2. Fonts
• No more than 2 fonts per slide
• Serif fonts- fonts with “curves”- Times New
Roman
• Sans Serif fonts- clean, block fonts- Arial
• Script- handwriting fonts (Lucida
Handwriting)
3. Fonts
• Use at least a 32 point font
• 48 point is better
• PowerPoint default for this slide is 44 for
header and 31 for bullets
• Keep size consistent
• DON’T USE ALL CAPS- IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO READ
4. Fonts
• Use bold when you want something to stand
out
• Better yet, change the color of the text you
want your audience to be drawn to
• Italics are hard to read
• Size algorithm- Find out the age of the oldest
person in your audience and divide by two-
your font should not be smaller
5. Text
Avoid excessive verbiage leading to
excessively lengthy text that is not only
redundant but also repetitive and reiterative.
Too much text makes it difficult to see and
process the information. People will either try
to read everything or copy down everything
and will quickly lose interest. Use more slides,
list only the key points, and add the details
verbally.
6. Wording
• Use consistent wording
• Test scores will improve
• Expanding knowledge
• It will reduce time off task
• Grades increase
7. Versus….
• Improved test scores
• Expanded knowledge
• Reduced time off task
• Increased grades
• Keep structure the same
8. Bullets
• No more than 6 bullets per slide (some authorities
recommend 4 or 5)
• No more than 6-7 asdsadsawords per bullet
• Don’t use periods at the end of bullets- short and
concise is best
• Capitalize the first word in a bullet but no others (unless
it would normally appear capped)
• A presentation is not a book- one thought per line
– No more than 2 levels of bullets per slide
9. Color and Contrast
• Use a dark font on a light background- best
for printed slides
• Use a white or light font on a dark
background- best for darkened rooms
• Microsoft created templates that work- use
them
• Too many colors overwhelm the eye
10. Backgrounds
• Simple backgrounds are best
• Set the stage and leave it alone
• Stick with a single background for your
presentation
11. Balance
• Left justify bullets
• Centered bullets make the text ragged and
difficult to read
13. Balance
• Place graphics off center
• More room for text
• Better balance
• Placing graphic on left
leads your eye to the
text
14. Graphics
• Select good illustrations and
graphics
• Every image has a reason
• Clip art gets old
• Animated gifs are distractive
• Use bar graphs and pie
charts instead of tables of
data
15. Animations
• Use builds to create drama
• You don’t have to give them everything at once
• Use the same transition throughout
• Animations with noise can be annoying- use
sparingly
17. Dazzle them
• Dazzle them with the information- not the
graphics or style
• The medium is not the message
• The information is the message
• On the other hand, don’t send them running
with a boring presentation
18. Basic Rules
• Keep it simple
• Make bullet points- easy to read
• Use graphics
• Keep wording concise
• Keep font size large
• You are the star- not the presentation
19. Parts of a Presentation
Introduction
Overview
Body
Conclusions
References
20. 10-20-30 rule
• No more than 10 slides
• Presentation should not last more than 20
minutes
• Font size should be no smaller than 30
21. 10 Ways to Keep Your
Audience Awake
• Don’t forget your purpose
• Don’t be a slave to your slides
– Your slides are a visual aide
– You are the show
• Don’t overwhelm your audience with
unnecessary detail
• Don’t neglect your opening first impression
22. • Be relevant
• Practice, practice, practice
• Spell check before you present
• Don’t panic
• Expect the unexpected
• Don’t be boring
10 Ways to Keep Your
Audience Awake
#2:I used Verdana for the header and Arial for the bullet points. I prefer sans serif (without serif) fonts because they are cleaner and easier to read.
#3:Stand in the back of the room before you give your presentation and see if you can read the slides.
#8:AS you can see, I broke many rules creating this presentation because I needed to give you more information. Try shortening the number of words in your bullet but keep the message strong.
#9:If there is not dramatic contrast between the text and the background, it is difficult for your audience to read.
Simple backgrounds are best. If a slide is too busy, it detracts from the presentation.
3. If you’re projecting your PowerPoint, a white or light font on a dark background draws the audience’s eye to the text.