Powerpoint helps us to think of each projected page as a "slide" in a slideshow. But just as someone else’s home movies can be thoroughly uninteresting if they’re grainy, poor in quality, and irrelevant, Powerpoint slides that are too flashy, cluttered, meaningless, or poorly designed can quickly turn a darkened room full of smart people into a mere gathering of snoozers. As you design your slides, consider these factors:
Templates.
- Even though Powerpoint helps you design your slides, don’t assume that someone else’s template will always match your needs.
- Take charge of slide design by considering first the most efficient way to transmit the necessary information.
Simplicity.
- Keep slides as simple and uncluttered as possible, and if the information must be complex, prioritize it for your audience as you present it (e.g., if presenting a ten-column table, direct your audience to the most significant columns).
- Offer only one major point per illustration.
- If you need to focus on more than one point, re-present the illustration in another form on a separate slide with the different point emphasized.
Titles/Text.
- Give most slides titles, with a font size of at least 36 points, and body text with a font size of at least 24 points.
- If you need to cite a source of information, include the citation in a smaller font size at the bottom of your slide.
Rule of 8s.
- Apply the "rule of 8s": include no more than 8 words per line and 8 lines per slide.
Bullets.
- When using bulleted lists in slides, present each bulleted line in parallel fashion—i.e., if the first line is a fragment, the others should be as well; if the first line opens with a verb, so should the others.
Design.
- Design slides so that their longest dimension is horizontal rather than vertical.
- Use both uppercase and lowercase letters and orient pictures left to right.
- Avoid the overuse of animations and transitions, especially audio-based transitions, which can be distracting and downright silly.
Color.
- Make sure the color for both the background and text are highly readable, especially under less than optimal lighting conditions. There’s nothing wrong with basic dark lettering and white background for your slides, particularly if they’re text-based.
- If you do choose a background theme or color, enhance continuity and viewability by keeping it consistent and subtle.
Images.
- When possible, replace words with images.
- Use images in particular when presenting data, demonstrating trends, simplifying complex issues, and visualizing abstractions.
How to add images/videos
Sources:
Spelling.
- Spelling does count, and you can’t rely on Powerpoint to be an effective proofreader. Be sure your slides are free of grammatical and spelling errors.
