Creating Slides and Presentations
Presentations are about communicating with an audience. Before you begin preparing your slides, there are some basic questions you should try to answer.
- Who is the audience?
Ex. DSA members, elected officials, students, union members - What is the format?
Ex. 1:1, workshop, lecture, discussion, public meeting - Where is this presentation happening?
Ex. Zoom, conference room, outside - How much time is allotted for this presentation?
Slide Creation
There is one north star you should keep in mind when creating slides for a presentation.
More slides > dense slides
By dividing subjects across 3 or 4 slides, you’ll (1) create a more dynamic presentation while also (2) creating more accessible content for a diverse audience.
Slides should enhance your presentation. Dense slides with small text can be alienating for many audiences including those who read slowly and those with limited vision.
- Limit the amount of text on each slides.
- Use images to complement key points.
Slide Example: Before and After

Before
- Full Sentences
- Minimal Color
- Minimal hierarchy

After
- Less formal
- More color
- Visual arrangement provides clear hierarchy
DSA Slide Template
This google drive folder includes a slide template and example slide deck. This template will help you create easy to read, low density slides that align with the DSA national style guidelines.