I read a blog recently which suggested that putting the content of your presentation on 3-by-5 Index Cards wasn’t such a good idea. I don’t think I agree with the logic. (I should add, before I go on, that I like the blog in general – and in fact I wouldn’t have read-it-to-disagree-with-it if I didn’t read it fairly often because I like it! :) )
The main reason for ditching 3-by-5s, it seemed, was that they force you to write small and can’t hold much text, so you’re constantly changing cards. The replacement idea was to use a large, single piece of card on the lectern.
My take on it is this…..? Who said anything about putting your script on 3-by-5s?!?! They’re for notes and occasional keywords, not a script. No one should use a script. Complaining that you can’t get your script on Index Cards is a bit of an Aunty Sally, isn’t it?
Besides, putting coloured (good, good idea!) notes onto a large sheet of card ties you to the lectern, which pretty much everyone agrees isn’t a good thing. What’s more, there’s a bit of me that things that if you can reduce your presentation enough to get it onto a single sheet of card in coloured not form, you can get it down to something that will fit on a set of 3-by-5 Index Cards! :)
Or do they – have I missed something significant in the way presentations should be made?
Two word of warning. One – if you’re going to use Index Cards to hold your notes, check that they’re small enough to be comfortably held in your hand so you can gesture with them without undue inhibition. Index Cards come in a range of sizes and if your hand suits smaller cards (or bigger!!) then use smaller cards (or bigger!!). Two – when you’ve got your Index Cards set up, number them and connect them via a Treasury Tag in a corner: that way if you drop them you won’t be flustered.
Simon,
I totally agree with you, index cards can be really useful, especially if you are not using the twin screen functionality of PowerPoint showing the Presenter View.
The two important things to put on your cards are:
1. An opening phrase for your topic, not a bullet point.
2. The next point, in the bottom right hand corner.
If you get stuck and can’t think what to say, the opening phrase can just be read out without any mental effort. And the next point helps to provide continuity as you move between cards.
Hi Graham – good reminder about the presenter view in PowerPoint. I find the Keynote version more elegant and useful but your point is very well taken.
S
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but record cards are becoming more and more difficult to get hold of – e.g. no longer available at our local branch of WH Smiths – and more and more expensive (i.e. £3.50 for the last pack I bought). It’s presumably another unforeseen consequence of the IT revolution, and I’m beginning to wonder if we’ll soon have to buy large sheets of card and cut them up to size!
Hi Max – I can’t say I’d noticed… we’ve not got a problem in the middle of Newcastle. £3:50 does seem exorbitant, too! Where do you live?!?!!?
S