And DON’TS OF VISUAL AIDS The Do’s And DON’TS OF VISUAL AIDS

Two Main Purposes of Visual Aids To enhance presentation See #1

PowerPoints are Overdone Follow these tips if you’re going to do them

Type Readable and consistent Notice how distracting this font can be Or this Use a heading on each slide – Main Points (see above) Write phrases – not complete sentences AVOID speling, gramaticle mistaks

Background Keep it consistent on all slides

Like This Clean and simple is good

Avoid distracting backgrounds Notice where your eye first goes on this slide

Use white space around items Keep it on the outside Add some color to slides – but be careful Avoid annoying effects – USE SPARINGLY

Use Visuals to Enhance and Explain What the heck is that? You’re thinking Let me explain

Charts, Graphs & Pictures Can be very helpful to show figures etc. Pictures are also very good to illustrate a concept

Last but not Least - PRACTICE Prepare your visual aid(s) in advance Practice using them in speech

Oral Citations Should include basic MLA information: Author (if possible) or Title Type of source: URL if website Date of publication or access For example: “According to www.eresource.com which I accessed on May 7, 2008 . . . Or: “In a personal interview with Keith Vencel on May 7, 2008, he stated . . .

Pre-Speech Tricks Visualize EVERYTHING you will do. Concentrate on tense part – tense even more – then relax Make funny faces (not in public) Focus on pleasant memories: beach, girlfriend/boyfriend etc. Rational approach: think of something really frightening, compare. Think of all your practice.

During Speech Keep handkerchief for sweat (no tissues!) Quavering voice: lower pitch, breathe deeply speak distinctly and slowly Trembling hands: use body movement to dissipate energy. Move hands for emphasis. Pounding heart: No one knows Fumbled words: Expect them. Minor, keep going – major, fix it and acknowledge it with smile. Forgetfulness: GOOD NOTECARDS

Good Note cards Contain signposts – reminders of main points (transfer from outline) Large text - numbered Opening, oral citations and closing can be written out – but DON’T READ Put heading on back