Articles

Templates and Fonts

• Design or select a template with a dark, solid background and white, beige, or yellow fonts.

• Test colors. For instance, red does not show up well on a dark blue background.

• Test the presentation on the monitor or screen you’ll be using. Colors rarely appear as they do on your monitor.

• Use a common, true type font like Times New Roman that transfers well from one computer to the next.

• Use no more than 2 or 3 font sizes on a slide.

• Use at least a 24 font. Go no lower than 18.
  
  

Text

• Use text for talking points only. Do not put everything you say on a slide.

• Avoid jargon and acronyms.

• Tone down diction. Use the ten-cent word over the fifty-cent word. The fewer syllables the better.

• Follow the rule of six. No more than six words to a line, six lines to a slide.

• Place text in the top 2/3 of the screen.

• Reveal talking points one at a time so the audience knows where they’ve been and where they are.

• Use consistent terms throughout the presentation. For instance, if you use “enter,” do not use “input” next time.

• Be sure bulleted items are parallel in grammatical structure. (If you start one line with an “ing” word, every line must begin with an “ing” word, etc.)
  
  

Graphs, Diagrams, Charts and Data

• Show only basic data on slides. Highly detailed charts, graphs and diagrams belong in a handout.

• Keep diagrams simple and large. Use photographs when appropriate. Words AND pictures are six times more effective than words alone.

• Use easy-to-read pie charts, bar and line graphs. Be sure labels are large and clear.

• Find ways of making important information “pop” through color, simple animation, sunbursts, etc.

• Allow enough time for your audience to absorb information.
  
  

Graphics and Animation

Use graphics and animation for one purpose - to enhance understanding:

• Do use icons to signal different types of information.

• Don’t use graphics or animation merely to entertain or impress.

• Do use graphics as memory devices. People remember pictures more than words.
  
  

The Presentation

• Speak to the audience, NOT TO THE SCREEN. The audience should never be looking at your back.

• Devote time to designing transitions so that you move fluidly from one topic or slide to the next.

• Use the PowerPoint notes page so that you can see what slide is coming up before it appears.

• Avoid glancing at the screen and announcing the topic, “Next we’re going to talk about…” If you rely on the next slide to provide your transition, there will be unnerving dead time.

• Rehearse; rehearse; rehearse! Rehearse standing up. Things change when you’re on your feet and nervous. The more you know your topic and technology, the better you’ll do under stress.

• Set up early and test the available technology. Incompatible fonts or color can ruin a presentation.

• Place the monitor so it’s easy to see and facilitates eye contact with your audience.

• Use a non-directional remote.

• Always have a back-up plan should technology fail.

• Have back-up transparencies.

• Or have hard copies available; print six or three slides to a page.

• Remember, the audience only wants your authenticity and expertise. Put them and their needs first, and the rest will follow.