Chapter 10 Summary

Remember that a visual aid’s primary purpose is to assist the speaker in delivering the core meaning of a message. They should supplement the message, working with the speaker rather than against them. Too many speakers try to make visual aids (especially PowerPoint) overly complex in an attempt to wow their audiences, but end up missing the mark because audiences often become overwhelmed by flashy visual aids. Start with a well-written speech and design visual aids around the core of the message, focusing all efforts on designing visuals that will clarify the message, add credibility to the presentation, and provide the audience with a memorable visual experience. Above all, when inserting a visual aid, ask if the presentation benefits from its inclusion. Will it help further the specific purpose and reinforce the central idea? If the answer is no, throw it out. Do more with less.