1. Hanns Haesslein Andrew Combs PCOGS San Francisco Caucus January 2018
PowerPoint Tips
Hanns Haesslein
Andrew Combs
PCOGS San Francisco Caucus
January 2018
This slide deck has a few sample “animations”
To see how they work, view the deck using “Slide Show”

2. Talk to audience Know your audience What it wants to know
Talk with eye contact
Use fewer words- slow down

3. Readability - Fonts Use 24-point or larger size
Sans serif (“without serifs”) fonts: cleaner, easier to read

4. Readability - Contrast
On light backgrounds,
some colors work well,
others less so,
others still less so, and
some are not readable
On dark backgrounds,
some colors work well,
others less so,
others still less so, and
some are not readable
Colored background poses a challenge:
The background is halfway between darker text
and lighter text, so contrast is hard to maximize

5. Readability – Avoid ALL CAPS
Mixed-case (upper & lower): faster to read
Mixed-case words: complex shapes
Readers recognize whole words by shape clues
ALL-CAPS WORDS SHAPED LIKE RECTANGLES
Must read each letter to decode the word, no shape clue
This take longer

6. Less is more One slide per minute in general Synthesize ……..
then shorten further

7. The audience has not seen your data before
Highlight the most important information in tables and graphs.
If needed, use builds to present data, a series of bite-sized pieces.
Or use animated tools
to focus attention

8. Published tables have too much data for a talk
And the font is too small!
Klidinger et al, 2016
Sci Translat Med 8: 350ra101

9. Remove Extraneous Data
Monofilament
(N=49)
Braided
(N = 51) P
GA at Insertion (wks)
18±3 NS
CL at Insertion (mm)
18±5
19±5
GA at Delivery
< 34 wks
16% 0%
<0.05
< 37 wks
24%
32%
Data from previous slide
(with fluff eliminated)
Klidinger et al, 2016
Sci Translat Med 8: 350ra101

10. Use Bullet Points Sparingly
One of the sources that we consulted in preparing this material included the cute graphic below with an admonition about avoiding the use of bullet points.
It seems that sometimes the bullets themselves might be distracting, so the audience focuses on the bullets rather than the message.
However, bullet points can be useful for listing ideas that fit logically into a list. Better than writing it all out long-hand.
Bullet points are better than long tracts of text like this slide. This slide is horrible. Don’t do this.

11. Use Bullet Points Sparingly
Fewer
Extra
Words
Bullet lists serve two purposes:
Help audience to anticipate topics
Help you to remember what you want to say

12. Use Words Sparingly on Slides
Avoid complete sentences
Avoid reading your slide
Audience can read faster than you can talk!
Make the main point obvious

13. Visuals May increase audience engagement
May increase retention of message
But be sure that images enhance the message
rather than drawing attention away from it.

14. Use High Quality Photos
Organics Image Guide, Organics.com

15. The floor is your stage Make it fun or make it funny
But don’t distract from your message
You have a serious purpose, it’s not show-biz
Use visuals and humor judiciously
Show the clown (if you must), don’t be one!

16. Video and/or Audio Clips
Use with caution
Play-back may not work like it did at home
Discuss with organizers before meeting
Arrive early, practice using conference equipment
It is really necessary?
If it doesn’t work, then what?

17. Final Thoughts Practice with a trusted but critical listener
Time your presentation
Thank your collaborators
Give credit:
Mary Harrington, University of Mississippi
Rebecca Carr, AAU Data Exchange