Speech Fundamentals:Visual Aids & Team Presentation

ENC 3254

Speaking & Writing for Engineers

Presentations can be viewed from three stylistic perspectives

Structure andSpeech

Delivery

Archives, Cal-Tech

Visual Aids

Structure andSpeech

Delivery

Archives, Cal-Tech

Visual Aids

Why use Visual Aids?

Clarity

Interest & Retention

Variety

Delivery Skills

Credibility

Audiences remember more when you use well-designed slides

10 20 30 40 50 60

Recall (%)

Hearand See

See

Hear

Types of Visual Aids

YOU Objects Flipcharts Handouts Marker or chalkboards Overhead Projectors Poster-boards Videos Computer-assisted presentations

Choose a format that is easily read

Arial

BOOK ANTIQUA

Choose legible type

Choose a helpful layout

wordswordswordswords

wordswordswords

words

Color can distinguisha presentation

Color affects how fastthe audience can read

The color combination that is read most quickly is black on yellow.

Color affects how fastthe audience can read

Color combinations need to have contrast—the one does not.

Color affects how fastthe audience can read

Combinations of red, green, and brown are difficult for many people to read.

Color affects the emotions of the audience

Avoid having a hot color such as red or orange as your background

color.

Headline

Body

Using a sentence-headline design quickly orients your audience

The sentence headline succinctly statesthe main assertion of the slide

Body supportswith words

Body supportswith images

compressor

combustor

turbine

Avoid complex images

DEAR-ATOR

HOTWELL

RGFAB

Avoid filler information

Roentgen discovered x-raysin 1895. He found that a cathode-ray tube producedfluorescence in a distant plati-num-barium-cyanide screen.

Avoid long lists• Corrosion• Acid rain• Toxic materials• Pulsed combustion• Energetic materials• Pyrogenic materials• Smog

Exclude details that the audiencedoes not need or cannot remember

Charts and Graphs

Visual Aid Usage Guidelines

Do you really need it? Check out environment and equipment. Refer to it only when showing it and show it only

when you refer to it (use blank slides). Do not read from the visual & do not talk to the visual! Make sure that your visual is big enough. Point out specifics. Do not distribute handouts during speech. Prepare in advance and PRACTICE!

Planning & Preparing Visual Aids

Enhance the meaning or impact of your speech. Limit the # of slides (1/minute). Start with a rough draft. Be sure your aid is simple. Limit the animation!! Do not simply have an outline of what you will say PowerPoint may supplement your demonstration,

but may not BE the demonstration

4 Important Design Concepts

Make it Big Keep it Simple Make it Clear Be Consistent

Structure andSpeech

Delivery

Archives, Cal-Tech

Visual Aids

Overview of Team Presentation Assignment 20-30 minutes (i.e. 4-6 mins/team member) 10 minutes for Q & A (audience will roleplay

committees) Intro/Background Site Plan Building Plan Environmental Plan Technology Plan Conclusion

Speaker Responsibilities

Individual Speakers: Intro with preview Relate section to the

audience Body with transitions

between main points Conclusion

Everyone must use Visual Aids

Moderator: Introduction Team transitions Conclusion/Q&A

Acting like a Team

Not just a series of presentations Agree on Q/A format Agree on who is responsible for what Plan out transitions Timer Slide progression Speaker should focus on the audience Team should look at the person speaking Roadmap! Rehearse together & with visuals!

Q/A

Develop list of possible questions and prepare answers

Ask for questions--if none, be specific Use wait time Suggest questions (One of the most

frequently asked…) Restate question Be sure to thank the audience and

sumup

“The ability to communicate is everything.”

--Lee IacoccaFormer CEO, Chrysler Corporation