Powerpoint Powerpoint

Do’s and Don’ts

DO remember your audience.

You want them to focus ON THE MESSAGE.

DON’T make them focus on PowerPoint techniques.

FOCUS ON THE MESSAGE - 1

DO make EVERY word and EVERY graphic relate to your message.

DON’T use anything unrelated to your message

Example: “How to give a good speech”

FOCUS ON THE MESSAGE - 2

DO present your message in a clear and dignified way.

DO use professional graphics and backgrounds that suit the

message.

BE PROFESSIONAL - 1

DON’T present the message in a

silly, flowery or child-like manner.

DON’T use ‘cute’ images or

‘busy’ backgrounds.

DON’T try to make a joke in every slide.

5

BE PROFESSIONAL - 2

DO use keywords of main idea only

DO use speakers’ notes for details.

DON’T use sentences.DON’T use slides in place of notes

BE CONCISE (BRIEF)

DO’S that will help you have a better PowerPoint presentation:

Keep slides concise. Experts vary but generally agree on no more than 5-7 lines (not bullets!) per slide and no more than 5-7words per line

Use a large font size so the words can be seen. Depending on the size of the room, font size should range between 48 for titles to 24 for subtitles and lists. Discipline yourself to eliminate words instead of shrinking font size.

Use sans-serif fonts that are easy to read, such as Arial. Hint! Remember that slides are just a visual aid -- if you overload them, the

audience may end up trying to make sense of the slides and not pay attention to you. Worse, they will feel overwhelmed and lose interest entirely.

EXAMPLE OF NOT CONCISEDON’T PUT TOO MUCH TEXT ON A SLIDE.

Please do NOT do the following:Don’t include too much detail and data (7 words per line; 7 lines per slide) Don’t crowd the information. Don’t use flashy or curvy fonts. Don’t use all UPPERCASE letters (HARD TO READ and is like YELLING!). Avoid obscure abbreviations. Only use ones that the audience is likely to know the meaning of. Skip punctuation marks for bulleted items on slides.

Keywords only

Separate notes (on cards)

EXAMPLE OF CONCISE SLIDE

Using slides for notes

Sentences

CAN THEY READ IT?

DO make sure your font size is LARGE enough to see from a distance. (Arial 28 pt. bold)

Make sure your font size is large enough to see. (18 pt. bold)Make sure your font size is large enough to see. (14 pt.)Make sure your font size is large enough to see. (12 pt.)Make sure your font size is large enough to see. (10 pt.)

DO leave plenty of space around your words and graphics.

DON’T crowd the words and graphics.

(See this slide (top), the previous slide 7, and slide 5.)

DO use lightlight colors on dark backgrounds.

DON’T use lightlight colors on lightlight backgrounds.

COLOR For text and background

DON’T use light text

on light backgrounds

DO use darkdark colors on lightlight backgrounds.

DON’T use darkdark colors on darkdark backgrounds.

COLOR For text and background

DON’T use dark text

on dark backgrounds

Your turn now!

Have fun with your own presentation!