Less is more
When in doubt, make your slides simple. Cluttered slides do not improve a PowerPoint. Also avoid creating a wall of text.
Never read directly off your slides
The only exception to this might be a short quote – otherwise, don’t do it. Your listeners can easily read what is on the slides.
Talk about what’s on your slides
Don’t put information on your slides that you don’t plan to talk about – your listeners will not appreciate it. Text should be concise and relevant. On a related topic, if your slides have information you would like your listeners to read and/or copy, give them enough time to do so.
Images trump text
You don’t need text for an effective PowerPoint presentation. Include an image that illustrates your point and talk about your point. You are giving a presentation, so actually presenting is the most important. Your PowerPoint should not be able to give your presentation without you.
Avoid flashy transitions
Bullet points flipping onto the slide with gunshot sound effects and fireworks might look cool, but it’s unprofessional. If you find your standard PowerPoint boring, Prezi provides some options that are more visually interesting, but as always be careful about going overboard.
For More Information
See this hilarious presentation on how Powerpoints can bore people to death.
By ITA, Hillary Shipps