THE TOOLKIT
Visual Aids

Visual aids perform three main functions: increase the message’s clarity, reinforce the message’s impact, and increase the speaker’s dynamism. In the end, visual aids can increase your credibility. However, when done ineffectively, they can hurt you even more. The biggest mistake people make is relying on their visual aids too much. They are there to aid, not tell the story. There are four basic types of visual aids:

1. Objects: actual props that the audience can see and touch (i.e., a camera, model, person, etc.)
2. Graphics: two dimensional visuals (i.e., pictures, diagrams, graphs, charts, maps, etc.).
3. Projections: an image cast onto a screen (i.e., overhead transparencies, slides, films, etc.).
4. Handouts: graphic visuals distributed to the audience.

Additional information on visual aids can be found under:

• Pie Charts
• Line / Bar Charts
• Slides
• The Lectern

Whether the visual aid is a graphic or projection, there are some general rules and guidelines to follow to make sure your visuals are clear and concise and raise your credibility level.

• KISS: Keep It Short & Simple
• KILL: Keep It Large & Legible
• 1″ margin on all four sides
• Simple font
• Large lettering
• Spread out titles and labels
• Place a border around the margin
• Title your visual aid
• Six lines of type (plus title) with six words per line should be the limit
• Emphasize “good-news” text by positioning it high on the screen