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Student Resource
Gamble, The Public Speaking Playbook, 2nd Edition
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Lecture Notes
Chapter 17: Using Presentation Aids
Learning Objectives
1-1 Discuss the functions served by presentation aids
1-2 Assess the strengths of presentation aids discussed in this chapter
1-3 Choose an appropriate slide presentation software program
1-4 Select, prepare, and integrate the most appropriate presentation aids into a speech
Outline
I. Presentation aids can be powerful tools and a speaker’s ally.
A. Messages appeal more to audiences today if they have visual elements.
1. Presentation aids aid in comprehension.
a. Audiences process more than 80 percent of all information we
receive through our sense of sight
2. Presentation aids assist in memory and recall.
a. Research shows that we remember only 10 percent of what is
read, 20 percent of what is heard, and 30 percent of what is seen,
but audiences remember over 50 percent of what is seen and heard
simultaneously.
3. Presentation aids facilitate organization by displaying main ideas.
a. Audiences can remember the basic plan, structure or design of
the speech from presentational aids.
4. Presentation aids direct attention and control interest.
a. More compelling than words alone
5. Presentation aids add drama, increasing persuasiveness and credibility.
a. Speakers that make visuals an inherent part of their presentations
are 43 percent more likely to persuade their audiences than those
that relied only on words.
6. Presentation aids help communicate complicated or complex
information concisely.
a. Helps to share information that might otherwise be too complex
Student Resource
Gamble, The Public Speaking Playbook, 2nd Edition
SAGE Publishing, 2018
7. Presentation aids can help a speaker increase his or her appearance on
professionalism.
a. When prepared with care, visual and audio aids demonstrate
professional approach, increasing credibility and your ability to
communicate your message.
8. Presentation aids reduce speaker anxiety because they occupy the speaker’s
attention.
a. Also help to use time more effectively.
II. Know how to work with presentation aids.
A. When using presentation aids, make sure they add to the presentation.
B. Audience members expect you to present both oral and visual language in a
way that helps them remember the speech.
III. Speakers must learn how to select the best aids.
A. Human beings can be effective visual aids if they are not distracting and their
roles are well planned and tailored to meet the needs of the presentation.
1. Human visual aids must be willing and committed to help accomplish
the speaker’s objectives.
2. Speakers should rehearse with human aid prior to the actual
presentation.
3. The human aid is subordinate to the speech and is not as important as
the speaker.
4. The speaker can also serve as a human aid by illustrating the main
points in the presentation.
B. Props and models are other types of presentational aids.
1. A prop is an object that has the ability to compel the listeners to focus
their attention on the message and better understand the topic.
2. Models are useful presentational aids if the actual object is too large to
bring or too small to be seen.
C. Photographs or color copies can also be used as effective visual aids if they can
be seen.
1. Use color versus black and white
2. Do not pass around
D. Graphs can help speakers communicate statistics, illustrate trends and
demonstrate patterns.
1. Line graphs show trends over time.
2. Bar graphs are useful for comparing and contrasting two or more items
or groups.
Student Resource
Gamble, The Public Speaking Playbook, 2nd Edition
SAGE Publishing, 2018
3. Pie graphs illustrate percentages of a whole or distribution pattern.
4. Infographics contain composite of information, illustration, and design.
a. A pictograph is a simplified infographic and provide a pictorial
representation of a graph.
E. Charts, drawings, and maps can also be used to discuss complex information
visually.
1. Charts compress or summarize large amounts of information.
2. Drawings and maps help illustrate key differences, movements, or
geographic information.
F. Audio and visual clips can make the speech more exciting for an audience.
1. Audio and visual clips should not be used unless the speaker is
able to utilize existing technologies to coordinate them within the
presentation.
2. Video clips should be short (no more than 30 seconds in a five min
speech).
a. Clips should be cued up or downloaded prior to the speech.
3. Audio clips, standing alone from video can make your presentation
more memorable.
IV. Be familiar with presentation software.
A. Software such as Prezi, Google Docs, Microsoft PowerPoint, GoAnimate, or
Sliderocket can add appeal to a speech.
1. Computer-generated graphics can take your presentation from
ordinary to extraordinary.
V. Get the most from your presentations.
A. Devise the content and design the look when preparing presentation slides.
1. Keep it simple—each slide should contain one idea
2. Keep it short—each slide should contain no more than seven bullets per
slide and no more than seven words per line.
3. Bullets should be used to increase readability and organizes ideas
4. Decorative design elements should be minimized.
5. Speakers should use active wording and parallel structure.
6. Slides should be consistent in terms of color and design.
7. Slides should contain readable font
8. Color should be used cautiously.
Student Resource
Gamble, The Public Speaking Playbook, 2nd Edition
SAGE Publishing, 2018
9. Background colors should be consistent.
a. Background should be lighter than the text.
10. Images and sounds should be emphasized more than text.
11. Speakers should be in control rather than letting the visual aid distract
the audience’s attention.
12. Speakers should direct their gaze toward the audience and not the
visual aid.
13. Speakers should rehearse and be prepared with contingency plans if
the equipment fails.
B. Choose the right presentation aids.
1. Speakers should also consider the cost—will the time and effort spent
preparing the aid pay off in terms of increasing the audience’s interest and
response?
2. Speakers should consider if the aid will save on words or will the aid
become distracting?
3. If the aid requires the use of special equipment, does the speaker have
the skills and ability to use it?
C. Use presentation aids during your speech.
1. Speakers should make sure that the aids are in place before starting.
2. Speakers must present and explain each aid.
3. Speakers must stand to one side of the visual and avoid blocking the
view of the audience.
4. Keep physical possession and control of your visual.
5. Speakers must keep physical possession and control over the aid.
