Chapter 9: Presentation Aids

Transcription

1 Chapter 9: Presentation Aids Using presentation aids is not new, even to beginning speakers. The first public speeches you ever gave probably involved show and tell. You may have brought an object that you were going to talk about a new toy, something you made, or even the family pet! Presentation aids discussed in this chapter go far beyond show and tell in sophistication, but they still serve many of the same purposes. I. Presentation aids have benefits and drawbacks when used in speeches. A. Presentation aids improve your presentation by giving your audience more direct sensory contact with your message. 1. They enhance understanding. 2. They establish authenticity. 3. They add variety. 4. They may improve delivery by energizing a speech with movement. 5. They help reduce anxiety. 6. They make a speech more memorable. 7. They can enhance credibility. 8. They are expected in business and professional settings. B. Presentation aids also have some drawbacks. 1. They can distract listeners from your message. 2. They can increase your uneasiness if you are not confident with the equipment. 3. They can damage credibility if inaccurate or poorly prepared. 4. They take time to integrate into a speech; they must be practiced. 5. They can reduce eye contact with listeners. II. There are a variety of presentation aids available to speakers. A. People can function as presentation aids, both you, as the speaker, and others. B. Objects and models show listeners exactly what you are talking about. 1. Use inanimate objects; living objects can be unpredictable. 2. Keep the object out of sight until it is needed, so it does not distract your audience.

2 3. Be careful using dramatic objects. 4. Check with your instructor if you have questions. 5. Use models when an object is too small, too large, or too valuable to bring to your presentation. C. Graphics must be instantly clear and easily understood since they are only used for a short time. 1. Sketches are simplified representations of what you are talking about. 2. Maps that are commercially produced are often too detailed, so create a simpler version relevant to your purpose. 3. Graphs make statistical information clear to the audience. a. Pie graphs show the size of a subject s parts in relation to one another and to the whole. b. Bar graphs show comparisons and contrasts between two or more items or groups. c. Line graphs demonstrate changes across time and are especially useful for indicating trends in growth or decline. d. A mountain graph is a variation of the line graph that works to heighten the impact of a single line. 4. Charts provide visual summaries of processes and relationships. a. Flow charts show the steps in a process with lines and arrows. b. Sequences of charts help to present complicated information in succession. 5. Textual graphics are lists of phrases, words, or numbers. a. Bulleted lists begin with titles then the text; there should be no more than six items in the list. b. Acronyms present the initial letters of words to help your audience remember. 6. Pictures and photographs can authenticate a point. III. Presentation media are constantly evolving; there have been many changes since the early 1990s. A. Traditional presentation media are readily available to most speakers.

3 1. Flip charts are large, unlined tablets designed to be used spontaneously. 2. Posters can be used to display pictures, graphics, or map; they can also be used as sequences. 3. Handouts are useful when your subject is complex. 4. Chalk and marker boards help to clarify information in both planned and spontaneous situations. 5. Transparencies and slides work well for graphics and photographs. 6. Videotapes and audiotapes can authenticate and add variety to your presentation. B. Technological growth has led to computer-assisted presentation techniques becoming standard in organizational and educational settings. 1. Computer generated graphics, maps, and charts are neat and accurate. 2. PowerPoint and other software are available on most personal computers. C. Ethical considerations for presentation aids must be considered. 1. A speaker must not misrepresent material. 2. A speaker must credit sources for information. IV. Using presentation aids requires planning, preparation, and rehearsal. A. Principles of design must be applied to presentation aids. 1. Visibility means the audience must be able to clearly see the presentation aid. 2. Emphasis means the design of the presentation aid must focus on the topic of your speech. 3. Balance means the presentation aid must be pleasing to the eye. B. Principles of color must be applied to illustrations and other aids. 1. Color can create mood. 2. Analogous color schemes use colors that are adjacent on the color wheel. 3. Complementary color schemes use colors that are opposites on the color wheel. C. Making presentation aids requires a process. 1. Create a rough draft.

4 2. Use the right materials for the purpose. 3. Keep it simple. 4. Make sure margins and borders offer enough white space. D. PowerPoint presentations create organized slides that can be manipulated by the speaker during a presentation. V. Successful use of presentation aids requires following certain guidelines. A. Practice using your presentation aid. B. Visit the presentation room in advance of the speech to decide where presentation aids should be placed. C. Check out any equipment in advance. D. Display your presentation aid only when you need it, then remove or cover it when you are done. E. Stand to the side of your presentation aid. F. Point to the presentation aid when you refer to it. G. Distribute handouts before or after speech, not during. H. Use presentation aids to enhance your message; don t overwhelm your audience with too many presentation aids. VI. Summary VII. Terms A. acronym B. analogous color scheme C. audiotape D. balance E. bar graph F. bulleted list G. chalk board H. complementary color scheme I. computer assisted presentations J. emphasis K. flip chart L. flow chart M. graphics N. handout O. line graph

5 VIII. Notes P. map Q. marker board R. model S. mountain graph T. object U. photograph V. pictograph W. picture X. pie graph Y. poster Z. PowerPoint AA. presentation aids BB. sequence chart CC. sketch DD. slide EE. textual graphics FF. transparency GG. videotape HH. visibility