The attraction of visual aids in conjunction with your speech is directly traced back to show and tell during our early childhood years. There are three visuals aids most commonly used that I would like to share with you: flip charts, props and handouts.
Dating back to President Reagan's April 29, 1982 television broadcast, he pronounced on live television that he was going to publicize his administrations effort to cut inflation and control federal spending. During his nationalized broadcast, he produced a large display card on which a bar graph budgetary data had been drawn. President Reagan intentions was to complete the graph on live television. Unfortunately, the marker was dry. President Reagan played off this moment by saying "I can't seem to make a mark big enough."
Elements of a successful presentation
- The key element of a successful presentation with visual aids is to prepare your visuals before hand.
- Arrange your slides in the order of use.
- Use billboard style graphics: short simple words.
- Bold lettering.
- Bright colors.
When displaying statistical information, use simple pie charts, bar graphs and/or line graphs. The essential visuals are ones that express ideas.
Props, are any three dimensional objects used to illustrate or emphasize. Props are the most fun to use during a speech. You can keep them hidden from your audience view until needed. You can let your audience examine your prop(s). If you must demonstrate your prop(s), ensure they works every time, and rehearse your every move and word.
Handouts are the most simplest visual aid you can use. However with handouts, if handed out to early, your audience will tend to look at the handouts rather than listen to you. After you have made your introduction, then you can hand out your fliers or brochures. You don't want your audience to miss your opening. Handouts are informative and should include pertinent and relevant information like names, addresses, phone numbers, pictures, all those things that your audience wanted to write down during your speech but didn't. You can also leave these handouts on a table at the back of the room, or have a usher hand them out as your audience is existing.
Which ever visual aid you use to support and assist your speech presentation, make sure you have checked each item and have rehearsed every move and word.