Chapter Eleven: Visual Aids
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Chapter Goals
Chapter 11 introduces students to the effective use of visual aids in their speeches. As students reach the
end of the chapter, they should be able to meet the following goals:
• To discuss the importance of using visual aids
Chapter Outline
I. Why visual aids are important (pg. 208).
a. Visual aids help gain and maintain audience attention.
i. A visual aid gives an audience something to focus on.
ii. A visual aid reinforces your verbal message.
b. Visual aids help audiences recall information.
i. Research indicates that audience members do not recall as much information
when visual aids are not used in a speech.
1. When a speech does not include visual aids, the audience recalls 70% of
2. When the same message is delivered with visual aids only, audience
3. When the same message is delivered with both words and visual aids,
audience members recall 85% of the information three hours after the
speech. Audience members recalled 65% after three days.
c. Visual aids help explain and clarify information (pg. 209).
i. Complex ideas and numbers can be easier to understand when displayed visually.
ii. Presenting ideas visually makes them more concrete.
iii. Handouts increase the audience’s continuity of thought.
d. Visual aids may increase persuasiveness and enhance credibility.
i. Visual aids can help you clarify your message, organize information, identify key
e. Visual aids may reduce nervousness (pg. 210).
i. With a visual aid, you pay more attention to the effectiveness of your speech’s
organization.
II. Types of visual aids (pgs. 210).
a. Apps and Internet software
i. Cell phones and computers offer many technological options for visual aid.
ii. Risks of reliance on visual aids.
2. Design and edit your visual aids ethically.
b. Prezi, Boogle, and PowerPoint slides (pg. 211).
1. Understand the purpose of a visual aid.
2. Prepare and practice in advance.
c. Objects, models, and demonstrations (pg. 212).
i. An object is something than can be seen or touched.
2. Sometimes they can be impossible or impractical to bring to a speaking
situation, so consider the object carefully.
ii. A model is a copy of an object, usually built to scale, that represents an object in
detail.
1. Models can be smaller than the objects they represent.
3. Models can also be life size.
iii. A demonstration is a display of how something is done or how it works.
iv. There are several guidelines to follow when using an object, model, or
demonstration.
1. Make sure your visual aids and demonstration enhance
understanding.
2. Choose objects that are legal and nonthreatening.
3. Practice your demonstration before your speech.
d. Whiteboards, smartboards, and flip charts. (pg. 214).
i. Write neatly and legibly.
ii. Speak to the audience, not to the board.
e. Handouts. (pg. 214).
i. Business speakers use different types of handouts. Examples include bound
copies of business plans or year-end summaries; agency or product brochures;
maps and photographs; photocopies of graphs, charts, or articles.
ii. Handouts can provide detailed information that the audience can refer to during a
III. What to show on a visual aid (pg. 215).
a. Lists are a series of words or phrases that organize ideas one after the other.
i. They are text-based in that they rely on the written word rather than on images to
convey meaning.
1. Make your list brief and balanced.
2. Include a heading.
b. Charts can help you show steps in a process or parts of a concept (pg. 216).
i. A flow chart illustrates direction or motion.
ii. An organizational chart illustrates the structure of groups such as organizations,
business, or departments.
iii. There are several guidelines you can follow when using a chart.
c. Graphs are visual comparisons of amounts or quantities and they help audiences see
growth, size, proportions, or relationships (pg. 217).
1. Use clear and consistent labels.
2. Use a computer to design your graph.
d. Drawings are diagrams and sketches of someone or something (pg. 218).
iii. There are several guidelines you can follow when using drawings.
2. Make sure the drawing clarifies the verbal message.
3. Use audience-centered humor.
e. Photographs help you show your audience what something really looks like or what
iii. They can also be photocopied onto a transparency or a handout.
iv. There are several guidelines you can follow when using photographs.
2. Don’t pass out photographs.
3. Do not display photos in a book.
f. Maps are visual representations showing the physical layout of geographical features,
cities, road systems, the night sky, and the like (pg. 219).
i. They can help you show your audience the physical layout and characteristics of
a place, its location in relation to other places, and the route between places.
ii. Use a map to show your audience the physical details that are best understood
when presented both verbally and visually.
iii. There are several guidelines you can follow when using maps (Figure 11.8, pg.
1. Identify the map’s scale.
3. If you hand out a map, show a larger visual aid of that same map.
4. Speak to the audience, not to the map.
IV. Formats for visual aids (pg. 220).
a. Font style and size.
2. Main points should be in 24-point font.
4. Varying font size can clearly indicate to audiences which are your main
and subordinate points.
b. Color helps you to tap into three main design principles (pgs. 221-222) (See figures 11.9,
11.10, and 11.11 pgs. 222-223).
i. Color helps an audience make associations.
ii. Soft tones tend to set a calm, soothing mood.
iii. Bright colors tend to set an exciting mood.
iv. Meanings of colors vary across cultures.
ix. Color creates hierarchies.
x. Darker to lighter progressions indicate the level of importance.
xi. The darkest being the most important.
c. Balance is the visual relationship of the items on your visual aid to one another
(pg. 223).
i. You establish balance by the way you use space to arrange your ideas.
V. Guidelines for effective use of visual aids (pg. 223-224).
a. Prepare in advance.
b. Practice in advance.
VI. Guidelines for the ethical use of visual aids (pg. 225).
a. Stay audience centered.
b. Avoid misleading images.
End of Chapter Activities and Discussion Questions
The following questions can be found at the end of Chapter 11.
Review Questions and Activities
1. Watch a few speakers outside of class give speeches, whether live or taped (TED Talks is a good source
are the strengths and weaknesses of each approach?
2. Bring an object or a model to class and practice describing it to your classmates. Try holding it,
displaying it, and passing it around. Which techniques work well for you and which do not? Why and
why not?
3. Many students believe computer-projected visual aids are superior to other types of visual aids. In
addition, many employers want employees to be familiar with this technology. In light of this emphasis
on a single type of visual aid, identify the strengths of computer-generated visual aids (such as
PowerPoint slides and online images and video). What kind of material is best suited to this form of
presentation? Although you may use this type of visual aid in your future workplace, what other types
of visual aids might you also use?
4. Create several drafts of your visual aids using different font styles and sizes, colors, and principles of
balance. Bring these to class and, in groups, select those that are most effective. Why are they effective?
Why were the others less effective?
5. Select one of the following speech topics. Generate ideas for visual aids you could use for an
informative, invitational, or persuasive speech on the topic.
The Supreme Court
Musical instruments
Bubble gum
Web Activities
1. Thinking Critically About PowerPoint
Purpose: To understand the limitations of using PowerPoint.
Directions: Use your InfoTrac College Edition account to locate Geoffrey Nunberg’s article, “The
Trouble with PowerPoint,” Fortune (December 20, 1999).
What are his arguments about the limitations of PowerPoint? How might PowerPoint become a
distraction to the audience for your next speech? How can you overcome those limitations? What are
some reasons you might not use PowerPoint in your next speech?
2. Creating a PowerPoint Presentation
Purpose: To create a PowerPoint presentation.
PowerPoint on your computer. The site is created for teachers, but it is one of the best PowerPoint
tutorials available. Follow the directions to create a presentation you can use for your next speech,
adding slides, images, and sounds. Save your presentation and ask your instructor if it is possible to
practice your presentation using PowerPoint. What difficulties did you have creating the presentation?
What are the advantages of PowerPoint?
1. Video Clip 1: Student Speech, Carol Godart, Visual Aids
Watch Carol’s persuasive speech about discrimination against people who are obese. Are her visual
aids effective? Why or why not? How will you adapt your visual aids in your next speech as a result of
watching Carol’s speech?
2. Video Clip 2: Student Speech, Cindy Gardner, Visual Aids
As you watch Cindy’s speech on flag etiquette, pay close attention to how she uses the flag as a visual
aid. How effective was her speech? How did using the flag add to the clarity of her speech? What might
she have done differently to deliver a more effective speech?
3. Video Clip 3: Student Speech, Tony D’Amico, Visual Aids
Watch Tony’s speech and evaluate how he uses his poster as a visual aid. Does he use his poster
effectively? Does Tony follow the guidelines for the effective use of visual aids?
4. Video Clip 4: Student Speech, Chelsey Penoyer, Visual Aids
Watch this video clip and notice how Chelsey uses her visual aids. Does she use them effectively? Does
she follow the guidelines stipulated in this chapter?
Additional Exercises and Resources
1. SmartBoard in Use
Go to https://www.smarttech.com/government One type of technologically enhanced whiteboard is
smartboard. You can read about how businesses, educators, and government officials use smartboard
by accessing this website. How might you use this technology in one of your speeches? What are the
advantages of the smartboard over other types of whiteboards or chalkboards? What are its
limitations?
practical advice for using overheads at the website listed here. How is his advice audience centered?
Is there anything he suggests you disagree with? Why?
3. Rethinkpresentations.com
Rethinkpresentations.com is one of many sites where you can obtain photographs and other images
for your presentations. You can search the site for free, but you must pay to download images. Access
the site and look for photographs you can use in your next speech. How do the photographs help your
audience recall information? How do they clarify information? How do they increase persuasiveness?
How might these photographs increase your credibility?
4. PowerPoint Templates
PowerPoint template sets that you can use in presentations you create for yourself or others. Each set
contains eight templates. They can be used for any presentation you are creating for yourself, a client,
your job, school, church, etc. However, note that they are copyrighted and may not be distributed, sold,
or displayed on the web.
5. Add a Diagram
Access this interactive activity through the Invitation to Public Speaking website. This activity can
help you develop creative diagrams to help support your speech.
6. Visual Aids in Speech Options
If you require visual aids in every speech (or several speeches) have students begin with simple visual
aids progressing on to more complex visual aids as the term evolves. For instance, have them begin
with poster boards or transparencies and then progress to computer-generated technology. Three
speeches with visual aids are described below. Notice that these assignments are designed to have
students begin with some basics and then move on to more complex visual aids. PowerPoint in these
examples is required twice. The first time students will just be getting to know how it works. When it
is required a second time, students will know better how to use it and its features.
A) Informative Speech:
Time: 4-5 minutes.
Outline: The outline you turn in is to be typed, double-spaced, 1-1.25 inch margins, 11-
12 fonts, with an attached Works Cited. Failure to turn in a Works Cited will result in a
failing grade for the assignment. Due the day you speak.
B) Persuasive Speech:
Time: 5-7 minutes
Outline: The outline you turn in is to be typed, double-spaced, 1-1.25 inch margins, 11-
12 fonts, with an attached Works Cited. Failure to turn in a Works Cited will result in a
failing grade for the assignment. Due the day you speak.
Sources: Five sources (to be cited within your speech).
C) Invitational Speech Requirements
Time: 10-12 minutes total.
Opening speech: 5-6 minutes
Dialogue with audience: 4-5 minutes
Summary/Conclusion: 1 minute
Outline: The outline needs to be typed, double-spaced, 1-1.25 inch margins, 11-12 fonts,
with an attached Works Cited. Failure to turn in a Works Cited will result in a failing
7. Teaching PowerPoint
If you are very familiar with PowerPoint, and if you are requiring it in your speech course, take a full
day in class explaining it for your students. You might have students who are very familiar with the
program in your class. Encourage them to participate that day to provide any feedback and guidance
on short cuts they have used, or any tricks they have used to make their presentations stronger. The
How to Create a PowerPoint Presentation
This handout is designed to help the “beginner.” It also gives extra ideas for who may already be familiar
with PowerPoint, but need a refresher on creating graphs or downloading images from the Internet. One of
the best ways to learn PowerPoint is to first get the basics, then to just go for it and experiment!
I. Accessing PowerPoint is the first step you need to learn.
A. Follow these three steps in order.
1. The first step is to click START on the menu bar.
3. The third step is to double click on POWERPOINT.
II. Once you have accessed PowerPoint, then you are ready to create a presentation.
A. A box will appear that states “Create a new presentation using . . .” giving you three
options.
1. The first option is Auto Content Wizard, which creates a presentation for you
(keep in mind you will want to change it, but it gets you started).
a. Click on NEXT > “button” on lower right hand side of the slide.
(1) You can change any of those slides—go to the bottom left hand
corner of the screen and you will see five icons (little
“symbols”).
• The first is SLIDE VIEW, which will let you look at
2. The second option is Template.
a. This option takes you step-by-step through creating a presentation.
(2) You can change the template at any time without ruining the
b. Once you have chosen the template, you are taken into a SLIDE
LAYOUT.
(1) The first layout is generally for your title.
• Keep in mind that your PowerPoint presentation should
(2) When you have finished with the first slide, click outside of the
(3) Continue to follow this format until you are finished.
2. The third option is a Blank Presentation.
a. This option is similar to Template only it is completely blank.
(1) You can add the specific template when you want.
(2) Think of it as “generic” just to get started, and you can add the
(2) When you see one that you like, click on APPLY.
III. There are some extra special features you can use.
A. PowerPoint has the following special features (just make sure they are appropriate for
your speech).
1. Animation is one special feature that helps enhance your presentation.
a. Click on a slide (a text box will appear) and highlight the text (using the
(1) PRESET ANIMATION gives movement to your text and clip
art.
(3) CUSTOM ANIMATION is similar, only you have more
options.
2. Transitions are options to give your slides movement when going from one slide
to the next.
a. Go to the menu bar, click on SLIDE SHOW, and scroll down to
TRANSITION.
(1) You will be given several options, and it will show you an
IV. You can also change the color of your slides.
A. Follow these steps to change color.
2. You can also click on CUSTOM and change the colors completely (no matter
the design).
B. Be cautious of harsh color schemes.
V. Using images off the Internet.
A. Follow these steps to copy an image off the Internet.
1. Access the Internet.
2. Once you see a picture, graph, or drawing you like, use the mouse to highlight it,
B. Follow these steps to place the image onto your slide.
2. Go to the menu bar and click on INSERT.
3. Your picture is now inserted, and you can make any changes you want.
C. Follow these steps to use CLIP ART.
1. If you just want to use the CLIP ART (images that come with PowerPoint) click
on INSERT.
3. Click on CLIP ART.
4. Move the image around however you want.
5. You can animate clip art, and the images from the Internet just like you animated
the text.
VI. When working with statistical information you may want to create graphs as visual
representation of your statistics.
A. Go into INSERT and choose NEW SLIDE.
2. Click on DOUBLE CLICK TO ADD CHART.
3. Enter the appropriate information.
B. If you do not want the bar graph, you can switch to any type of chart/graph you prefer.
1. When you first access the new chart/graph slide, go up to CHART on the menu
bar.
3. Select from any of the chart/graph types (either STANDARD TYPES or
CUSTOM TYPES).
C. You can also animate your graphs.
1. Click on CHART on the menu bar.
3. Read the labels and choose what you prefer.
Supplemental Bibliography
Ayres, Joe. “Using Visual Aids to Reduce Speech Anxiety.” Communication Research Reports,
8 (1991): 73-79.
If you have students with high public speaking anxiety who give their speeches with the sole goal
Bruder, Isabelle. “Multimedia: How IT Changes the Way We Teach and Learn.” Electronic
Learning (Sept. 1991): 22-26.
D’Arcy, Jan. Technically Speaking: A Guide for Communicating Complex Information. Piscataway, NJ:
IEEE, 1998.
Kaufmann, Karl L. “Planning a Public Presentation.” TechTrends, 32 (1987): 20-23.
Pfau, Michael, Holbert, R. Lance, Zubric, Stephen J., Pasha, Nilofer H., and Lin, Wei-Kou.
“Role and Influence of Communication Modality in the Process of Resistance to Persuasion.”
Media Psychology, 2 (2000): 1-33.
Sherman, Erik. “Multimedia Presentations Picking Up Speed: But Technology Overkill can
Blunt the Message.” MacWeek, Inc., 11 (1997): 21, 24.
This short essay, written for a computer graphics audience, is a nice resource for lecture material
Thibodeau, Pete. “Design Standards for Visual Elements and Interactivity for Courseware.”
Technological Horizons in Education, 24 (1997): 84-86.