Oral
Presentation Tips

Keep It Simple & Focused

• Stick to two key facts per slide
• Two simple slides are better than one overloaded slide
• Use graphics wisely – visuals should support, not distract from your message

Color & Contrast

• Use dark blue or green backgrounds with white or yellow text
• Avoid pastels (hard to see) and red (poor projection)
• Limit colors to three per slide
• Use bright yellow sparingly for highlights
• SGIM discourages grayscale slides

Fonts & Text Size

• Titles: 40–44 pt
• Main text: 24–36 pt (18 pt is difficult to read in large rooms)
• Use sans serif fonts (Arial, Tahoma, Verdana)
• Avoid excessive bold or italics – simple is better

• Create your own visuals to avoid copyright issues
• Tables:
  • Two-column tables: Max 5 rows
  • Three-column tables: Max 3 rows
• Ensure text matches the data in your visuals
• Make graphics legible for people in the back of the room

• Be concise – fit your presentation within the time limit
• Practice, practice, practice!
• Engage your audience – maintain eye contact and speak clearly

📌 Large Group Teaching in Medicine (UCSF)
📌 Colin Purrington’s Science Talk Tips