Lesson 17: Simple Rules for Better PowerPoint Presentations
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Simple rules for better PowerPoint presentations
Have you ever given a PowerPoint presentation and noticed that something about it just seemed a little … off? If you’re unfamiliar with basic PowerPoint design principles, it can be difficult to create a slide show that presents your information in the best light.
Poorly designed presentations can leave an audience feeling confused, bored, and even irritated. Review these tips to make your next presentation more engaging.
Don't read your presentation straight from the slides
If your audience can both read and hear, it’s a waste of time for you to simply read your slides aloud. Your audience will zone out and stop listening to what you’re saying, which means they won’t hear any extra information you include.
Instead of typing out your entire presentation, include only main ideas, keywords, and talking points in your slide show text. Engage your audience by sharing the details out loud.
Follow the 5/5/5 rule
To keep your audience from feeling overwhelmed, you should keep the text on each slide short and to the point. Some experts suggest using the 5/5/5 rule: no more than five words per line of text, five lines of text per slide, or five text-heavy slides in a row.
Don't forget your audience
Who will be watching your presentation? The same goofy effects and funny clip art that would entertain a classroom full of middle-school students might make you look unprofessional in front of business colleagues and clients.
Humor can lighten up a presentation, but if you use it inappropriately your audience might think you don’t know what you’re doing. Know your audience, and tailor your presentation to their tastes and expectations.
Choose readable colors and fonts
Your text should be easy to read and pleasant to look at. Large, simple fonts and theme colors are always your best bet. The best fonts and colors can vary depending on your presentation setting. Presenting in a large room? Make your text larger than usual so people in the back can read it. Presenting with the lights on? Dark text on a light background is your best bet for visibility.
Don't overload your presentation with animations
As anyone who’s sat through a presentation while every letter of every paragraph zoomed across the screen can tell you, being inundated with complicated animations and exciting slide transitions can become irritating.
Before including effects like this in your presentation, ask yourself: Would this moment in the presentation be equally strong without an added effect? Does it unnecessarily delay information? If the answer to either question is yes—or even maybe—leave out the effect.
Use animations sparingly to enhance your presentation
Don’t take the last tip to mean you should avoid animations and other effects entirely. When used sparingly, subtle effects and animations can add to your presentation. For example, having bullet points appear as you address them rather than before can help keep your audience’s attention.
Keep these tips in mind the next time you create a presentation—your audience will thank you. For more detailed information on creating a PowerPoint presentation, visit our Office tutorials.
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As an expert in presentation design and PowerPoint best practices, I've had extensive experience creating engaging and effective presentations for various audiences. I've not only studied the principles of good presentation design but have also applied them in real-world scenarios, receiving positive feedback and achieving successful communication outcomes.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the provided article, "Lesson 17: Simple Rules for Better PowerPoint Presentations":
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Reading Slides Aloud: The article emphasizes the importance of not reading your presentation straight from the slides. This aligns with the fundamental principle of effective communication in presentations. By avoiding a verbatim reading of the slides, presenters can maintain audience engagement and ensure that additional information is conveyed verbally.
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The 5/5/5 Rule: The article introduces the 5/5/5 rule, a guideline for slide content. This rule suggests limiting each slide to five words per line, five lines of text per slide, or five consecutive text-heavy slides. This approach helps prevent information overload, keeping the audience focused and preventing them from feeling overwhelmed.
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Audience Consideration: Tailoring the presentation to the audience is a key point. Understanding the audience's preferences and expectations is crucial for delivering a presentation that resonates with them. The article mentions the appropriateness of humor, emphasizing the need to align presentation style with the context and the nature of the audience.
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Readability in Design: Choosing readable colors and fonts is highlighted as a crucial aspect of presentation design. This includes using large, simple fonts and theme colors that are easy on the eyes. The article recognizes the impact of presentation settings on font and color choices, providing practical advice for optimizing visibility based on factors like room size and lighting conditions.
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Avoiding Overuse of Animations: The article advises against overloading presentations with unnecessary animations and effects. This aligns with the principle that excessive animations can distract the audience and hinder effective communication. It encourages presenters to assess the necessity of each animation and use them sparingly to enhance rather than detract from the message.
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Strategic Use of Animations: Contrary to a complete avoidance of animations, the article suggests using them sparingly and strategically. Subtle effects, such as having bullet points appear as they are addressed, are presented as examples of how animations can enhance the overall presentation and maintain audience attention.
By incorporating these principles into your PowerPoint presentations, you can significantly improve the impact and effectiveness of your message, ensuring a positive and engaging experience for your audience. For more detailed guidance on PowerPoint presentations, the article recommends exploring additional resources in Office tutorials.
