Guidelines for Power Point Presentation

• Be sure you stand where everyone can see you (don't hide).
• Less is more: strive for no more than six words per line, and no more than six lines per slide.
• Choose font size and type for your particular context.
• Use same font for continuity.
• Only use two contrasting fonts to organize information, or for emphasis.
• Upper and lower case is easier to read THAN ALL UPPER CASE.
• Sans Serif is easier to read on the screen than Times New Roman with Serifs.
• Make sure the font size is large enough to be seen on your projecting screen.
• Use color sparingly for emphasis.
• Backgrounds and slide transitions should not be obvious unless used for emphasis.
• Use animation and sound as a hook, but not to distract from the presentation.
• Practice your presentation where you will be giving it at least once.
• Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words.

        For a nice critique of PowerPoint see Edward Tufte's wired article site .