Chapter 15.1 Functions of Presentation Aids

Why Use Presentation Aids?

  • A good speech can be enhanced by strategic use of presentation aids.
  • Functions:
    • Improve audience understanding.
    • Enhance memory and retention.
    • Add variety and interest.
    • Enhance speaker credibility.

Improving Audience Understanding

  • Human communication is complex and can lead to misunderstandings due to individual perception and interpretation.
  • Presentation aids can:
    • Clarify to reduce misunderstanding.
    • Emphasize to impress the importance of an idea.

Clarifying

  • Important when information is unclear.
  • Useful for complex or visual information.
  • Example 1: Coriolis Effect
    • Diagram needed to understand the interaction between equatorial wind patterns.
    • Audience processes information verbally and visually.
  • Example 2: Model of Communication (Figure 15.2)
    • Illustrates the basic linear model of communication (source, channel, message, receivers, feedback).
  • Example 3: Petroglyphs
    • Showing an image of petroglyphs helps the audience visualize them.

Emphasizing

  • Impresses listeners with the importance of an idea.
  • Example 1: Water Conservation
    • Conceptual drawing (Figure 15.4) shows the scarcity of usable water.
    • If the world water supply were 1010 gallons, only 1010 drops are potable.
  • Example 2: Chinese Lettering
    • Zooming in on a specific aspect of interest.
    • Emphasized version of a single character aids retention and recall.

Enhancing Memory and Retention

  • 1996 article by the US Department of Labor:
    • 83%83\% of human learning occurs visually.
    • Remaining 17%17\% through other senses (hearing, smell, taste, touch).
  • Long-term memory is affected by how we originally learned the material.
  • Memory Study:
    • Retention after three days:
      • 10%10\% from oral presentation.
      • 35%35\% from visual presentation.
      • 65%65\% from visual and oral presentation.
  • Visual images can serve as memory aids.
  • Sequential information is easier to remember.
  • Presentation aids can display speech organization to help listeners follow and remember.
  • Presentation aids boost memory during the speech.
  • Rehearsing with aids familiarizes speaker with associations in the speech.
  • Example: Diamond Shapes

Adding Variety and Interest

  • Presentation aids make a speech more interesting.
  • Example 1: Roses
    • Accompanying remarks with pictures of each rose.
    • Displaying actual flowers of each variety would be even more enthralling.
  • Example 2: Indian Spices
    • Providing tiny samples to smell and taste.
  • Taste researcher Linda Bartuschuk uses fruit samples in presentations.

Enhancing Speaker's Credibility

  • Presentation aids alone are not enough to create a professional image.
  • Poorly executed presentation aids can damage credibility.
  • Aids must be:
    • Clear
    • Clean
    • Uncluttered
    • Organized
    • Large enough to see and interpret
  • Misspellings and poor design damage credibility.
  • High-quality presentation aids contribute to a professional image.
  • Give proper credit to sources.
  • Focus on aids that contribute to the meaning, look professional, and are handled well.
  • Audience will see the speaker as knowledgeable, confident, and credible.

Key Takeaways

  • Presentation aids help audiences understand a speaker's message.
  • Four reasons to use presentation aids:
    • Increase audience understanding.
    • Help audiences retain and recall.
    • Make a speech more interesting.
    • Increase speaker's credibility.
  • Presentation aids clarify and emphasize.
  • Aids help understand complex ideas and show which ideas are most important.