Presentation software such as PowerPoint and Prezi are a great aid for giving a presentation, but they are not mandatory. Below you will find a few pointers on the Do’s and Don’ts of using presentation software:

• Less is more in digital presentation: do not include too much text per slide (8 lines is a lot) and do not use too many slides.
• The first slide of your presentation includes your name and the title of your presentation.
• Use effects, animation and sounds sparingly. Your spoken words are the core of the story; everything else is an aid.
• Write short sentences or keywords, not full sentences. This prevents you from having to read the slide with your back to the audience.
• Give visuals space: use the full screen. Enlarge relevant details.
• If you do not have a relevant image or text for part of your presentation, make sure the screen is blank too. Insert a black slide (or press the letter b or the period <.> during your presentation). Otherwise your audience will remain mentally stuck on the point you covered in your previous slide.
• Always bring a hard copy of your presentation, or at least of the key slides. Your presentation should never be dependent on whether the projector, digital screen or computer is working.
• The last slide should display your hypothesis or your question for debate. If not, project something neutral like a black screen, your name or a list of references.

Consult Google Video and/or YouTube for presentation tips and many good pointers on how to use presentation software.