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Pictures. Because words just aren't nearly as drool-worthy as a visual. (Source)
Let's face it: it's kind of hard to have a whole unit on visual aids that's just full of words. How can we do the visuals without the visuals?
It's like the difference between a recipe card and a live demonstration of how to cook a loaf of delicious pumpkin spice bread. The recipe might tell you to leave it in the oven until the top is brown, and you'd have a vague idea of what that might mean.
But when you get to see that demonstration, you see exactly the kind of golden-y brown color that needs to cover the top of that loaf. It's like the demonstration lets you see all the tiny details without adding a whole lot of wordy instruction along with it.
It's exactly why we include visuals in our own presentations. We want to clarify ideas and help the audience understand the concepts a little better. It makes no sense to talk about all these pictures and visual aids without showing you anything.
That's where this lesson picks up the slack.
Within the next few readings, we're going to explore the presentations of a few professionals. You'll get to check out a video with the visual aid in action, and we'll reflect a bit on how the visual worked and why it was so effective. It might even spark a few ideas you might want to use in future speeches.
So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
USING THE SLIDESHOW LIKE A PRO
More than likely, if you're doing a presentation, you're going to want a slideshow. Think of the slideshow as the milk to your presentation's cookies: it just makes it so much better.
And, if the tech is available to let you project your slideshow for the audience, it's a great idea to snag the opportunity to add a little oomph to your already brilliant presentation.
Check out this speech by author Eli Pariser. In his presentation, you'll see that his weapon of choice is that of the slideshow.
Take a moment to watch that video, and then come on back to us.
So, what was so awesome about that presentation? Let's put the content aside for another unit on actually writing the speech. For now, let's look at what we could see.
Pariser's first slide is the actual text from Zuckerberg's quote. Why is that effective? It lets the audience know that, although he might've paraphrased a tad, he still took that concept directly from the source. It adds value and credibility to what he's saying.
His next two slides focus on mocked-up screenshots of his Facebook feed. Why bother, though? That seems like an odd idea, right? But, when you think about it, it helps clarify what he's saying. It shows exactly how his feed changed and evolved based on the algorithms of his Facebook. It's totally relevant and adds value.
And Pariser doesn't stop there. His slides are near perfection in terms of pumping up the quality of his speech. They include easy-to-understand symbols that are relatable to the audience. And each slide adds value to the presentation. Pariser doesn't just include pictures just because he can; each one helps clarify an idea.
Notice something else? Aside from his mocked-up feed slides, there isn't much text. That leaves the audience free to listen fully to what he's got to say. Yep. This guy definitely has the whole awesome-at-speech-giving thing down.
Want to see another slideshow pro? Wander on over to this awesome speech by neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor, and listen to what she has to say. Focus, particularly, on the visuals she's got in her presentation.
Those visuals were excellent, right?
But, what, in particular, did she do well? Let's focus on the three strongest elements of Bolte's slideshow:
She didn't have more than six words on any given slide. And, as we've mentioned, the fewer words the audience has to read, the more they'll focus on what you've got to say.
She uses personal photos that increase her credibility and help illustrate the narrative of her studies surrounding brain function.
She varies her visual aids, not solely depending on the slideshow. Busting out a human brain is sure to have a lasting impression on her audience.
She doesn't depend on her visuals; she's got her whole speech down and doesn't need to constantly check to see what slide is next to know what comes next in list of speaking topics.
By using information and pictures from her real life, she's able to make a more effective emotional connection with her audience.
Take it from the professionals: slideshows are a sweet option for your visual aid.
ALTERNATIVE AIDS IN ACTION
Sometimes, the tech just isn't available. There's no projector or computer where you'll be giving your speech, meaning PowerPoint isn't invited to the party. What do you do, then? You can't just give up and say, "Welp…no visuals for me!" You've got to figure out a backup plan.
And, sometimes, that backup plan ends up being way more effective than any slideshow could ever be.
Watch this talk featuring Bill Gates to get a little inspiration on alternative visual aids.
You all done? Awesome. Let's talk about what he did great.
Notice that ol' Billy did include a slideshow to supplement his speech. And, he did so pretty effectively. But, a little after the five-minute mark, he introduced a really effective aid to help the audience really understand his main point. That is, while talking about malaria, he let a bunch of mosquitoes loose in the auditorium. All of a sudden, the concept of malaria goes from an abstract to a very real problem for the audience members.
Not too shabby, eh?
Then, we've got a man named Mark Shaw. He opens his speech with the line, "I'm here to show you how something you can't see can be so much fun to look at." Are you intrigued yet? Good. Go on over to his speech here to see what he's got to say.
What'd you think? Pretty impressive, right? And we're not just talking about that super hydrophobic technology that he's got.
Let's be honest…the dude didn't have the most amazing speaking skills. He stuttered a bit, and his voice shook in a few places like he was a tad nervous. But, his presentation left an impression, right?
He paired some interesting information with a wickedly impressive demonstration of his new technology to create a fantastic overall performance. And what saved him? That's right: the visual aid.
So: how do you feel, Shmooper? Inspired? Capable? We hope so, especially now that you've seen a few speakers in action. Hopefully this lesson will have left enough of an impression on you that you'll remember to put that extra effort into your visual aids.
Because, in the world of presentations, looks matter.
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