Constructing and Constructing and Using Visual AidsUsing Visual Aids

A Critique and Iconic A Critique and Iconic Performance of:Performance of:

Clark, Ruth Anne and Clark, Ruth Anne and Christopher Christopher Adasiewicz. Adasiewicz. Speech Speech Communication 101: Communication 101: Course Manual.Course Manual. 2006-2006-2007 ed. Champaign: 2007 ed. Champaign: Stipes, 1996.Stipes, 1996.

The First Type: The First Type: Thesis and Main PointsThesis and Main Points

PowerPoint and this Manual Make Three ClaimsPowerPoint and this Manual Make Three Claims

1. 1. Thesis slides clarify arguments.Thesis slides clarify arguments.2. 2. Other slides clarify supporting Other slides clarify supporting

material.material.3. 3. “It is not advisable to use visual aids “It is not advisable to use visual aids

to convey information you do not say in to convey information you do not say in your speech.”your speech.”

(119-122).(119-122).

Thesis Slides Obscure Thesis Slides Obscure Data in Three WaysData in Three Ways

1. Create a Hierarchy 1. Create a Hierarchy (Tufte “Rocket”).(Tufte “Rocket”).

2. Assumes everything 2. Assumes everything divisible into 2-3 divisible into 2-3 steps.steps.

3. Uses repetition to 3. Uses repetition to overcome overcome obfuscation.obfuscation.

The Second Type: ListThe Second Type: List

““Slide as an electronic version of poster or Slide as an electronic version of poster or overhead.”overhead.”

Then why do we need PP?Then why do we need PP?

List Slides: Few bulleted or numbered itemsList Slides: Few bulleted or numbered items““Usually works well”?Usually works well”?

Definitional Slides: AcronymsDefinitional Slides: AcronymsSelf evident?Self evident?

Schematics: Simplify the Real WorldSchematics: Simplify the Real WorldThen told this might be much too hardThen told this might be much too hard

(122-126)(122-126)

The Second Type: DefineThe Second Type: Define

UU ndefinedndefined

GG uess its an uess its an acronymacronym

HH ow does the ow does the example slide helpexample slide help

(it doesn’t)(it doesn’t)

HH yperyper

TT extext

MM arkuparkup

LL anguageanguage

(125)(125)

The Second Type: SchematicsThe Second Type: Schematics

Schematics should Schematics should exclude information so it exclude information so it can be unlocked and can be unlocked and accessed by the audience.accessed by the audience.

This doesn’t work, and hurts This doesn’t work, and hurts more than it helps.more than it helps.

The textbook example uses The textbook example uses “standard” PP clipart that “standard” PP clipart that

is so outdated that it is no is so outdated that it is no longer standard.longer standard.

The Third Type: AbsentThe Third Type: Absent

ReviewReview

PowerPoint and this Manual Make Three ClaimsPowerPoint and this Manual Make Three Claims

1. 1. Thesis slides clarify arguments.Thesis slides clarify arguments.2. 2. Other slides clarify supporting Other slides clarify supporting

material.material.3. 3. “It is not advisable to use visual aids “It is not advisable to use visual aids

to convey information you do not say in to convey information you do not say in your speech.”your speech.”

(119-122).(119-122).