Speech
Fundamentals:
Visual Aids
& Team Presentation
ENC 3254
Speaking & Writing for Engineers
Presentations can be viewed
from three stylistic perspectives
Structure and
Speech
Supply plenums for each liner panel allow
for independent flow control
Visual Aids
Delivery
Archives, Cal-Tech
Structure and
Speech
Supply plenums for each liner panel allow
for independent flow control
Visual Aids
Delivery
Archives, Cal-Tech
Why use Visual Aids?
Clarity
Interest & Retention
Variety
Delivery Skills
Credibility
Audiences remember more when
you use well-designed slides
Hear
See
Hear
and See
10
20
30
40
Recall (%)
50
60
Types of Visual Aids









YOU
Objects
Flipcharts
Handouts
Marker or chalkboards
Overhead Projectors
Poster-boards
Videos
Computer-assisted presentations
Choose a format that is easily read
Choose legible type
Arial
BOOK ANTIQUA
Choose a helpful layout
words
words
words
words
words
words
words
words
Color can distinguish
a presentation
Color affects how fast
the audience can read
The color combination that is read most
quickly is black on yellow.
Color affects how fast
the audience can read
Color combinations need to have contrast—
the one does not.
Color affects how fast
the audience can read
Combinations of red, green, and brown
are difficult for many people to read.
Color affects the
emotions of the
audience
Avoid having a hot color such as
red or orange as your background
color.
Using a sentence-headline design
quickly orients your audience
Headline
The sentence headline succinctly states
the main assertion of the slide
Body supports
with images
Body
Body supports
with words
compressor
combustor
turbine
Exclude details that the audience
does not need or cannot remember
Avoid filler information
Avoid long lists
• Corrosion
• Acid rain
• Toxic materials
• Pulsed combustion
• Energetic materials
• Pyrogenic materials
• Smog
Roentgen discovered x-rays
in 1895. He found that a
cathode-ray tube produced
fluorescence in a distant platinum-barium-cyanide screen.
Avoid complex images
DEARATOR
B
A
RGF
HOT
WELL
Charts and Graphs
Visual Aid Usage Guidelines








Do you really need it?
Check out environment and equipment.
Refer to it only when showing it and show it only
when you refer to it (use blank slides).
Do not read from the visual & do not talk to the visual!
Make sure that your visual is big enough.
Point out specifics.
Do not distribute handouts during speech.
Prepare in advance and PRACTICE!
Planning &
Preparing Visual Aids







Enhance the meaning or impact of your speech.
Limit the # of slides (1/minute).
Start with a rough draft.
Be sure your aid is simple.
Limit the animation!!
Do not simply have an outline of what you will say
PowerPoint may supplement your demonstration,
but may not BE the demonstration
4 Important Design
Concepts




Make it Big
Keep it Simple
Make it Clear
Be Consistent
Structure and
Speech
Supply plenums for each liner panel allow
for independent flow control
Visual Aids
Delivery
Archives, Cal-Tech
Overview of Team
Presentation Assignment








20-30 minutes (i.e. 4-6 mins/team member)
10 minutes for Q & A (audience will roleplay
committees)
Intro/Background
Site Plan
Building Plan
Environmental Plan
Technology Plan
Conclusion
Speaker Responsibilities
Individual Speakers:
 Intro with preview
 Relate section to
the audience
 Body with
transitions between
main points
 Conclusion

Everyone must
use Visual Aids
Moderator:
 Introduction
 Team transitions
 Conclusion/Q&A
Acting like a Team










Not just a series of presentations
Agree on Q/A format
Agree on who is responsible for what
Plan out transitions
Timer
Slide progression
Speaker should focus on the audience
Team should look at the person speaking
Roadmap!
Rehearse together & with visuals!
Q/A






Develop list of possible questions and
prepare answers
Ask for questions--if none, be specific
Use wait time
Suggest questions (One of the most
frequently asked…)
Restate question
Be sure to thank the audience and sumup
“The ability to communicate is
everything.”
--Lee Iacocca
Former CEO, Chrysler Corporation