Tips for Creating Effective Presentations Don’t let your presentation outshine you!

Step 1: Trim text Use short phrases Use the 6 x 6 rule Maximum six words per bullet No more than six bullets These words don’t count: –A –And –Is –The –or

Step 2: Improve visibility Don’t use fancy fonts Use “easy to read” fonts All text should be legible Text should be 24 point or larger Use contrasting colors

Step 3: Simplify backgrounds Avoid intricate backgrounds (like this) They draw attention away from message Use pictures that won’t overwhelm foreground

Step 4: Use high-quality graphics Limit to one graphic for every two slides. Some slides won’t have clip art.

Step 5: Limit gratuitous effects Use simple slide transitions Motion & transitions can detract from message Animations quickly become annoying Instead, use less jarring effects Add sound and animations sparingly

Step 6: Be wary of charts Charts must be easy to read 3-D charts can be hard to see Tables may work better than charts ALL characters should be large enough to read 1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr East West North

Step 7: Remember last-minute details Remember to check spelling Check links to movies

Work Cited Tessler, Franklin. “Seven Secrets of Power Presentations.” Macworld. 1 August Workplace/fd792d60-84f1-4fec d7.html.