Speech

Communication
Presentational Aids
Mind Map
As Scott and Carrie drove home from the Seattle 6
Ignite Speech event, Carrie exclaimed, “Wow!
Dominic’s speech was really great. I learned so much
about what we can do to develop more sustainable
electronics.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean,” Scott replied. “I’ve

even got some ideas for reducing the e-waste he
talked about.”
Mind Map
“You know, what’s really amazing to me is how much
I learned from such a short talk!”

“I know what you mean. When I heard these were

going to be PowerPoint presentations, all I could think
was ‘Oh no! Here we go again! It’s going to be Death by
PowerPoint: a darkened room and a faceless speaker
talking to an oversized screen.’
Mind Map
Thank goodness I was wrong. Dominic’s visuals
really helped me picture what he was explaining
and actually reinforced the important points he was
making. My manager could benefit from watching
someone like Dominic.”
“I know. I can’t believe we learned so much in five
minutes! Tomorrow when I get into the office, I’m going
to check out Dominic’s blog.”
When you’ve finished this chapter, you’ll be able to:
01 Articulate several benefits
of using presentation aids
in your speeches.
02
Identify different types of
presentational aids.
03
Prepare presentational
aids that consider the best
visual design layout, size,
style, graphics, color,
simplicity, and format.
04
Choose appropriate
presentational aids.
Plan when and how to use
05 presentational aids
effectively in your
speeches.
Display presentational aids
06 using a method that is
professional looking,
enhances your ethos and
your verbal message.
 “We live in an era when the written,
oral, visual, and digital modes of
communicating are merging.”
- Verdever

“Whether it is a TV news program, your

professor’s lecture, or a motivational speech,
audiences have come to expect messages
to be enhanced with presentational aids. ”
 Presentational aid is any visual, audio,
audiovisual, or other sensory material used to
enhance a verbal message

* Visual aids
* Audio aids
* Audio-visual aids
* Other aids
 Benefits of Presentational Aids
1. They get audience attention by dramatizing your verbal
message.
2. They help audiences understand and remember information
(Garcia-Retamero & Cokely, 2013).
3. They allow you to address the diverse learning styles
of your audience members (Rogers, 2013).
4. They increase persuasive appeal (Krauss, 2012).
5. Using presentational aids may help you feel more competent
and confident (Campbell, 2015).
 Visual aids enhance the verbal message
by allowing audiences to see what it is you
are describing or explaining.

* Actual objects * Maps

* Models * Charts
* Photographs * Graphs
* Diagrams
 Choosing Presentational Aids

1. illustrate the most important ideas to

understand and remember.
2. clarify complex ideas that are difficult to
explain verbally.
3. are appropriate for the size of the audience.
4. make dull information and details more
interesting.
 Choosing Presentational Aids

4. you will feel comfortable using and

transporting to the speech site.
5. enhance rather than overwhelm the verbal
message.
6. you have the time and money to prepare.
7. demonstrate cultural sensitivity and do not
offend members of your audience.
 Preparing Presentational Aids
● Limit the reading required of the
audience.
● Customize presentational aids from
other sources.
● Use a photo, print, or type size that can
be seen easily and a volume and sound
quality that can be heard easily by your
entire audience.
Preparing Presentational Aids

● Use a consistent print style that is easy

to read.
● Make sure information is laid out in a
way that is aesthetically pleasing
● Use graphic illustrations in visuals
● Use color strategically.
 Displaying Presentational Aids
1. Posters. The easiest method for displaying simple
drawings, charts, maps, photos, and graphs is on a
poster.
2. Whiteboards or Chalkboards. many novice (and ill-
prepared) speakers rely on this method for displaying
their visual
3. Flip Charts. A flip chart, a large pad of paper
mounted on an easel, can be an effective method for
presenting visual aids
 Displaying Presentational Aids
4. Handouts. In these situations, you can prepare a
handout (material printed on sheets of paper).
5. Document Cameras. Another simple way to project
drawings, charts, photos, and graphs is using a
document
6. Computers, CD/DVD Players, and LCD
Projectors.
 Using Presentational Aids
● Plan carefully when to use each presentational
aid and make a note of it on your formal
outline and in your speaking notes.
● Position presentational aids and equipment
where all audience members can see and/or
hear them before beginning your speech.
 Using Presentational Aids
● Show and/or play presentational aids only when
talking about them so they do not distract audience
members from your message.
● Pass objects and handouts around AFTER rather than
during the speech so they do not become a
distraction.
● Talk about the visual aid while showing it, and the
audio or audiovisual aid just before and just after
playing it.
Thank you!

Speak well!