Effective PowerPoint Presentations

Do’s Do’s & Don'ts Don'ts

Start with an Action Plan What is the goal of your presentation? Write out a draft first Start with an interesting opening Keep it SIMPLE!

NO ‘Reading’ People tend to put every word they are going to talk about on their PowerPoint slides. Although this eliminates the need to rehearse and actually review the material you are presenting, it can have the unintended affect of causing most people in your audience to either lose interest in what you are saying or actually put them into REM sleep where they will…

get little out of your presentation.

Use Bullet Points Bullet points instead of full sentences 6 by 6 rule No more than 6 words per line No more than 6 lines per slide Utilize the entire slide

Font Point Sizes Can you read this? How about this? Is this visually a pp ea l ing ?

Font Point Size Titles should be between 36 to 44 point Text font size generally should be > 24 point  This is 24 point Limit the variety of font styles to < 3 per slide Do NOT forget the Last Row?????? This is 44

Contrast Does this offer good contrast? Does this offer good contrast? Dark backgrounds work well with light text colors Dark backgrounds work well with light text colors Is this any better? Is this any better?

Colors Use appropriate colors Not TOO bright High contrast Try for color consistency

Slide Transitions/Movement Too much movement is BAD! It is distracting to your audience Avoid effects that diminish your point Right to Left – it is easier to read

Graphics Clip art, images and photos are wonderful Do not over use them!!!!!!! Are they necessary for your presentation?

Before you present Practice! Practice! Practice! Check for spelling and grammar errors Know the room Get comfortable with the equipment

Finally - NEVER……… Turn your back on the audience

Remember Keep it SIMPLE PracticeSmile