Adopting Appropriate Voice, Tone and Level of Formality

So like my blog this week right- lol its totes gunnu b abt writing and ways 2 improve it. Lol i no u prob alred no allz abt that… jk.

      While my attempts may be over exaggerated, I hope that I am able to convey a simple truth through them- the way you write determines how other people view you. Some may find this inconvenient, but the moment an employer reads a run-on sentence, there are certain ideas that go through his head that just may determine the way he thinks about you. That being said, it is of the upmost importance to understand what voice, tone, and level of formality are appropriate in a given situation and do your best to adjust. A few weeks ago in Composition 2, Dr. Theado kindly brought up the fact that some students (not necessarily in our class) would email him and say things like, "hey what were we supposed to read?" There is a certain level of formality expected when emailing a professor- some students fell short, and the professor noticed. Wear good-looking voice, tone, and formality like you wear good-looking shirts, pants, and shoes.

Focusing on Purpose

      In a few of my blogs, I have alluded to a Powerpoint presentation as a unique and effective way to convey a message. While I have written in relative depth about things like blogs, emails, and essays, I have yet to write in-depth about Powerpoint. While doing our "Campus Project" in Composition 2 (which requires a Powerpoint presentation), we were offered a handout focusing our powerpoint efforts and goals, as well as instructed on the art of Powerpoint. Through this project, I have come to understand the most important principle in presenting via slideshow. I was delighted to find this principle also on our list of  learning outcomes.
     In presenting to a live audience, whose attention is already split between screen and presenter, it is of upmost importance to focus on purpose. Any extra material will only serve to waste the time and attention of the one presenting as well as those in the audience.
   One of the first steps to focusing a presentation on purpose is simply limiting the topic and sub points. Before even opening Microsoft Powerpoint, a presenter who desires an effective presentation must ask, "What do I want them to take away from this?" A slide passes by an audience member`s eyes once- and only once. What is on that slide must be incredibly memorable, and anything unmemorable or irrelevant must be discarded. It will serve no positive purpose.
    Secondly, and obviously, slides must be concise and clear. Focus on purpose. Keep in mind the fact that a powerpoint presentation is not to provide reading material to the audience. A powerpoint presentation is there to compliment what the speaker says, not the other way around. A listener should be reminded of main points, and be afforded time and attention to listen to the speaker.
     Ultimately, focusing on purpose within a Powerpoint presentation means eliminating waste: images, themes, points, and speech that clutter the purpose. A successful presenter leaves an audience with simple, concise, and memorable ideas that will continue pulsing through the brain until it falls asleep that night.
      I am giving the Campus Project presentation tomorrow- hopefully I have practiced what I preach.