Using Visual Aids Appropriately And Effectively
One way to make your presentation vivid and memorable is through the use of visual
aids. Although computer generated and projected visualand
presentationaids are commonly used, it is still important to understand how to use
them or any other type of visual aids in your presentation. Here are some pointers
for the effective use of visual aids:
·
Write your outline first, then design your visual aids. Avoid reversing the process.
·
Select visual aids appropriate to the point you wish to illustrate or clarify.
Visual aids should support, clarify, and amplify, not repeat what you are saying.
· Make
sure that the intent of your visual aid is clear.
· Use
only important or memorable words or phrases: eliminate any unnecessary word slides.
Limit the number of words to what you could fit on a T-shirt.
·
Pictorial slides have the biggest payoff.
· Use
color for impact. When is the last time you saw a black-and-white television
set? Make sure that your visual can be seen and understood by the member of your
audience who is farthest from the screen.
·
Practice with your visual aid.
·
Dont begin or end your presentation with a visual aid.
·
Introduce visual aids so that they blend smoothly with your speech.
·
Maintain eye contact: talk to your audience, not the visual aid. Touch the important
point; turn to the audience, and talk. Dont read from your visual aid.
·
Display visual aids only when discussing them.
·
Avoid passing visual aids around the audience.