This document provides tips for effective PowerPoint presentations. It recommends starting with a clear goal and action plan, writing out a draft first, and using an interesting opening. Key tips include keeping presentations simple, using bullet points instead of full paragraphs, following the 6 by 6 rule for bullets, using large font sizes for titles and smaller sizes for text, ensuring good color contrast, limiting transitions, only including necessary graphics, and practicing extensively before presenting. The document emphasizes keeping presentations concise and engaging for audiences.
3. Start with an Action PlanStart with an Action Plan
What is the goal of your presentation?What is the goal of your presentation?
Write out a draft firstWrite out a draft first
Start with an interesting openingStart with an interesting opening
Keep itKeep it SIMPLE!SIMPLE!
Keep itKeep it SIMPLE!SIMPLE!
Keep itKeep it SIMPLE!SIMPLE!
4. NO ‘Reading’NO ‘Reading’
People tend to put every word they arePeople tend to put every word they are
going to talk about on their PowerPointgoing to talk about on their PowerPoint
slides. Although this eliminates the needslides. Although this eliminates the need
to rehearse and actually review theto rehearse and actually review the
material you are presenting, it can havematerial you are presenting, it can have
the unintended affect of causing mostthe unintended affect of causing most
people in your audience to either losepeople in your audience to either lose
interest in what you are saying or actuallyinterest in what you are saying or actually
put them into REM sleep where they will…put them into REM sleep where they will…
5. get little out of your presentation.get little out of your presentation.
6. Use Bullet PointsUse Bullet Points
Bullet points instead of full sentencesBullet points instead of full sentences
6 by 6 rule6 by 6 rule
No more than 6 words per lineNo more than 6 words per line
No more than 6 lines per slideNo more than 6 lines per slide
Utilize the entire slideUtilize the entire slide
7. Font Point SizesFont Point Sizes
Can you read this?Can you read this?
How about this?How about this?
IsIsthisthis visuallyvisually aappppeaeallinging??
8. Font Point SizeFont Point Size
Titles should be between 36 to 44 pointTitles should be between 36 to 44 point
Text font size generally should be > 24 pointText font size generally should be > 24 point
This is 24 pointThis is 24 point
Limit the variety of font styles to < 3 per slideLimit the variety of font styles to < 3 per slide
Do NOT forget the Last Row??????Do NOT forget the Last Row??????
This is 44
9. ContrastContrast
Does this offer good contrast?Does this offer good contrast?
DarkDark backgroundsbackgrounds workwork wellwell withwith lightlight texttext
colorscolors
Is this any better?Is this any better?
10. ColorsColors
Use appropriate colorsUse appropriate colors
Not TOO brightNot TOO bright
High contrastHigh contrast
Try for color consistencyTry for color consistency
11. Slide Transitions/MovementSlide Transitions/Movement
Too much movement is BAD!Too much movement is BAD!
It is distracting to your audienceIt is distracting to your audience
Avoid effects that diminish your pointAvoid effects that diminish your point
Right to Left – it is easier to readRight to Left – it is easier to read
12. GraphicsGraphics
Clip art, images and photos are wonderfulClip art, images and photos are wonderful
Do not over use them!!!!!!!Do not over use them!!!!!!!
Are they necessary for your presentation?Are they necessary for your presentation?
13. Before you presentBefore you present
Practice! Practice! Practice!Practice! Practice! Practice!
Check for spelling and grammar errorsCheck for spelling and grammar errors
Know the roomKnow the room
Get comfortable with the equipmentGet comfortable with the equipment
The PowerPoint should COMPLEMENT your presentation – it is NOT the actual presentation
Remember that slides are just a visual aid -- if you overload them, the audience will end up trying to read the slides and not paying attention to you.
You want to try and create some balance It is a good idea to write notes in the note section to remind you of key points to hit!
Remember that what looks good on your monitor does not necessarily look good on the big screen.
Don’t use too many animation effects! They are VERY distracting
Make notes that can be utilized with the presentation