COMM 201: Presenting with Tech

Presentations are a common format not only in academia, but in the professional world. There are many tools that can be used to create a presentation -- we will focus on a few of the best free options, and some universal tips to help to create an effective presentation.

Video essays are a common way of communicating information on a variety of different topics.  With the rise of YouTube especially, this format has become incredibly common.  Augustana's ITS department has camcorders and tripods available for checkout that can be useful tools for recording videos.  Many modern smartphones also have incredible 1080p or even 4k cameras, but remember that audio quality is important for videos too.  Below are some resources that can advise how to get the best video out of a smartphone, how to plan and script your video, and some tools for editing your footage.  You may also want to check out Vox Media's Earworm, TedEd, Every Frame a Painting, Lindsay Ellis, or Just Write for examples/inspiration.

Do I need to cite sources in a presentation? How do I cite sources?

All sources you use to create your presentation should be credited. There are a few ways you can cite your sources in a presentation:

1. Provide references verbally and in a reference/works cited list on the last slide 
2. Provide in-text citations as well as a reference/works cited list on the last slide

Make sure your audience knows where you got any information, images, videos or other sources you used to create your presentation. 

General citing tips also apply to presentations:

1. Use a formal citation style, usually following the requirement preferred by your professor.
2. Apply the citation style consistently. Don't switch between styles APA and MLA.

For more help citing sources, check out the Citing Sources tab on this guide.