Visual+Aids

= VISUAL AIDS =

From: Joe Sprague and Douglas Stuart, The Speaker’s Handbook (Harcourt Brace Jovanovich: Orlando, 1988)


 * Visual aids, though not mandatory, can often be useful. **
 * Sometimes a visual aid can help you make a point more clearly and in a shorter time than if you were forced to use words alone. Conversely, poorly used visual aids can make your ideas obscure and slow the pace of your speech. Too heavy a reliance on visual aids will cut into time that should be spent on development of ideas. Too heavy a reliance on visual aids will result in a lower grade.


 * A visual aid is best used in two places: **

1) when you are attempting to explain a complex idea; and 2) when you want to reinforce a particular message.


 * For example, a geneticist might find a picture of a DNA double helix useful when talking about how that molecule duplicates itself. Another example: A speaker wishing to impress upon the audience the importance of harsher drunk-driving penalties may choose to reinforce the number of traffic fatality percentages with a “pie” graph that demonstrates the overwhelming predominance of drunk-driving traffic deaths over other causes of traffic deaths.

Select a visual aid appropriate to the point you wish to illustrate or clarify. Pictorial reproductions may include photographs, sketches, plans, pictures and the like. The sizes of the room and audience are important factors in determining the type and size of the pictorial reproduction(s) you use.
 * Select a visual aid appropriate to your point and your audience. **

Visual aids must be easily visible to the entire audience. Stand at the back of the room and envision the scene. Bring a mock-up of your visual aids and place it where you expect it to be when you speak. Reduce any visual aid that is larger than it need be. Enlarge visual aids that are too small. Lines on charts should be thick and bold.
 * Prepare clear and manageable visual aids. **


 * Keep your visual aids simple and clear. **
 * Don’t construct visual aids that are too elaborate. Your visual aids should contain just enough detail to allow your listeners to easily distinguish one part from another. Do not crowd maps, charts, graphs or photos onto the board. Your audience may become confused. Keep the wording on any visual aid simple and familiar. Use clear block lettering.


 * Maintain continuity in your visual aids. If you use a pie chart for your first visual aid, any subsequent visual aids that deal with similar information should also be pie charts.


 * Use a lot of white space. Do not crowd too much information on sheet or board. Keep the information simple. Use your speech to fill in the details.

The design and form of your visual aids can enhance your credibility, add humor, provide information beyond the data presented, or maintain the interest level of your listeners. A professional-looking aid can do much to lend a polished tone to an entire speech.
 * Design visual aids for maximum audience impact. **

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 * Introduce your visual aids so that they blend smoothly into your speech .**
 * Practice with your visual aids. You should prepare your visual aids early enough to use when you practice your speech. Be sure you’re comfortable with your visual aid. Don’t fumble with it during your presentation.
 * Maintain eye contact with the audience. Be familiar with your visual aid. You should be looking at your listeners while explaining your visual aid. A speaker who turns his/her back on the audience to talk directly at the visual aid will receive a deduction in his/her grade.
 * Keep talking! Avoid long pauses while using your visual aid.
 * Don’t let your visual aid become a distraction. Keep your visual aid covered, out of sight, or tuned away from your audience until you are ready to use it. Remove your visual aid immediately after you’ve used it.