Visual Aids: An overview Gilberto Berríos Departamento de Idiomas Universidad Simón Bolívar October 15, 2002

Our Purpose  To present a summary of Barry Mitsch’s article on visual aids

Preparing Visual Aids Use Barry F. Mitsch’s four criteria:  Is a visual aid necessary?  Make it clear  A visual must be visible  Keep it simple From “Use visual aids wisely”. Hydrocarbon Processing. March 1991.

Preparing Visual Aids: Necessity A visual aid is necessary if it:  Shows something of importance  Helps audience (not speaker)  Is seen as necessary at end of preparation (after organizing materials)

Preparing Visual Aids: Clarity A visual aid is clear if it:  Is explicit  Achieves a purpose  Creates no doubt  Is expressed in the right medium  Uses keywords

Preparing Visual Aids: Visibility A visual aid is visible if it:  Is appropriate to room/audience size  Is shown in appropriate equipment  The equipment is appropriately placed

Preparing Visual Aids: Simplicity  Pictures, rather than words  Words only? –5 words per line –5 lines per slide  Color 5 by 5

In summary, visual aids must be: necessary clear visible simple

The End