With the explosion of technology becoming an everyday occurrence in the court room, here are some tips to avoid the common pitfalls.

Presentations and graphics can greatly increase the effectiveness of your opening and closing arguments, and generally help your jury or judge retain a much higher level of information. So what’s the downside?

Power Point and Graphics can also be done badly. That is to say, your presentation can be overloaded with too many colors, too much data, too many fonts, and too many bullet points to the point where it becomes a distraction from the message you wish to convey. The following simple tips can help keep your presentations clean and effective.

Less is More when it comes to Bullet Points

Limit the number of bullet points per slide to no more than 5 bullets each, and preferably only 3-5. The rule of 3s is based on research which shows that most people will only remember 3 pieces of information per slide. If you cannot reveal the data in 3 points, create another slide with the same title, and continue on with 3 bullet points per slide until you have completed your presentation.

Consider adding a background color, a single photo, or a document icon to reinforce the information you are revealing, rather than adding more bullet points.  Avoid using excessive icons or photos in one slide. Rather than reading your bullet points verbatim, it is better to summarize them as you go along in your presentation, and expand upon them. Bullet points are meant to be an outline of your presentation, not the main course. Most important, is the need for eye contact with your audience.

Spreadsheet Data Dilemma

Spreadsheet data, when presented as a spreadsheet, is particularly dull; the solution?

Present key portions of the data, instead of the entire sheet, or summarize the data into chunks.  Also use the nifty built-in spreadsheet chart converter, which can convert the data into a colorful bar or pie chart. If you have to use the actual spreadsheet, consider breaking it up, and using a photo or an icon, so that the viewer identifies with the type of information being displayed by looking at the icon. This is especially helpful when multi-party data is being displayed. Focus on the key data within the spreadsheet, and blow out that portion, or highlight it with a color, and summarize the chart.

Graphics and Time Lines

Resist the urge to display every timeline event, and every shred of evidence you have, to bolster your case within a single chronology or time line. Use your time line or graphic as an outline in your opening or closing argument, narrate between the events or data, and your presentation will flow much more smoothly. Consider using color themes within your graphics. The basic idea is to associate a certain color with a particular issue or fact pattern in your case. For example, on a large construction matter, where you may have multiple material failures or time delays, consider assigning a separate color to each of the major delays. This can also be used for supporting causes of action, or fact patterns which prove or disprove a case.

Limit the data to 12 events per timeline page, or it won’t be readable when blown up to a board or screen. You can always have more than one exhibit board or slide that comprises your entire chronology of events. There are also several new features within the 2007 Power Point Software, they will allow you to physically link evidence within your timeline, or create a pseudo-animation.

Avoiding over-stuffing your graphics and slides with too much information and applying the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) principle will get you on the road to creating an effective presentation. Once you have a basic outline in Power Point you can then use color and animate your slides to make them “pop” without weighing them down. If you dabble in Power Point, you can always create your outline, either in Power Point or Word, and then turn it over to a graphics consultant to enhance it. Some consultants also offer presentation training or MCLE seminars which will get you on the fast track to presenting evidence with success.

Christine Froehlich has been a project manager with Interactive Presentation Solutions (IPS) for the past 11 years, and has consulted and designed graphics in thousands of trials. Prior to that, Christine was litigation paralegal for many years. For more information or questions, please contact Christine at Interactive Presentation Solutions (818) 776-3470, or on the web at www.ipsone.com.