Chapter officers are often called upon to deliver important information
to a variety of audiences. If a PowerPoint presentation is in order, consider
the following tips for creating powerful presentations:
Fonts
Select
sans-serif fonts such as Arial or Helvetica. Avoid serif fonts such as Times
New Roman or Palatino as they are sometimes more difficult to read. Use no
font size smaller than 24 point, with a larger font (35-45 points) or different
color for titles. Stay with a single font for most of the presentation. Use
different colors, sizes and styles (bold, underline) where impact is appropriate.
Try
to keep your text to no more than 6-8 words per line. For bullet points, use
the 6 x 6 Rule: One thought per line with no more than 6 words per line and no
more than 6 lines per slide. To test the readability of your text, stand back
six feet from the monitor and see if you can read the slide.
Graphics
and Design
Keep the background consistent and subtle.
Use only enough text when labelling charts or graphs to provide a clear explanation.
Keep your slides clean and uncluttered, leaving some empty space around
the text and graphics. If you use graphics, use them sparingly. Graphics
should be used only if they relate to and enhance the topic of the slide.
Try
to use the same style graphics throughout the presentation (e.g. cartoon,
photographs, clip art, etc.) Limit the number of graphics on each slide
and check them on a projection screen before the actual presentation to
be sure they are easily seen and interpreted. Also, avoid flashy graphics
and noisy animation effects unless they relate directly to the slide. Limiting
the number of transitions used allows the audience to better know what to
expect.
General Presentation
You should
always proof all slides for correct spelling and grammar. Be sure to check
all colors on a projection screen before the actual presentation. They
may project differently than what appears on the monitor.
Do
not read the presentation from your slides. Practice the presentation
so you can speak from bullet points. The text should be a cue for the presenter
and viewer rather than a lengthy message. One of the final slides of your
presentation should direct the audience to where they can obtain more information
on the subject.
Tips Adapted From:
Bankerd, Kathy.
"How to Optimize Projection Technology: Using Fonts, Graphics, and Color
to Maximize the Effectiveness of Your Presentation". Syllabus. November/December
1997.
Bird, Linda. "Avoid the Mistakes of PowerPoint Rookies." Smart
Computing. January 2001.
Brown, David G. "PowerPoint-Induced Sleep."
Syllabus. January 2001.
