Best Practices

# Presentation

Use approved slide layouts to make the message easy to follow, the data easy to understand, and the presentation accessible to the audience.

01

## Start with the approved deck

The template establishes the page size, theme, layouts, logo placement, colors, and typography.

-   Create a working copy of the current PowerPoint or Google Slides template.
-   Keep the 16:9 page size, Open Sans theme, approved colors, and main layouts.
-   Choose the layout that matches the content instead of rebuilding it manually.
-   Use approved co-branding only after [MarComm review](https://form.asana.com/?k=k1BnCnePXlzQij2ev89Ecw&d=40073271502809).

Visual example

### Build from the system

1.  1Title
2.  2Agenda
3.  3Section divider
4.  4Content
5.  5Data
6.  6Closing

02

## Make each slide do one job

Slides should support the presenter and audience - not become a document projected on a wall.

-   Write a headline that states the point of the slide.
-   Keep supporting copy brief and move detail to speaker notes or a handout.
-   Use one strong image with the correct rights and crop.
-   Label data directly, show the unit and source, and explain the takeaway.

Visual example

### Example data slide

FAVORITE FRUIT

Apples lead the classroom survey

In this fictional example, 4 in 10 students chose apples. Label the takeaway, values, and source directly.

Mock dataDirect labelsSource shown

03

## Check accessibility and delivery

Review the presentation as an audience member will experience it - in the room or meeting platform.

-   Give every slide a unique title and verify a logical reading order.
-   Add useful alternative text, captions, and descriptive links.
-   Check contrast, type size, animations, audio, and screen sharing.
-   Provide an accessible reference copy when the audience needs to revisit the material.

Visual example

### Rehearsal check

-   Unique titles
-   Reading order
-   Type at distance
-   Media tested
-   Timing
-   Accessible handout

## References and influences

These external resources informed the draft’s structure and practices. They do not replace NASPA policy or [MarComm approval](https://form.asana.com/?k=k1BnCnePXlzQij2ev89Ecw&d=40073271502809).

[

Microsoft

### Make PowerPoint presentations accessible

Accessibility guidance for slide structure, reading order, images, links, and media.

](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/powerpoint/make-your-powerpoint-presentations-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities)[

Microsoft

### Accessibility Checker

Guidance for using the built-in accessibility review in Office files.

](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/office-accessibility/make-your-content-accessible-to-everyone-with-the-accessibility-checker)[

Canva

### Create accessible PDFs with Canva

Canva guidance for contrast, alternative text, headings, reading order, and accessible PDF export.

](https://www.canva.com/help/create-accessible-pdfs/)

Last updated: 2026-10-08

Live page: https://brand.naspa.org/presentations