Five Ways to Transform Your Overloaded

Text Slides

A graph is better than a dense table of numbers

Figure out what data is supposed to say

Make sure that your graph is still highlighting the key point

1. Transform Tables of Numbers into Graphs

If you are describing different items, consider using a diagram instead

A diagram includes the relevant text

The diagram will add meaning to the point you are making

2. Transform Relationships into Diagrams

If you are describing a process by listing each step as a new bullet point, use a process diagram to illustrate the steps

If you are describing a linear process flow, use a sequence

diagram

If you are describing a cyclical process, use a cycle diagram

Again, the text on the diagram adds clarity to the flow shown

3. Transform Processes into Diagrams

If you are describing places or people, replace text with pictures.

For locations, show a picture of the place

Pictures cut to emotions

4. Transform Descriptions into Pictures

Amazing as it seems, you still see far too many paragraphs on slides. Many times they are disguised as long sentences in a small font with a bullet in front of

them, but in reality they are paragraphs, with no key point identifiable. Before putting a text slide together, determine what the important points are that you want

the audience to understand from this slide. Then create short bullet points with the key words only. Your message will add to the key points with what you say.

PowerPoint slides are not supposed to be a report simply displayed and read, so transform paragraphs into bullet points.

5. Transform Paragraphs into Bullets

See if the text slides meet the 6 by 6 guideline Which means:

No more than six words in any bullet point No more than six bullet points on a slide

Use the five ways discussed

Conclusion