Experts claim that following the 5-5-5 rule of presentation helps in creating a concise and focused slideshow. They also say that this way the content becomes more digestible for the audience and allows the presenter to connect with the audience more effectively.
Now, who wouldn’t want to achieve all this? Probably someone naïve because this is everything a student or businessman can ask for while delivering a presentation.
If you are one of them and are looking forward to a successful delivery, you should continue reading this blog. It has everything you need to know!
Explanation of the 5-5-5 Presentation Rule & A Lot More
Let us begin with the simple explanation of a series of slides: A presentation is a way of communication between two stakeholders. In this process, information is delivered from one end to another with the intention of accomplishing a goal. For instance, to convince the venture capitalist to invest.
This is almost like how a company profile maker prepares a document, and it is put before investors to make them trust your business idea. Additionally, the delivery of slideshows is often the responsibility of a speaker who uses visual aids for a variety of purposes. Such as:
- Informing: Presentations can be used to convey information about a topic, explain complex concepts, or update employees on company news.
- Persuading: They can be used to convince an audience to adopt a certain viewpoint, support a proposal, or invest in a project.
- Inspiring: They can be used to motivate individuals, create a sense of enthusiasm, or encourage action.
- Entertaining: They can also be designed for entertainment purposes, such as a performance or a storytelling session.
However, no matter the reason behind making and delivering a slide series, know that it will fail if you do not follow the standard rules.
People Who Usually Need Presentations
This practice is carried out by four types of people: professionals, educators, public speakers, and the common man. The first category belongs to the accountants, entrepreneurs, and sales representatives. They use slides to present various industry data, like financial reports and product specifications.
Then we have the teachers who share concepts with students and public speakers who deliver speeches using this visual aid. Finally, the common man uses the PPT platforms for assorted purposes.
Here’s What the 5/5/5 Rule Is All About
Like any other rule, this one is also for the benefit of the user. It is a part of the bigger guideline, which says there should not be any walls of content in your slides. They are very unprofessional and a big turnoff for the audience, making them lose all interest.
Thus, the 5-5-5 rule talks in favour of regulating writing on the slides. Moreover, according to this rule, the presentation must be concise but engaging. It also suggests that the usage of five or more words per line on a slide is not allowed.
Furthermore, it discourages the use of five consecutive text-heavy slides or more than five lines on a page. As a result of these boundaries, the audience never gets overloaded and can easily focus on the information being delivered.
Additional Explanation with Examples:
The clock is ticking, and we are already in the middle of 2025. It is high time that we start adapting to the modern company profile presentation styles. Below are some demonstrations:
Now the question is, if we don’t fill the page with text or use 5 text slides in a row, then what do we do instead? The answer is simple: Embrace visuals.
- You can incorporate visually appealing and relevant images to illustrate key points.
- You can also go for charts and diagrams as they help present data more clearly.
- Add icons to represent concepts or bullet points.
- Insert callouts in necessary spots to draw attention to specific areas.
- Use a compelling background image to set the tone for your slideshow.
- Use colours to strategically highlight important information.
- Add transitions between slides and animations to make it more interesting.
- You can also use short videos, sound effects, and audio clips for engagement.
Some Significant Benefits of Following the Golden Rule
Following this valuable instruction does several things in your favour. The first one is leaving the text concise and minimizing distractions. In addition, it makes sure that the audience concentrates on the presenting individual and the overall brand message.
On the same note, the clever bullet point trick ensures that the audience is not caught up in details. As a result, the audience can retain the key takeaways. Lastly, with less reliance on slides, the speakers can spend more time interacting with the audience, asking questions, and delivering a more energetic presentation experience.
The Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How should I start a presentation?
You can start it by telling a short but relevant story or by simply telling the audience a startling fact that provokes their subconscious thinking cells. Say anything you find amusing, other than elaborately introducing yourself.
Q. How do I make my PPT better?
To make a flawless PPT, you need to separate your content into different headings on every slide. Do not go for prolonged continuation as it distracts the audience. Secondly, use bulleted points and write no sentence longer than 5-6 words per line.
Q. What should you never do in a PPT?
You should never clutter your slideshow. It is a big turnoff because no one will be able to read the big chunk of content, and the purpose of the presentation will be lost. Moreover, you should also not use distracting visuals or difficult-to-read fonts.
Q. Can I make my business slideshow fun?
If your business type gives you that leverage, exploit it to the fullest. Add in humor, visual aids, engaging elements, and share anecdotes to maintain the fun part in your presentation.
The Final Words on Presentation-Making Rules
So far, you have learned about the golden five-five-five rule, but it is not the only one. There are several other rules that you should consider, although this one is quite comprehensive. This rule alone can replace all the others.
As a result, our friendly advice is to hold onto it tightly and watch yourself excel in your academic and career-related presentations. This is all it takes to stand out and impress every member of your slideshow audience. Now you have the key to success, so go win all that you can!