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School super-apps

When is a slide better than a paragraph?

# Documents and slides ## Word processor Used for letters, essays, notices. Examples: Microsoft Word, Google Docs, LibreOffice Writer. Good habits: - Title at the top - Headings for each section - Spell-check - Page numbers for long work - Save as `.docx` or `.pdf` when submitting ## Presentation Used to *show* ideas, not dump a textbook. Examples: PowerPoint, Google Slides. Each slide should have: - One main idea - Few words - A picture or diagram if it helps - You speaking the details (not reading a paragraph) > Teacher secret: 6 words on a slide + a picture beats 60 words nobody reads. ## Two documents, two jobs **Page** — the reader is alone with your words. Full sentences are allowed. Headings help them scan. **Slide** — the reader is looking and listening. If they must read a paragraph, they stop listening. ### Essay checklist - Title - Headings for each section - Spell-check - Page numbers if more than 2 pages - Your name + class in a header or at the top - Saved twice: editable + PDF ### Slide checklist - One idea - Short title - Few words - Picture or diagram if it teaches - You can say the slide in one breath

By the end of this lesson

Choose a word processor vs slides for a job, and apply the “one idea, few words” slide rule.

Remember

  • Word processor: essays, letters, notices (Word, Google Docs, Writer).
  • Habits: title, headings, spell-check, page numbers, submit as .docx or .pdf.
  • Slides: show ideas (PowerPoint, Google Slides). One idea, few words, a picture, you talk the rest.
  • 6 words + a picture beats 60 words nobody reads.
  • PDF keeps layout when you share.

Worked examples

Cover the answer. Try the steps on paper, then open them.

Example 1 — Pick the tool

A 3-page history essay vs a 4-minute assembly talk.

  1. Essay → word processor (headings, page numbers)
  2. Talk → slides (one idea each) + your voice

Answer: docs ; slides

Check: Dumping the essay onto 30 slides is the common fail.

Example 2 — Rescue a bad slide

A slide with a full paragraph of 80 words.

  1. Keep one sentence or 5–7 words
  2. Move detail to speaker notes or your memory
  3. Add a simple picture or diagram

Answer: cut words, add talk

Check: Slides support talking; they are not the speech.

Example 3 — Submit

Teacher wants the same look on her PC.

  1. Export / Save as PDF
  2. PDF holds fonts and layout
  3. Keep your .docx as the editable master

Answer: PDF to share, docx to edit

Check: Two files, two jobs.

Common mistakes

Slip Copy-pasting the whole chapter onto slides.

Fix Audience reads instead of listening — or reads nothing.

One idea per slide.

Slip No title and no headings in a 4-page essay.

Fix Readers (and you) get lost.

Title + H2 per section.

Slip Only “final final REAL.docx” with no PDF when layout matters.

Fix Different Word versions shuffle pictures.

PDF freezes the look.

Try on paper first

Write the answer, then tap Reveal. These are not the quiz — they are warm-ups.

1. Best app type for a formal letter?

Answer: Word processor

2. Best app type for a 5-minute talk?

Answer: Slides

3. Why PDF?

Answer: Layout stays the same when sharing

4. A good slide has how many main ideas?

Answer: One

Touch practice

8 tap / type

Tap or type. Use the hint if you need it. Retry any miss — the why is the lesson.

Optional picture lab

After practice

Real world

Assembly presentations.

Connect

Markdown and HTML pages.

⭐ Star quiz

9 questions

Do the worked examples and touch practice first. Then take the quiz without peeking.

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