The Rules for the Perfect PowerPoint Presentation Keeping it simple! The Rules for the Perfect PowerPoint Presentation

Rule 1: Keep the colors simple Your color choices are black with white or red font

Rule 1: Keep the colors simple or white with black or red font

Rule 2: Keep the font simple Avoid letters with “tails” like Californian FB Baskerville Old Face Garamond High Tower Text

Rule 2: Keep the font simple Instead use simple fonts with no tails, like Albertus Medium Arial Century Gothic Microsoft Sans Serif

Rule 3: Only serious images Include no clip art. For example, there should be no clip art pictures of Harlem or New York City

Rule 3: Only serious images Instead, use high-quality pictures.… Harlem, 1930s

Rule 3: Only serious images The American Memory Project at the Library of Congress Tuskegee Institute 1903

Rule 3: Only serious images Ralph Ellison

Rule 4: Don’t use too many images on one slide

Rule 5: Use as few words as possible PowerPoint projects are visual mediums. They are not intended to be used for lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of words. Believe me, people want to see pictures and images and not a lot of blah-de-blah-blah-blah of words and typing. Naturally, you’ll need some words to guide your readers, especially if the images presented are complex and unfamiliar to your viewer. Help them out by offering some words of guidance and wisdom. Are you sick of reading all of this blather yet?

Rule 6: No fancy transitions Do you understand what I mean? When a slide comes up It all comes up at once. Things don’t slide in from weird places.

Rule 6: No fancy transitions Also, Things should not Exit your screen In any funky ways at all.

Rule 7: No Custom Animation Nothing should wiggle Shrink or enlarge Or do anything else with motion

Rule 7: No sounds! Shhhhhh…….the only sound during your presentation will be the sound of you TALKING…and sharing all of that awesome information.

Rule 7: No sounds! Exceptions: If you have any authentic sounds (music, speeches, etc) from the era, those may be used.

Where to look for stuff? National Archives and Records Administration Library of Congress American Memory Project New York Public Library Digital Collections