1. PowerPoint:
Do’s and Don’ts

2. Keep it Simple
This slide is extremely hard to
read.
 The background is too obnoxious and there are too many
words.
o There are too many different fonts and
colors.
The animation is very distracting and over the top.
 

3. Slide Design
•Don’t use design templates
– Customize your own
– Use AutoShapes
– Keep backgrounds simple

4. Colors
•Do pick contrasting neutral colors
– Avoid neon colors
•Dark room = dark background
•Light room = light background

5. Dark Background
•Example of dark background
•Use light text on dark background

6. Light Background
•Example of light background
•Use dark text on light background

7. Fonts & Text
•Do limit presentation to 2-3 fonts
– Use sans-serif for titles/headings
– Use serif for body
– Avoid script fonts
•Do use 28-32 pt font sizes
•Do limit fonts to 2-3 font sizes

8. Content
•Do limit text on each slide
– Six by six rule
•Don’t use sentences or periods
•Do capitalize
– First word of a bullet
– Each word in a title or heading

9. Pictures & Graphics
•Do use pictures for enhancement
– Worth more than 1,000 words
•Use graphics and clipart sparingly
– Overly used
– Show lack of creativity

10. Sounds & Movement
•Don’t use obnoxious animations or
transitions
– Only pick from Basic or Subtle
– Text should appear all at once
•Avoid unnecessary sounds
– Distract from message

11. Consistency
•Do keep slides consistent
– Same fonts
– Same background/design
– Same transitions/animations
– Same colors

12. Unique
•Do make your PowerPoint unique
– You’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all

13. Presentation
•Don’t rely on PowerPoint
– Interact with the audience
– Use other visual aids if appropriate
•Do practice your presentation
•Do be sure your equipment works
– Have a backup plan ready

14. Keep it Simple
•Colors
•Animations/Transitions
•Sounds
•Content
•Pictures/Graphics