Using Visual Aids COM1010 Chapter 9
Types of Presentational Media (aka Visual Aids) Objects or Models Marker Boards or Flip Charts Overhead Transparencies Video Audio
More Types Slides Photographs Posters Volunteers Handouts PowerPoint
Why Use Visual Aids? Add interest. Decrease presentation time. Add to speaker credibility Decrease speaker nervousness. Improve audience memory. Hamilton, C. (2008). Essentials of public speaking. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Why Use Visual Aids?
General Guidelines for Visual Aids Make it big. Make it neat. Keep it simple. Don’t let it take over the speech. Keep it covered until you need it.
Types of Presentational Media (Visual Aids) Objects or Models: (1) Keep covered when not using. (2) Never pass items around. MarkerBoards/FlipCharts: (1) Get someone else to do writing (2) If going to use too much, prepare ahead on poster or PowerPoint. Overhead Transparencies: (1) Put onto screen like you read it. (2) Turn off & on or cover to prevent distractions. Video: VHS easier to cue; DVD player doesn’t have a numerical index. (1) Have cued up ahead of time; (2) Minimize use—should onky enhance the speech, not take over. Audio: (1) Adjust volume ahead of time; (2) Make sure it really contributes to the speech. Objects or Models Marker Boards or Flip Charts Overhead Transparencies Video Audio
More Types Slides Photographs Posters Volunteers Handouts PowerPoint Slides: (1) Don’t use. Convert to jpeg or other format. Requires darkness—a problem! Photographs: Enlarge so all can see or scan as jpeg or gif and put into PowerPoint. Don’t just put pictures in your file. (Can blacken screen to cover.) Posters: (1) Make sure it’s large enough to see & neat. (2) Keep covered when not in use. (3) Think about where you will stand. Volunteers: (1) Prepare them in advance. (2) Make sure they know this is important for your grade. Handouts: (1) Distribute in advance (for short speech). (2) Give them to audience upside down & control the audience’s attention. (3) Actually use the handout in some way. PowerPoint—own set of guidelines Slides Photographs Posters Volunteers Handouts PowerPoint