Tips for PowerPoint

Digital presentations using Microsoft's PowerPoint can be a very effective way to share your ideas with text, sound, images and animation. The following are tips and tricks to be more effective in creating and delivering your presentations.

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Readability

Any time the you are trying to present your ideas in words, whether you're printing a document, making a website or doing a presentation, you must be concerned with readability. Readability is the legibility of your text or how easy it is to read.

Text should be large enough to be seen from the furthest seat in the demonstration room and should highly contrast your background. Use at least 28 pt fonts for text and 48 pt fonts for titles. If you have a dark background you should use light text and if you have a light background you should use dark text.

wrong!

right!

Also your background shouldn't conflict with your foreground. Busy and colourful background might look exciting but they generally detract from readability.

The above background is a good example of a background that is inappropriate for text.

Text to Highlight Points

Don't just read off your points from your slides as you go through them during your presentation. Us text to highlight important information and speak to elaborate.

Use Charts to Illustrate Differences

Charts are a great at showing improvements, reductions and differences but only if the graphic shows a noticeable difference between examples. Use charts that clearly Illustrate the difference in the results.

This chart has difficult to notice differences.

This chart has easier to notice differences

Photographs too Dark

A common problem with PowerPoint slides is dark or fuzzy images. Images are great visual aid to help you make your point but dark or fuzzy images (example on the left) often take away most of the impact. Make sure to use photos that are clear and bright (example on the right).

Check Spelling

Misspelled words make a poor and lasting impression that takes away from your work and your intended message. Luckily PowerPoint has a built-in spell checker under the Tools menu.

Test

You must test your presentation with a data projector before you give your present to an audience. Testing is essential.

Testing your PowerPoint document on the equipment you will use for your presentation will allow you to see problems with timing, spacing and readability. Doing a test run before your presentation will also familiarize you with the equipment and work out any potential technical glitches.