Creating Effective PowerPoint Presentations

Study Notes

Preparing Effective Power-Point Presentations

A good presentation should have a clear objective, convey a message, and engage the audience.
A bad presentation is dull, wordy, and lacks focus.

Basic Rules for Presentations

Contrast is important: dark text on a light background or light text on a semi-dark background.
Use a consistent layout and design throughout the presentation.
Text and images should be placed within 95% of the PowerPoint slide to ensure they fit on most screens.

Slide Structure

Use one to two slides per minute of your presentation.
Write in point form, avoiding complete sentences.
Limit each slide to one idea and use 6-8 words per bullet point.

Fonts and Text Size

Use readable and standardized fonts throughout the presentation (Arial, Tahoma, Veranda).
Minimum font size: 36 points for titles and 24 points for body text.
Avoid combining small font sizes with bold or italic text.

Colors

Avoid using red and green colors together, as they can be difficult to see for those who are color blind.
Use contrasting colors to make text stand out.

Charts and Graphs

Use good graph design with clear labels, nice line widths, and good colors.
Avoid 3D graphs, as they can be difficult to read.
Use tables and charts to communicate complex data.

Illustrations and Images

Use illustrations only when necessary and make sure they relate to the message.
Keep diagrams simple and clear to communicate the message effectively.

Bullets and Points

Use bullets instead of numbers, unless showing rank or sequence.
Limit each bullet to one or two lines of text.
Keep the number of bullets per slide to 6, or 4 if there is a large title, logo, or picture.

Conclusion and Questions

End your presentation with a strong conclusion that summarizes the main points.
Use a question slide to invite the audience to ask questions and provide a visual aid during the question period.

Description

Learn the key objectives and guidelines for preparing a good PowerPoint presentation, including outline, structure, fonts, color, and more. Identify what makes a bad presentation and get valuable tips to enhance your presentation skills.