PowerPoint is a useful tool to visually enhance presentations in order to aid the listener in understanding the message being conveyed.  However, if improperly used it can significantly detract from a presentation.  Listed below are some guidelines to help in preparing good PowerPoint presentations.  Of course, PowerPoint cannot correct for a poorly prepared presentation.

Presenter Behavior

It should be remembered that PowerPoint is a supplement to a verbal talk.  In other words, the emphasis should remain on the presenter speaking to the audience with PowerPoint aiding in the process.  Presentation style, excessive text, and poor formatting can reverse that emphasis.

• Face the audience, not the slides.  Remember, you are speaking to the audience!
• Do not read off the slides.  If you need notes, then have them in front of you.  You can print out the slides if you need them for reference.
• Point to diagrams and tables in order to focus the viewer on important aspects.
• Leave the slide on the screen long enough for the viewer to assimilate the information.

Slide Content

The most important part of a presentation is the content.  PowerPoint can help the speaker present complex ideas, keep the listener focused and allow for the display of visual information. 

Slide Heading: Clear, concise statement of the purpose of the slide.

Slide Footer: This is optional and can include page numbers, speaker affiliations, date, abbreviated title, etc.

Main Text: PowerPoint is best used to highlight important concepts, NOT to present long sentences or paragraphs of text.  The listener should be listening to the speaker, not reading complicated text.  By highlighting important ideas, PowerPoint can help focus the listener on the key things the speaker is trying to say.

• Use bullet points to highlight important ideas or topics.
• Avoid long sentences and paragraphs.

Graphics: PowerPoint is an excellent way to present photographs, diagrams, graphs, videos, animations, etc.  Be sure they are of high quality and are enlarged so that important details can be seen.

• Visuals are very effective in PowerPoint.  They help convey ideas quickly and help hold the listener’s interest.
• Maximize the use of graphics and minimize the use of words wherever possible.
• Point to key parts as you talk about them.

Tables: This is a good way to organize information or present numerical data.

• Include only pertinent information. Cluttering a table with extraneous information simply distracts the viewer and prevents him/her from focusing on the key information.
• Be sure that the material is readable by the audience. 
• Point to important information on the table.

Slide Format

Formatting has a major effect on the effectiveness of a PowerPoint presentation.  If done well, the format provides for a pleasing presentation of ideas.  Done poorly, it distracts the viewer, putting the focus on the format instead of the ideas.  Simply speaking, the format should not be noticed by the viewer but should seem a natural part of the overall presentation.  The format should be simple and consistent throughout the presentation, demonstrating professionalism by the speaker.

Three main concepts summarize what is important: Simple, Consistent, Professional.

Slide Design: A variety of basic slide designs are available with PowerPoint.  These are interesting, but can be distracting.  As a general rule, keep the design simple and avoid those designs that have animations.  The animations are ​“cute”, but they take time and keep the listener from focusing on the material.

Background/Color Schemes: This is very important and can doom a presentation.

• Background and text colors must contrast well so that the text can be read by the audience.  This is absolutely essential. 
• Graded backgrounds can work well, however text contrast may be good in one area but poor in another.  Picture backgrounds often hinder the reading of text.
• Choose colors that are visually pleasing, that match each other well and that demonstrate professionalism.  Avoid red and be careful if you use it.  Red cannot be seen in the dark, and it doesn’t contrast well with other colors.

Font Size: It is important to use fonts that are large enough for the viewer to easily read.  The following are guidelines, but overall slide design might alter these.

• Slide title: 44 font
• Main bullets: 28-32 font
• Sub-bullets: 24-28 font

Clutter: Be sure to keep enough open space on the slide to allow the viewer to be able to review the slide and understand it.

Text Animation: Use text animation only when it enhances the presentation of concepts. 

• If there is no reason why all the text can’t be presented at the same time, then don’t use text animation. 

There are many animation formatting options.  As a rule, KEEP IT SIMPLE, KEEP IT CONSISTENT, and DON’T USE SOUND.  There is nothing more annoying than viewing a PowerPoint presentation with every line of text coming in separately from all angles with sound.  It may seem fun, but it is simply distracting and is the epitome of unprofessionalism.