(Last revised October 2018) All Panel session presentations must be on the PES PPT template. The presenter's company logo may be on the first and last slides only. If the presentation is not on the PES PPT template, the presenter may not speak at the session. Well constructed visuals can make your
presentation more exciting, effective and memorable. However, in order for the visuals to accomplish this, it is critical that they be properly planned and prepared or they can become a liability rather than an asset. The guidelines on these pages are designed to help you make the most of your visual presentation. Your visual presentation should emphasize the most important points and ideas of your oral presentation. Use the visuals to reinforce, clarify,
illustrate or highlight individual points. Visuals are illustrating, not repeating, your presentation. Their purpose is to add interest and emphasis, not to compete with what you are saying. Some key points to remember when preparing your visuals: The text (or word) portion of presentations is used to state facts or objectives. When lines of text alone do not illustrate your point, a chart, graph or graphic might
be more appropriate.
Presentation Overview
General Guidelines
Text Pointers
- Avoid using more than six or seven words (30–40 characters) per line, six or seven lines per visual. Make sure type is well spaced and not crowded.
- Eliminate words that do not add meaning, for example: the, an, etc.
- Avoid complete sentences. Use bulleted phrases.
- Be consistent in grammatical construction of lists; for example, use all verbs or use all noun phrases.
- Use 36 point type for all titles, and for the text of visual aids to be used in very large rooms.
- Use at least 18 point type for the main text in other than the largest rooms.
- Use bullets at beginning of lines to separate ideas.
- Use functions in PowerPoint that allow you to build information, bullet by bullet, on a slide, to keep the audience from reading ahead.
Title Pages
Use title pages to introduce new topics or add special emphasis to a very important point. The best titles are a few simple lines in large type.
Graphs, Charts and Diagrams
Tabular Charts
Tabular charts are used to show raw data and numerical relationships. Use only a few key examples on the visual to illustrate your point.
Bar Graphs
Bar graphs are used to show absolute data or relationships and comparisons. Be sure to include scales and values. Be sure the type is legible.
Pie Charts
Pie charts are good for illustrating percentage relationships or parts of a whole. No more than eight segments are recommended.
Line Graphs
Line graphs are ideal for illustrating trends or performance over time. Your scale should include significant dates and milestones. Graphs should include no more than three lines. In black and white visuals, the lines should be distinctly different, e.g., dashed, solid, dots, etc. In color visuals, the lines should be easily differentiated colors which contrast well with the background.
Block or Process Diagrams
Block or process diagrams are good for illustrating structural relationships and designs. Graphics of this type show how each piece contributes to the whole. Avoid overcrowding. Limit your chart to no more than 10 simple geometric shapes and titles connected by lines and arrows.
One-Line Diagrams
PES papers often contain electrical one-line diagrams which are an integral part of a technical discussion. You should limit applying these to needed segments of a system to make them legible to the audience.
Photographs
Good quality photographic visuals can make a major contribution to your presentation. Be extra careful with photographs: they must be very crisp and clear, with high contrast between light and dark areas. Do not superimpose text over the image. If text is needed on the visual, it should be placed in areas that have been cleared of the image. Be sure to test your photos, projecting them to the size they will be when used to ensure that they are clear and easily recognizable.