Slide show

A slideshow is a display of a series of chosen images, which is done for artistic or instructional purposes. Usually slideshows are aided by use of a machine, such as a carousel slide projector, or in more recent years, a computer running presentation software.

For instructional purposes, presentation software is most commonly used, and is usually used with the intention of creating a dynamic, audiovisual presentation. The relevant points to the entire presentation are put on slides, and accompany a spoken monologue.

Slideshows are however criticised by some as being a crutch for the presenter, and that the use of content put on the slideshow is not relevant or constructive to the presentation. Other critics have taken aim at the way that presentation software relies upon small summaries that simultaneously starve the audience of information and appear to limit consideration and analysis.

Slideshows have artistic uses as well, such as being used as a screensaver, or to provide dynamic imagery for a museum presentation, for example, or in installation art. David Byrne, among others, has created PowerPoint art.