2. Design each visual to make one major
point or theme.
Dominant idea should jump out
Should be followed by bulleted summary
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3. Keep your visual simple, neat and
uncluttered.
Make sure it isn’t complex or busy.
Don’t squeeze all the text or graphics into a
small area.
Make everything as large as possible for
quick, easy viewing.
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4. Limit the number of words and use large,
bold letters.
Use fewer than 45 words on each visual.
A good guideline for text-based visuals is six
to eight words per line
No more than five to seven lines per visual.
Use only one font.
Edit out words you don’t need until each
statement is as concise.
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5. Diligently copyedit and proofread.
Be consistent when it comes to noun phrases or verb
phrases, and tense for text lines and title.
Check spelling and use consistent punctuation.
Verify accuracy of people an organizations and data.
Double-check your data. Typos, misspellings and
Factual errors destroy your credibility as an expert in
the minds of the audience.
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6. Write titles that read like headlines
Each visual title should shout out a specific
idea or point, grab attention and titillate
interest.
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7. Highlight key words and graphics.
Use a different color, size or text effect (bold, italics) to
draw attention. But use them only for special emphasis.
Mixing too many type faces, such as italic and bold and
various fonts, creates excessive contrast and slows
reading.
Other techniques for drawing attention to key ideas
include using arrows, asterisks or enclosing words or
graphics in geometric shapes.
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8. Use colors sparingly.
Don’t overdo it.
Never use more than three colors on one
visual and use them consistently.
In general, light-colored text against a dark
background is easier to read from a distance.
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9. Don’t “overdesign.”
Today’s presentation software programs
provide you with an endless array of design
options.
Avoid radically changing backgrounds,
colors, fonts and borders .
When you’re designing your visuals,
remember that elegant, simple design is
always more effective.
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10. Don’t “overdesign.”
Today’s presentation software programs
provide you with an endless array of design
options.
Avoid radically changing backgrounds,
colors, fonts and borders .
When you’re designing your visuals,
remember that elegant, simple design is
always more effective.
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