Common PowerPoint MisteaksCommon PowerPoint Mistakes

The World’s Worst PowerPoint

Tips to help you avoid

What’s wrong with this slide?

• Look carefully at this slide• Do you see anything wrong?• On your paper tell what’s

wrong• Hint: there’s only one thing

wrong with each slide!

Fewer Frivolous Fonts

• Use ONE “sans serif” font for titles– Arial

• Use ONE “serif” font for text– Times New Roman

• Less is more!

ASerif

ASans Serif

What’s wrong with this slide?

• Look carefully at this slide• Do you see anything wrong?• On your paper tell what’s wrong• Hint: there’s only one thing wrong

with each slide!

Select Readable Fonts

• Arial Tahoma Times New Roman

• Titles about 40-44 points

• Text about 28-32 points

• Watch your slideshow from the back of the room. Is it readable?

What’s wrong with this slide?

• Look carefully at this slide

• Do you see anything wrong?

• On your paper tell what’s wrong

• Hint: there’s only one thing wrong with each slide!

Note: this slide animates each letter of every word

Avoid Annoying Animations

• Use animations to enhance your presentation

• A little movement can be visually appealing and interesting

• Too much is distracting

What’s wrong with this slide?

• Look carefully at this slide

• Do you see anything wrong?

• On your paper tell what’s wrong

• Hint: there’s only one thing wrong with each slide!

Clip Art Clutter

• Rule of thumb: one graphic per slide

• Clip art should reflect your topic and help you tell your story

What’s wrong with this slide?

• Look carefully at this slide

• Do you see anything wrong?

• On your paper tell what’s wrong

• Hint: there’s only one thing wrong with each slide!

Consider Contrasting Colors

Dark font on light background

Light font on dark background

Use a PowerPoint Design Template(but ONLY ONE)

What’s wrong with this slide?

1. Look carefully at this slide

2. Do you see anything wrong?

3. On your paper tell what’s wrong

4. Have you figured it out?

5. Do you know what it is?

6. Isn’t it obvious?

7. Now do you know?

8. Is this getting annoying?

9. Or even redundant?

10. Have I made my point?

11. Promise you won’t ever do this?

12. On your paper tell what’s wrong

13. Hint: there’s only one thing wrong with each slide!

Too Much Information!

• Use short phrases

• Use 28-32 point fonts-- when you run out of room it’s time for a new slide

• “White space” is a good thing!

What’s wrong with this slide?

• Look carfully at this slide

• Do you see anything wrong?

• On you’re paper tell whats wrong

• Hint: theirs only one thing wrong with each slide!

Chek Yur Speling

• Spell checkers are not 100% accurate!

My Spell Checker

I have a spell checkerIt came with my PCIt plane lee marks four my revueMiss steaks aye can knot see

And one more thing…

• Be careful with sound effects!

• They can be annoying!

• If it takes away from the point don’t use it!