Present Without Just Reading the Slides

Your slides should support your presentation—not become the presentation.

1. Put Less on the Slide

Use short phrases, images, evidence, examples, or key numbers. If the entire speech is on the screen, the audience has no reason to listen to you.

2. Know What You Want to Explain

For every slide, finish: “The important thing I need to explain here is ________.”

3. Use the Slide as a Cue

Glance, then explain in your own words. You can use notes if needed without reading every sentence word-for-word.

4. Help the Audience Know Where to Look

If a graph, photo, quotation, or diagram matters, point out the part the audience should notice and explain why it matters.

Try It

Imagine a slide says:

Prairie Dogs
• Live in colonies
• Warn each other about danger
• Change grassland habitats

Instead of reading the bullets, what could you actually explain?

💡 Funky Tip

If you can only present while looking at the slide, you probably need more practice with the idea—not more words on the slide.

I can do hard things.

Practice makes it easier to look up, explain, recover from mistakes, and keep going.

🎒 Take It With You

Slide = support. You = presenter.