1. PowerPoint Tips andPowerPoint Tips and
TricksTricks
Waking Up FromWaking Up From
““PowerPoint-Induced Sleep:”PowerPoint-Induced Sleep:”
Effective Use of PowerPointEffective Use of PowerPoint
for Teachingfor Teaching
Adapted from a workshop provided at USC,
Columbia, by DEIS Instructional Developer, Vera
Polyakova-Norwood
2. Format/ GeneralFormat/ General
Format/ ColorsFormat/ Colors
Format/ TextFormat/ Text
Type SizesType Sizes
FontsFonts
EmphasisEmphasis
EffectsEffects
Graphics/ VisualsGraphics/ Visuals
Table of Contents:
5. Format/ GeneralFormat/ General
Use bullet points: no complete sentencesUse bullet points: no complete sentences
-Start each bullet point with the same-Start each bullet point with the same
grammatical pattern to convey a sense ofgrammatical pattern to convey a sense of
style and to establish a dynamicstyle and to establish a dynamic
6. Format/ GeneralFormat/ General
Use external and internal linksUse external and internal links
To demonstrate the content of yourTo demonstrate the content of your
presentationpresentation
To break the linearity of PowerPointTo break the linearity of PowerPoint
7. Format/ GeneralFormat/ General
Include a conclusions slideInclude a conclusions slide
To provide reinforcement through summaryTo provide reinforcement through summary
8. Format/ ColorsFormat/ Colors
Select colors with high contrastSelect colors with high contrast
Consider people with color blindness andConsider people with color blindness and
low-visionlow-vision
No red on black or vice versaNo red on black or vice versa
12. Format/ TextFormat/ Text
7 lines per slide (including title)7 lines per slide (including title)
7 words per line7 words per line
13. Type SizesType Sizes
54 point for titles54 point for titles
32 point for text32 point for text
24 point is difficult to read24 point is difficult to read
16 point is impossible to read and should not be used16 point is impossible to read and should not be used
14. FontsFonts
Use San Serif Fonts to convey ease of reading:Use San Serif Fonts to convey ease of reading:
Arial Rounded MT BoldArial Rounded MT Bold
AvantGarde Md BtAvantGarde Md Bt
HelveticaHelvetica
Zurich BTZurich BT
Do not use fonts that have “little feet.”Do not use fonts that have “little feet.”
Do not use narrow fontsDo not use narrow fonts
15. FontsFonts
Different computers have different fontsDifferent computers have different fonts
loaded on themloaded on them
This may affect the look of your presentationThis may affect the look of your presentation
16. EmphasisEmphasis
Avoid ALL CAPSAvoid ALL CAPS
UseUse colorcolor toto highlighthighlight
UseUse italicsitalics rather thanrather than underliningunderlining
Underlining runs into some letters that goUnderlining runs into some letters that go
below the linebelow the line
Looks like a hyperlinkLooks like a hyperlink
17. EffectsEffects
All effects should have a purposeAll effects should have a purpose
Do not overuse animation effectsDo not overuse animation effects
Animation creates a secondary focus thatAnimation creates a secondary focus that
competes with contentcompetes with content
18. EffectsEffects
No moving textNo moving text
No sound effectsNo sound effects
Use appear and dim effects for bulletUse appear and dim effects for bullet
pointspoints
19. Graphics/ VisualsGraphics/ Visuals
Charts, graphs, tablesCharts, graphs, tables
Photos with permission of subjects,Photos with permission of subjects,
copyright holderscopyright holders
Royalty free clip artRoyalty free clip art
WordArt and pop-outsWordArt and pop-outs
Multimedia with permission of copyright holderMultimedia with permission of copyright holder
Images must relate to content/ teaching pointsImages must relate to content/ teaching points