Advice on PowerPoint Presentations

  1. Use a font large enough for the audience to read from the back of the room.
  2. Use caution with color selection (e.g., background and font) for ease of readability.
  3. Limit use of sound -- if you choose to use sound, keep it to a minimum.
  4. Limit use of graphics -- they tend to distract the audience.
  5. Provide keywords for information to be presented.
  6. Limit bulleted items to no more than 5-8 per slide.
  7. Spell Check your presentation.
  8. Proofread your presentation for words spelled correctly but used incorrectly (e.g., their, there, and they're).
  9. Use the slide content as a guide -- do not read the slides to the audience.
  10. Maintain eye contact with the audience.
  11. Include humor when appropriate.
  12. Engage audience when appropriate.
  13. Print 3 slides per page to allow room for notes or 6 slides per page without room for notes (if providing handouts).
  14. Arrive early to set up and check equipment.
  15. Ask questions in advance to prepare adequately (e.g., number of attendees, size of room, lighting, equipment, etc.)
  16. Have a backup plan (e.g., handouts, transparencies, extra floppy/CD, laptop, projector, etc.)

Resources:

Font Selection
http://www.roadtools.com/tips.html

Color Selection
http://office.microsoft.com/assistance/preview.aspx?AssetID=HA010120721033&CTT=4&Origin=CH010716271033

http://www.anandnatrajan.com/FAQs/powerpoint.html

Last updated Monday September 29, 2008 10:37 AM