1. Oral Presentations with PowerPoint
The College at Brockport SUNY Suggestions For Preparing Power Point Slides
Our appreciation to:
Herma Volpe-van Dijk, Associate Project Director, CSTEP/McNair Program
Jim Georger, Lecturer, Delta College

2. First Slide/Title Slide
Include:
Your name
Collaborators’ names
Faculty advisors’ names
Your university and academic program
Date

3. Powerpoint Slide Text Keep language short/to the point
Avoid long paragraphs
Use only a few bulleted points per slide

4. Powerpoint Slide Graphics
Make sure pictures, graphs, etc. are relevant, appropriate, labeled, and in focus.

5. Pitfalls to Avoid
Do not crowd slide with too much information, text, or graphics- might strain audience members’ eyes and attention.

6. Pitfalls to Avoid
Do not simply read from Powerpoint slide- audience members’ attention will waiver.

7. Pitfalls to Avoid
Avoid using too many slides. Audience members need enough time to absorb the information on each slide- fast movement from one to the next may leave them confused.

8. Pitfalls to Avoid
Avoid using too few slides. Audience members will focus on your slide and its content, even if you have moved on to different topics. When you do not have new slides to complement those new topics, consider using a blank slide.

9. Pitfalls to Avoid
Special effects in PowerPoint are fun for presenter, but
some audiences find it irritating!
Do not let Powerpoint effects overshadow content
Use special effects on Text Slide only when making an essential point

10. Helpful Formatting Hints
Choose fonts and graphical styles that are clean and simple
Choose dark print on light background (especially if printing handouts) or light print on dark background.
Be careful superimposing text over pictures

11. COLORS APPEAR DIFFERENTLY ON COMPUTER SCREENS AND PROJECTORS