Prepare Your Presentation

Finding and Using Statistics

Why are Statistics Important?
Statistics can be a great way to enhance your argument in a research paper or presentation. They show that there is evidence to back up your claim and can add credibility to your work. Statistics often create an emotional response in your audience.
Finding Statistics in Databases
See the top databases to find general statistics. If you have a specific topic, you want to check out our Database Subject list
Find More Types of Statistic Sources
A full guide on finding statistics that includes books and websites.

Finding and Citing Images

Finding Images
Learn about copyright and see a list of recommended sites for finding Creative Commons, public domain and other open images for your presentation.
Citing Images in a Presentation (MLA)
This page from the SCC Library shows you two different ways to cite images in a presentation depending on how you're using the image.
Citing Images in a Presentation (APA)
This page from the SCC Library how to cite images in a presentation in APA.
Finding & Using Images
This is a full guide with recommended websites to find find images for projects that don't violate copyright, and how to cite images in both MLA and APA.

Citing Sources in a Presentation

When preparing your presentation, remember that all sources used must be cited in both the Works Cited page and in-text. For a speech you will need to verbally give credit to your sources. Verbally citing a source can be as simple as stating, "Dr. Bob, a Professor at Clemson University, stated in a 2019 Forbes article, ..." Other examples could be, "The World Health Organization published the following Zika virus statistics on April 12, 2016...," or "According to Neal's book we learned..."

By verbally citing your sources you are lending credibility to your topic and making your position stronger. Be sure to vary the language in which you verbally cite sources to keep your presentation more interesting (don't say "According to..." every time).

Oral Citations Video (Video)
A brief tutorial on creating and delivering oral citations in public speaking. Topics include the importance of oral citations, when oral citations are necessary, and how to create and deliver oral citations in a speech. (5 mins.)
Orally Citing a Source in a Speech (Video) by Janene Davison
This is a basic primer on how to incorporate indirect and direct quotes into your presentation. (4 mins.)
Tips on citing sources when speaking publicly by Sarah Stone Watt
Gives example of written sources versus orally attributions.

There are several ways to cite sources in a project depending on the source and your instructor's requirements.

Most instructors want you to cite your sources the same you would if you were writing a paper for your in-text citations where you include an in-text on the slide where you used the information, and a Works Cited or References list of all your sources on a slide at the end of your presentation.

Some instructors instead have you number your sources on your Works Cited or References slide and then use the number as the in-text citation. Follow your instructor's requirements.

For images, see Finding and Citing Images in a Project.

Helpful Powerpoint Videos

PowerPoint 2016 For Dummies Course
This 25 video (2 minutes or less) course goes over the different basic skills needed to create and enhance PowerPoint presentations, with topics like adding themes, audio, graphics, bullet points, transitions, etc, These still apply to current version of PowerPoint.
Ways to Enhance Your Presentation
Tips on how to enhance your presentation. Watch as a boring Power Point presentation is redesigned for a more interesting effect. (4:30 mins)

Helpful Powerpoint Websites

Microsoft Support - Powerpoint Videos & Help
Microsoft Support provides some short videos and help documentation on Powerpoint's features.
7 Tips for Designing and Delivering PowerPoint Presentations
The College of New Jersey wrote up 7 tips on creating a good PowerPoint Presentation.
SCC Library's Creating Your PowerPoint
This is a full guide with ebooks, more videos and websites to help students with creating and making better PowerPoints.
Adding Voice Narration to Powerpoint Slides
This page from Microsoft walks you through adding voice narration to powerpoint slides.

Helpful Presenting Videos

Rehearsing and Timing your PowerPoint 2016 Presentation
Publication Date: 2015
This video explains how PowerPoint tracks how long each slide takes to present, and how it can automatically advance slides. (2 mins)

Using Visual Aids
Enhancing a speech with visual aids can be done effectively by considering the audience, the space the speech will be presented in, and the logistics required. Different content should be shared in different ways. The speaker should take care to ensure that content is not distracting. (3 mins)

Helpful Presenting Websites

How to Give a Killer Presentation: Lessons from TED by Chris Anderson
For more than 30 years, the TED conference series has presented enlightening talks that people enjoy watching. In this article, Anderson, TED’s curator, shares five keys to great presentations: Frame your story (figure out where to start and where to end).
How to Prepare and Give a Speech
Wikihow website gives basic steps on how to create and deliver a speech.
SCC Library's Resources for Presenting
This is a full guide with ebooks, more videos, and websites on presenting.