Effective Slides PRESENTATION: Creating Effective PowerPoint Slides

Don’t overload slides One of the biggest mistakes presenters make is overloading slides with too much information. Remember that slides are not intended to display your entire script or highlight each point you make. Crowded slides are aggravating to readers because they are difficult to read.

Write readable content Present one main idea per slide. Write short, bulleted phrases. Limit the content to 6 lines, 40 words. Use active voice. Construct parallel phrases.

Don’t use hard-to-read fonts Serifs fonts, like Times New Roman, are more difficult to read when projected on a screen. Italicized type is also difficult to read on the screen. Small fonts won’t show up at the back of the room.

Select readable fonts Use sans serif fonts like Arial. Avoid script, decorative fonts and italics. Choose font sizes readable from the back of the room—30 point or higher.

Don’t make distracting design choices Inappropriate background colours and images undermine the message. Poor colour choices make slides harder to read. Cheesy clip art makes presentations look generic. Numerous animation effects slow down the presentation and annoy viewers.

Design for your message Match colour and feel to message, audience and setting. Maintain consistency. Choose uncluttered backgrounds. Use decorative artwork sparingly. Minimize or eliminate animations.