Using Visual Aids

Abstract

This chapter deals with visual aids used to enhance oral presentations. It is intended to guide planning and presentation of visual aids; actual construction of visual aids is covered in other texts, some of which are recommended at the end of the chapter. What sets off a visual aid from a visual message is how is it applied and used. Visual aids, as they are explained here, are meant to enhance a personal presentation, while a visual message is meant to present a stand-alone message in the absence of a presenter (e.g. a park interpretation sign or an advertisement). The old adage is that a picture is worth a thousand words, but it is important to understand that this valued picture be the right picture, presented well, at the right time, or else it will detract from the presentation rather than support it. Visual aids are important because of differences in the way people perceive messages. Some audience members will react best to verbal information, some to visual, and some to written material. Thus presenting messages in multiple formats broadens the audience impact. People tend to remember more of what they see and hear. So visual aids supporting verbal information act to dramatically increase the impact of a presentation. Furthermore, visual aids increase an audience’s attention span, and can, when used properly, add structure to information to facilitate understanding.