When designing presentations, the 6 x 6 rule serves as a valuable guideline to keep your slides clear and concise.
While not a strict rule, it’s a great reminder to avoid overcrowding your slides with too much text. Here’s what you need to know:
What is the 6 x 6 Rule?
The 6 x 6 rule suggests limiting each slide to a maximum of six bullet points, with each bullet point containing no more than six words. This helps maintain focus and clarity.
Why Use the 6 x 6 Rule?
- 1. Guidance: It encourages you to distill your message, ensuring that your slides are easy to read and understand.
- 2. Engagement: By reducing text, your audience will stay more engaged. They’ll listen to you rather than read ahead of you!
- 3. Simplicity: Clean, uncluttered slides look more professional and are easier for your audience to follow.
Tips for Using the 6 x 6 Rule as a Guide
- • Highlight Key Points: Focus on the most critical information you want to convey.
- • Incorporate Visuals: Use images, graphs, and charts to support your points and add visual interest.
- • Be Flexible: Remember, the 6 x 6 rule is a guideline, not a hard-and-fast rule. Adjust as needed to suit your content and audience.
By using the 6 x 6 rule as a guide, you can create presentations that are not only informative but also visually appealing and easy to follow.
It’s a handy reminder to keep your slides from becoming too wordy, ensuring your message is clear and impactful.
Michael Piperno is a communication coach and executive presence expert. His insights empower leaders to communicate effectively and authentically.