Summary of "COMMON MISTAKES IN PPT - ENGLISH"

Overview

The video (week 3 class) reviews frequent PowerPoint slide mistakes students make when preparing presentations. Slides represent you professionally, so good slide design matters. Slides should assist the audience and presenter—not replace or distract from the presentation.

Main mistakes, explanations, and corrective advice

Complicated visualization (cluttered slides) Problem: Multiple key items compete for attention; poor information order and arrangement so viewers cannot tell what to focus on. Fix: Put one main idea per slide; simplify the layout; use a clear hierarchy (title, one main point, supporting bullets or a single visual).
Distracting backgrounds (too much color or busy images) Problem: Busy or highly colorful backgrounds make text unreadable and can cause text to blend into the image. Fix: Use simple, muted backgrounds or photos with low detail/blur; ensure strong contrast between text and background.
Lazy background (plain blank white with no design) Problem: Totally blank/white slides look unprofessional and lazy. Fix: Add a subtle background color, gradient, or a simple branded template—keep it minimal and consistent.
Poor font selection and typography Problems: Inappropriate font styles (ornate/decorative) are hard to read; improper font weight or odd character spacing (kerning) reduces readability. Fix: Use clean, legible fonts (prefer sans-serif for slides); ensure normal kerning/spacing and readable weight.
Unnecessary text effects Problem: Drop shadows, glows, or other effects make text distracting rather than clearer. Fix: Avoid effects unless they improve legibility; keep text styling simple.
Poor font color choices (low contrast or blending) Problem: Text color that blends with the background (e.g., dark text on dark areas, light text on light areas); inconsistent use of color for emphasis. Fix: Use high-contrast colors (dark on light or light on dark); reserve a small palette for emphasis and use it consistently.
Too many colors on one slide Problem: Multiple unrelated colors make the slide look messy and unprofessional. Fix: Limit the palette to 2–3 colors maximum; use color purposefully (for example, one accent color for emphasis).
Poor use of space and inappropriate text size Problems: Very small text with lots of empty canvas space; slides jammed with long paragraphs; text touching slide borders (no margins). Fix: Use appropriate font sizes for viewing distance; leave margins on left/right; balance text and white space; convert long text into concise bullets.
Inappropriate shapes/art/decorative elements Problem: Decorative shapes (stars, banners, arrows) or “cute” clip art on professional slides looks unprofessional. Fix: Use clean shapes and icons that serve a clear purpose; prefer simple charts and professional visuals.
“Novel writing” (long paragraphs / reading from slides) Problem: Slides used as full text to read aloud—presenters read slides and avoid eye contact; slides become the script rather than support. Fix: Keep slides as cues and summaries; use short bullets or visuals; speak to the audience and maintain eye contact.
Inconsistency across slides Problems: Inconsistent alignment (some slides left-aligned, others centered); changing bullet styles, fonts, or colors unpredictably from slide to slide. Fix: Choose a consistent layout/alignment, bullet style, font, and color scheme and apply them throughout the deck.

Practical checklist to apply before presenting

One idea per slide; clear title and supporting points.
Check contrast between text and background (view at presentation size).
Use legible fonts and sizes (test in presentation mode).
Remove unnecessary effects and decorative shapes.
Limit colors to a small, consistent palette.
Leave margins; avoid text touching edges.
Convert long paragraphs into concise bullets or visuals.
Keep consistent alignment, bullets, fonts, and colors across slides.
Practice presenting using slides as prompts; maintain eye contact with the audience.