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Power Point Etiquette

Colors

• Use colors that are pleasing and easy on the eyes
• Use contrasting colors

Fonts

• Use common fonts – especially if you will show the presentation on a different computer. Not all computers have the same fonts installed on them. What you type in on one computer, might look like this on another…

• Make sure your font is large enough to read from all areas of the room.
• Keep text to a minimum – Say it short and sweet on the slides. You should use bullets with short phrases and elaborate verbally during the presentation.
• Keep slides attractive and professional looking. Distracting slides could take away from the content. Examples of things to avoid:

• Don’t use animations that enter “from the left.” It forces viewers to read the end of sentences first.
• Use simple animations like “stretch across” or “appear” rather than “crawl” or “swivel.”
• Avoid loud and unpleasant sound effects that are irritating and/or distracting.
• When making a professional presentation, avoid using “by letter” entries on long sentences, especially with loud sounds.

Remember…

• Make presentations pleasing and interesting without over using transitions, sound, and animations.
• Preview your presentation on the presentation equipment you plan to use.
• Animations and sounds should not distract from your presentation. Be conservative.

Think of your audience…
Is your presentation one you would like to sit through?