Love and Hate: Powerpoint Presentations

I was assigned to read two articles "PowerPoint is Evil" and "Learning to Love PowerPoint".  One article is totally opposed to using Microsoft PowerPoint, while on the other hand, the other article is in favor of using the program. Both articles make convincing arguments.

I started using Microsoft PowerPoint when I was in sixth grade. The program has helped me present material on many different subject to classmates over the years. As time went by, I became a fluent user of PowerPoint. I have discovered everything from altering the backgrounds of the slides and inserting pictures and video into presentations.

PowerPoint is a great program for those who are not the best at using computers. As my computer skills developed, I became better at using it. Technology has improved since I started using the program, so things have changed such as the layout of it.

I think PowerPoint can help someone who has trouble with public speaking. Presentations outline major points in a speakers topic, so in a way, the audience gets a preview of what is going to be talked about. Graphics can be inserted into slides, so the audience can get a better mental picture of the topic at hand. I do think that speaking in public is an art that some have a knack for and do not need a visual aide.

A downside to PowerPoint could be that the visuals are actually taking away from what the speaker is saying. Some people learn better by seeing information, others learn by better by hearing it. An audience member can choose which aspect of the presentation they want to focus more of their attention on.

PowerPoint doesn't always have to be used to enhance public speaking, but can be used as a source for outlining subjects that are being studied. Slides are mainly used to categorize and organize information. There are PowerPoint presentations on how to make PowerPoint presentations.

In this case I am leaning towards "Learning to Love PowerPoint" because I enjoy making PowerPoint presentations. Making a PowerPoint is not as hard as writing a research paper, but can be used to breakdown information into smaller pieces. I have cited presentations in research papers.