This document provides tips for creating effective PowerPoint presentations for criminal justice professionals. It recommends focusing PowerPoint slides on a few words in large typeface and eye-catching images rather than blocks of text. Proper planning is important, including defining the purpose, knowing the audience, and creating an outline. Presentations should emphasize visuals over lengthy notes, and provide a printed handout for participants. Copyright laws must also be respected when selecting images.

1. Creating Effective PowerPoints
for Criminal Justice
by Jean Reynolds, Ph.D.

2. As you climb the
career ladder in
criminal justice,
you’ll probably
be asked to
make
presentations to
other officers.

3. PowerPoints are useful for training,
conducting meetings, and many other
purposes…

4. …if they’re used
properly.

5. Here are some
tips.

6. 1. Understand what PowerPoint can
(and can’t!) do.

7. PowerPoint is designed for ideas and images.
Good Bad
 lengthy lists
 statistics
 instructions
 blocks of text
 simple outlines
 strong ideas
 principles
 bold images

8. Most of your slides should feature a few
words in a large typeface…

9. …and an eye-catching image.

10. Blocks of text
belong in a
printed
handout, not a
PowerPoint
slide.
Statutes acquire their force from
the time of their passage, however
unless otherwise provided. Statutes
are of several kinds; namely, Public
or private. Declaratory or
remedial. Temporary or perpetual.
A temporary statute is one which is
limited in its duration at the time
of its enactment. It continues in
force until the time of its
limitation has expired, unless
sooner repealed. A perpetual
statute is one for the continuance
of which there is no limited time,
although it may not be expressly
declared to be so. If, however, a
statute which did not itself contain
any limitation is to be governed by
another which is temporary only,
the former will also be temporary
and dependent upon the existence
of the latter.

11. 2. Plan your presentation carefully.

12. Define your
purpose, know
your audience,
and make an
outline.

13. Have you noticed the careful planning in
the PowerPoint you’re viewing right
now?

14. 3. Remember that
PowerPoints are all
about seeing…

15. …and listening.

16. Don’t expect
your audience to
take lengthy
notes.

17. Provide a printed
copy of your
presentation for
participants to
take away with
them.

18. The Print menu
for PowerPoints
offers you several
options.

19. 4. Respect copyright laws when you
select images. Stealing images is illegal!

20. Free images are
available from a
number of online
sources. Always check
the license to see if
there are restrictions.
Commons.
wikimedia.org is a
great resource!

21. Some agencies have
subscriptions to
services that provide
professional images.

22. Presentations are great opportunities to
showcase what you know.

23. Effective PowerPoints can help you
build a reputation for professionalism.

24. The guidelines you learned today will
help ensure that every presentation is a
success.

25. You can learn more about criminal
justice writing at
www.YourPoliceWrite.com.

26. Everything there is free, and no
registration is needed:
www.YourPoliceWrite.com.

27. And if you’re
looking for a
low-cost,
practical book…

28. Criminal Justice
Report Writing is
available from
www.Amazon.com for
just $19.95.
View a free sample
online.

29. A discount price is
available for class sets
(minimum five books).
Send your request to
jreynoldswrite @
aol.com

30. An e-book edition is
available from
www.Smashwords.com
for only $9.99.

31. A free Instructor’s
Manual is available on
request: Send an e-
mail to jreynoldswrite
at aol.com.