Yays and Nays of PowerpointsBy: Marissa Santos

Bullets: Nay Bullets are difficult to read when going any

direction other then left to right. It is just plain confusing for everyone

Also, it’s important to keep bullets consistento Tabbing only when necessary

Group Things together if

It is not a list

Bullets: Yay Keep bullets as the way we read

Left to right Tab only when necessary Group things together Avoid unnecessary lists

Background: Nay This background is so distracting you

probably can’t even read what this says.

The background is also totally not relevant to the topic.

Background: Yay Keep it simple! Stick to one

Be consistent Relevant to information

Contrast and Color: Nay Mixing light backgrounds with light fonts makes it

difficult to read

Mixing dark backgrounds with dark fonts makes it difficult to read

Contrast and Color: Yay• Light backgrounds with dark fonts

compliment each other• Dark backgrounds with light fonts

compliment each other• Most professional presentations use

dark backgrounds with light fonts

Graphics: Nay Distracting:

Overloading pictures Irrelevant

Farm Animals Horse Cow Sheep Pig

Graphics: Yay Keep pictures relevant to content

Farm Animals Sheep Horse Cow Pig

Rule of 4: Nay It is important to focus on no more than 4 items at a time. Animals

Farm Pig Chicken Sheep

Safari Giraffe Zebra

Ranch Cow Horse Goat

Marine Whale Shark Fish

Insects Flies Mosqitoes

Rule of 4: Yay Keep audiences’ focus on 4 topics at a time

Animals Farm Safari Ranch Marine

You can then break each bullet down on separate slides.

Proximity: Nay Library

Education Building

Proximity: Yay Keep graphics organized with content

Library

Education Building

Fonts: Nay Small fonts

Curly and distracting fonts Fonts that change in color and style ALL CAPS Underlined and Bolded

Fonts: Yay Stay consistent Use large, easy-to-read fonts Do not bold, underline, or use all caps

Perceptual Differences: Nay Blue Yellow Red Green

Perceptual Differences: Yay Blue Yellow Red Green