1. PowerPoint Presentation Guidelines
Tips for Developing
Engaging Presentations

2. Remember to include an overview slide
KISS
Limit Slides
Limit Text
Limit Animations & Graphics
Consistency
Background & Layout
Color Scheme
Font Style & Size
Content
Write to Your Audience
Add Interaction
Review Quiz
Reminder
Resources
Remember to include an overview slide

3. KISS
Keep It Short
& Simple

4. Limit Slides Limit each slide to one idea Limit number of slides used
Use bullet points to convey components of each idea
Limit number of slides used
Approximately one slide per minute of presentation
If not presenting in person, slides should take approximately one minute to read

5. Limit Text General rule: 6 x 6 Keep bullet points brief
6 bullet points per slide
6 words per bullet point
Keep bullet points brief
Avoid full sentences or paragraphs
Limit text even when presenting electronically
Ex. web conference or online classroom
The notes section can be used to cue the presenter to discussion points so that s/he adds to the information presented on screen. This section is also particularly useful in online presentations because the presenter can provide additional information for clarification.

6. Limit Animations & Graphics
Animations and graphics are entertaining but distracting
Audience misses message of presentation
PPT presents graphs and charts well
To make them meaningful, ensure graphics
Significantly add to purpose of presentation
Are large enough to be easily read

7. Background – Layout – Color Scheme – Font Style & Size
CONSISTENCY is Key
DESIGN TEMPLATES HELP
MAINTAIN CONSISTENCY
Background – Layout – Color Scheme – Font Style & Size

8. Background & Layout Use the same background for each slide
Changing backgrounds distracts the audience
Utilize a similar, logical layout for each slide
Title at top
Content written from left to right, top to bottom
Important info at top
Audience may not be able to see bottom of screen

9. Color Scheme Use the same color scheme on each slide
Utilize contrasting colors for background and font
Dark text on light background
Avoid white backgrounds
Can be blinding in dark rooms
Light text on dark background
Dark background on computer reduces glare
Good for close viewing
Do not use if audience more than 20 feet away

10. Color Scheme Examples Utilize Avoid White on Brown Orange on Blue
Yellow on Purple
Black on Light Blue
Avoid
Orange on Green
Yellow on White
Purple on Blue
Red on Green
Red on green provides good contrast, but some people are red-green color blind
White on Brown
USE THESE CONTRASTING COLORS
Orange on Blue
Purple on Yellow
Black on Light Blue
Orange on Green
DON’T USE THESE COLOR COMBINATIONS
Yellow on White
Purple on Blue
Red on Green

11. Fonts smaller than 24 pt. are difficult to read
Font Style & Size
Use easy to read styles
Examples: Arial Tahoma Verdana
Avoid fancy, difficult to read fonts
Larger font is better
40 pt. for title
32 pt. for subtitle
24 pt. for content text
Fonts smaller than 24 pt. are difficult to read

12. Content Write to your audience Add interaction (poll, quiz)
Know your audience
Who are they? What do they already know?
Provide needed background
Avoid unnecessary info
Add interaction (poll, quiz)
Click on one of the links below to continue with this presentation
Link to Review Quiz
Skip the Review Quiz

13. Review Quiz – Do or Do Not
Statement
Do or Do Not? (click for answer)
Use bullet points to convey information.
Do or Do Not?
Write in full sentences with appropriate punctuation when presenting slides in an online classroom setting.
Utilize detailed animations to keep the audience focused on your presentation.
Use a consistent background and layout for each slide within a presentation.
Present ideas in red font on a green background to provide good contrast for ease of reading.
Utilize easy to read fonts, such as Tahoma or Verdana.
Know your audience, and write specifically to them.
Continue with Presentation

14. Review Quiz – Answer DO
Back to Quiz
Continue with Presentation

15. Review Quiz – Answer
DO NOT
Back to Quiz
Continue with Presentation

16. REMINDER It only enhances it. The media (PPT) does not
constitute your presentation.
It only enhances it.

17. Don’t forget to cite your sources
Resources
ARMA International. PPT Guidelines. (2009, August 4). Retrieved August 5, 2009 from
Kaminski, Steven. PowerPoint Presentations: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Retrieved August 19, 2009 from
Russel, Wendy. 9 Presentation Tips for Students. Retrieved August 19, 2009 from
Scheel, Nicole. 8 PowerPoint Tips for the Online Classroom. (2009, July 22). Retrieved August 19, 2009 from
Don’t forget to cite your sources