Have you ever been reading an email or article when you came across a typographical error? No matter how hard you try to forget it, you are left with that nagging feeling that “teh†should have been “the†or “there†should have been “their.†If words are misspelled, tenses are misused, or subject-verb agreement is incorrect, then you are left feeling less than impressed with the author of the piece. To avoid these typographical errors, it is imperative that you proofread your presentation media prior to getting up in front of the audience. The last thing you want to do is distract the audience and lose credibility thanks to a few typos. Here are a few reasons why proofreading your slideshow is a must.
Errors are Distracting
You might have the most amazing slide with impressive graphics and stellar information but that one typographical error can ruin the entire slide. Typos are distracting, to say the least, and that one misspelled word might be the only thing viewers can focus on. Don’t let all of your hard work go to waste with a few unnecessary typos. Take the time to proofread your media to ensure everything is correct. After all, you want people to remember the information you presented, not the mistakes you made.
Clarity
Aside from the fact that typographical errors are distracting, they can also take away from your message. It is possible to misinterpret information if a letter is missing from a word or a word is missing from a sentence. For example, think about the difference between “appeal†and “appal†or “pubic†and “public.†It can also mean something entirely different to write “We do need to charge higher prices†as opposed to “We do not need to charge higher prices.†That one little word changes the entire meaning of the sentence. Correct typos right away to avoid any unnecessary confusion for your audience.
Professionalism
If you read something that contains grammatical and typographical errors your first thought is, “This must have been done by an amateur.†Conversely, well-organized and proofread copies leave quite the opposite impression. Careless mistakes are the mark of unprofessionalism and it leaves audiences feeling like you weren’t fully prepared and you made your PowerPoint in a rush. This is why it is so important to proofread all of your presentation media prior to your actual presentation.
Credibility
Even minor grammatical errors can undermine your credibility. You can lose the authority of your arguments simply because of typographical errors. It might leave audience members thinking, “If they didn’t even take the time to proofread their work, why should I trust that their ideas have been researched?†A polished presentation is not only more effective, but it helps to build your credibility as a knowledgeable source on the topic.
