PowerPoint: Beginner Level Pointers Mrs. L. Paschitti

Color & Design Use a dark background with light text for presentations on computer screens Use a light background with dark text for presentations on an overhead Use colors that contrast

Typography For headings San Serif fonts are easier to read, Verdana or Ariel All CAPS is difficult to read; combining upper and lower case is easier to read Limit text slides to 6 bullets or less on a slide Try not to use a font size smaller than 24 (default is 32)

Graphics Sources for graphics include: clip art; scanned images, and images from the Web

Animation Should be used sparingly and for a purpose Should be used to demonstrate an idea to your audience Too many effects are distracting and take your audience's attention away from the presentation

Spell Check Always proofread and check the spelling of your presentation

Keys to a good presentation Focus on your presentation content, not the PowerPoint software Put your slides in a clear, logical order Be consistent throughout your presentation in terms of typography, graphics, design and colors Minimize clutter Test your presentation Always save frequently while creating your presentation

Books & Websites with Tips Beyond Bullet Points: Using Microsoft PowerPoint to create presentations that inform, motivate, and inspire, by Cliff Atkinson The Cognitive Style of PowerPoint, by Edward R. Tufte