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Types of Presentation Aids Design of Presentation Aids Using Presentation Aids
Research has shown that people remember only about 20% of what they hear. However, when a second channel for the information is added, so that people can hear and see the message, the amount of information they retain goes up to 50%. [1] One way you can increase the effectiveness of your speech is by adding visual or auditory aids to the presentation.
Although most people think of posters when they think of presentation aids, speeches can be enhanced by a variety of supplementary materials, including
Regardless of the type of aid chosen, two basic questions govern when and how a presentation aid should be incorporated into a speech. First,
Does the presentation aid help the audience understand the material?
If a speech has complex material that would be difficult to understand, the speaker helps the audience by providing a visual presentation of the material. Presentation aids may also help an audience (and speaker!) organize the material or understand the logical flow of ideas.
A second key question is
Will a presentation aid help the audience remember the material?
As noted above, simply using a second channel to present information increases the amount of material an audience remembers. However, you can take advantage of that effect by determining the key points of your speech that you want to be certain the audience will remember and then using presentation aids to illustrate those points.
Don’t use a presentation aid
Remember, presentation aids must have a specific purpose and be helpful to the overall speech.
Regardless of the type of presentation aid you choose to use, there are three key concepts to remember when preparing supplementary materials for a speech. Presentation aids should be
An aid should be big enough that all members of a audience can see it easily without straining to see (or loud enough that each member of the audience can hear it easily). This includes any lettering or pictures that are included on the aid. Because different speeches are delivered in different settings, “big” is relative. A Presentation aid that would work very well for a speech in Boreham 202 might be completely inappropriate for a speech in the chapel.
Simplicity in terms of a presentation aid encompasses two different aspects of the aid. First, the aid should contain only relevant information. For example, instead of writing complete sentences, a speaker would want to put only key words or phrases on the aid. He or she could then explain the meaning of those words and phrases during the speech. Also, simplicity refers to the design of the aid. Generally, it is better to use clear and uncluttered fonts (click here for examples) and to stick to a simple design and color scheme.
and
Although presentation aids should play an informative function in your speech, they should also be interesting and attractive. Use balance and color. Incorporate clip art into aids that are all text. Also, attractiveness means neatness. In most cases, presentation aids do not have to be of professional quality; however, lines should be straight, lettering should be neat, and words should be spelled correctly.
No matter how well designed a presentation aid may be, the key issue is how well the visual aid is incorporated into the final presentation. Several tips are given below to maximize your effectiveness in using presentation aids.
Whether you are using a poster or a computer-generated presentation, pre-planning and practice are important to effective use of presentation aids. Once you have your presentation aid prepared, practice your speech using the aid. This will help avoid the awkward pauses that can happen when the speaker is trying to decide how to put the poster up on the easel or how to hold the model while speaking. Practice will also alert you to potential problem areas, such as the need for a pointer, or a glare on a screen. If you are using electronic equipment, be sure to check whether it is in working order. Are the necessary cords attached in the right places? Does the room where you will be giving the speech have an outlet available? Do you know how to use the equipment? If not, can you arrange for someone else to run it for you? Finally, have a backup plan in case something goes wrong.
Many people put their presentation aids up for audience scrutiny just before they begin speaking. However, that is not the most effective method for using a visual aid, because audience attention is focused on the newest, most interesting item – a presentation aid – rather than on the speaker. A better alternative is to follow a four-step plan: Introduce, Present, Explain, Put Away.
Other general tips: Remember that you should maintain control of the speaking situation. Don’t distract from your speech with the presentation aid (which is a good reason not to use children or pets as aids!!). Be sure that you talk to the audience, not the presentation aid. Stand to the side of your aid so that the audience’s view is not blocked (especially important when using an overhead projector). Remember, even though you are using presentation aids, the emphasis is on your communication with the audience.
[1] Beebe, S.A., & Beebe, S.J. (1997). Public speaking: An audience-centered approach. Boston: Allyn & Bacon, p. 307.