Chapter 14Using Audiovisual

Aids

Using audiovisuals: Introduction

• Audiovisual aids, or anything seen or heard in addition to your spoken words, can:– Effectively support your points and produce a

more memorable and professional presentation

– Bring life to your speech

Using audiovisuals: An overview

• This chapter will discuss:– Why you should use audiovisual aids? – Types of audiovisual aids– Audience analysis and audiovisual aids– Guidelines for preparing audiovisual aids– Using audiovisual aids during your speech

Why use audiovisual aids?

• Audiovisual aids add interest and impact.• Audiovisual aids simplify technical or

complicated messages.• Audiences remember speeches supported

by audiovisual information.• Audiovisual aids enhance credibility.

Types of audiovisual aids: The speaker

• You can wear the clothing or use the equipment associated with your topic.

• You can demonstrate or act out an aspect of your topic.

Types of audiovisual aids: Assistants

• Other people reinforce points from your speech.

• People can also help you demonstrate something.

Types of audiovisual aids:Objects

• Show objects or models to listeners, or demonstrate with them

• If objects and your audience are small pass them around.

Types of audiovisual aids:Printed materials

• Maps• Charts• Graphs• Drawings• Photographs

Printed materials: Maps

• A map is a visual representation of geography to which you can add labels.

Printed materials: Chart

• A chart is a graphic representation that summarizes key information.

Printed materials: Chart

• A verbal chart is a list or table of important ideas.

Printed materials: Chart

• A pie chart represents proportions or percentages of a whole (100%).

Printed materials: Chart

• A flowchart demonstrates steps in a process or the direction of ideas.

Printed materials: Graphs

• A graph represents the relationship between numbers, measurements, or quantities.

Printed materials: Graphs

• Line graphs show relationships between elements by using lines plotted on a vertical (y) axis and a horizontal (x) axis.

Printed materials: Graphs

• Bar graphs have parallel bars of different heights or lengths that compare several pieces of information.

Printed materials: Drawings

• A drawing provides a simple visual representation to emphasize certain details about your topic.

Printed materials: Photograph

• A photograph provides an exact depiction of something.

Types of audiovisual aids: Videos and DVDs

• Show short clips during presentation.• Practice with VCRs or DVDs in the

room where you will speak.• Avoid tripping on cables during the

speech.

Types of audiovisual aids:PowerPoint

• Display PowerPoint slides on a digital projector that displays on a large screen or blank wall.

• Check that the media will work in the forum• Bring hard copies of the slides.

– Be prepared to speak without your digital visual aids.– You should be the focal point, not your slides.

• Do not read from slides.

Types of audiovisual aids: Technology, audio aids, MP3s

• Use audio aids sparingly.• An MP3 player-speaker

combination can integrate sound and music with your words.

• Store music in the laptop you will use to run your PowerPoint slides.

Audience analysis and audiovisual aids: Forum

• Visit the forum to determine technological capabilities and limitations.– Check availability of DVD players, VCRs,

outlets, projectors, a screen or blank wall, Internet access, etc.

– Consider acoustics and lighting.

Audience analysis and audiovisual aids: Forum

• For visual aids with verbal elements, check to see if you have access to:– Flip charts– Marker boards– Chalkboards

Audience analysis and audiovisual aids: Forum

Audience analysis and audiovisual aids: Demographics

• Match the music and images to your audience’s:– Age– Gender– Sexual orientation– Religion– Educational background– Ethnicity– Cultural background

Audience analysis and audiovisual aids: Prior exposure

• Has your audience ever seen or heard this audiovisual aid before?– What was the result of this prior exposure?– If the prior exposure was unsatisfactory, what

could have been the reason?

Guidelines for preparing audiovisual aids

• Make sure your aids support your points.

• Example: For a speech on a city’s architecture a map of the city would be good, a song about the city’s bars would not be relevant.

Guidelines for preparing audiovisual aids

• Make sure your aids take into account your audience’s:– Characteristics– Interests– Needs

Guidelines for preparing audiovisual aids

• Test the size of visual aids to make sure that they are large enough to be seen by all audience members.

Guidelines for preparing audiovisual aids

• Select and test the size and legibility of your aids to ensure it is large enough to see and clear enough to read.

Guidelines for preparing audiovisual aids

• Test the volume and clarity of audio aids.• Create contrast and use color effectively.• Use light type on a dark background or

dark type on a light background.

Guidelines for preparing audiovisual aids

• Keep text short and visual components simple by including only essential information.

Guidelines for preparing audiovisual aids

• Practice using your aids as you deliver your speech.

Guidelines for preparing audiovisual aids

• Be prepared to speak without your audiovisual aids, technology can fail.

Using audiovisual aids during your speech: Visibility

• Make sure everyone can see and hear your aids.

Using audiovisual aids during your speech: Control audience

interaction

• Show or play the aid when necessary then take it away.• Cue up recordings ahead of time.• Block or conceal until you need it.• Remove visual aids after discussing. • Ensure that handouts are informative and not distracting.

– Give your audience clear instructions.– Stay close to your listeners to monitor handout use.

Using audiovisual aids during your speech: Maintain eye contact

• Only “glance” at your aids as you speak.• Stay focused on listeners.

Using audiovisual aids during your speech: Remember the purpose of

your audiovisual aids

• Audiovisual aids should only supplement your speech, not dominate it.

• Your audience expects, needs, and wants you!

Tips for using audiovisual aids

• Tip: DVDs are a great invention, but can take time to cue up during a speech. VCRs allow you be cued up right where you want. You might also try finding the clip you want on Youtube.

• Tip: Follow Murphy’s law… what can go wrong will. Always have a back-up plan in case technology fails.