LibGuides: Public Speaking and Speech Writing: Visual Aids

Creating Visual Aids

Visual aids can help you illustrate key points in your speech and help you persuade people toward accepting your point of view. Watch this video from Toastmasters International to learn more about creating and using visual aids in your presentation.

There are many different types of visual aids you can use to support, clarify, and strengthen your speech. These include:

Photographs
Drawings, diagrams, and sketches
Graphs, charts, and infographics
Slide presentations
Posters
Props and objects
Models

When choosing which visual aid to use, make sure that they are:

Relevant to your argument.
Free of spelling and grammar errors.

Keep visuals simple: Do not allow visuals to overwhelm the speech. Do not overload visuals with unnecessary information or design.
Make sure visuals support the message: Consistency between the speech and the visual helps increase credibility; introduce visuals before talking about the information in it.
Design visuals for ease of viewing: Use fonts that are clear and easy to read; avoid using hard-to-see colors; avoid using too much text on each slide; follow design consistency for slides.
Keep your audience in mind: Explain terminology and acronyms; use examples that have meaning; stand to the side of the visual so the audience can see.

Creating Great Visual Aids