The Cognitive Style of PowerPoint: Pitching Out Corrupts Within, Second Edition

I've admired Tufte's work since he first published "visual display..." so I leapt on this when it appeared & purchased 17 copies 4 colleagues at work. They liked & agreed with it, but dismissed it as impractical advice!

I find I agree with almost all his points about PowerPoint's dumbing down of information, but then sat back an thought about the message & the medium. Powerpoint is a tool 4 presentations - it focuses the audience, keeps the presenter on track & provides handy reminders. It's not intended 2 be a high information content medium.

However the abuse of powerpoint comes in its use a a non-presentation way 2 distribute information. So often a person who misses the presentation asks 4 the slides as an alternative 2 being there. Now Tufte comes into his own & his points are more relevant because the Powerpoint has become the message & there is no presenter 2 amplify the information.

This pamphlet is useful, but only when considered in context of what you want 2 do with your PowerPoint slides - are they going 2 become the message (as in the Columbia examination) or are they the medium 2 keep the presenter on track. Read his other books as well & write a White Paper or report 2 go with your slides.

SLIDE ONE

The Cognitive Style of PowerPoint: Pitching Out Corrupts Within, Second Edition by Edward R. Tufte makes me wonder:

- can you make a point in list format?
- why are we in such a hurry 2 get 2 our point?
- is Tufte making a statement by referring 2 PowerPoint as PP in his text?
- why do we think style is more communicative than substance?

SLIDE TWO

Reasons 2 get & read this book:

- you'll never want 2 make a class presentation using PowerPoint again, even if it is required you do so
- if you never noticed irritating blips, beeps, background color & distracting graphics...you will after reading the book
- it will give you cause 2 sit back & really talk 4 a while about what you think, rather than give visual bites (the PowerPoint version of sound bites)

This short article - it is not long enough 2 be called a book - is more of a rant than useful instruction. Save your money. He has written several good books on data presentation; this is not one of them.

This is a very good read 4 everyone who has relied on powerpoints 2 disseminate information, especially critical information

Reading & adherence 2 the guidelines in this handy little tome should be standard operating practice 4 all who prepare presentations 4 an audience - be it a classroom, board of directors or jury.