Microsoft’s PowerPoint has the ability to make outstanding slide show presentations. However, the software’s abilities are often limited by the user. For the past year I’ve been instructed time and time again to follow one simple and easy to remember rule of thumb. This rule is designed to help keep presentations simple, easy to follow, and emphasize specific details. As opposed to briefing the audience on the entire matter of discussion, the rule of 6 keeps the audience focused on the presenting party and not on lengthy PowerPoint slides. Note that the following rule is simply a guideline and most suitable for PowerPoint slide shows which are presented with verbal elaboration.

- There should be no more than 6 bullet points per page
- There should be no more than 6 words per bullet point
- There should be at least one image per six slides