Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Focus on slide layouts
• Method 2 of 3: Based on the length of the presentation
• Method 3 of 3: Use different approaches
• Tips
• Warnings

When working on a PowerPoint presentation, all beginners and professionals always ask one important question: how many slides should you use? Consider the amount of time and speech rate to calculate the correct number of slides. Smart decisions in slide layout and the ability to perceive the presentation as your own unique product will help you not to fall into the trap of rigid rules regarding the "right" number of slides.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Focus on slide layouts

1. 1 Provide the correct amount of information. PowerPoint presentations allow you to communicate general information about a specific topic. The presentation should not have an encyclopedic depth. It is not necessary to indicate every little thing, quote or insignificant fact that pertains to this presentation. Too much information will tire the listeners, and you will have a group of people who are more interested in the upcoming dinner than your words.
   • Rely on yourself, not on the slides. They are meant to be an auxiliary tool. Slides are just one aspect of a presentation.
2. 2 Divide complex slides into simple ones. A PowerPoint presentation will be as effective and efficient as possible if you stick to a clear, minimalist style. For example, if you have a slide titled “Habitat” and three bullet points “Forest,” “Desert,” and “Ocean," followed by a description of each item, then it is best to devote three separate slides to the habitat with a summary and an image on each of them.
3. 3 Use audiovisual material only when necessary. Your PowerPoint presentation should always support what is said with visual images. It is sometimes appropriate to display words on the screen, but the amount of text should remain limited.Do you use charts as a starting point to explain results, trends, projections, and specific findings? Are visual aids only required to engage the audience, use humor, or show different learning styles? These and other pertinent questions will guide you as you make decisions to select the correct number of slides for your presentation.
   • Go through the entire presentation and consider whether you really need each specific slide. If the answer is negative and it is possible to convey the information orally, the slide must be removed.

Method 2 of 3: Based on the length of the presentation

1. 1 Rehearse your presentation in front of a mirror or friends and family. If it turns out that you do not have time to complete the entire presentation in the allotted time, then the conclusion is that there are too many slides. Go back to work and make changes.
   • If your presentation ends well before the end of the allotted time, you should lengthen the presentation for each slide, or add multiple slides to add more details.
   • Ask friends or family for advice during rehearsal. If they find that there are too many or too few slides, or if some parts of the presentation seem hasty or protracted, make appropriate adjustments and fix the deficiencies.
2. 2 Watch the tempo of your speech. If you speak fast enough, you will have time to use a large number of slides. If your speech is slow, you will need fewer slides. Determine the number of slides you need according to the tempo of your speech.
3. 3 Don't use too many slides. In ten minutes, you can use 60 or just 10 slides. Determine the number and do not use more slides than you can use in the allotted time.
4. 4 Don't artificially limit the number of slides. If you have a lot of data, graphs, images, and tables that will enhance the quality of your presentation, they should be used. Of course, you shouldn't use too many slides that cannot be shown in the allotted time. On the other hand, it is unreasonable to deliberately exclude from the presentation valuable information and graphics that will be useful for presenting the material.

Method 3 of 3: Use different approaches

1. 1 Don't listen to specialists. Everyone has their own idea of ​​the right number of slides for a presentation. One is enough five slides for thirty minutes, the second one needs ten slides for twenty minutes, and the third one is not enough and fifty slides for the same time. In fact, each presentation is unique and requires a different approach.
   • Often the 10/20/30 rule is used for PowerPoint presentations. This rule requires ten slides for a twenty minute presentation, and each slide must be in font size thirty. In other words, each slide takes about two minutes. Maybe the 10/20/30 rule is right for you. Otherwise, don't assume that you are using the wrong number of slides.
   • Many people argue that, on average, a slide should be shown on the screen for no more than two minutes, but no less than fifteen seconds.
2. 2 Compare the number of slides and the topic. Some topics require few slides and a lot of explanation. In other cases, you need a lot of slides and a minimum of explanation. For example, if you are talking about a specific product or one beautiful landscape, then a large number of slides with photos will be more effective than several slides with text. Consider how you can combine many slides with text and a small number of slides with images, or vice versa.
3. 3 Consider the audience. If you need to present very detailed or technical information to a group of people who are familiar with industry terms and concepts, you can use many slides and show them for a very short time.This will allow you to present all the relevant data and demonstrate that you have an understanding of the subject. If the same data needs to be communicated to high school students, then it is better to reduce the number of slides and make adjustments to clarify each term in a language that is understandable to them.
4. 4 Consider the location. If the presentation will take place in a large room such as a conference room, but only a small projection screen is available, then the importance and number of slides should be minimized and focus on the oral part of the presentation. Likewise, if your presentation is outdoors or in a brightly lit room, it is best to use as few slides as possible, as they will be difficult to see.
   • On the other hand, if the environment allows and can be adjusted lighting, then use more slides. It should not be assumed that a large number of slides are necessary.

Tips

• Approach each slide individually. If one slide has to remain on the screen for two minutes, so be it. If ten seconds is enough, then this is enough.
• If you have a slide with no images, but with a bulleted list, and each item needs to be discussed within 15-20 seconds, then take the slide more than a minute.
• If there is an embedded video or the number of slides does not match the number of points in the outline, then take more time on the slide.
• Remember to practice using audiovisual equipment to familiarize yourself with the principles of operation in advance and to turn on the equipment in time.
• Visual aids do not always improve the quality of a presentation. Consider if slides are needed or if speaking is enough.

Warnings

• If we take into account all the factors (detail, specific terms, the number of viewers, the preparedness of the audience), then the question "How many slides to use?" the short answer will remain: "As appropriate."