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