Power of Visual Aids

Do you know that in a presentation, if you lack visual aids, you are considered a failure?

It's true you know, and the frequency of the use of visual aids must be at least 1 per slide. No less than that.

It is very easy to test it out. Let's say you want to talk about explosion and you show this image to everyone.

You are bound to get their attention immediately without fail. It shows a middle finger, a controversial picture no doubt but it depicts a brobdingnagian explosion that is jaw-dropping.

When you capture their attention and then you start talking about explosions. They will be listening because this time round they are focused and very interested in what you say.

Conversely, if you talk about explosions using a point form slide with facts going on and on, no one is going to care and trust me, they are not going to listen to you. Why? Because they think they know more than you already.

But if you show them an image they have never seen before, they will know that what you are going to say is fresh and new.

Another example is the use of charts.

More often than not, we are so used to rambling on and on about statistics and datas but honestly speaking, these facts should be shown to them in a visual manner, not read out because they are drop-dead boring and people will shut off on the spot.

What they want to hear is how did those statistics come about and some pictures to get a better idea of the sudden plummet or surge in numbers.

A good chart appears to be much more visible and it highlights the terrifying fact more readily as compared to your ramblings. Just throw it in their face and let them see the magnitude of the rise and they will come to realisation that it is time to listen to you.

All in all, remember to use visual aids in your presentations to further enhance the effectiveness of it. As the old adage goes, "A picture speaks a thousand words." It can speak a million words sometimes so do make full use of images. It will be perfect if you can find intriguing images that highlights the salient points you are about to mention to them.

Credits -midlifeslices, -thinkquest