Effective PowerPoint: Simple Solutions to Six Common Mistakes Lena Hegi Welch, Ed. D. Trevecca Nazarene University

Mistake #1: Using Too Many Slides

accessed 6/15/06

The Solution: A Good Rule of Thumb Length of Speech = Total # of Slides Source: Hamilton, Essentials of Public Speaking (2008)

Mistake #2: Putting Too Much Information on a Slide

Contrast this... “When you present text-heavy pages, you tend to read them, which becomes remedial reading. Not only are you boring your audience, but you are insulting their intelligence as well.”

With This: Text-heavy pages—boring and insulting to audience. Use key words and phrases.

One Solution: The “666” Rule No more than: 6 words per line; 6 lines per slide; 6 word slides consecutively. University of Wyoming School of Education, 2004

Mistake #3: Overdoing the “Bells & Whistles”

Solution: Keep It Simple Easy-to-read template Uncluttered appearance Minimal sound effects

Solution: Be Consistent Template or background Font (no more than two) Alignment Transitions Animation

Mistake #4: Audience can’t read slides

Solutions: Double-check contrast between font & template background Keep font size 24+ ; preferably larger Practice slideshow ahead of time with projector

Combinations That Work: Complementary Colors

Mistake #5: Letting form overshadow content

Used by permission of Randy Glasbergen

Solutions: Allow plenty of time for designing PowerPoint; Concentrate on the message; Remember: PowerPoint should enhance, not overshadow, your message.

Mistake #6: Disregarding Murphy’s Law

Solutions: Anticipate problems Always have a back-up copy (i.e., CD, flash drive, etc.) Be able to speak without PowerPoint

Review: Six Mistakes Using too many slides Putting too much information on slides Overdoing the “bells & whistles” Audience can’t read slides Letting form overshadow content Disregarding Murphy’s Law

Some Practical Guidelines for Our Classroom Save onto CD, flash drive, or by 4:00 p.m. to Projector takes 1-2 minutes to warm up. Control light bulb with “mute” or “B.” Advance slides by touching screen twice. Accidentally skip a slide? Use “P” to return.