1. PowerPoint:
Do’s and Don’ts

2. Keep it Simple This slide is extremely hard to read.
The background is too obnoxious and there are too many words.
There are too many different fonts and colors.
The animation is very distracting and over the top.
There are too many bullet styles.

3. Slide Design Don’t use design templates Customize your own
Use AutoShapes
Keep backgrounds simple

4. Colors Do pick contrasting neutral colors Dark room = dark background
Avoid neon colors
Dark room = dark background
Light room = light background

5. Dark Background Example of dark background
Use light text on dark background

6. Light Background Example of light background
Use dark text on light background

7. Fonts & Text Do limit presentation to 2-3 fonts
Use sans-serif for titles/headings
Use serif for body
Avoid script fonts
Do use pt font sizes
Do limit fonts to 2-3 font sizes

8. Content Do limit text on each slide Don’t use sentences or periods
Six by six rule
Don’t use sentences or periods
Do capitalize
First word of a bullet
Each word in a title or heading

9. Pictures & Graphics Do use pictures for enhancement
Worth more than 1,000 words
Use graphics and clipart sparingly
Overly used
Show lack of creativity

10. Sounds & Movement Don’t use obnoxious animations or transitions
Only pick from Basic or Subtle
Text should appear all at once
Avoid unnecessary sounds
Distract from message

11. Consistency Do keep slides consistent Same fonts
Same background/design
Same transitions/animations
Same colors

12. Unique Do make your PowerPoint unique
You’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all

13. Presentation Don’t rely on PowerPoint Do practice your presentation
Interact with the audience
Use other visual aids if appropriate
Do practice your presentation
Do be sure your equipment works
Have a backup plan ready

14. Keep it Simple Colors Animations/Transitions Sounds Content
Pictures/Graphics