How one can use visual aids to present effectively
- 1. Visual Aids
- 2. Why do we use visual aids? Visual aids are important because… ● they help improve/clarify audience understanding ● they increase audience interest ● they act as a reminder/notes for the speaker ● they provide visual information for visual learners ● they provide organization and keep the speaker on track ● they help the audience connect to your topic
- 3. Examples: ● PowerPoint/Google Slides ● Short Video Clips/Recordings ● Posters (NOT ALL of your information--MOST important!) ● Hand Outs ● Props ● Charts/Graphs ● Photographs/Pictures ● Quotes
- 4. PowerPoint/Google Slides ● Most commonly used form of visual aid ● Can use to guide your speech/thinking (Bullet Points, pictures, etc.) Do Don't Use a big enough font (minimum 18pt) Make it so small you can't read it Keep the background simple Use an unclear or busy background image Use animations when appropriate Don't over-do the animation - it gets distracting Make things visual Use endless slides of bulleted lists that all look the same
- 5. Short Video Clips/Recordings ● Can help reinforce your message ● Can hook your audience or segway you into another part of your speech ● It is important that the video clip flows with your speech and does not become a distraction ● It needs to remain short (It cannot take up too much time from your presentation)
- 6. Poster ● Can help display key information about your presentation ● Display main ideas to help your presentation flow ● Can display pictures, charts, etc. ● Contains ONE or TWO key ideas that you can reference and talk about in your speech This is TOO MUCH information! ● Your audience cannot read this from their seats! ● This has ALL of your information--not JUST the important ideas you want your audience to focus on
- 7. HandOuts ● Could be fact sheets ● Can contain diagrams or charts ● Can attach pictures that you want the audience to refer to during your speech ● Usually provide one for each table group or partners
- 8. Objects/Props ● Seeing an actual item can help enhance audience understanding and connection to the topic ● Make sure the prop is large enough that the whole audience can see the prop
- 9. Graphs/Charts ● Information presented in data form can have a HUGE impact on your audience ● Graphs and charts can help your audience understand large amounts of data or statistics
- 10. Photographs or pictures ● Can help with personal connections to stories ● Can clarify what you are referring to in your speech ● Can be displayed under the document camera while giving your speech
- 11. What visual aid will you use? ● How will you incorporate a visual aid into your format? ● Is creating a visual aid part of your plan this week? ● Will you have the supplies? ○ What supplies do you need to round up on your own? ○ Have you thought about your “putting it all together” timeline?