1. PowerPoint Objectives
You will be able to:
Create an effective PowerPoint presentation to inform others about the topic you read about and researched
Avoid common PowerPoint design mistakes

2. Avoid These Common PowerPoint Mistakes
Inappropriate or mixed slide designs or color schemes
Mixed or hard to read fonts
Not enough text-background contrast
Too much text on slides
Too many pictures on a slide
Irrelevant pictures or sound effects
Distracting text animations
Spelling and capitalization errors
Text in ALL CAPS
Multiple exclamation points!!!
No Bibliography/Works Cited list
“The End” slide

3. Format  Slide Design Apply to ALL SLIDES
AFTER all slide text has been typed: Choose a Design Template or Color Scheme
Format  Slide Design
Select a Design Template that “goes with” your topic or tone OR
Select a Color Scheme that “goes with” your topic or tone
Apply to ALL SLIDES
Don’t mix designs/color schemes!

4. About Font Style, Color, Size
If using a Design Template, don’t change the Font Style
If using a Color Scheme, choose a simple Font Style like Arial
Fancy fonts are too hard for your audience to read
Use for Titles only
Don’t change the Font Colors, which are set for appropriate CONTRAST
Change font size only to fit text on slide; no smaller than 24 point (16-18 for picture captions)
Use Increase or Decrease Font Size buttons (A A)
Word Art
LIGHT Text on DARK Background
DARK Text on LIGHT Background

5. Type Slide Text
Text bullets on slides are “talking points” to focus audience attention on main ideas and key details
Summarize main ideas and key details from your reading and research notes
Type short phrases beside bullets (1-8 words)
No complete sentences, no periods at the end
Leave out non-essential words like the and of
Capitalize proper nouns (people or place names)
Use the spell-checker (ABC √ button)
To create a sub-bullet, press Enter after main bullet and then press Tab key

6. Insert or Delete Slides and Format Slide Layouts
To add a slide:
Insert  New Slide
To delete a slide:
Edit  Delete Slide
To change a Slide Layout:
Format  Slide Layout
Choose Title and Text or Title, Text and Picture

7. Insert Pictures To Insert a picture: To insert a text box caption:
Right-click  Copy a picture from a website
Click once in the PPT picture frame and Right-Click  Paste
Go back to the website to Copy the URL
Paste URL into text box caption under the picture
To insert a text box caption:
Insert  Text box  Horizontal under the picture
Caption text size

8. About Pictures Pictures must be appropriate for school!
Pictures must relate to information on slide and in narration
Avoid ineffective Clip Art– photos are best
Only 1-2 pictures on a slide
You don’t need a picture on every slide
Leave some blank space between pictures, text boxes, and edges of slide
Images copied from websites must include a source caption in a text box below the picture!
Use to illustrate information – not just for decoration

9. Add Animation/Transitions
Slide Show  Animation Schemes (includes transitions AND animations) OR
Slide Show  Custom Animation
Slide Show  Slide Transition
Animations and Transitions are optional, not required
Apply to ALL SLIDES - don’t mix animations!
Use only subtle animations – others may be distracting to your audience
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