The document discusses 5 keys to creating effective PowerPoint presentations: 1) Choose a theme to provide structure and coordination, 2) Be consistent with fonts, colors, and transitions, 3) Use color purposefully for mood and legibility, 4) Use less text and effects to avoid overwhelming slides, and 5) Leave whitespace to improve readability and focus. It provides examples and non-examples for each key and suggests an activity to create an 8-10 slide presentation on a favorite hobby using these keys.

1. Creating Effective PowerPoint
Presentations: 5 Keys for Success
Samantha J. Blevins
July 25, 2012

2. Overview
 Why are effective presentations important?
 Discussion
 5 key points
 Examples and non-examples
 Activity: 8 slide presentation on your favorite
hobby
 Conclusion

3. Why are effective
presentations important?
 PowerPoint can put your audience to
sleep if you
 Read your slides
 Include too much text or too many
graphics
 Don’t proofread
 Make each slide different
 Luckily, there are 5 keys to help prevent
audience boredom!
Image Source: http://mikeramm.com/2007/05/an-awful-presentation/

4. 5 Keys to Creating Great
Presentations
 Choose a theme
 Be consistent
 Color is important
 Less is more
 Whitespace is your ally

5. Choose a Theme
 Gives a professional feel
 Can provide structure
 Fonts and color are preselected and coordinated
 Can be tweaked to meet your needs

6. Example and Non-example

7. Be Consistent
 Font should be the same throughout your
presentation
 Color
 Size
 Placement
 Punctuation
 Differences can be distracting
 Slide transitions should be complimentary
 A different transition for each slide can be
distracting

8. Example and Non-example

9. Color is Important
 Mood for presentation
 i.e. Use school or company colors when appropriate
 Legibility
 Make sure your text color doesn’t interfere with your
background color
 Contrasting colors can help

10. Example and Non-example
Images Source: http://www.thugmed.com/2009/01/medical-presentation-skillz/

11. Less is More
 Don’t fill up every square-inch of your slide
 Watch out for distracting slide or text effects
 Too many can overwhelm

12. Example and Non-example
Image Source: http://carmenchongky.blogspot.com/ Image Source: http://speakupforsuccess.com/services/powerpoint/

13. Whitespace is Your Ally
 Images
 Effective when appropriate
 Don’t need to take up the whole slide
 Golden rule: 2 per page
 Text
 Keep it brief

14. Example and Non-example
Image Source: http://www.mondofacto.com/study-skills/presentation/how-to-create-a-presentation/03.html Image Source: http://speakupforsuccess.com/services/powerpoint/

15. Summary of the 5 Keys
 Choose a theme
 Be consistent
 Color is important
 Less is more
 Whitespace is your ally

16. Practice Activity
 Let’s practice using the key points of our discussion
 Create an 8-10 slide PowerPoint Presentation
 Topic Ideas
 Favorite hobby
 Favorite vacation
 Place you want to visit
 Expectations:
 Present your topic in an open discussion
 Credit will be given for completion
 Let’s learn from each others triumphs and mistakes