Communication Assessment & Learning Lab
CALL |  Tip Sheets Table of Contents                                                                                                                                                                                     Calendar    Directory    Map    myASU

Visual Aid Speech Supports

PowerPoint

• Put no more than seven lines on a slide with all text 18 points or larger

• Choose one font and font size for headlines and another font and font size for body text and do not use more than three fonts

• Eliminate unnecessary words on slides and use phrases, not sentences

• Keep the line length of text to no more than 45 to 55 characters, including spaces. Longer lines are difficult to read

• Limit the use of lines to three to four lines per slide

• Limit the number of graphics per slide and simplify data labels

• Avoid using red, orange, yellow and these color combinations - red/green, brown/green, blue/black, and blue/purple.

• Allow one minute per slide and do not read your slides - Put your key points on your slides and use speaker notes for your presentation

• When placing elements on a slide, remember that most people read from left to right and from top to bottom. They also notice dark or bright areas before light ones

Whiteboard

• Available in most speaking situations

• Always use erasable, not permanent, markers

• Have eraser, cloth or paper towels for erasing

• Make sure markers are fresh and not wearing out

• If screen or cover available, draw aids and cover before speech begins

• If writing on board during speech, avoid turning back on audience

• When possible, continue speaking while writing or drawing on board

• Make every effort to maintain eye contact with audience while writing on board 

Overhead Transparencies

• Focus the overhead projector and clean the glass for clear projection

• Bring along an extra light bulb

• Present your transparencies in sequence

• When you have covered the information on the transparency, cover it or turn off light

• Do not leave the projector on when not in use

• Locate projector so that you can stand beside it, not behind it

• Alternate each transparency with a blank piece of paper so transparencies will not stick together

• Create information that is large enough for the audience to read

• Do not overload each transparency with too much information

Flip Charts

• These large (27’’- 36’’) writing tablets require an easel to stand

• You can create your visual aids ahead of time and flip sheets to reveal supports

• Lightly pencil comments on sheet and trace in marker during speech –keeping

• writing even, legible and not angled

• Use watercolor markers that will not bleed through to the next sheet of paper

• When using dark markers, have a blank sheet of paper between marked sheets

• Use a flipchart pad with self-stick adhesive to post finished sheets on walls

• Personal speaking notes can be written, very lightly, in margins, for speaker only

• Position flip chart and stand within one or two steps of the lectern

Objects

• Do not obstruct the audience members’ view of the object

• If your object is small, enlarge a photo of object so all can see it

• Speak to, and maintain eye contact with, the audience not the object

• Rather than holding the object, display it for audience

Handouts

• Useful for complex material or a large amount of material

• Tends to distract audience

• Notify audience members at beginning of speech if you will hand out notes

• Pass out handouts at conclusion of speech to avoid paper rustling

• Always make sure you have more than enough handouts

Speaking notes

• Use 3x5 or 4x6 index cards with dark and large enough writing to be read at a glance

• Avoid loose paper notes - they rustle

• Number or alphabetize your note cards to promote order

• Tape your note cards to the podium

• Keep your notes out of sight of the audience 

Remember to always have a backup plan in case your selected visual aid format is not available or is not working.