Presentational Aids Oso Media / Alamy

Presentational Aid Any visual, audio, or audiovisual material used in a speech Jose Luis Pelaez Inc. / Blend Images / Alamy 2

Benefits of Presentational Aids Enable the speaker to adapt to an audience’s level of knowledge by clarifying and dramatizing Helping audiences retain the information they hear Addressing the diverse learning styles of an audience Help the speaker feel more competent 3

Chapter Sections Types of presentational aids Criteria for choosing presentational aids Preparing effective presentational aids Methods for displaying presentational aids Guidelines for using presentational aids during the speech 4

Types of Presentational Aids Chapter Section One Types of Presentational Aids 5

Types of Visual Aids Actual objects (animate or inanimate) Models Photos Simple drawings and diagrams Maps Charts Graphs Actual objects: inanimate or animate samples of the idea you are communicating Inanimate objects make good visual aids if they are: Large enough for all to see Small enough to carry to the site of the speech Simple enough to understand visually Safe Animate objects also make effective visual aids You can be a visual aid by showing motions like how to swing a golf club or use your attire to illustrate the native dress of a county Another person can be a visual aid by helping you demonstrate a process Animals can also be effective visual aids Models – appropriate visual aids when an object’s size is inappropriate, too complex, unsafe or uncontrollable (scaled down or up) Photos – when you need/want an exact reproduction of something. Big enough, object of interest is clearly identifiable 6

Example Diagram Diagram – drawing that shows how the whole relates to its parts 7

Example Map Maps – allow you to orient audiences to landmarks, states, cities, land routes, weather systems, etc. 8

Example Flowchart A chart is a graphic representation that distills a lot of information into an easily interpreted visual format. Flowchart – uses symbols and connecting lines to diagram a sequence of steps through a complicated process 9

Other Example Charts Organizational chart – shows the structure of an organization in terms of rank and chain of command Pie chart – is a diagram that shows the relationships among parts of a single unit 10

Example Bar Graph Graph – is a diagram that presents numerical comparisons. Bar Graph – diagram that uses vertical or horizontal bars to show relationships between two or more variables 11

Example Line Graph Line graph – a diagram that indicates change in one or more variables over time 12

Other Types of Presentational Aids Audio aids - enhance a verbal message through sound. Audiovisual aids - enhance the verbal message through sight and sound. Other sensory aids – enhance the verbal message through smell, touch, or taste. Audio or audiovisual aids should be no more than 5% of your speaking time. Choose clips that are to the point and really enhance your message. 13

Criteria for Choosing Presentational Aids Chapter Section Two Criteria for Choosing Presentational Aids It’s important to decide what content you want to highlight and how. Why? 14

Questions for Choosing Presentational Aids What are the most important ideas? Are the ideas complex or difficult to explain verbally, but easy to understand in visual or audio form? Is there important information in your speech that the audience may find boring? How many presentational aids do want to use? What is size of the audience? These questions can help you figure out what material to highlight and how to do it. 15

Choosing Presentational Aids (cont.) Are the aids easy to use and transport? What is the availability of necessary equipment? Is there sufficient time to show the aid, without overtaking the speech time? How cost-effective is the time involved in making or getting the presentational aids? 16

Preparing Effective Presentational Aids Chapter Section Three Preparing Effective Presentational Aids The goal of using presentational aids is to: prepare professional-looking presentational aids that will enhance your ethos (perceived competence, credibility and character) to clarify your message and make it more memorable 17

Tips for Preparing Presentational Aids Limit the reading required. Customize presentational aids from other sources. The photo, print, or type size should be seen easily and sound heard easily by the entire audience. Use a consistent print style that is easy to read. 18

Tips for Preparing Presentational Aids (cont.) Make sure information is laid out aesthetically. Add pictures or other visual symbols to add interest. Use color strategically. Use presentation software to prepare professional-looking presentational aids. Color: Use the same background color for all your presentational aids as well as the same theme for the slides on your computerized slideshow Use the same color to show similarities and opposite colors (find a color wheel) to show differences between ideas Use bright colors to highlight important information. Avoid using red and green together because audience members who are color-blind many not be able to distinguish between them. Use dark colors for lettering on a white background and a light color for lettering on a dark background Use no more than 2-3 colors on any presentational aid that is not a photograph or video clip Most importantly! Pretend you are your audience. Sit as far away as they will be sitting and evaluate the colors you have chosen for their readability and appeal 19

Methods for displaying presentational aids Chapter Section Four Methods for displaying presentational aids You have a lot of choices! 20

Methods for Displaying Presentational Aids Posters Whiteboards or chalkboards Flipcharts Handouts Posters – easy way to display simple drawings, charts, maps, photos and graphs (use only with smaller audiences because they are small) Whiteboards/Chalkboards – are not suitable for depicting complex material Should be written on prior to speaking or during a break in speaking “Chalk talks” – monologues given while a speaker draws. Are easiest to prepare, but they are the most likely to result in damage to speaker credibility because it takes skill to be able to draw and talk Flipcharts – large pad of paper mounted on an easel Flipcharts are prepared before the speech using colored markers to record the information Leave several blank pages between each visual on the pad You can flip to the empty page while you are talking about material not covered by the charts The information this is hand written or drawn must be neat and appropriately sized Handouts – use when it may be useful for everyone in the audience to have a personal copy of the visual aid. Distribute them at the end of the speech. 21

Methods for Displaying Presentational Aids (cont.) Document cameras CD/VCR/DVD players/LCD projectors Computerized slide shows Document camera – Elmo, used instead of overhead projector – allows you to not have to transfer to overhead film Computerized slide shows – always have a backup plan in case there are equipment problems. You can use blank screens between your slides just like the flip chart. 22

Guidelines for Using Presentational Aids Plan carefully when to use presentational aids. Position presentational aids and audiovisual equipment before beginning your speech. Show or play presentational aids only when talking about them. Talk about the visual aid while showing it. “Turn-touch-talk technique” when you display the visual, walk to the screen, slightly turn to the visual and touch it/point to it, then with your back to the screen and your body still at a slight 45 degree angle to the group, talk to your audience about the visual. When you finish making your comments, return to the lectern or your speaking position and turn off the projector or otherwise conceal the visual 23

Guidelines for Using Presentational Aids (cont.) Talk to your audience, not to the visual aid. Display visual aids so that everyone in the audience can see them. Avoid passing objects around the audience. 24