All templates showing a white area for text

[Guest]

I do not remember happening before but now most templates when applied to a
slide, show up with a large area that seems to be used for text. This white
overlay is covering most of the template's background.
What if I do not wish to have the white area? How do I control it when to
use it or not?
I will appreciate suggestions.

 

[Echo S]

Don't delete the placeholders from the slide master. That's what causes this
problem.

Instead, leave the placeholders on the master slide and learn to use the
Blank slide layout when you don't want to use a placeholder. Or drag them
off the edges of the slide master if you really must use a bulleted slide
layout but don't want the text placeholder.