Slides people can follow.
WHAT SLIDES ARE FOR
Supporting a speaker, not replacing one.
WHAT THAT MEANS
Slides carry what is difficult to say, and the speaker carries the rest.
WHAT THE COMMON FAILURE IS
Slides containing everything, read aloud.
WHY IT FAILS
The audience reads faster than you speak, then stops listening.
WHAT TO PUT ON A SLIDE
One idea Few words An image or figure that carries meaning
WHAT SIZE TEXT MUST BE
Readable from the back of the room.
WHAT THAT MEANS PRACTICALLY
Far larger than looks right on your own screen.
WHAT TO REMOVE
Bullet lists of full sentences Decorative clip art Logos on every slide Transitions and animation without purpose
WHAT DATA SLIDES REQUIRE
One point per chart The point stated in the title Labels large enough to read
WHY THE TITLE SPECIFICALLY
A title saying what the chart shows is the difference between a slide that works and one that does not.
WHAT TO PREPARE SEPARATELY
A document, if detail must be shared.
WHY
A slide deck that works as a document does not work as slides, and the reverse.
WHAT TO TEST
On the actual screen or projector, before presenting.
WHAT TO CHECK
Contrast, which projectors weaken badly.
