Using Cartoons in PowerPoint Presentations

Adding cartoons to a PowerPoint presentation is becoming a popular technique with many lawyers and legal professionals in maintaining conference attendees' attention, and in getting their points across. The actual value of an image is based on where the image appears and it may be useful to adhere to techniques mentioned here. For instance, an opening cartoon based on the discipline or function of your audience, or the topic in general may make a greater indelible impression than a handful of cartoons that are scattered throughout a presentation. Humor through cartoons can have a greater impact if strategically placed. This article touches upon some important factors when considering these special forms of illustrations for your next PowerPoint presentation.

Organizing the Wording

When organizing the wording for your presentation, it's only natural to begin with mentioning the main topic of your subject matter. Thinking along these lines, keep in mind where a cartoon would lend itself best during this introductory part of the presentation to your audience. This is based on how you inevitably decide to offer the text content. Hypothetically speaking, let's assume you're speaking to an audience and the focus is on the subject of tax law. Begin with a well-written paragraph touching upon the topics you'll discuss, and after the introductory paragraph, display a cartoon and show it for a decided period of time.

This amount of time can then allow you to prepare for the next series of paragraphs containing points you'll want to touch upon that relate to tax law or your chosen subject matter. You'll be able to give better credence overall, by focusing on the additional topics and lists of information. You might want to incorporate a question/ answer period with attendees. While a cartoon is also being digested by the audience, you can think of other ad-libs you may want to assert, after the image is displayed.

Content Is King

Your subject matter and writing is key to your presentation; you can consider the cartoons you add as merely enhancements. A major caveat to keep in mind is not using an over-abundance of cartoon humor, simply due to the fact that too many may deter you from making your point, or may prevent your audience from fully understanding the essence of your presentation. There should be a balance between the content and the images you add to the presentation. Let each cartoon make an assertion to a specific sentence, point or paragraph of your content. Unlike the editorial content within a magazine or newsletter, where cartoons are used to fill empty columns or page space, a cartoon should be used to enhance a statement and add gentle but subtle humor. Your audience will appreciate your sense of humor and will remember specific points you highlighted with the addition of a clever cartoon panel. You will be remembered as an enjoyable presenter and if you make presentations on a regular basis, people will look forward to your next project.

An End to a Means

Add impact to the closing of your presentation with a well-chosen gag panel cartoon. It will be the so-called piest de resistance, not to mention allowing you ample time to go into additional closing statements around your subject matter. A closing cartoon will act as your epilog. Earlier, we emphasized that 'less is more' when using cartoons in PowerPoint. But the over-use of cartoons isn't necessarily a PowerPoint faux pas. Keep in mind you'll want to publicize your presentation. Possibly in print ads? Using an e-mail broadcast to your clients? Via a direct mail piece or perhaps all of these various forms of promotion combined? A cleverly placed panel cartoon can draw in your potential reader (no pun intended!) and grab his or her attention. This makes a statement that your presentation won't be overly serious. You want to also consider the print materials and handouts you'll distribute to the attendees at your presentation. These materials are ideal for an additional cartoon or two, and lend themselves well for graphics like cartoons. It is also interesting to note that your attendees may appreciate your innovative use of cartoon humor and it sets you apart from the usual run of the mill PowerPoint specialist or speaker who only presents a text-based program.

Cartoon humor is a universal form of communication and 99.9% of the people out there have learned to expect humor in one form or another. Have you ever noticed that a majority of the advertising on television or radio is humor oriented? Laughter, humor and cartoons in general release a 'feel good' ambience that helps establish a rapport between speaker and audience, and even among the audience members themselves.

Keep the Copyright Issue in Mind!

Always be aware of the copyright issue. Even though an image, photograph or cartoon may not contain that ' symbol, it is of utmost importance to e-mail the source or Web site owner or publisher who displays the cartoon you want to include in your presentation. Most often, fees to license imagery for PowerPoint usage is commensurate based on your number of attendees, whether you plan to use the same image in print materials and so forth. or whether you plan to use the same image a few times throughout the year at different presentations. It's good to convey this information to the copyright holder when asking for permission to reproduce the content

Conclusion

Injecting humor into your future presentations can be a lot of fun and very rewarding. You'll establish your own identity with attendees and set yourself apart from those who don't have an inkling how to make their audience feel comfortable. Good luck, and keep people laughing!

Cartoonist Dan Rosandich has over 25 years of experience as a full-time illustrator. He owns and operates www.danscartoons.com, a cartoon image licensing agency.

Adding cartoons to a PowerPoint presentation is becoming a popular technique with many lawyers and legal professionals in maintaining conference attendees' attention, and in getting their points across. The actual value of an image is based on where the image appears and it may be useful to adhere to techniques mentioned here. For instance, an opening cartoon based on the discipline or function of your audience, or the topic in general may make a greater indelible impression than a handful of cartoons that are scattered throughout a presentation. Humor through cartoons can have a greater impact if strategically placed. This article touches upon some important factors when considering these special forms of illustrations for your next PowerPoint presentation.

Organizing the Wording

When organizing the wording for your presentation, it's only natural to begin with mentioning the main topic of your subject matter. Thinking along these lines, keep in mind where a cartoon would lend itself best during this introductory part of the presentation to your audience. This is based on how you inevitably decide to offer the text content. Hypothetically speaking, let's assume you're speaking to an audience and the focus is on the subject of tax law. Begin with a well-written paragraph touching upon the topics you'll discuss, and after the introductory paragraph, display a cartoon and show it for a decided period of time.

This amount of time can then allow you to prepare for the next series of paragraphs containing points you'll want to touch upon that relate to tax law or your chosen subject matter. You'll be able to give better credence overall, by focusing on the additional topics and lists of information. You might want to incorporate a question/ answer period with attendees. While a cartoon is also being digested by the audience, you can think of other ad-libs you may want to assert, after the image is displayed.

Content Is King

Your subject matter and writing is key to your presentation; you can consider the cartoons you add as merely enhancements. A major caveat to keep in mind is not using an over-abundance of cartoon humor, simply due to the fact that too many may deter you from making your point, or may prevent your audience from fully understanding the essence of your presentation. There should be a balance between the content and the images you add to the presentation. Let each cartoon make an assertion to a specific sentence, point or paragraph of your content. Unlike the editorial content within a magazine or newsletter, where cartoons are used to fill empty columns or page space, a cartoon should be used to enhance a statement and add gentle but subtle humor. Your audience will appreciate your sense of humor and will remember specific points you highlighted with the addition of a clever cartoon panel. You will be remembered as an enjoyable presenter and if you make presentations on a regular basis, people will look forward to your next project.

An End to a Means

Add impact to the closing of your presentation with a well-chosen gag panel cartoon. It will be the so-called piest de resistance, not to mention allowing you ample time to go into additional closing statements around your subject matter. A closing cartoon will act as your epilog. Earlier, we emphasized that 'less is more' when using cartoons in PowerPoint. But the over-use of cartoons isn't necessarily a PowerPoint faux pas. Keep in mind you'll want to publicize your presentation. Possibly in print ads? Using an e-mail broadcast to your clients? Via a direct mail piece or perhaps all of these various forms of promotion combined? A cleverly placed panel cartoon can draw in your potential reader (no pun intended!) and grab his or her attention. This makes a statement that your presentation won't be overly serious. You want to also consider the print materials and handouts you'll distribute to the attendees at your presentation. These materials are ideal for an additional cartoon or two, and lend themselves well for graphics like cartoons. It is also interesting to note that your attendees may appreciate your innovative use of cartoon humor and it sets you apart from the usual run of the mill PowerPoint specialist or speaker who only presents a text-based program.

Cartoon humor is a universal form of communication and 99.9% of the people out there have learned to expect humor in one form or another. Have you ever noticed that a majority of the advertising on television or radio is humor oriented? Laughter, humor and cartoons in general release a 'feel good' ambience that helps establish a rapport between speaker and audience, and even among the audience members themselves.

Keep the Copyright Issue in Mind!

Always be aware of the copyright issue. Even though an image, photograph or cartoon may not contain that ' symbol, it is of utmost importance to e-mail the source or Web site owner or publisher who displays the cartoon you want to include in your presentation. Most often, fees to license imagery for PowerPoint usage is commensurate based on your number of attendees, whether you plan to use the same image in print materials and so forth. or whether you plan to use the same image a few times throughout the year at different presentations. It's good to convey this information to the copyright holder when asking for permission to reproduce the content

Conclusion

Injecting humor into your future presentations can be a lot of fun and very rewarding. You'll establish your own identity with attendees and set yourself apart from those who don't have an inkling how to make their audience feel comfortable. Good luck, and keep people laughing!

Cartoonist Dan Rosandich has over 25 years of experience as a full-time illustrator. He owns and operates www.danscartoons.com, a cartoon image licensing agency.