1. Guidelines for Preparing Slides
Create A Title Slide To Introduce Your Presentation

2. Pictures Provide 1 picture per slide
Pictures Provide 1 picture per slide. Make sure the picture is clear and not distorted

3. Maintain A Consistent Layout A consistent layout and color scheme will create continuity and cohesiveness.

4. Use Bullets, Not Numbers
Bullet points replace complete sentences.
Bullets imply no significant order.
Use numbers only to show rank of sequence.

5. Use The 7 x 7 Rule 7 lines of text 7 words per line

6. Keep Slides Easy To Read And Uncluttered Allow plenty of room around borders and illustrations.

7. Select Readable Type Size
36 point for titles—minimum.
24 point for body text—minimum.
45 Point
40 Point
35 Point
30 Point
25 Point
20 Point
15 Point
10 Point

8. Use A Readable Typeface And Font
Use Sans serif (no curly feet) such as Arial or universal for body text.
Use Serif (curly feet) such as Times New Roman or Courier for title text.
No more than two fonts per slide.

9. Typeface Examples Typeface Examples Comic Sans MS Universal
Times New Roman
Arial
Century Schoolbook

10. Adjust Lettering To Discriminate Or Emphasize
Make titles a larger type size than body elements.
Emphasize important statements or words with bold, italic, larger size, color, or different fonts.

11. Choose Color Carefully
Use the same color consistently throughout the presentation.
Use light letters on a dark background and dark letters on a light background.
Do not let color overpower the words.
Use color to communicate, not decorate.

12. Enhancing the Presentation
Add Clipart, Pictures, Bitmaps, Animation, Video Clips, and Sound where appropriate.
If ever.

13. Enhancing The Presentation
Transitions
The most natural movement is from left to right.
If making a special point, text could move from the right to left.
Too many things flying around the screen detracts from the presentation.
Not every slide needs to be animated.

14. Enhancing The Presentation
Transitions continued…
Slide transitions should be set to advance on a mouse click
Within a slide it is best for custom animation to be set to “Start After Previous” (automatically) to avoid frequently having to click the mouse within the slide. (Exceptions: if the presenter is discussing each topic individually)

15. Enhancing the Presentation
Keep everything in alignment.
Don’t go outside the default title and text block.
Use handouts to show more detail than will project well on a slide.

16. Your Slides Are Not Your Presentation
Slides draw attention to presentation.
Focus interest on what is important.
Audience must finish reading before you start talking.
Do not read slides.

17. Summary Slide
Always use at least one but no more than two summary/conclusion slides.

18. Finish Slide
“Thank You For Your Attention” or other appropriate finish slide.
Include 2 or 3 copies of finish slide to avoid inadvertent mouse “clicks”.