The ins and outs of powerpoint, intended to be displayed in a middle school or high school classroom.

1. Powerpoint 101: Use and Misuse
of the Cool Stuff
Kelly Kristl
*This is a presentation I plan to keep handy in case I’m ever demonstrating how to
make, or ruin, a powerpoint presentation to a group of middle school-age kids. From
that perspective, it is also me having a ton of fun with powerpoint. When else do you
actually get to use the neon rainbow background?

2. Choose a Background
• White backgrounds hurt eyes and are harder
to read on than dark backgrounds.

3. Choose a Background
• Isn’t this nice?
• Slightly off-white fonts work well too (I used
very light blue.)
• However, not all dark backgrounds are created
equal…

4. This SlideCauses Migraines
• A Dark background makes a light font stand
out
• Some fonts are easier to read than
others
• Serious fonts fit a serious topic
• In Moderation, fun fonts can
accentuate a fun topic

5. Which Font is Easier to Read?
• Serif?
• Sans Serif?
• Bold?
• Narrow?
• Cursive?
• 48 point?
• 20 point?

6. Backgrounds can be
different styles
• Dive in to my report on lifeguarding,
fresh water usage, or fish
Join me on a journey
through my book report
about a fantasy book, set
in a time long long aGo

7. Consider Adding Effects
• Bullets can fly in for effect.
• Consider if you want the same effect for all
of them.
• Consider if the effect is going to slow your
presentation down.
• Consider if the effect might make
somebody dizzy.

8. Clip art can also
make a boring slide
less boring.

9. Use Visuals to Make Your Point
• Blah blah blah blah blah
blah

10. Transitions: Cool and Eye
Catching

11. Another Transition
Expert tip: Consider if your
transitions help focus, or
distract your audience.

12. And Finally, A Slice of π
• 3.14159265358979323846264338327950288419716
939937510582097494459230781640628620899862
803482534211706798214808651328230664709384
460955058223172535940812848111745028410270
193852110555964462294895493038196442881097
566593344612847564823378678316527120190914
564856692346034861045432664821339360726024
914127372458700660631558817488152092096282
925409171536436789259036001133053054882046
652138414695194151160943305727036575959195
309218611738193261179310511854807446237996

13. There is no demonstration of audio
content in this powerpoint
• I know how to do it
• I don’t have headphones
• The other library patrons thank you dearly
for taking my word

14. The End!