Visual aids: the what, the when and the how

If you decide to use a presentation tool, remember the following:

• Only use a little text on each slide, written in a simple style and in a large font, making sure the background makes it visible
• Do not use too many bullet points on one page (if you have to use bullets at all)
• Check your spelling
• Use high resolution photos
• When you present the slides, make sure you talk about something your audience can actually see
• Do not talk to the slides, talk to your audience!

When you are ready to illustrate your speech with some visual aids, choose them carefully. Here are some questions to consider:

• Do you want them to add extra information?
• Do you want to illustrate a certain point?
• Do you want to just maximize the impact you are aiming for?