1. Using Visual Aids
Ch. 14

2. Benefits of visual aids
People find a speaker’s message more interesting
Grasp it more easily
And retain the message longer

3. Kinds of visual aids Objects and models Photographs and drawings
Not effective unless they are large enough
Passing them around can be distracting
Utilize Power Point or another program to enlarge the image
Graphs
Utilize for complex series of numbers, statistical trends and patterns

4. Kinds of visual aids Line graph Pie graph Bar graph
Good for trends and changes
Pie graph
Good for simple distribution patterns
Bar graph
good for comparisons among two or more items

6. ***** if you did not personally compile all data and create the graph completely on your own, make sure you cite the source of the graph!*******

7. Kinds of visual aid Charts Video The speaker
Good for summarizing large blocks of information
Video
Can cause more harm than good if not used effectively
Should not be too long
Should be cued to start
Should be edited for length
Should be high resolution
The speaker

8. Presentation technology
Pluses and minuses
Message can be lost in a flurry of sounds and images
Avoid “Death by Power Point”
Planning to use presentation technology
Should be used for a purpose
Should be planned

9. Guidelines for preparing visual aids
Prepare well in advance
Keep visual aids simple
Make sure visual aids are large enough
Use a limited amount of text
Use fonts effectively
Use color effectively
Use images strategically

10. Guidelines for presenting visual aides
Display aids where listeners can see them
Avoid passing visual aids among the audience
Display visual aids only while discussing them
Explain visual aids clearly and concisely
Talk to your audience, not your visual aid
Practice with your visual aids
Check the room and equipment