Rethinking the Design of Presentation Slides:
An Evidence Based Approach
Joanna K. Garner, Ph.D.
College of Education
Old Dominion University
Workshop Goals:
(1) To rethink assumptions about how to use presentation slides
(2) To apply multimedia learning principles to the analysis of weaknesses in
commonly used slides
(3) To understand the foundation for the assertion-evidence (A–E) slide structure
(4) To learn the key steps for creating A–E slides
Guidelines for Assertion–Evidence Slides*
Style
1. Begin each body slide with a sentence‐assertion headline that is left justified
and no more than two lines
2. Support the assertion headline with visual evidence (photographs, drawings, graphs,
films, or words and equations arranged visually)—avoid bullet lists
3. In the body of the slide, use words only when necessary—design your slides
so that the audience reads no more than 20 words per minute
Typography
1. Use a bold sans serif typeface such as Calibri
2. Use 28 point type for the headline, 18–24 point type for the body text, and
12‐14 point type (not bold) for reference listings
3. Avoid setting text in all capital letters, in italics, or with underline
Layout
1. Keep blocks of text, especially the headlines, to no more than two lines
2. Keep lists to two, three, or four items
3. Use small margins on the sides, so that you can insert sufficient white space between
elements—for instance, leave at least one half‐inch of white space below the headline
PowerPoint Templates:
http://writing.engr.psu.edu/AE_template.ppt
http://writing.engr.psu.edu/slides.html
* The Craft of Scientific Presentations
Example Assertion–Evidence Layouts
Example Assertion–Evidence Layouts (continued)
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