Guidelines for Preparing PowerPoint Presentations

8 Questions

What is the purpose of using illustrations in presentations?

To make the message clearer

Why should bullets be left-sided and not centered?

To lead the eye to the text

What is the recommended use of numbers in presentations?

To show rank or sequence

Why should cues be used in presentations?

To give the audience a framework to build upon

What happens when too much text is crowded on a slide?

The audience won't read it

Why should bullet points be limited to a few words?

To avoid long sentences that go on and on

Why should animation be limited in presentations?

Because too much animation can be distracting

What is the recommended practice for each slide?

To have only one idea

Study Notes

Guidelines for Preparing Power-point Presentations

Objectives

Identify the need for a presentation
Understand how to make a good presentation
Recognize a bad presentation
Learn tips to create an effective presentation

Basic Rules for Presentations

Contrast is essential: use dark text on a light background for paper and light text on a semi-dark background for projection
Text and images should be placed within 95% of the PowerPoint slide to fit on most screens
Maintain layout continuity throughout the presentation

Slide Structure

Use 1-2 slides per minute of presentation
Write in point form, not complete sentences
Avoid wordiness: use key words and phrases only
Limit to one topic per slide
Follow the 6 x 6 rule: 6 lines of text with 6 words per line

Fonts

Font style should be readable: recommended fonts are Arial, Tahoma, and Veranda
Standardize the font throughout the presentation
Use a minimum of 36-point font for titles and 24-point font for body text
Avoid combining small font sizes with bold or italics

Colors

Use a set font and color scheme to avoid distractions
Avoid using multiple backgrounds in the presentation
Reds and oranges are high-energy colors, while greens, blues, and browns are mellower
Avoid color combinations that are difficult to see, especially for the color blind

Background Colors

Avoid bright colors and ensure readability
Remember that dark slides with light-colored text work best for large hall events
Avoid white backgrounds, as they can be blinding in a dark room

Charts and Graphs

Make sure the audience can read them
Avoid using graphics that are difficult to read
Use good line widths and colors to make graphs and charts readable
Keep tables simple and concise, and place them on a separate slide if necessary

Illustrations

Use illustrations only when necessary and ensure they relate to the message
Ask yourself if it makes the message clearer
Simple diagrams are great communicators

Bullets

Use bullets instead of numbers, unless showing rank or sequence
Keep each bullet to 1-2 lines and limit the number of bullets to 6
Use the same color for bullets as the title of the slide
Avoid crowding too much text and use cues to guide the audience