People will remember a well-delivered speech, but the use of effective visuals will stay planted in their minds long after.
Visual aids can serve as a useful tool to enhance speeches. They can also help control nervousness, by way of providing you as the speaker, with a creative energy outlet while presenting.
First, select the topic you’ll be dealing with.
Identifying the message of your speech, along with the resources available to you will assist with the process of choosing the appropriate visual aids. Resources can include, the amount of time, money or equipment required to convey the speech content effectively.
There are whiteboards, flip charts and computer- based methods, all of which serve their own purpose as visuals. Incorporating visuals into your speech will enable you to access the people in your audience who are visual learners as opposed to auditory learners.
It is not always possible to engage every person in the room when presenting, but speaking along with the use of visual aids allows you to reach more of your audience overall, as many people learn and retain information from a combination of the two.
A friend of mine gave a speech about four different ways to communicate one idea. He used a flip chart to illustrate each way that he outlined. This worked because the info he’d written in advance on each sheet was concise and easy to read. The words were large enough to be seen clearly from the back of the room. He would state his point, while motioning to the appropriate chart with his hand. He paused and spent time on each of them before flipping to the next one. It was clear and easy to follow.
He came across organized as he had prepared the charts in advance. This method was applicable to his subject, whereas other speeches are more suited to a power-point presentation, for example.
This is why selecting the appropriate medium for delivering your speech is key. There is a multitude of ways you can use visual aids to your advantage. The first step is to ascertain which is best suited to your topic.
Most importantly, remember to be creative and have fun with it.
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Tasha Waite is a member of Thunderbird Toastmasters Victoria.