PowerPoint help and advice

Microsoft’s PowerPoint is the standard presentation software on the market. We’ve seen great presentations and bad ones. Here are some basic tips on it's use:

1. Make sure there is a relevant heading on each slide.

2. Use bullets in the text to make your points. No more than 4 points per slide.

3. Use a large text so everyone can see it clearly. Start with a 32 size font.

4. Use either Arial or Tahoma as a standard font. They are the easiest to read from a distance.

5. Use light text on dark backgrounds. Human eyes see light easier than dark.

6. Keep a standard format through your presentation but add variation. (e.g. use a graphic to illustrate points. Remember that “a picture is worth a thousand words”.

7. Don’t overuse animations and slide transitions. To start, use a simple fade. Remember, it’s your message and not your animations that you want your audience to remember.