrases: Custom Animation

  • Animate Text
  • Custom Animation

Adding slide transitions

Moving to the next slide doesn't have to be boring. Slides can fade-in, push in, rise up etc. These are referred to as slide transitions.

Using Microsoft PowerPoint's "help" found on the toolbar or one of the links provided above, search using the key phrase: Slide Transition.

Adding sound effects to slides

Each slide and each object in a slide can include audio.

Using Microsoft PowerPoint's "help" found on the toolbar or one of the links provided above, search using any of these key phrases:

  • Adding Sound
  • Play Sound Clips

Automatically advancing slides (timed slides)

Each slide can be set to advance automatically to the next slide after a time limit.

Using Microsoft PowerPoint's "help" found on the toolbar or one of the links provided above, search using the key phrase Timing Slides.

Recording a narration

If you will not be present when an audience is viewing your presentation or you want to put your presentation on the web for download, burn it to CD, etc., you will need to put a narration on your slide show. Doing this can also help add excitement to a presentation.

Using Microsoft PowerPoint's "help" found on the toolbar or one of the links provided above, search using the key phrase: Add Narration

  • Add Narration
  • Time the Delivery

Embedding a video

If you are worried about not having internet available when you present and you want to show a video, you can embed a video into your presentation if the file is saved on your computer, which will take away the need to pull it up on the internet. Using Microsoft PowerPoint’s “help” found on the toolbar or one of the links provided above, search using any of these key phrases:

  • Insert video
  • Embed video

TSA Tutorial Links