Avoiding
Powerpointlessness
Creating Effective PowerPoint Presentations

Tip #1: Preparation is Key
Plan Purge

Tip #2: Content Comes First

Context Counts
Documentation
Presentation

Visuals: Frame
http://www.gettyimages.com/

Visuals: Zoom

The Rule of Thirds
The rule of thirds is a compositional rule
of thumb in photography and other
visual arts such as painting and design.
The rule states that an image can be
divided into nine equal parts by two
equally-spaced horizontal lines and two
equally-spaced vertical lines.
The four points formed by the
intersections of these lines can be used
to align features in the photograph.

Tips #3: We Can Read

Tip #4: Simple design rules
Point per Slide

Tip #5: Colors

Pure, healthful
Perfection
Safety
High tech, Scientific
Simple, Clean

Energetic
Passionate
Powerful
Determination
Emotionally Intense

Knowledge
Power
Integrity
Seriousness
Contrast

Tip # 6: Use Simple Fonts
 Use San Serif
Arial, Helvetica, Verdana
 Avoid Serif
Times, Typewriter, Lucida
 No CAPS or Underlining

Tip #7: Font Size
 Minimum Size 30
Size 36
Size 48
Size 54
 3-5 words per line

Tip #8: Make a Template
 Consistent Colors & Bullets
 1 Line of Text per Bullet/Point
 Use Master Slide

Tip #9: Use Transitions Wisely
 Distract Audience
 Choose Subtle Transitions
 Blank Slide “B”

Tip #10: Practice
Lighting
Equipment
Backups!

Numbers to Remember
• 7 Words in a Title • 10 Slides
• 7 Words per line • 20 Minutes
• 7 Bullet points • 30 Font Size

Presentation Checklist
Importance
Structure
Simplicity
Rehearsal

Resources

Free Photo Editors
Microsoft Office Picture Manager (Windows XP)
(Programs>Microsoft Office> Microsoft Office Tools> Microsoft
Office Picture Manager)
http://ittraining.lse.ac.uk/Documentation/OnlineGuides/Picture-
Manager.htm
iPhoto (Mac)
http://www.apple.com/ilife/iphoto/
Picnik
http://www.picnik.com/
FotoFlexer
http://fotoflexer.com/

Finding Free and Fair Use Images
Search Creative Commons
http://search.creativecommons.org/
Creative Commons licensed image-based media
http://wiki.creativecommons.org/Image#Featured_Image_Sites
Everystockphoto
http://www.everystockphoto.com/
Free Images
http://www.freeimages.com/
FreeFoto
http://www.freefoto.com/index.jsp
Bigfoto
http://www.bigfoto.com/

PowerPoint Alternatives
Google Docs/Spreadsheet/Presentations
http://www.google.com/google-d-s/intl/en/tour1.html
OpenOffice
http://www.openoffice.org/
Slideshare
http://www.slideshare.net
Apple Keynote
http://www.apple.com/iwork/keynote/