THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS OF POWER POINT PRESENTATIONS

SIN #1LETTER FONTS ARE ORNATE, OR THERE ARE TOO MANY DIFFERENT FONTS, STYLES, AND FONT COLORS IN A SINGLE PRESENTATION.

Serif – with embellishment

Sans Serif – without embellishment

EXAMPLES OF SERIF FONTS:

Computer techComputer techComputer TechComputer techComputer techComputer techComputer techComputer techComputer tech

EXAMPLES OF SANS SERIF:

Computer tech

Computer techComputer techComputer techComputer techComputer techComputer tech

COLORS

Limit use of colors to one or two in a presentation The primary colors are red, yellow and blue

Avoid using red Difficult to read Some people are color blind to red Did you know that color blindness is passed on

genetically?

SIN #2FONT SIZES AND/OR GRAPHICS ARE TOO SMALL.

Titles : 35 to 40 or larger size font

Text : 24 to 29 size font

Make sure the back row can read words

GRAPHICS

PHOTOS

Save photo as: largest size available

SIN #3THE BACKGROUND IS TOO BUSY OR THE COLORS LACK CONTRAST

When a photo is used as a slide background, it is often difficult to read text

Text color and background color need to have enough contrast for legibility

BACKGROUND COLORS

It is difficult for people to read when there isn’t enough contrasto Light colors on dark backgrounds are not always

the solution

A contrasting color is easier for reading

When the background is too busy, it is difficult for people to read the text

SIN #4CROWDING TOO MUCH INFORMATION ONTO A SINGLE SCREEN OR TRANSPARENCY

Keep screens simple and clear Do not crowd text Use short phrases and key words

Six by Six rule No more than six lines of text per screen No more than six words per line

SIN #5LEAVING A SCREEN UNCHANGED FOR TOO LONG OR NOT LEAVING A SCREEN UP LONG ENOUGH FOR THE AUDIENCE TO TAKE NOTES

Solutions Reveal information progressively Use handouts of slides Don’t overcrowd slides with words

SIN #6OVERUSING SPECIAL EFFECTS(ANIMATIONS & TRANSITIONS)

Be consistent Don’t use too many different effects Audience will be more interested in effects

than presentation

SPECIAL EFFECT OVERLOAD

Effects are cool One per slide

SIN #7PRESENTATION IS ALL TEXT, NO PICTURES

Some people are visual learners

Pictures and graphs make your presentation interesting