Tag: PowerPoint bullet points

How to Tame the Bullet Points in Presentations

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Presentations

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Oct 07, 2015

The brain is efficient at discarding useless chunks of memories, but the most embarrassing and boring ones never leave the brain. Flashbacks from a long, drawn out lecture enter the mind out of nowhere. Most of the time, the boring lectures come with a hail of bullet points. Then another flashback sets in… and it turns out you were giving that presentation riddled with bullet points.There are no set rules for using the bullet point, which makes it difficult to know how to use it successfully. Technically, bulleted lists are only a matter of format. They should contain key points that will be discussed during the presentation.Let’s take a look at this example:

Tame Bullet Points

  • Milk
  • Eggs
  • Bread

The above is a simple grocery list. It’s composed of three distinct items, which are then separated from each other through bullet points. Even without writing these items down in a list again, they’re easy to understand and recall. Now, compare it with this bullet list:

Wild Bullet Points

  • Milk
  • The eggs should be brown.
  • Bread
    • Sandwich
    • Toast
    • Banana bread

The latter looks disjointed and confusing for different reasons: inconsistent formatting, too many bullet points, and difficult recall. The first two items nested under “bread” are different ways to prepare bread, while the last item is a type of bread. Eliminate the three items under bread to maintain the general idea of the list, since the three sub-bullets are specific.The list is more difficult to recall than the former because the general and specific ideas are mixed together. A specific list will have different kinds of bread, and other types of milk and eggs. Ideas need to be refined further and follow consistent formatting.

Troubleshooting

If a bulleted list looks too much like the latter example, there are several ways to simplify it and make it look more like the former.

1. Don’t play mind games

In the context of creating a deck, if the bullet points only make sense in the mind of the speaker, then the audience takes the burden of trying to understand the information. A presentation has new information for the audience, therefore it’s wrong to assume that they possess this information beforehand.

2. Hold their hand

The poorly made bullet list in the latter example branches off wildly in all directions, completely disregarding the audience. According to Think Outside the Slide‘s Dave Paradi, a consistent style is necessary to avoid confusion. Hold their attention by showing bullet points of the main topics, then explaining each topic.

3. Prevent a bullet point tragedy

The most boring kind of bullet list is the kind that pretends to be a bullet list. A group of sentences is called a paragraph, but a bullet list of sentences is a paragraph formatted unnecessarily. Be careful not to mislead the audience into thinking that the bullet-list-paragraph is a bullet list.

4. Maintain harmony

Ideas get along well with each other through formatting and style. Format the topics as a sentence, phrase, or a single word for a bulleted list. If the bullet point begins with the first word capitalized, then the rest of the list should follow the same format. Consistency is important since discrepancies are distracting from the flow of thought and information.

5. Use Bullet Points Sparingly

Bullet points are key points for the audience, not a series of cue cards for the speaker. Use as few bullet points as possible to break up a presentation visually and to avoid overloading the audience with information. Insert an image between slides, and make sure to break up big chunks of information down for the audience.

The Verdict

It’s important not to accidentally play a game of PowerPoint-Karaoke by reading bullet-list-paragraphs throughout the presentation. Break up information by using a bulleted list with proper formatting and just enough information for easier recall. The proper usage of the bullet list is important to successfully get a point, or several points, across.Finally, free yourself of the flashbacks of bullet list tragedies and exercise the responsible use and control of bullet points.

References

Paradi, Dave. “How to Write Powerful Bullet Points.” ThinkOutsideTheSlide. Accessed on October 2, 2015. www.thinkoutsidetheslide.comFeatured Image: “Bearpit Karaoke” by sfreimark from flickr.com

PowerPoint Insight: Reconsidering the No Bullet Points Rule

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PowerPoint bullet points

presentation rules

Aug 22, 2014

The “No Bullet Points” rule in PowerPoint presentations has been widely discussed in presentation design communities, with proponents advocating for more engaging and visually-driven slides. However, there are compelling reasons to reconsider this rule and recognize that bullet points can still be effective when used strategically. Here’s a breakdown of why it might be time to revisit the “No Bullet Points” rule:

1. Bullet Points Provide Clarity and Structure

  • Why they matter: Bullet points can break down complex ideas into manageable, digestible pieces, providing clear structure to the information being presented. When the audience needs to grasp multiple key concepts, bullet points allow for quick scanning and easy understanding.
  • When to use them: Use bullet points when you need to present a list of key facts, steps, or data points. For example, in business reports or financial presentations, where clarity is crucial, bullet points can effectively summarize large chunks of information without overwhelming the audience.

2. Bullet Points Help Focus Attention

  • Why they matter: Bullet points allow you to present key takeaways in a concise and straightforward manner, ensuring that the audience focuses on the most important details. In settings where time is limited, bullet points can help the presenter emphasize critical points without overloading the audience with text.
  • How to use them effectively: Limit the number of bullet points per slide (ideally 3-5), and keep each point brief. Single-line bullet points help retain focus and avoid information overload. Highlight the main idea, then verbally expand on it.

3. Supportive for Memory Retention

  • Why they matter: Studies in cognitive psychology suggest that people retain information better when it is presented in organized chunks, like lists or bullet points. The brevity and clear segmentation of bullet points help reinforce memory, which is particularly useful in educational or training settings.
  • Effective approach: Pair bullet points with visuals to enhance memory retention. For example, follow each bullet with an image or icon to create a visual association with the point, making it easier for the audience to remember.

4. Bullet Points are Accessible

  • Why they matter: For some audience members, especially those with cognitive challenges or non-native language speakers, bullet points offer a clear, accessible way to follow along with the presentation. Large blocks of text can be daunting, whereas bullet points organize information into short, consumable chunks.
  • How to improve: Keep bullet points concise and legible, using simple language to ensure they are accessible to all audience members. Pairing them with supportive visuals can further enhance accessibility.

5. Bullet Points Can Complement Visual Storytelling

  • Why they matter: While visual storytelling is a powerful tool, it isn’t always sufficient to convey technical information or intricate details. Bullet points can complement visuals by summarizing key ideas or takeaways in support of the narrative.
  • When to use them: Use bullet points in technical presentations, project updates, or strategy sessions where both the narrative and the details are essential. For example, a slide might feature a chart or infographic, with bullet points below summarizing the insights from the visual.

Revising the Rule:

While it’s true that over-reliance on bullet points can lead to dull presentations, eliminating them entirely might not always be the best approach. Instead, balance the use of bullet points with visual storytelling, infographics, and engaging narratives. The key is not avoiding bullet points altogether, but using them thoughtfully and selectively to enhance understanding.By blending concise bullet points with visual elements, presenters can create more dynamic, engaging presentations that are both informative and visually appealing.