Presentation software can be used to display text, artwork, photos, charts, graphs, tables, clip art, videos, and sound. You can upload PowerPoint and Keynote presentations onto the Web for viewing elsewhere, and with additional software you can stream your presentation online in real time. Because Prezi is a Web-based platform, your presentation will be available to you wherever you have an Internet connection. And Web versions of PowerPoint and Keynote provide the general functionality of these platforms online.

Developing a Plan

Often the best place to begin planning your slides is with your speaking outline. Think through which points in your speech might be better explained to your audience with some kind of visual: decide what the content of your slides should be, how many slides you’ll need, and how to arrange your slides. Usually, a speaking outline will contain up to five main points. Each main point has at least two subpoints. Consider whether some points are more suited for visual display than others. What features should be used for each slide?

Following is a brief overview of common features and uses of the PowerPoint, Keynote, and Prezi platforms. (For more detailed guidance, consult the online support site for each platform.)