1.PowerPoint: Dos and Donts

2. Keep it Simple

This slide is extremely hard to read.

The background is too obnoxious and there are too many words.

There are too many different fonts and colors.

The animation is very distracting and over the top.

3. Slide Design

Dont use design templates

• Customize your own

• Use AutoShapes

• Keep backgrounds simple

4. Colors

Do pick contrasting neutral colors

• Avoid neon colors

Dark room = dark background

Light room = light background

5. Dark Background

Example of dark background

Use light text on dark background

6. Light Background

Example of light background

Use dark text on light background

7. Fonts & Text

Do limit presentation to 2-3 fonts

• Use sans-serif for titles/headings

• Use serif for body

• Avoid script fonts

Do use 28-32 pt font sizes

Do limit fonts to 2-3 font sizes

8. Content

Do limit text on each slide

• Six by six rule

Dont use sentences or periods

Do capitalize

• First word of a bullet

• Each word in a title or heading

9. Pictures & Graphics

Do use pictures for enhancement

• Worth more than 1,000 words

Use graphics and clipart sparingly

• Overly used

• Show lack of creativity

10. Sounds & Movement

Dont use obnoxious animations or transitions

• Only pick from Basic or Subtle

• Text should appear all at once

Avoid unnecessary sounds

• Distract from message

11. Consistency

Do keep slides consistent

• Same fonts

• Same background/design

• Same transitions/animations

• Same colors

12. Unique

Do make your PowerPoint unique

• Youve seen one, youve seen them all

13. Presentation

Dont rely on PowerPoint

• Interact with the audience

• Use other visual aids if appropriate

Do practice your presentation

Do be sure your equipment works

• Have a backup plan ready

14. Keep it Simple

Colors

Animations/Transitions

Sounds

Content

Pictures/Graphics