• On the one hand:
  • Transparencies should illustrate a single point and, like the presentation itself, have only one focus
  • The less busy a viewgraph appears, the more justice it does to the information it attempts to communicate
  • Complex data/figures cannot be fully appreciated unless the speaker separates them into a series of simplified units.
• On the other hand:
  • Flipping through many viewgraphs fragments the talk.
  • Organizing each part of the story on one viewgraph gives audience sufficient in-one-place info to absorb it.
  • Putting related figures/data on one viewgraphs allows relationships to be displayed and explained.

Agreement exists on:

• Try to avoid showing tables. Keep fewest significant digits.
• Equations intimidate most audience who then "tune out." Use with care, introducing physics of the symbols first. Never change a symbol within a viewgraph or from one to the next.
• Lettering on viewgraphs can't be too large; 17 point minimum.
• Uniformity of style throughout the presentation accentuates and underscores the flow and coherence of the talk.
• Figures
  • Clearly label axes with at least 17pt type.
  • Delete all information from figure irrelevant to talk.
  • Explain main points of figure on the viewgraph.