Public Speaking Chapter Fifteen

Benefits of Using Visual Aids:

- Not every speech calls for visual aids
- Sometimes visual aids may even distract from the message
- In some speaking situations visual aids required
- Visual aids also play a growing role in the public forum
- Four main benefits to using visual aids
o They make the speech more interesting
o They enhance the speaker’s credibility
o They improve comprehension and retention
o They can enhance your argument in the speech
- Interest
o Because listeners have to switch gears in order to look at a visual aid it keeps their
attention better and enhances their interest and understanding
- Credibility
o Well prepared visual aids suggest to the audience that you care enough to do
quality work
o Careful audience analysis is the key to knowing how visual aids will enhance
your credibility
- Comprehension and Retention
o A critical benefit of visual aids is that they often make it easier for listeners to
understand and remember the speech
o Words are abstract but visual aids are concrete
o Visual and oral stimuli work together to increase understanding and memory
o A wide variety of visual aids is important in public speaking
- Argument
o Sometimes visual aids do not just embellish your ideas they may make the
argument themselves
o Both of these multimedia presentations are cases in which a picture truly is worth
a thousand words
o Visual aids must adapt to the situation and can be high tech or low tech
Types of Visual Aids:
- Charts
o A chart simplifies complex material by arranging it visually according to an
obvious principle
o Statistical Charts- the purpose of a statistical chart is to simplify complex
information, they illustrate only one point or support only one conclusion
o Sequence of steps- shows a process, shows the steps and how to follow them
o Series of charts- each chart reveals new information
o Flowcharts- a chart that consists of labeled boxes connected by arrows
o Visual Lists and Columnar Charts- gives the audience a visual list and helps them
see the structure of the message
- Graphs
o A graph is a visual display of relationships that shows how change in one thing is
related to change in another
 o Line Graph- charts one variable as a function of another, trends go up to a point
and then reverse, show complex and simple relationships
o Bar Graphs- shows unit of measurement and identifies categories
o Pie Graphs- a pie graph is used to show proportions or percentages of a whole
- Representations
o Representations are visual portrayals of reality
o Textual Graphics- a display of words
o Diagram- a simple drawing or sketch that represents a more complex object
o Maps- focus on directions to or relationships among places
o Photographs- capture the essence of their subject and show what they symbolize
clearly
o Film/Video- add motion to the presentation, can decrease active listening
- Objects/Models
o The best visual aid is the object you are talking about
o If the object is not capable of being brought in a model can act as a good
substitute
o The model must still be large enough for the audience to see
- People
o The appearance and grooming of the speakers can serve as a visual aid
o The clothing of the speaker either reinforces or undercuts the message
o It is critical to match your appearance to the situation you are speaking in
o Other people can also serve as visual aids
Visual Aid Media:
- Computer Generated Slides
o Computers are commonly used to generate visual aids that are projected onto a
screen
o In fact, it is tempting to use too much of the computers capability and make the
presentation more distracting than helpful
o Suggestions
§ Choose a basic design and color scheme for the entire presentation
§ Select fonts carefully
• Serif Fonts- used on longer passages of text
• Sans Serif Fonts- preferred for headlines
• Script Fonts- imitate handwriting
• Decorative Fonts- used to convey feeling
§ Choose an appropriate type size
• 48-32-28
• 36-24-18
§ Limit the amount of text on each size
§ Use color to create a mood and sustain attention
- Audiovisual Media
o Video makes it possible to present moving images as visual aids
o Digital music players such as the iPod can also be used in the speech
- Multimedia
o Incorporating multiple drawings, photographs, videos, animation and sound is a
multimedia presentation
 o It is a good idea to use simple traditions
- Transparencies
o Sheets that a projected onto a screen with the use of an overhead projector
o Only effective with 50 or fewer people
- Flip charts and Posters
o A writing tablet made of large sheets of paper set on an easel
o The most basic kind of poster is drawing on the white board
- Handouts
o One or more sheets of paper that are handed out to the audience
o This makes it easier for a speaker to present complex information
o Reduce the need to for the audience to take detailed notes which may help them to
concentrate fully on the subject
o Handouts can be very distracting
Preparing Visual Aids:
- Choosing ideas for Visual Aids
o Use visual aids when
§ The idea is complicated, and the visual aid will make it simpler
§ Presenting an idea orally will seem dry but visual aids will add interest
§ Words alone cannot capture the idea but seeing a visual aid will make it
clear
§ Listeners may forget your words, but the visual aid will help them to
remember
o Not every idea needs to be illustrated and the audience should have enough time
to absorb the information
- Designing Visual Aids
o Visibility and Clarity
§ Visual Aids must be seen easily
§ Visual Aids must be simple
o Portability
§ Easy for the speaker to handle
o Appeal
§ Visual aids should be aesthetically pleasing without distracting
§ May use color to heighten appeal
§ Restrict visual aids to those that are really crucial and keep the design of
each visual aid as simple as possible
- Planning for Technical Difficulties
o Have backup available
o Print of your slides
Using Visual Aids in the Speech:
- Avoid Distraction
o Usually if visual aids distract its because the speaker did not prepare properly
- Do Not Obstruct the Audience’s View
o Determine where is best to place the visual aids
o Need to have access to the visual but cannot block the audience from it
- Speak to the Audience
o Do not face your visual aid during the speech
Visual Aids: materials that the speaker show to the audience during the speech
Chart: a visual arrangement of words or numbers according to an obvious principle
Flowchart: a chart showing the flow or progress with alternative paths showing the outcome of
different decisions
Graph: a visual display of relationships showing how change in one thing is related to change in
another
Line Graph: a graph in which a line connects points each of which represents a combination of
the two items being compared
Bar Graph: a graph in which the length of the bars indicated the amount or extent of items
being compared
Pie Graph: a graph in the shape of a circle in which the various components of the whole are
shown as proportions of the circle
Representations: visual portrayals of reality
Textual Graphic: a display of words so that the audience can both see and hear them
Diagram: a simplified drawing or sketch that represents a more complex object
Multimedia Presentation: presentation using a combination of different media, such as video,
animation, sound, drawings, photographs, charts, graphs and text
Transparencies: celluloid sheets that are projected onto a screen with the use of an overhead
projector
Flip Chart: a writing tablet made of large sheets of paper, usually newsprint, the pages of which
can be flipped over after they are used
Handout: one or more sheets of paper are given out to an audience before or during the speech,
at some point the speaker refers to the handout