Almost every presentation may benefit from the use of visual aids. Handouts, overhead transparencies, whiteboard drawings, PowerPoint presentations, and a variety of additional props are examples. You can manage a key nonverbal component of your communication with visual assistance. After you’ve decided on a topic, think about how you’ll show your audience what you’re talking about.
Guidelines on how to make and use visual aids:
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Plan ahead of time
Any visual aids you employ should be complementary to your presentation. Keep in mind your ultimate goal, the topic, the size of your audience, and the environment you want to create. If you’re going to use PowerPoint, prepare a backup plan in case the technology fails.
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Bring a flip chart, pencils, and paper copies of your slides.
On the day of your presentation, give yourself plenty of time to set up. You don’t need the extra strain of having your audience see you struggle with wires! Take a stroll around the room to ensure that everyone can see your visual aids and to determine the ideal location for you to sit.
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Make your material easy to read by keeping it basic, punchy, and concise
On slides, keep the number of words or points to a minimum. As a general rule, it means no more than 5 or 6 lines on each slide, a font size of no less than 24 points, and an easy-to-read typeface like Ariel. Unless it’s a quotation, don’t make complete sentences.
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For maximum impact, select colours and pictures
Make cautious colour choices and stick to them. Pale colours on a dark backdrop are easier to read when displaying slides in a darkened environment. Use a dark colour on a white backdrop in well-lit settings. The best colours to use on a white backdrop are blue or black. High-quality images or video clips should be related to your theme.
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Limit the number of slides
Follow the ‘less is more concept. No one wants to sit through a slide display that seems to go on forever.
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Avoid distracting special effects
The majority of special effects add nothing to your presentation. Select one slide transition option that best suits your needs. If you want to engage your audience in conversation as you go, it’s generally better to present bullet points one at a time so they can’t read ahead.
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Allow time for your audience to review the slides
Allow enough time for your audience to glance at the slides and digest the material. Make sure the audience isn’t gazing at a slide that has nothing to do with what you’re talking about. When using PowerPoint, you may blank the screen by pressing the letter “b” on your keyboard. (To return to your presentation, left click or hit any key.)
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Instead of talking to the screen, speak to the audience.
Don’t respond to the screen with your own words. Maintain eye contact, and don’t let your voice go away by facing your listeners. Have notes or prompt cards on hand that you can quickly glance at as needed. Interact with the material on your graphics by pointing to certain points or sections of a diagram from time to time. Standing in front of the screen or pointing in a way that casts distracting shadows is not a good idea.
Conclusion
You’ve probably heard the expression “a picture is worth a thousand words”, – but it needs to be the appropriate picture for the job. Visual aids may be a fantastic way to improve your presentation if you utilise them correctly. Keep in mind that they are not a replacement for effective communication. Enhance your grades this semester by availing the professional assistance of best Online Thesis Help Service.
