The document outlines guidelines for creating effective PowerPoint presentations, including the use of templates, objectives, slide structure, appearance, and content. It emphasizes the importance of clarity, consistency, and audience engagement, suggesting practices such as limiting content per slide and using visual aids judiciously. Additionally, it includes a rubric for evaluating presentations based on content quality, organization, layout, language use, mechanics, and documentation of sources.

1. Creating effective PowerPoint Presentations
Grand Canyon University
Sample A. Student
A PowerPoint presentation can often be used to complement the
overall presentation delivery, rather than serving as the
presentation.
PowerPoint offers numerous presentation templates. These can
be found under the “Design” tab. The templates offer pre-
designed backgrounds and Title/Text boxes.
Use of the “Notes” function is beneficial because it allows the
author to add information to the presentation as reference
without adding too much content to the slide itself.
1
Objectives
Outlining the objectives allows readers to identify the reason
for the presentation.
Objectives should be brief and to the point.
List information about what the reader should learn from the
presentation.
Objectives should be listed in presentation order.

2. The inclusion of an “Objectives” slide at the beginning of a
presentation allows the viewer to better understand the focus of
the presentation.
The objectives should be limited to 4-5 key points and should
encapsulate those points that the presenter wants the viewer to
learn from the presentation.
The objectives should also be measurable. For example, use
verbs such as “explain” or “describe” instead of “understand”
whenever possible.
2
Slide Structure
Use bullets to separate out ideas.
Try to follow the 6 X 6 rule.
Limit to 6 bullets per slide.
Limit to 6 words per bullet.
Too much slide information causes confusion.
The audience may become distracted.
The 6X6 rule allows the reader to follow the presentation more
easily.
The presenter can include additional notes or comments in the
“Notes” section.
Listing too much information on the slide could make it

3. difficult to read and cause confusion.
3
Slide Appearance
Stay consistent.
Use one theme throughout the presentation.
Align text for consistency between slides.
Use transition effects wisely.
Use readable fonts.
Font must be readable.
Font and background colors should contrast.
Font size must remain consistent.
Too many effects can take away from the presentation.
Movements, animation and sound should be kept to a minimum
and only used where effective.
Ensure that the font style and font size are consistent
throughout the presentation. Select colors that are readable
against the slide background.
Maintain a consistent font size and style on all slide titles.
4
Content
Keep it simple.

4. Break up information between slides.
One slide need not house everything.
Be concise.
Wordiness will confuse the reader.
Brevity is always preferred.
It is always a good practice to use additional slides when
presenting a lot of information, rather than packing that
information into a single slide.
Use as few words as possible to make key points.
Slides should be simple.
5
Visual Aids
Visual Aids can enhance a presentation.
Images must pertain to the presentation.
An abundance of images can be distracting.
Source - http://www.freedigitalphotos.net
Visual aids (pictures, images, etc.) can greatly enhance a
presentation. However, overuse of visual aids can limit the
effectiveness of the presentation.
The images used must pertain to the presentation.
Use care to avoid the inclusion of copyrighted material.

5. 6
Charts and graphs
Graphs/charts should tell a story.
Graphs/charts must be clear and pertinent.
Use bullets to provide supporting information.
Source - http://www.freedigitalphotos.net
Charts and graphs can reinforce the key information in the
presentation.
Avoid the use of large spreadsheets that contain information
that is too small for the viewer to comfortably see.
Consider the use of “call outs” to highlight key information on a
chart or graph.
7
Presentation of information
Always check spelling, grammar, and formatting.
Check for consistency before presenting.
Slide theme
Slide transitions
Punctuation
Ensure that key points are delivered accurately.

6. It is a good practice to have someone else proof the presentation
before it is delivered.
Slides must be consistent in format, font and style.
Use tools to check spelling and grammar.
Punctuation must be consistent: Within bullets, periods should
be placed at the end of full sentences.
Ensure that the key points are delivered effectively.
8
Questions
End the presentation with a section for questions.
This encourages audience involvement.
Source - http://www.freedigitalphotos.net
Always allow time for audience questions.
9
Review
Revisit the objectives to ensure all were met.
Briefly review the key information covered.

7. A review slide helps to reinforce key points and brings the
presentation to an effective conclusion.
It also allows the presenter an opportunity to check for
understanding.
10
References
Provide references for any outside sources.
List references in alphabetical order.
Provide references for any pictures or images.
When creating the references slide, use the format outlined by
the instructor.
APA or MLA.
Standard bibliography rules apply.
References must be in alphabetical order.
When referencing pictures or images:
Provide a reference on the slide that contains the picture or
graph.
Include a reference on the reference slide as well.
11
Rubic_Print_FormatCourse CodeClass CodeAssignment
TitleTotal PointsBUS-317BUS-317-O501Benchmark -
Executive Summary
Presentation130.0CriteriaPercentageUnsatisfactory (0.00%)Less
than Satisfactory (65.00%)Satisfactory (75.00%)Good
(85.00%)Excellent (100.00%)CommentsPoints

8. EarnedContent75.0%Using the report, you wrote in Topic 3,
create an executive summary presentation of the report (7-9
slides, exclusive of the title and reference slides) with
appropriate speaker notes that could be delivered to a C-suite
executive in a corporation. Consider the feedback from your
instructor on the case study report you completed in Topic 3.
Include the following in your presentation: 1. A summary of
the industry and companies chosen.10.0%Presentation does not
summarize the industry and chosen companies.Summary of the
industry and chosen companies is weak and missing evidence to
support claims.Summary of the industry and chosen companies
is presented in an adequate manner. It is somewhat limited and
lacks some clarity.Summary of the industry and chosen
companies is presented in a clear and coherent manner. It is
strong with sound analysis and appropriate clarity.Summary of
the industry and chosen companies is presented in a brilliant
manner. It is comprehensive and insightful with flawless
clarity.2. An overview of the chosen company’s liquidity ratios
relative to the industry averages and to the competitor.10.0%An
Overview of the chosen company’s liquidity ratios relative to
the industry averages and to the competitor is not present.The
Overview of the chosen company’s liquidity ratios relative to
the industry averages and to the competitor is weak and missing
evidence to support claims.The Overview of the chosen
company’s liquidity ratios relative to the industry averages and
to the competitor is presented in an adequate manner. It is
somewhat limited and lacks some evidence to support
claims.The Overview of the chosen company’s liquidity ratios
relative to the industry averages and to the competitor is
presented in a clear and coherent manner. It is strong with
sound analysis and appropriate evidence to support claims.The
Overview of the chosen company’s liquidity ratios relative to
the industry averages and to the competitor is presented in a
brilliant manner. It is comprehensive and insightful with
relevant evidence to support claims.3. An overview of the
chosen company’s solvency ratios relative to the industry

9. averages and to the competitor.10.0%An overview of the chosen
company’s solvency ratios relative to the industry averages and
to the competitor is not present.The overview of the chosen
company’s solvency ratios relative to the industry averages and
to the competitor is weak and missing evidence to support
claims.The overview of the chosen company’s solvency ratios
relative to the industry averages and to the competitor is
presented in an adequate manner. It is somewhat limited and
lacks some evidence to support claims.The overview of the
chosen company’s solvency ratios relative to the industry
averages and to the competitor is presented in a clear and
coherent manner. It is strong with sound analysis and
appropriate evidence to support claims.The overview of the
chosen company’s solvency ratios relative to the industry
averages and to the competitor is presented in a brilliant
manner. It is comprehensive and insightful with relevant
evidence to support claims.4. An overview of the chosen
company’s profitability ratios relative to the industry averages
and to the competitor.10.0%An overview of the chosen
company’s profitability ratios relative to the industry averages
and to the competitor is not present.The overview of the chosen
company’s profitability ratios relative to the industry averages
and to the competitor is weak and missing evidence to support
claims.The overview of the chosen company’s profitability
ratios relative to the industry averages and to the competitor is
presented in an adequate manner. It is somewhat limited and
lacks some evidence to support claims.The overview of the
chosen company’s profitability ratios relative to the industry
averages and to the competitor is presented in a clear and
coherent manner. It is strong with sound analysis and
appropriate evidence to support claims.The overview of the
chosen company’s profitability ratios relative to the industry
averages and to the competitor is presented in a brilliant
manner. It is comprehensive and insightful with relevant
evidence to support claims.5. Describe the importance of the
budgeting process in an organization relative to these

10. ratios.10.0%A Description of the importance of the budgeting
process in an organization relative to the three ratios is not
present.The description of the importance of the budgeting
process in an organization relative to the three ratios is weak
and missing evidence to support claims.The description of the
importance of the budgeting process in an organization relative
to the three ratios is presented in an adequate manner. It is
somewhat limited and lacks some evidence to support
claims.The description of the importance of the budgeting
process in an organization relative to the three ratios is
presented in a clear and coherent manner. It is strong with
sound analysis and appropriate evidence to support claims.The
description of the importance of the budgeting process in an
organization relative to the three ratios is presented in a
brilliant manner. It is comprehensive and insightful with
relevant evidence to support claims.6. Prepare a variance report
and balanced scorecard for the chosen company, comparative
against the industry averages for liquidity, solvency and
profitability (C.1.3)10.0%A variance report and balanced
scorecard for the chosen company, comparative against the
industry averages for liquidity, solvency and profitability is not
present.The variance report and balanced scorecard for the
chosen company, comparative against the industry averages for
liquidity, solvency and profitability is weak and missing
evidence to support claims.The variance report and balanced
scorecard for the chosen company, comparative against the
industry averages for liquidity, solvency and profitability is
presented in an adequate manner. It is somewhat limited and
lacks some evidence to support claims.The variance report and
balanced scorecard for the chosen company, comparative
against the industry averages for liquidity, solvency and
profitability is presented in a clear and coherent manner. It is
strong with sound analysis and appropriate evidence to support
claims.The variance report and balanced scorecard for the
chosen company, comparative against the industry averages for
liquidity, solvency and profitability is presented in a brilliant

11. manner. It is comprehensive and insightful with relevant
evidence to support claims.7.Which and how would these ratios
impact capital budgeting decisions.10.0%Analysis of which
ratios and how would they would impact capital budgeting
decisions is not present.Analysis of which ratios and how would
they would impact capital budgeting decisions is weak and
missing evidence to support claims.Analysis of which ratios and
how would they would impact capital budgeting decisions is
presented in an adequate manner. It is somewhat limited and
lacks some evidence to support claims.Analysis of which ratios
and how would they would impact capital budgeting decisions is
presented in a clear and coherent manner. It is strong with
sound analysis and appropriate evidence to support
claims.Analysis of which ratios and how would they would
impact capital budgeting decisions is presented in a brilliant
manner. It is comprehensive and insightful with relevant
evidence to support claims.8. A concluding summary of which
company based on the analysis is overall better compared to
each other and the industry.5.0%A summary of which company,
based on the analysis, is overall better compared to each other
and the industry is not present.A summary of which company,
based on the analysis, is overall better compared to each other
is weak and missing evidence to support claims.A summary of
which company, based on the analysis, is overall better
compared to each other is presented in an adequate manner. It is
somewhat limited and lacks some evidence to support claims.A
summary of which company, based on the analysis, is overall
better compared to each other is presented in a clear and
coherent manner. It is strong with sound analysis and
appropriate evidence to support claims.A summary of which
company, based on the analysis, is overall better compared to
each other is presented in a brilliant manner. It is
comprehensive and insightful with relevant evidence to support
claims.Organization and Format25.0%Presentation of
Content5.0%The content lacks a clear point of view and logical
sequence of information. Includes little persuasive information.

12. Sequencing of ideas is unclear. Presentation contains less than 7
slides; slide notes are incomplete.The content is vague in
conveying a point of view and does not create a strong sense of
purpose. Includes some persuasive information. Presentation
contains less than 7 slides; slide notes are incomplete.The
presentation slides are generally competent, but ideas may show
some inconsistency in organization and/or in their relationships
to each other. Includes persuasive information from at least
three reliable sourcesPresentation contains 7-9 slides; slide
notes are 50-100 words and are relevant.The content is written
with a logical progression of ideas and supporting information
exhibiting a unity, coherence, and cohesiveness. Includes
persuasive information from at least three reliable
sources.Presentation contains 7-9 slides; slide notes are 50-100
words and are relevant and cohesive.The content is written
clearly and concisely. Ideas universally progress and relate to
each other. The project includes motivating questions and
advanced organizers. The project gives the audience a clear
sense of the main idea. Includes persuasive information from at
least three reliable sources.Presentation contains 7-9 slides;
slide notes are 50-100 words and are relevant and
comprehensive.Layout5.0%The layout is cluttered, confusing,
and does not use spacing, headings, and subheadings to enhance
the readability. The text is extremely difficult to read with long
blocks of text, small point size for fonts, and inappropriate
contrasting colors. Poor use of headings, subheadings,
indentations, or bold formatting is evident.The layout shows
some structure but appears cluttered and busy or distracting
with large gaps of white space or a distracting background.
Overall readability is difficult due to lengthy paragraphs, too
many different fonts, dark or busy background, overuse of bold,
or lack of appropriate indentations of text.The layout uses
horizontal and vertical white space appropriately. Sometimes
the fonts are easy to read, but in a few places the use of fonts,
italics, bold, long paragraphs, color, or busy background
detracts and does not enhance readability.The layout

13. background and text complement each other and enable the
content to be easily read. The fonts are easy to read and point
size varies appropriately for headings and text.The layout is
visually pleasing and contributes to the overall message with
appropriate use of headings, subheadings, and white space. Text
is appropriate in length for the target audience and to the point.
The background and colors enhance the readability of the
text.Language Use and Audience Awareness (includes sentence
construction, word choice, etc.)5.0%Inappropriate word choice
and lack of variety in language use are evident. Writer appears
to be unaware of audience. Use of primer prose indicates writer
either does not apply figures of speech or uses them
inappropriately.Some distracting inconsistencies in language
choice (register) and/or word choice are present. The writer
exhibits some lack of control in using figures of speech
appropriately.Language is appropriate to the targeted audience
for the most part.The writer is clearly aware of audience, uses a
variety of appropriate vocabulary for the targeted audience, and
uses figures of speech to communicate clearly.The writer uses a
variety of sentence constructions, figures of speech, and word
choice in distinctive and creative ways that are appropriate to
purpose, discipline, and scope.Mechanics of Writing (includes
spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use)5.0%Slide errors
are pervasive enough that they impede communication of
meaning.Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors distract the
reader.Some mechanical errors or typos are present, but are not
overly distracting to the reader.Slides are largely free of
mechanical errors, although a few may be present.Writer is
clearly in control of standard, written academic
English.Documentation of Sources (citations, footnotes,
references, bibliography, etc., as appropriate to assignment and
style)5.0%Sources are not documented.Documentation of
sources is inconsistent and/or incorrect, as appropriate to
assignment and style, with numerous formatting errors.Sources
are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style,
although some formatting errors may be present.Sources are

14. documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format
is mostly correct.Sources are completely and correctly
documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format
is free of error.Total Weightage100%