PowerPoint Basics

1. PowerPoint Basics

2. First Steps • Create outline • Divide information into reasonable slides • Choose from preset themes (stick to it) • Create timing • Slide Show > Rehearse Timings • Transitions > Options > Advance Slide automatically • Practice!

3. Information – Don’t • Don’t put an entire sentence or paragraph on the screen. The audience will read the slide instead of paying attention to you, reducing the effectiveness of your presentation. • Don’t overload your slides with information. Squeezing too much information on a single slide is much worse than adding an extra slide.

4. Information - Do • Be concise • Logically organize material • Use information to reinforce most important points • Leave out unnecessary details

5. Design – Don’t • Different fonts/colors on each slide • Crazy or funny fonts • Bright, obnoxious colors • Images that don’t relate to content • Too many animations

6. Design - Do • Clear, professional font • One theme for whole presentation • Aesthetically pleasing colors • Only images that enhance content

7. Additional Tips • Practice, practice, practice! • You should NOT look at the screen while presenting • TEST your PowerPoint • Font legible from far away • Timed slides match presentation pace (trial and error, careful planning) • Content reinforces main speaking points