Today I want to discuss the 1-6-6 Rule. Quite simply, this “Rule” says that each PowerPoint slide should have one main idea, a maximum of six bullet points, and a maximum of six words per bullet point. Two caveats:
- I have also seen this rule called the 1-5-5 Rule and the 1-7-7 Rule, with necessary changes to the numbers of bullet points and words per bullet point. I have chosen the middle ground.
- The “Rule” is not a rule at all. It is nonsense.
Why is it nonsense? Let’s see the 1-6-6 Rule in practice.
Now, you might be thinking, “I’ve seen worse.” And, at first blush, this slide doesn’t look too bad. The sentences are short and straightforward; the font is large and easy to read. Here’s the problem: It’s only one slide.
Imagine a modest presentation of 16 slides that rigorously follows the 1-6-6 Rule. Looking at the entire presentation in Slide Sorter View will give you some sense of just how bad things could get.
Bombarding your audience with this much text in a presentation is a sure-fire way to stimulate boredom, apathy or revolution. Dont’t do it.
I am not opposed to bullet points of text in a presentation. In fact, when used properly, they can be effective. But they should be used sparingly.
Minimize text and avoid long runs of text-only slides. Break things up. Throw in some pictures for visual variety; add a video clip; use a prop; occasionally turn the screen black and – heaven forbid – just speak to the audience.
There are many ways in which to create an engaging presentation so that, when you do show important text, your audience will actually want to read it.
As for the 1-6-6 Rule, please find a trash can and bin it.
"Ah, just what I was looking for."
I think you’ve missed the point of the rule.
The 1-6-6 rule is not that every slide should have 6 lines of text. It’s a guideline to help people to remember to limit the amount of text they dump on slides.
The rule properly expressed is that a PowerPoint slide should have no more than 1 idea, 6 lines of text or 6 words each.
Hi David. Thanks for the comment. Not sure that I have missed the point, though.
As I noted in the first paragraph, the “rule” says that says that each PowerPoint slide should have one main idea, a maximum of six bullet points, and a maximum of six words per bullet point. I agree with you that the rule does not say that each slide should have 6 lines of text. However, by saying that each slide should have no more than six bullet points, the risk is that people will think that if they stay within that limit, they will be OK, even if they adhere to the “rule” slide after slide after slide.
Ultimately we agree on the key point; i.e., not to fill slides up with unnecessary text.
John
Well put. My feelings exactly, John.
You’ve probably expressed all the thoughts in this piece, but a person every second is reading it, so maybe there’s something you will like here:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/unthinking/201103/seven-speaking-tips-beat-pretend-your-audience-is-naked
Again, spot on, thanks for debunking what really is the Myth of the 1/6/6 Rule.
My view on any slide with just words is “Does this slide really add to my presentation?”
And then I ask, “Would Lincoln have accomplished more at Gettysburg if he’d had some good slides?”
Harry, thanks very much for the comment. And thanks for sharing that link. I like the suggestions that it contains. I particularly like reference to the “ebbing and flowing” of a speech like music. I appreciate your sharing it with us.
John
By the way, when we think of presentation software, Powerpoint has become ubiquitous.
But have you seen/used this new program called “Prezi”?
I’ve just started using it on a project, and it’s SENSATIONAL. It has some limitations, but it’s very much worth checking out. And I’m not a shareholder or representative of it!
Check it out, really: http://www.prezi.com
Jack
Hey, Jack. Indeed I have seen Prezi. I wrote an article on it some time back. You can read it here: http://wp.me/swfa1-prezi. Thanks for mentioning it, though. Good presentation tools can always use some press. John
The question is: why do people stick to their bullets like instant glue to your finger?
I guess, they are afraid of either missing out important points or they just rely on the text because they don’t know their content by heart. They also want to transmit their knowledge and they believe that an image of the rain forest doesn’t transmit the same information as the 5 statistical facts they offer in bullet-point form about wood producion in South America.
To find a compromise I always suggest to use two formats:
In a normal business meeting < 15-20 pax you can distribute handouts with all the "bulleted" information while you present your cool slides.
At a congress you might prepare a (laminated) onepager for the audience which summarizes the content with facts and figures. (which is very well perceived btw)
Fact is once the projector starts to buzz all bullets should escape faster than Frank Morris did from Alcatraz…
Thanks, Florian. Great comments. People take note. John
Good post, John.
At first I thought you were endorsing 1-6-6, and I was skeptical. I HATE presentations that are slide after slide of bullets.
As you say, there is the need for the occasional slide with several bullets, but that, IMO, should come after some storytelling supported by slides with big visuals, in which you may need to encapsulate “3 key considerations,” or “the 4 phases of a sale,” or whatever.
I believe so many people use slide after slide, bullet after bullet so that they, as presenters, are prompted to the talking points. I say, if you don’t know your material, then you shouldn’t be presenting. PPT shouldn’t be doing the presenting for you!
Great post!
Jack, much appreciated. I agree with everything that you have said. John
I concur. PowerPoint is an excellent aid in assisting us deliver the information. Listening to a presenter giving a good presentation without visual aids is what I prefer and remember. I have rarely seen slides
and visuals that I recall when reflecting upon the presentation. Aside from a few clips that were short and to the point, most is completely forgotten. I am a visual learner, needing to see it first to grasp it. So it is interesting for me to note that what I heard and how it was said is what I walk away with.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Such common sense.
I do wish more people would debunk the crappy PowerPoint “rules” that surround bad presenting. Just reading Presentation Zen again for some insight into what good visual aids should look like.