Making Presentations That Making Presentations That Audiences Will LoveAudiences Will Love

By Dipu The BestBy Dipu The Best

Use a TemplateUse a Template

Use a set font and color scheme.Use a set font and color scheme. Different styles are disconcerting to the Different styles are disconcerting to the

audience.audience. You want the audience to focus on what you You want the audience to focus on what you

present, not the way you present.present, not the way you present.

FontsFonts

Choose a clean font that is easy to read.Choose a clean font that is easy to read. Roman and Roman and GothicGothic typefaces are easier to read typefaces are easier to read

than than ScriptScript or or Old EnglishOld English.. Stick with one or two types of fonts.Stick with one or two types of fonts.

Font SizeFont Size

Bulleted items should be no smaller than 22 points.Bulleted items should be no smaller than 22 points.

The title should be no smaller than 28 The title should be no smaller than 28 points.points.

BulletsBullets

Keep each bullet to one line, two at the most.Keep each bullet to one line, two at the most. Limit the number of bullets in a screen to six, Limit the number of bullets in a screen to six,

four if there is a large title, logo, picture, etc.four if there is a large title, logo, picture, etc.– This is known as “cueing”This is known as “cueing”– You want to “cue” the audience in on what You want to “cue” the audience in on what

you are going to say.you are going to say. Cues can be thought of as a brief Cues can be thought of as a brief

“preview.”“preview.” This gives the audience a “framework” to This gives the audience a “framework” to

build upon.build upon.

Bullets Bullets (con.)(con.)

If you crowd too much text, the audience will If you crowd too much text, the audience will not read it.not read it.– Too much text makes it look busy and is Too much text makes it look busy and is

hard to read.hard to read.– Why should they spend the energy reading Why should they spend the energy reading

it, when you are going to tell them what it it, when you are going to tell them what it says?says?

– Our reading speed does not match our Our reading speed does not match our listening speed; hence, they confuse instead listening speed; hence, they confuse instead of reinforcing each other.of reinforcing each other.

Caps and ItalicsCaps and Italics

Do not use all capital lettersDo not use all capital letters– Makes text hard to readMakes text hard to read– Conceals acronymsConceals acronyms– Denies their use for EMPHASISDenies their use for EMPHASIS

ItalicsItalics– Used for “Used for “quotesquotes””– Used to Used to highlighthighlight thoughts or ideas thoughts or ideas– Used for book, journal, or magazine Used for book, journal, or magazine titlestitles

CCoolloorrss

RedsReds and and orangesoranges are high-energy but can be are high-energy but can be difficult to stay focused on.difficult to stay focused on.

GreensGreens, , bluesblues, and , and brownsbrowns are mellower, but are mellower, but not as attention grabbing.not as attention grabbing.

White on dark background should not be used White on dark background should not be used if the audience is more than 20 feet away.if the audience is more than 20 feet away.– This set of slides is a good example.This set of slides is a good example.– You can easily read the slides up close.You can easily read the slides up close.– It is harder to read the further away you It is harder to read the further away you

get.get.

BackgroundsBackgrounds

A white on a dark background was used for A white on a dark background was used for this set of slides as:this set of slides as:– The author assumes most users will view The author assumes most users will view

the presentation on their own computer.the presentation on their own computer.– Having a dark background on a computer Having a dark background on a computer

screen reduces glare.screen reduces glare.

The Color WheelThe Color Wheel

Colors separated by Colors separated by another color are another color are contrasting colors (also contrasting colors (also known as complementary)known as complementary)

Adjacent colors (next to Adjacent colors (next to each other) harmonize each other) harmonize with one another. e.g. with one another. e.g. Green and YellowGreen and Yellow

The color wheel below is The color wheel below is simplified for easy usesimplified for easy use

Clashing ColorsClashing Colors

Colors that are directly Colors that are directly opposite from one opposite from one another are said to clash.another are said to clash.

These provide readability These provide readability - e.g. yellow on blue.- e.g. yellow on blue.

To make a slide stand out, To make a slide stand out, change the font or change the font or

backgroundbackground

IllustrationsIllustrations

Use only when needed, otherwise they Use only when needed, otherwise they become distracters instead of communicatorsbecome distracters instead of communicators

They should relate to the message and help They should relate to the message and help make a pointmake a point

Ask yourself if it makes the message clearer Ask yourself if it makes the message clearer Simple diagrams are great communicatorsSimple diagrams are great communicators

FlipchartsFlipcharts

Make letters at least a Make letters at least a 1/4 high1/4 high

Flipcharts with lines are Flipcharts with lines are much easier to write onmuch easier to write on

Aspect Ratios for MediaAspect Ratios for Media

Overhead TransparencyOverhead Transparency 4:5 4:5 VideoVideo 3:4 3:4 35mm Transparency 35mm Transparency 2:32:3

Overhead & 35mm Screen Overhead & 35mm Screen Size for ReadabilitySize for Readability

Screen 6’ 8’ 10’ 12’ 15’Screen 6’ 8’ 10’ 12’ 15’

1/4 inch 30’ 40’ 50’ 60’ 90’1/4 inch 30’ 40’ 50’ 60’ 90’

3/8 inch 45’ 60’ 75’ 90’ 135’3/8 inch 45’ 60’ 75’ 90’ 135’

1/2 inch 60’ 80’ 100’ 120’ 180’1/2 inch 60’ 80’ 100’ 120’ 180’

Examples:Examples:

1/4” type shown on a screen size of 6’ can be seen 1/4” type shown on a screen size of 6’ can be seen 30’ away (20 point Times Roman equals 1/4” type)30’ away (20 point Times Roman equals 1/4” type)

1/2” type shown on a 10’ screen can be seen 75’ 1/2” type shown on a 10’ screen can be seen 75’ away (40 point Times Roman equals 1/4” type)away (40 point Times Roman equals 1/4” type)

YOUYOU

Do not use the media to hide youDo not use the media to hide you The audience came to see youThe audience came to see you The media should enhance the presentation, The media should enhance the presentation,

not BE the presentationnot BE the presentation If all you are going to do is read from the slides If all you are going to do is read from the slides

or overheads, then just send them the slidesor overheads, then just send them the slides Remember, only you can prevent Remember, only you can prevent

“ “Death by PowerPointDeath by PowerPoint””

Thank Thank uu