Too much text occurs when a slide exceeds 40 words or mirrors the spoken script, triggering “redundancy effect” cognitive overload. Academic research suggests that humans cannot effectively read and listen simultaneously; therefore, slides should serve as visual anchors, ideally limited to one core concept and minimal supporting text per frame.
The Cognitive Architecture of a CPD Presentation #
When we discuss the “correct” amount of text for a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) slide, we are not merely debating aesthetics. We are managing cognitive load. In the UK architectural and construction ecosystem, CPDs are a primary vehicle for technical specification. However, many manufacturers inadvertently sabotage their influence by treating a slide like a digital dumping ground.
The Science of Split Attention #
The human brain processes information through two primary channels: auditory and visual. According to Cognitive Load Theory (CLT), developed by John Sweller, these channels have finite capacities. When a presenter displays a slide dense with text and then speaks alongside it, the audience’s brain attempts to process both streams of linguistic information simultaneously.
This creates the Redundancy Effect. The brain enters a state of friction, struggling to decide whether to read the slide or listen to the speaker. Usually, the audience chooses to read—because reading is faster—and they promptly stop listening to you.
Establishing the Threshold: How Much is Too Much? #
While there is no “universal law,” several evidence-based benchmarks exist within the UK pedagogical landscape:
- The 6×6 Rule: A traditional (though slightly dated) guideline suggesting no more than six bullet points with six words each.
- The Assertion-Evidence Model: Developed by researchers like Michael Alley, this suggests a single succinct sentence (the assertion) supported by a visual (the evidence), rather than lists of text.
- The 40-Word Limit: Broadly accepted by presentation experts as the point where a slide transitions from a visual aid to a document.
Technical Specification vs. Narrative Flow #
Manufacturers often argue that technical accuracy requires dense text. At FRAKT, we view this as a perception gap. Technical rigor does not require a slide to look like a datasheet. If an architect needs the full technical table, provide it as a physical or digital handout. The slide itself should only highlight the critical delta—the specific piece of data that drives the decision.
| Slide Element | The “Too Much” Threshold | The FRAKT Standard |
| Word Count | > 50 words | 10–20 words |
| Bullet Points | More than 5 | 0–3 (Use icons instead) |
| Font Size | Anything below 24pt | 32pt+ for accessibility |
| Purpose | Script/Teleprompter | Visual Anchor/Cues |
Why “More” Usually Leads to “Less” Specification #
In the UK construction industry, trust is the ultimate currency. When a presentation is cluttered, it signals a lack of clarity. If you cannot distil your product’s value into a clear visual narrative, the architect may assume your technical support will be equally cumbersome.
The Psychology of Boredom #
Architects are trained visual communicators. Presenting them with a wall of text is not just a cognitive error; it is a brand misalignment. It creates interaction friction. Every second they spend squinting at a slide is a second they aren’t engaging with your expertise.
Strategic Reframing: Slides as Signalling #
Your slides are a signal of your operational discipline. A clean, minimalist slide signals:
- Confidence: You don’t need to hide behind text.
- Efficiency: You value the audience’s time.
- Clarity: You understand your own technical proposition deeply enough to simplify it.
The FRAKT Perspective: Future-Proofing the CPD #
As we move toward more integrated digital design workflows, the “lecture style” CPD is evolving. Future-focused manufacturers are moving toward active learning. This requires slides that provoke thought or illustrate complex junctions, not slides that act as a substitute for a brochure.
Review your current deck: if a slide can be understood without you speaking, it is a document, not a presentation—delete the excess and reclaim the narrative.
