PowerPoint:Do’s and Don’ts

Keep it Simple

This slide is extremely hard to read.The background is too obnoxious and there

are too many words.o There are too many different fonts and

colors.The animation is very distracting and over the top.

Slide Design

• Don’t use design templates– Customize your own– Use AutoShapes– Keep backgrounds simple

Colors

• Do pick contrasting neutral colors– Avoid neon colors

• Dark room = dark background

• Light room = light background

Dark Background

• Example of dark background• Use light text on dark

background

Light Background

• Example of light background• Use dark text on light

background

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

Content

• Do limit text on each slide– Six by six rule

• Don’t use sentences or periods

• Do capitalize– First word of a bullet– Each word in a title or heading

Pictures & Graphics

• Do use pictures for enhancement– Worth more than 1,000 words

• Use graphics and clipart sparingly– Overly used– Show lack of creativity

Sounds & Movement

• Don’t use obnoxious animations or transitions– Only pick from Basic or Subtle– Text should appear all at once

• Avoid unnecessary sounds– Distract from message

Consistency

• Do keep slides consistent– Same fonts– Same background/design– Same transitions/animations– Same colors

Unique

• Do make your PowerPoint unique– You’ve seen one, you’ve seen

them all

Presentation

• Don’t 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

Keep it Simple

• Colors• Animations/Transitions• Sounds• Content• Pictures/Graphics