August 30, 2017

The Weekly Writer

The Writing Lab and PowerPoint Presentations

By Rebekah S., Tutor

Often, making a PowerPoint presentation can be difficult. Sometimes, people create slides that are too text-heavy, repetitive, or visually dense. If you have a PowerPoint for a speech, presentation, or lesson plan, the Writing Lab's tutors can help you design excellent slides that make your content clear and effective.

For example, you and your tutor might discuss:

1. How to present the information that your audience needs
2. Use of pictures, graphs, or charts
3. Effective, concise text packed with meaning
4. Font choice
5. Consistent and attractive visual design
6. Organization of information with the presentation

The actual slides are only one component of the PowerPoint presentation. Most of the time, you will have to present your material orally as well as visually! Coordinating what you say out loud with the slides can be a challenge. Tutors can help with the oral component of PowerPoint projects. If you would like to practice your PowerPoint presentation, tutors can offer feedback on clarity and organization of your speech.

Writing Lab News & Events

New Satellite Location
Starting this semester, our Tuesday evening tutoring hours will be held at the new Asian & Asian American Cultural & Resource Center (AAARCC) building. The AAARCC was founded in 2015 and recently moved to their new building at 5th and Waldron. As with our previous location in the LCC, tutors will be avaialble from 6 to 9 PM, and appointments are required and available on a same-day basis starting at 5 PM each day.

Workshop: Résumés
Sept. 6, 1:30 – 2:30 PM
Whether you're going onto the job market or applying for graduate school, bring a draft of your résumé or come ready with a laptop to make one. Learn more »

Workshop: Cover Letters
Sept. 20, 1:30 – 2:30 PM
One of the most difficult writing situations is having to write about yourself. Learn more »

Staff Spotlight

By Eliza G., Tutor

I'm a second year MA student in the Rhetoric and Composition program in the English Department at Purdue. Before coming to Purdue, I got my BA in English Literature and Rhetoric at Binghamton University, a SUNY in Upstate New York. As someone who's notoriously indecisive, I know how helpful it can be to bounce ideas off (and back and forth with) another writer, and I think that kind of discussion is what makes working with someone at the Writing Lab so useful. This is my first time working in a writing center, but I've had lots of experience working one-on-one with students to help them develop their writing in the conferencing sessions that are part of ENGL 106, the introductory composition course I teach here at Purdue. Some fun facts about me: I'm an only child, my favorite movies are The Lord of the Rings trilogy, I'm a cat person, gardening is a newfound hobby of mine, and I spend too much time on Tumblr and watching Netflix instead of writing my thesis about identity and ethics in Star Trek.

From Our Partners

Rainbow Callout is the annual welcome and resource fair for the entire LGBTQA+ and ally community at Purdue University. With live performances and over 80 on- and off-campus departments and organizations present, you will meet new friends, connect with supportive resources, and find ways to get involved in the campus community! Staff, faculty, undergraduate & graduate students, and community members welcome! More information »

Writing Tip of the Week

"When I'm struggling with a new topic or question, I take 15 minutes to write down everything I think about the topic, even if it's just opinions. Then when I go to start doing research, I have a good grasp on what I already know, and that helps me direct my search."

-Rachel A., Tutor

Book of the Week

The Norton Field Guide to Writing

Recommended by Eugie R., Tutor

Norton Field Guide is comprehensive, accessible, and targets a variety of writerly concerns that students present in sessions.

You can find this book in the Writing Lab's library. Just ask the front desk.