Module VIII: Public Speaking Show
Section 8: Visual Aids After completing this section, students should be able to:
Quite commonly, we employ visual aids to assist us in presenting the message in a clear, easily followed manner. Although they are called visual
aids, they are any sensory element added to the speech to enhance the speaker's message. Typically, speakers use visual elements, such as graphs and charts, but visual aids can also include items for the audience to hear, touch, taste, or smell. It is important to understand that visual aids are used to aid the speaker, not to replace the speaker. At all times, the focus of the event should be on the speaker and the verbal message, not on the sensory aids. The speaker needs to smoothly integrate the visual aids into the presentation so as not to distract from the core message of the speech. A general rule of thumb is if the speech cannot be presented without the visual aids, the visual aids are being used too heavily. Visual aids can be forgotten, may not work, or equipment may break down. Struggling to deal with non-functioning visual aids can severely damage the credibility of the speaker, so a good speaker is ready to adapt and move forward, adapting to the challenge of not having the aids. Purposes of Visual AidsWe use visual aids for four reasons:
Types of Visual AidsVisual aids can take on many forms with the only limit being the speaker’s imagination. Always remembering they are aids, not replacements, there are a myriad of choices available. From slideware to poster board to objects, the speaker has many options for creating powerful visual elements. Slideware
Visual aids have undergone a massive transformation since the introduction of Microsoft’s PowerPoint in 1990. Today, in addition to PowerPoint, there are other options, such as Apple’s Keynote or the online tool Prezi. Traditional forms of visual aids, such as posters, overheads, and slides, have been replaced by slideware . While the use of some non-slideware visual aids is still appropriate, the reality is that audiences have become
accustomed to seeing slideware accompanying presentations. While these software options are excellent tools for creating professional, intriguing, and informative visual aids, many of us have experienced horrible slideware presentations in which the speaker talked to the screen, read from the screen, or failed to coordinate what they were saying with what the audience was viewing. By now, students have had enough experience viewing these presentations that most should have a good idea of what not to do. When creating slideware presentations, each slide should be purposeful and thoughtfully created. Each word, bullet point, or image should be on the slide for a distinct reason, not simply as decoration. Good slideware is created with a clear goal in mind. When creating slides:
One final caution: slideware can hijack development time away. These are very powerful tools allowing the speaker to create detailed animations, special effects, and a plethora of visually energetic and stimulating imagery. The vast majority of these are unnecessary in public speaking, and the speaker can easily find themselves spending hours on an effect that ends up having little value. Instead, work for a minimal, concise, neat slideware presentation, and then put time into practicing with it to create a smooth, unified speech. Speaking with slidewareMany of us have seen very poor slideware presentations. One of the reasons audiences may dread PowerPoint is how poorly the speaker uses it. It is a tool, and needs to be handled carefully and appropriately. Using it effectively can enhance the message, but using it poorly can make the speech a trying time for the audience.
The best assumption about using technology is something will likely go wrong, so the norm should be to arrive early, set up, and test thoroughly. Failing to have the technology ready and working is ultimately the responsibility of the speaker. Problems may be seen as the speaker being unprepared, hurting their credibility. Corporate comedian, Don McMillan, identifies some of the pitfalls of PowerPoint: Poster Board
Prior to the advent of slideware, visual aids were typically created on poster board then placed on an easel for the audience to view. While not common anymore, such a method is still acceptable, especially for a smaller audience for which a screen and projector may be overwhelming, or for when the technology is not available. Poster board can be used to display graphs, charts, drawings, photographs, or any other such items. The rules of audience focus apply just as with slideware: reveal the visual aid when the audience should focus on it, and remove it when the audience should focus on the speaker. Note that the speaker will need something on which to display the visual aid. Typically, a visual aid stand, such as that pictured in Image 4, is used. The speaker needs to make sure they either have one or the venue will provide one. ObjectsModels, samples, or actual items can certainly be used as visual aids. For instance, if Noah is informing an audience about how airplanes fly, having a model of a plane’s wing would be quite valuable for him to use in pointing out how lift works. Or if Stephanie is going to inform the audience on the importance of a Native American jingle dress, having one with her will help her demonstrate the distinctive sound. There are some cautions about using actual objects:
Other PeopleIncorporating human assistants can be an engaging, lively way to get a point across. For example, if giving a speech teaching the Heimlich Maneuver for choking, demonstrating it on another person would be quite useful and informative. As with any visual aid, there are some guidelines for use:
Electronic EquipmentIn addition to slideware, there are other types of electronic equipment speakers can use. Slide projectors, overhead projectors, audio players, or video players could all potentially be used. The two overriding concerns of any electronic equipment are 1) it will work properly when needed, and 2) the speaker knows how to use the equipment smoothly and effectively, to be able to incorporate it seamlessly and with little distraction. Using Visual Aids
In addition to the suggestions on using slideware, when using visual aids of any type, three overriding guidelines are:
Even when the visual aid is revealed, use gestures and movement to control the audience's focus more precisely. For example, for a list of items on a chart, the speaker should gesture to draw focus to whichever item they want their audience to focus on. Always remember, whatever the speaker looks at, the audience looks at. If the speaker keeps making nervous glances at the visual aid, the audience will follow, diverting their focus.
Key ConceptsThe terms and concepts students should be familiar with from this section include: Purpose of Visual Aids
Types of Visual Aids
Using Visual Aids
Why is it important to use consistent visual elements throughout an entire presentation?Visual aids are worth including in your presentations because they can help you explain information more coherently which makes presenting easier for you and learning easier for the audience. They also help add variety to your presentation thus making it more interesting for the audience.
What is the most important benefit of a visual presentation?Visuals grab the audience's attention
According to the Visual Teaching Alliance, visuals transmit information faster than spoken or written words; we can get the sense of a visual scene in less than 1/10 of a second, and visuals are processed 60,000 times faster in the brain than text.
What is the importance of using visual?From a scientific perspective, it's been found that using relevant visuals help the audience remember the information more effectively. Of all information transmitted to the brain, 90% is visual. And as we discussed earlier, visuals are processed 60,000 times faster in the brain than text.
What is the most important element in delivering a presentation?Understand the Audience: A presentation where the audience is not giving any attention or feeling disconnected with the speaker is the most useless presentation of all. Knowing the audience is the most important aspect of a presentation.
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