Ten Sins Of PowerPoint Presentations By Donald W. Larson Donald W. Larson August 18, 2004

A Rubik’s Cube Of Sorts Click mouse to continue

#10 Making It The Focus PowerPoint is not the focus of the speech PowerPoint is not the focus of the speech You are the focus You are the focus You hold the power of listeners’ attention at all times You hold the power of listeners’ attention at all times Click mouse to continue

#9 Lack Of Homework Not verifying the media, display, and any sound system requirements Not verifying the media, display, and any sound system requirements CD-R format only CD-R format only Floppy Floppy Remote Control Remote Control Click mouse to continue

#8 Missing Opaque Slides Black or Dark Blue Black or Dark Blue First Slide First Slide Last Slide Last Slide Allows control of light beam Allows control of light beam Click mouse to continue

#7 Bad Fonts And Images Use standard fonts for text Use standard fonts for text Review Tom Savell's guide: Review Tom Savell's guide: Visual Aids (online) Visual Aids (online)online Check timing of slide transitions and effects Check timing of slide transitions and effects Click mouse to continue

#6 Slide Complexity Too much information per slide Too much information per slide Distracting items Distracting items Too many graphics Too many graphics Excessive special effects Excessive special effects Click mouse to continue

#5 Wrong Cue Order Select first blank, opaque slide Select first blank, opaque slide Prevent jumping around Prevent jumping around Remove unused slides Remove unused slides Click mouse to continue

#4 Where's The Start Button? MacOS X Button Icon MacOS X Button Icon Windows XP Button Icon Windows XP Button Icon Emergency exit via “Esc” key Emergency exit via “Esc” key Click mouse to continue

#3 Poor Pace Use a reasonable pace Use a reasonable pace Know the software and screen controls Know the software and screen controls Forward Forward Backward Backward Stop on last blank, opaque slide Stop on last blank, opaque slide Click mouse to continue

#2 Standing Still Move around outside of light beam Move around outside of light beam Practice your timing Practice your timing Use your Toastmasters gesturing skills Use your Toastmasters gesturing skills Click mouse to continue

#1 Reading The Slide Assume your audience can read Assume your audience can read Use it as an outline Use it as an outline Cover key points only Cover key points only Click mouse to continue

The End Thank you for your time! Click your mouse-button to end this presentation. Don Larson Photo copyright © 2003 by Donald W. Larson