Presentation Aids Answers

A presentation aid is a visual method of clarifying ideas and illustrating the message.

Presentation aids can help guide the speaker, reducing the chance of getting “lost” in the content. Having a presentation aid to focus on can also help the speaker focus on the presentation, rather than on feelings of anxiety.

Color adds visual interest to your aid. Most members of an audience are used to colored media; black and white is considered “boring”. Color also communicates that you have spent time and put careful consideration into your presentation aid, which can build credibility. People tend to associate color with professionalism, which can also build credibility.

Often it is not possible to use the actual object; the actual object may be too large or impossible to use for some other reason. Models are much more versatile and accessible.

A handout is a written aid you provide to the audience. It would be helpful to use a handout if your speech contains detailed information that the audience may not remember without a tangible reminder. It may also be useful to use a handout for “how-to” speeches, to outline the step-by-step instructions. It is also common to use handouts when you use technology aids, such as slideshows, so the audience can follow along.

A manipulative aid is any presentation aid that the speaker actively changes during the course of the speech. Writing notes on a chalkboard during a classroom lecture is an example of when a speaker may want to use a manipulative aid. Other examples include: writing ideas from audience participation, or changing an aid during a demonstration speech.

The speaker should work for integration with the aid, the speaker should be sure he/she is not talking to the aid and uses the aid only when it is relevant. Finally, the speaker should NEVER read directly from the aid.