how to make 4 h presentation ideas

Cooperative Extension in Cumberland County

Giving a 4-h presentation and demonstration, giving a 4-h presentation.

• Planning How you decide on your topic.
• Parts The three main parts of your presentation.
• Video:  It’s Showtime! How to Demonstrate the 4-H Way (YouTube) from New Mexico State University.

The first step is to decide the topic for your presentation.

The three parts of the demonstration or speech:

1. Introduction:

• Grab the audience’s attention with a quick story, question, quote, joke or another method.
• Tell the audience your personal information (name, age, 4-H club, years in 4-H).
• Tell the audience the theme or topic of your talk — this is when you tell the audience, in a short sentence, what you are going to tell them in the next part of your presentation.

2. Body: Tell the audience the information.

The body of the presentation is the longest part of your presentation and should take up most of your time. The body should include the main points (or steps) of the presentation in an organized order. For example, when making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, the steps you give the audience might be to:

gather ingredients/supplies, put peanut butter on bread, put jelly on bread, and put the pieces together to form a sandwich.  Your presentation will probably be much more detailed than this!

3. Conclusion: Tell the audience the information that you just told them.

The presenter should use one or two paragraphs to summarize their presentation by restating the main points of your talk. During your conclusion, you should always:

• Ask if there are any questions from the audience. Make sure to repeat any questions asked so everyone in the audience can hear what is asked.
• Conclusion from 4:10 to end: 4-H Victoria Watson demonstration part 2 (YouTube)
• and this video from 2:34 to 3:48: How to Give a 4-H Demonstration (YouTube)

There are a lot of things to remember when you are “performing” your speech or demonstration. For right now, we are going to focus on four important steps that will help your audience follow your presentation. We will use the acronym “P.A.V.E.” to remember these steps:

P :  Pace The easiest mistake to make as a speaker is to talk too fast! Practice your presentation in front of an adult or your siblings and ask them to tell you if you talk too fast. It is a good idea to talk especially slow while you share very important points in your presentation.

A: Audience Remember your audience by making eye contact and smiling.

V: Volume Make sure your audience can hear you. Don’t be afraid of a microphone — it is there to help you!

E: Energy Be excited about your topic! Tell the audience what you like about your topic and what it means to you. And smile! If it seems like you don’t care about the topic then the audience won’t care either.

Four things to avoid when giving a presentation!

• Video:  Top 4 things to avoid while giving a speech (YouTube)

For more resources about choosing, writing, and giving a 4-H presentation, visit Public Presentations from University of Illinois Extension page.

Let’s try a speech

• Write a 30-second speech that has an introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Join your 4-H club
• Attend 4-H Mini-Forum
• Give a demonstration at the Public Presentation Festival
• Volunteer to help collect food for the Food Bank
• Raise an animal/pet such as a cow, horse or dog (or any animal you want!)

Demonstration Guidelines

What is a Demonstration? Demonstration is an opportunity for any 4-H participant to prepare, organize and present an idea by using visual aids and teaching skills. Such things as showing a friend how to tie a knot, take a picture or play cribbage are all examples of giving a demonstration.

Why should I do a Demonstration? Giving a demonstration in front of an audience will help you to think on your feet and to speak in front of a group of peers and families.  This is a great and fun way to begin to prepare you for more challenging events that may involve public speaking.

What will I get out of doing a Demonstration? Once you’re done you will feel proud of yourself for taking part in a County event and talking to an audience.  You will boost your confidence to try other events.  You just might meet some new people and make a new friend.

Each participant is encouraged to demonstrate a topic or activity that interests you.  Anything goes and the sky’s the limit!! Remember to be a successful 4-H Demonstrator, you must understand what you are demonstrating, keep it simple and comfortable to do, and most of all have fun doing it!

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Pictured: Arianna Winfield presenting on how to make mini bundt cakes.

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4-H Public Presentations is a program in which youth learn to create a presentation and develop the skills needed to present it before an audience. They learn about the research process and the steps needed to organize information into an interesting and creative presentation.

Youth learn about the varied purposes of presentations and how to tailor their presentations appropriately to fit their intentions. Beginners are encouraged to select simple topics with which they are extremely comfortable, so that the presentation process is the focus of their learning without the stress of learning about an unfamiliar topic.

As youth progress and grow each year, they are challenged to try one of the more difficult types of presentations, to use more advanced technology in their presentations where appropriate, and to venture into unfamiliar topics or presentation styles.

As youth progress and grow each year, they are challenged to continue to increase their public speaking skills by using more advanced technology in their presentations where appropriate, and expanding to more complex topics or more challenging presentation styles.

4-H Presentation Training Day:

Usually scheduled a month or two prior to actual presentation day. See Dates for Yates and Events Calendar for details and to pre-register.

County Level Public Presentations:

Traditionally scheduled during the week of school’s winter break in February (a weeknight and a Saturday morning.) Pre-registration due date and registration forms are in Dates for Yates and on our website by December.

• Cloverbuds (4-H’ers 5-7 years old) receive feedback from evaluators verbally and in writing on a brief scoring sheet. They receive a certificate and participation ribbon.
• 4-H’ers (age 8 and older by January 1 st of the current year) receive verbal and written feedback from evaluators based on a rubric and scoring sheet. A numerical score is tallied from the rubric, and presenters receive the corresponding blue, red, or white award along with their certificate, rubric, and scoring sheet with comments.

District 4-H Public Presentations:

Nine-county regional event held each spring. 4-H’ers (cloverbuds are exempt) are invited by their local county educators to take part at this next level, based on evaluators’ recommendations and their scores from the county level presentations. Participants receive their scoring sheets with judges’ comments, and awarded ribbons or medals.

State 4-H Public Presentations:

A limited number of 4-H’ers who excelled at the District Level Presentations are invited to compete in Ithaca at the state level of public presentations based on awards and scores received at the District Level. Participants receive their scoring sheets with judges’ comments, and awarded ribbons or medals.

Note: Please refer to rubrics, scoring sheets, and other information about public presentations listed on our webpage in the lefthand column. For examples of public presentations, please follow the link to Wayne County 4-H website for sample video presentations, completed rubrics and scoresheets at http://ccewayne.org/4-h-youth-development/finger-lakes-district-4-h-public-presentation-training

Last updated January 25, 2024

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• Progression and Age-Group Expectations (Remember: This is just guideline. No presentation should exceed 15 minutes. Please, refer to the “Appropriate Length” section of the rubric to see a more detailed description of what the judges are looking for.)

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4-H Public Presentations Project

Do you like to share interesting information with your friends? Maybe you enjoy talking about your interests and talents. If so, these are forms of public presenting! Presenting in front of others is one of the greatest, most important skills to learn and master. It can be scary, but with practice and tips learned through 4-H, you’ll be a pro in no time!

In the public presentations project area, you will be able to provide information through: public speaking, demonstrating, illustrating a topic, or explaining ‘why’.

Ages and Stages of Youth Development

Beginners can start by thinking about their favorite hobby or interest and telling friends and family about it, as well as develop and present a demonstration or illustrated talk.

Juniors should be a little more comfortable speaking in front of others. Practice using less notes, work on a public speech where visual aids are minimal, and record your presentation to determine your speaking strengths and weaknesses.

A senior public presenter should be able to give a presentation with little to no notes. Deliver a presentation in the “Project Why” area, present to a community group organization, complete public speech with not visual aids.

4-H Programming Priorities

A key component of good leadership is your ability to speak and present to others. Take it a step further and promote project areas in 4-H through speaking.

Health & Wellness

Promote health & wellness with a demonstration or speech on healthy habits, good food choices, or the importance of physical activity.

Research and present a science topic to educate your audience, demonstrations and illustrated talks are excellent opportunities for this.

Agriculture

Use your presentation skills to provide facts about an agriculture issue or topic or speak about your personal experiences on the farm or ranch.

Get Involved

Youth Voice

• Develop self-confidence through public presentations
• Practice self-expression an creativity
• Learn how to organize and present information

Community Service

• Teach a new skill to younger students in your school
• Present a topic at a meeting to address a community need
• Promote 4-H to others

Career Connections

• Education and teaching
• Journalism and communications
• Drama and theatre

Exhibit Ideas

• Public presentations consist of 4 project areas: Illustrated talk, demonstration, public speaking, and "Project Why"
• Present favorite project area or hobby
• Challenge yourself to research and present a topic you don’t know much about

Learning Resources

• National 4-H Curriculum

Related Topics

Related content.

4-H Bounty is a monthly club guide that focuses on leadership activities, community service, youth-in-action and specific project areas, as well as prepares youth and their families for county and state events.

South Dakota 4-H Seeks Project Committee Members

October 20, 2021

These committees cover a range in interests, from traditional animal projects and youth-in-action events, to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs.

Projects & Resources

For schools, this page serves as a compendium of evidence-based curricula that our local 4-H professionals can teach or share. This page provides parents and volunteers with project resources and easy-to-digest “hot sheets” for navigating the latest trends/issues affecting youth.

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Why Do 4-Hers Make Public Presentations?

The logo above is a good reminder of the “4 Essential Elements” for youth development: a sense of belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity. In combination, these essential elements help youth to grow into competent, caring, and contributing adults.When it comes to the element of “mastery” in particular, all youth want to be good at something (adults do too!). Mastery is building knowledge, skills, and attitudes and then demonstrating the competent use of the knowledge and skills.Youth need to feel and believe that they are capable, and experience success at solving problems and meeting challenges to develop their self-confidence.

Practicing and offering 4-H public presentations give youth an ideal opportunity to stretch and grow in the “mastery” of the activities.Settings that promote mastery – like 4-H Club meetings, County Fair, State Fair – encourage youth to take risks, seek out challenges, and focus on self-improvement rather than comparing themselves to their peers.

Types of 4-H Presentations

• A DEMONSTRATION puts words into action. An effective demonstration teaches others how to do something by showing while telling. At the end of a demonstration, you should have a finished product to show your audience. Examples include: how to cook an egg, how to groom a dog, how to needle-felt.
• An ILLUSTRATED TALK makes us of posters, pictures, PowerPoint (at County Fair: for Intermediate and Senior 4-Hers only), or other visuals to show how to do something or illustrate a process. No finished product is required. Examples include: how to plant a garden, how to distinguish horse markings, how to lead a fun and effective carwash.
• PUBLIC SPEAKING is a prepared speech on a specific subject for an audience. Usually, no props or visual aids are used.4-Hers use this type of presentation to teach, entertain, and/or inform their audiences. Examples include: why I like the 4-H cat project, 4-H around the world, what compassion looks like in my community.

Individual and Team Presentations

Presentations can be given by individuals or by teams. When trying to decide between the two, ask yourself, “Can I do this best by myself or with someone else? ”While individual presentations tend to take less time in planning and presenting, team presentations are a great way to learn team planning and cooperation. And, they offer the viewing audience a change of voices and personalities and, perhaps, understand a subject from different perspectives. Teamwork is encouraged throughout the planning and presentation itself. Shifting the presentation from one team member to another should occur at natural and relatively equal intervals.

Here are a few things to keep in mind with team presentations:

• If you plan to compete at State Fair, only members of the same age division should compete as a team.
• Be sure that all members of the team share in the preparation, doing, and telling.
• Team presentations take more practice in order to flow as if only one person is giving the demonstration. So, allow for plenty of practice time.

Recommended Time Limits for 4-H Presentations

For demonstrations and illustrated talks, the minimum time is 3 minutes and the maximum is 20 minutes, depending on 4-H “age” (your age on Oct. 1 of the current 4-H year). For public speeches, the minimum time is 5 minutes and a maximum time is 10 minutes (at State Fair, a penalty of 5 points per minute under or over is deducted).

Getting Ready to Present

Shaping the Presentation

• (1) Choose a topic that is of great interest to you! If you need ideas, talk with your 4-H friends and Leader; look at the 4-H catalog: talk with other adults and youth in your life; or look in the library, magazines, newspapers, and other media.
• (2) Choose a title that gives an interesting hint at what your topic is about. For example, if you are going to do an illustrated talk about rabbits’ eyelids, you might want to call it “The Eyes Have It” instead of “Rabbit Eyelids.”
• (3) Prepare a written outline of the 3 main parts of your presentation. You are welcome (and encouraged) to use your outline and brief notes as you present (no need to memorize!). You might want to use the template on the next page help you with your outline: 

ANATOMY OF A 4-H PRESENTATION

General Preparation Tips

• (1) Choose a different topic each year.
• (2) Decide whether you’d like to present as an individual or as a team.
• (3) Use the template on the previous page to help you structure your presentation.
• (4) Use illustrations, posters, and visuals (including models, tools, etc.) to help your audience understand your presentation – avoid any visuals that DISTRACT attention from your main idea. Make sure lettering and images on graphics can be viewed from the back of the room and at every angle (easels are available). Live animals are not permitted in 4-H public demonstrations.
• (5) Have your material well organized in a logical order. Perhaps trays, boxes, bowls etc. will help your to manage your materials. If you use these, look for transparent containers so that your audience can see the contents. Also consider labeling containers so that your audience sees the materials and the process.
• (6) Plan what you’ll wear. Your clothes should be simple, neat, and clean. Those doing food presentations should wear short sleeves. Hair should be under control. Don’t wear DISTRACTING clothes, jewelry, or makeup. Choose clothing appropriate for your presentation: e.g., clown gear for a clowning presentation, period clothing for a presentation on John Muir.
• (7) Prepare to bring any reference materials to your presentation and be prepared to share your references with your audience at the end of your presentation.
• (8) PRACTICE often, out loud, and pull in lots of different people to serve as your audience. Be sure to ask your practice audience questions like: “What was not clear in my presentation?” “What really struck you?” “How can I make my presentation even better?”

Presentation Day!

Gearing Up Tips

• (1) Attend to your basic needs. Get a good night sleep and healthy meal before your presentation. If you think you’ll need a glass of water, have one ready. (No gum chewing please. And clean hands and nails are a plus!)
• (2) Get to know your equipment well – especially if you’re planning to use computer and/or projection equipment.
• (3) Arrange equipment and supplies neatly and so that the audience can see clearly. Place any extra equipment on a second table away from the main demonstration table. Keep a hand towel, paper towels, garbage can, etc. handy if needed.
• (4) If using posters, be prepared to remove or turn posters as soon as you have made your point.

Presentation Tips

You’ll find lots of tips in the “38 Tips for Persuasive Presentations” handout; here are a few more:

• (1) Show enthusiasm for your topic. Look like you enjoy what you’re presenting (others will too).Weave personal experience into your presentation where appropriate.
• (2) Have good, gentle eye contact with your audience. Stand tall.
• (3) Again, bring notes, but do not read directly from them (this cuts down on eye contact.)
• (4) Make your voice gentle, appropriately loud, and clear. (You’ll have a microphone at Fair.)
• (5) Name any supplies and hold them up so that your audience can see.
• (6) Keep your work/demonstration area organized – move materials from right to left if you are right-handed, or left to right if you are left-handed.
• (7) Label the backs of posters, books, etc. that you’ll want to reference during your presentation (but you don’t want your audience to necessarily see).
• (8) Goof-ups happen to everyone! Go right ahead with your presentation; explain what happened.
• (9) Thank your audience for their attention.

Last updated January 8, 2024

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Demonstrations for 4-H Members

Me demonstrate how to make something in front of people.

Successful 4-H demonstrations don’t have to be difficult or complicated. An idea for a demonstration does not have to be so new or so complex that no one in the audience has ever heard of it. In fact, the best demonstrations are usually done by talking about something with which you and the audience are already familiar.

Something that you have learned in your 4-H project or something that you really enjoy doing will make a good 4-H demonstration. If you are a beginner, choose a simple topic like “How to Tie-Dye a T-Shirt,” “The Correct Way to Measure Flour,” “How to Care for Houseplants,” or “What to Feed a Pet.”

If you think of your 4-H demonstration simply as an opportunity to share something you know with your 4-H friends, it’s easy. Every day, people show and/or tell others how to do things like using a computer, holding a baseball bat, or operating a piece of equipment.

One 4-H member in particular had used all kinds of excuses in trying to avoid giving a demonstration. His 4-H advisor stopped to visit one day and found him busily cleaning and oiling his bicycle for the summer season. The advisor asked him if he would show the other members of the 4-H club how to care for their bikes. He said, “Sure.”

By the end of the summer, he had given three demonstrations. First, he showed how to practice proper maintenance on a bike. Next, he demonstrated proper safety practices when riding a bike. His final demonstration was on how to fix a flat tire on a bike.

By now, you must be thinking of something that you could demonstrate. Why not join the hundreds of other 4-H members who have gained a great sense of satisfaction by talking about something they enjoy with their fellow members?

If you are ready to give it a try, the rest of this resource will help you organize your thoughts and create a successful demonstration.

Choosing Your Topic

Your first job is to select a topic. It should be something interesting to you and the audience. The more you know about the subject, the easier it will be. You should select an idea or a practice from your 4-H project or something in which you are currently interested. This could be a new method or product, or a quicker or easier method of getting a job done. Both of these things are usually of interest to an audience.

In choosing your demonstration topic, use these questions to help you decide what it is you want to do:

• Am I interested in this subject?
• Does it have action?
• Can it be clearly demonstrated?
• Does it have one main idea?
• Can I do it easily?
• Is it related to my project?

Remember, your goal is to show your friends how to do something. Write or type your demonstration topic ideas below.

Choosing a Title

Next, select a title that will describe your demonstration and catch the interest of your audience. If you can’t think of a title right away, continue planning your demonstration and maybe a catchy title will come to you before you finish.

Planning Your 4-H Demonstration

Planning is the key to success. Planning gives you confidence because you really know what you are doing. In addition, careful attention to detail during your planning will make your demonstration easier. Your demonstration should consist of three parts—the introduction, the body, and the conclusion.

Introduction

The introduction part of your demonstration is designed to let the audience know what you will be talking about. It should be clear and interesting. To catch the interest of the audience, and to get your demonstration off to a good start, use a short, snappy statement or a question that relates to the topic. It is easier to make your points when the audience has a general idea “where you are going” from the beginning. A formal introduction is not necessary. The person who introduces you at your club and at the county or the state contest should give your name, the title of your demonstration, and any other appropriate information. Do not reintroduce yourself! After you have been introduced, start right into your demonstration.

This is the main part of your demonstration. You should show and explain all the points or steps of what you are doing in logical order. Each step should be clearly shown or explained before moving on to the next one. Usually three to seven points or steps should be stressed. A more complicated demonstration may be confusing to the audience. Even though, in some demonstrations, the entire process is not shown directly to the audience, each step should be clearly explained. You should understand and be able to explain everything you do or show in your presentation. It may be necessary to have materials ready in various stages to show all the steps.

Doing some background research helps. By reading any related information you can find in your project book, library reference books, OSU Extension bulletins, the internet, and school books, you should be able to gather some accurate information and/or statistics. Discuss your topic with authorities in the field, 4-H advisors, parents, and OSU Extension educators. This will help you fully understand all the details.

As part of your conclusion, reemphasize the important points of your presentation and show your finished product(s). Display your product(s) in an attractive manner so others will want to go home and have the same result when they try your idea. Smile and be proud of your accomplishment. You did it! Ask for questions. Each time a question is asked, you should repeat the question before you give the answer. If you don’t know the answer, apologize and let the audience know you don’t currently know the answer. If you can point them to a possible reference, it will be appreciated. However, it is all right to admit you do not know the answer. After answering questions, thank the audience and gather your equipment as quickly and quietly as possible.

Other Tips for Your Demonstration

Some other items that can make your demonstration truly outstanding include delivery, materials, visual aids, appearance, and practice.

Demonstrate how to do something by using action words like cut, pull, place, fold, mix, attach, turn, hold, or saw and then show the action. (Use materials and tools to show the action.) With practice and experience, you will be able to develop a delivery that shows poise and enthusiasm. You will want to speak clearly and use proper grammar. It is important to talk to your audience instead of the judge, the table top, or your visuals. You should emphasize important words and phrases by changing the volume or tone of your voice. Be happy and enjoy yourself. A smile will put you and the audience at ease.

Select only the material and the equipment needed for your demonstration and use them correctly. Use practical, everyday materials rather than unfamiliar items. Remember that too many objects tend to get in the way. If a great many things are needed, arrange them on trays and place them on a table behind you. Put things to be used together on their own trays. You can complete one step, return that tray with its materials, and get the next tray. Trays also help to keep small pieces of equipment together. Hunting and fumbling for materials can be avoided by arranging materials in the order of their use.

Use clear plastic or glass containers when possible so the audience can see what is in them—especially in food demonstrations. A towel is handy for wiping hands and cleaning up. Materials should be in the background, so the audience will watch you rather than the equipment. Having too many articles on the table makes it difficult for people to see what you are doing or showing.

When working with small motors or any heavy equipment, you may need special boxes or additional help for carrying your material. Cross-section diagrams or individual parts help the audience understand your points. Be sure to check with officials regarding fire regulations when small engines are used. Gasoline and/or oil are not permitted in many public buildings. Paper towels for clean-up are very helpful here too.

Small animals are often used with demonstrations. Small animals help to hold the attention of the audience but make sure the audience focuses mainly on you and not the animal. Large animals usually don’t work well in many settings. In fact, large animals are not allowed at the Ohio State Fair demonstration contest. Use posters, stuffed animals, or models to make your points in these situations. Use the space on the back of this fact sheet to list materials you might be able to use for your demonstration.

Visual Aids

You can give a more interesting demonstration by using visual aids. Generally, posters (things drawn on or attached to poster board) are the easiest and least costly way to help the audience follow along. Sometimes only the title of your demonstration needs to be on a poster. Make sure the letters are really large and can be read by the audience. For other demonstrations, a few additional posters may be needed. These posters would have the main ideas of your demonstration written or illustrated on them. This can help the audience follow along with your presentation. Make sure the lettering and/or drawings are neat and easy to read. They don’t have to be professionally done. Also, make sure ahead of time that an easel will be available for your poster to be displayed.

If you are using presentation software, like PowerPoint, and a projector screen for your visual aids, be sure to avoid using too much text or text that is too small on the slides. Generally speaking, the text should be at least 24 points. Multiple screens filled with helpful, step-by-step images are much more effective than ones filled with text. Make sure the colors you use are easy to see when they are projected. Blue letters on a green background might look all right on a computer screen, but they are too similar when projected. Use high quality, clear images too. They should not be fuzzy or grainy. Most importantly, do not fall into the trap of reading the text on your slides. You want the audience to look at and connect with you, not your slides.

You should appear clean and neat. You should be well groomed, and remember to stand and sit properly. Clothing should be appropriate for the type of things you will be doing during your demonstration. Jewelry and other flashy accessories often draw the attention of the audience away from your topic and should not be worn. Working with a small engine requires different clothing than making a rope halter or making a salad. Safety clothing (goggles, gloves, etc.) are encouraged whenever appropriate.

Practice can make perfect. It is a good idea to practice your demonstration before a mirror and your family. Family members can give suggestions that will improve your presentation. Working before a mirror will help you learn to control your nervousness and spot needed changes. If you have access to a smartphone or other device with a voice recorder, use it for practicing. Even better, make a video. Practice sessions will pay off when you successfully complete a demonstration for your club or a contest. Good luck!

• Select a topic that you know well and find interesting.
• Develop one main idea or topic to share.
• Use an outline to help you organize the idea or topic into three to seven points or steps that can be explained and/or shown.
• Secure the material and the equipment needed and organize it to avoid clutter.
• Dress appropriately for the activity being demonstrated.
• Check your materials and equipment before you give the demonstration. Make words on posters large enough for all to read.
• Use a catchy introduction that will get the attention of the audience.
• Take your time and speak clearly, looking at your audience.
• Show how each step is done so everyone can see.
• Keep your materials orderly, and when you are finished with something, place it out of the way.
• Practice the demonstration with family or friends who will give suggestions for improvement.
• Smile and enjoy yourself, but avoid chewing gum, placing your hands in your pockets, or “fiddling” with equipment.
• Review your points or steps at the end, ask for questions, and thank the audience.
• Check with your County 4-H Educator to see how to qualify for Communication Day at the Ohio State Fair.  

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How-To Geek

6 ways to create more interactive powerpoint presentations.

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• Add Links and Menus
• Add Clickable Images to Give More Info
• Add a Countdown Timer

We've all been to a presentation where the speaker bores you to death with a mundane PowerPoint presentation. Actually, the speaker could have kept you much more engaged by adding some interactive features to their slideshow. Let's look into some of these options.

1. Add a QR code

Adding a QR code can be particularly useful if you want to direct your audience to an online form, website, or video.

Some websites have in-built ways to create a QR code. For example, on Microsoft Forms , when you click "Collect Responses," you'll see the QR code option via the icon highlighted in the screenshot below. You can either right-click the QR code to copy and paste it into your presentation, or click "Download" to add it to your device gallery to insert the QR code as a picture.

In fact, you can easily add a QR code to take your viewer to any website. On Microsoft Edge, right-click anywhere on a web page where there isn't already a link, and left-click "Create QR Code For This Page."

You can also create QR codes in other browsers, such as Chrome.

You can then copy or download the QR code to use wherever you like in your presentation.

2. Embed Microsoft Forms (Education or Business Only)

If you plan to send your PPT presentation to others—for example, if you're a trainer sending step-by-step instruction presentation, a teacher sending an independent learning task to your students, or a campaigner for your local councilor sending a persuasive PPT to constituents—you might want to embed a quiz, questionnaire, pole, or feedback survey in your presentation.

In PowerPoint, open the "Insert" tab on the ribbon, and in the Forms group, click "Forms". If you cannot see this option, you can add new buttons to the ribbon .

As at April 2024, this feature is only available for those using their work or school account. We're using a Microsoft 365 Personal account in the screenshot below, which is why the Forms icon is grayed out.

Then, a sidebar will appear on the right-hand side of your screen, where you can either choose a form you have already created or opt to craft a new form.

Now, you can share your PPT presentation with others , who can click the fields and submit their responses when they view the presentation.

3. Embed a Live Web Page

You could always screenshot a web page and paste that into your PPT, but that's not a very interactive addition to your presentation. Instead, you can embed a live web page into your PPT so that people with access to your presentation can interact actively with its contents.

To do this, we will need to add an add-in to our PPT account .

Add-ins are not always reliable or secure. Before installing an add-in to your Microsoft account, check that the author is a reputable company, and type the add-in's name into a search engine to read reviews and other users' experiences.

To embed a web page, add the Web Viewer add-in ( this is an add-in created by Microsoft ).

Go to the relevant slide and open the Web Viewer add-in. Then, copy and paste the secure URL into the field box, and remove https:// from the start of the address. In our example, we will add a selector wheel to our slide. Click "Preview" to see a sample of the web page's appearance in your presentation.

This is how ours will look.

When you or someone with access to your presentation views the slideshow, this web page will be live and interactive.

4. Add Links and Menus

As well as moving from one slide to the next through a keyboard action or mouse click, you can create links within your presentation to direct the audience to specific locations.

To create a link, right-click the outline of the clickable object, and click "Link."

In the Insert Hyperlink dialog box, click "Place In This Document," choose the landing destination, and click "OK."

What's more, to make it clear that an object is clickable, you can use action buttons. Open the "Insert" tab on the ribbon, click "Shape," and then choose an appropriate action button. Usefully, PPT will automatically prompt you to add a link to these shapes.

You might also want a menu that displays on every slide. Once you have created the menu, add the links using the method outlined above. Then, select all the items, press Ctrl+C (copy), and then use Ctrl+V to paste them in your other slides.

5. Add Clickable Images to Give More Info

Through PowerPoint's animations, you can give your viewer the power to choose what they see and when they see it. This works nicely whether you're planning to send your presentation to others to run through independently or whether you're presenting in front of a group and want your audience to decide which action they want to take.

Start by creating the objects that will be clickable (trigger) and the items that will appear (pop-up).

Then, select all the pop-ups together. When you click "Animations" on the ribbon and choose an appropriate animation for the effect you want to achieve, this will be applied to all objects you have selected.

The next step is to rename the triggers in your presentation. To do this, open the "Home" tab, and in the Editing group, click "Select", and then "Selection Pane."

With the Selection Pane open, select each trigger on your slide individually, and rename them in the Selection Pane, so that they can be easily linked to in the next step.

Finally, go back to the first pop-up. Open the "Animations" tab, and in the Advanced Animation group, click the "Trigger" drop-down arrow. Then, you can set the item to appear when a trigger is clicked in your presentation.

If you want your item to disappear when the trigger is clicked again, select the pop-up, click "Add Animation" in the Advanced Animation group, choose an Exit animation, and follow the same step to link that animation to the trigger button.

6. Add a Countdown Timer

A great way to get your audience to engage with your PPT presentation is to keep them on edge by adding a countdown timer. Whether you're leading a presentation and want to let your audience stop to discuss a topic, or running an online quiz with time-limit questions, having a countdown timer means your audience will keep their eye on your slide throughout.

To do this, you need to animate text boxes or shapes containing your countdown numbers. Choose and format a shape and type the highest number that your countdown clock will need. In our case, we're creating a 10-second timer.

Now, with your shape selected, open the "Animations" tab on the ribbon and click the animation drop-down arrow. Then, in the Exit menu, click "Disappear."

Open the Animation Pane, and click the drop-down arrow next to the animation you've just added. From there, choose "Timing."

Make sure "On Click" is selected in the Start menu, and change the Delay option to "1 second," before clicking "OK."

Then, with this shape still selected, press Ctrl+C (copy), and then Ctrl+V (paste). In the second box, type 9 . With the Animation Pane still open and this second shape selected, click the drop-down arrow and choose "Timing" again. Change the Start option to "After Previous," and make sure the Delay option is 1 second. Then, click "OK."

We can now use this second shape as our template, as when we copy and paste it again, the animations will also duplicate. With this second shape selected, press Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V, type 8 into the box, and continue to do the same until you get to 0 .

Next, remove the animations from the "0" box, as you don't want this to disappear. To do this, click the shape, and in the Animation Pane drop-down, click "Remove."

You now need to layer them in order. Right-click the box containing number 1, and click "Bring To Front." You will now see that box on the top. Do the same with the other numbers in ascending order.

Finally, you need to align the objects together. Click anywhere on your slide and press Ctrl+A. Then, in the Home tab on the ribbon, click "Arrange." First click "Align Center," and then bring the menu up again, so that you can click "Align Middle."

Press Ctrl+A again to select your timer, and you can then move your timer or copy and paste it elsewhere.

Press F5 to see the presentation in action, and when you get to the slide containing the timer, click anywhere on the slide to see your countdown timer in action!

Now that your PPT presentation is more interactive, make sure you've avoided these eight common presentational mistakes before you present your slides.

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