death-by-ppt

Death by PowerPoint Skill

Review MARP presentations using David JP Phillips' "Death by PowerPoint" principles.

Core Principles

Apply these six principles when reviewing. Frame feedback as suggestions with rationale.

1. One Message Per Slide

Each slide should convey a single, clear message.

Why: Multiple messages split audience focus, reducing comprehension and retention.

Check: Can you identify one takeaway? Could this slide be split?

2. Maximum Six Objects Per Slide

Count: headings, bullets, images, code blocks, icons, diagrams.

Why: Exceeding six objects increases cognitive load ~500%. Audience shifts from seeing to counting.

MARP notes:

• Each - bullet = 1 object
• Each image/code fence = 1 object
• Fragments (*) still count on final render
• Speaker notes (<!-- -->) don't count

3. Avoid Sentences When Speaking

Use short phrases, keywords, or visuals — not full sentences.

Why: The redundancy effect — brains can't read and listen simultaneously. Text and speech compete; audience retains neither.

Suggest: Move sentences to speaker notes, reduce bullets to keywords.

4. Size and Contrast Direct Focus

Most important element should be largest/highest contrast.

Why: Attention follows: moving objects, signaling colors, contrast, size. In static slides, size and contrast guide the eye.

MARP notes:

• Check image sizing (![w:600](img.png))
• Background images can reduce contrast — suggest ![bg opacity:0.3]
• Verify **bold** and headings highlight what matters

5. Prefer Dark Backgrounds

Dark backgrounds shift focus to presenter, reduce glare.

Why: Bright slides act as light source drawing attention away from speaker.

MARP notes:

• Check theme (theme: default is light)
• Suggest <!-- _class: invert --> for dark mode
• Custom: section { background: #1a1a2e; color: #eee; }

6. Slide Count ≠ Problem; Density = Problem

50 clean slides > 10 cluttered slides.

Why: "Keep it to 10 slides" causes cramming. Audience experiences pace, not page count.

Delivery Checks

Flag these even when design is solid:

Issue	Flag When
Reading slides	Text that presenter will likely read verbatim
Projector dependency	Critical info only on slides, no verbal equivalent
Pacing	Multiple dense slides without breathing room

MARP Syntax Checks

• Frontmatter: marp: true present, theme declared
• Slide breaks: --- used consistently
• Images: sizing intentional (![w:400], ![bg right:40%])
• Speaker notes: proper <!-- notes --> format
• Pagination: paginate: true doesn't clutter minimal slides
• Code blocks: long blocks should be split or use line highlights

Output Format

Default: Slide-by-slide breakdown.

### Slide [N]: [Headline or first line]

**Objects:** [count] (list if over 6)
**Message:** [Clear / Unclear / Multiple]
**Suggestions:**
- [Actionable suggestion with rationale]

Offer alternatives:

1. Summary list — Group by principle
2. Inline comments — Return markdown with <!-- REVIEW: ... --> inserted
3. Priority only — Top 3-5 most impactful changes

Example Output

### Slide 4: Why Static Sites?

**Objects:** 8 (heading, 6 bullets, image)
**Message:** Multiple — covers speed, security, and cost

**Suggestions:**
- Split into three slides (one per benefit). Single ideas land better than lists.
- Image is small (`w:200`) relative to bullets. Enlarge or remove to reduce objects.
- Bullets are full sentences. Shorten to keywords — you'll expand verbally.

Quick Checklist

Per slide:

• One clear message?
• Six or fewer objects?
• No full sentences (if speaking)?
• Key element is most prominent?
• Background supports focus?
• Presentable without projector?

Attribution

Principles from David JP Phillips' TEDx talk "How to Avoid Death by PowerPoint" and multimedia learning research (Mayer, 2005).