Topic outline

  • BADGE – Becoming a Digital Global Engineer


    • MODULE: Public speaking

      Unit 8. Visual aids

    • BADGE – Becoming a Digital Global Enginee
      Project 2019-1-FR01-KA203-063010 (167 512 512)

  • Objectives

    • After studying this unit you will be able to:

      1. identify different types of visual aids,
      2. choose the right aid for your presentation,
      3. use presentation software sparingly.

  • Discussion questions

      1. In what way could you enhance your presentation?
      2. Think about a presentation you have heard recently: did the visual aids really help the speaker?
      3. When can visual aids be distracting?

  • Did you know?

      1. According to Alf Rehn, “the average attention span among people who listen to speeches is estimated to be somewhere in the 5–10 minute span, and often towards the lower end of this.” (alfrehn.com) However, he also claims that with a great speech you can hold people’s attention for at least 20 minutes.

      2. Rob Norris has summarized what we have all noticed about presentations with slides: “Audiences read much faster than you talk (250 words-per-minute vs. about 125), which is why they’ll almost always opt to read and be done with the slide before you’ve reached even the third bullet point.” (Quoted from Anderson, 2017.) Remember: do not read the text directly from your slides!

      3. Before you decide on any visual aids, you should ask yourself if your presentation really needs them. All audiences prefer you to talk to them rather than to just show some printed text! Besides, visuals as such do not necessarily improve your speech. They have to be carefully selected to achieve the goal you want. Beware of “Death by PowerPoint”!

  • Reading

  • Activities

  • Further practice

  • Bibliography and references

      1. Anderson, C., TED Talks, The official TED Guide to Public Speaking, Mariner Books, Boston, New York, 2017.
      2. 2Defense Language Institute, English Language Center, American Language Course: Module 984: Military Speaking Skills, Lackland AFB, Texas, 1996.
      3. orter, P., Grant, M., Communicating Effectively in English, Heinle & Heinle, 1992.
      4. Rehn, A., Speaking, retrieved from alfrehn.com/speaking.
      5. Szczuka-Dorna, L., Vendome, E., Introduction to Interpersonal Communication, Poznan University of Technology, 2017.
      6. erderber, R., Verderber, K.S., and Sellnow, D. D., The Challenge of Effective Speaking, 15th ed., Cengage Learning, 2011.

    • Intellectual Output