These help the audience to follow and understand better and move easily. They should be used to obtain credibility.

1. Flip charts or blackboards

• Flip charts, poster-boards or blackboards can be used to display sketches, charts graphs, or diagrams, photographs or artwork.
• Use a pointer to direct the attention of your listeners.

2. Slides

• Know where you will be projecting your slides (screen or wall?).
• Make sure you can operate the projector you will be using.
• Make sure you are familiar with your notes. You may not be able to see them in the dark

3. Overhead transparencies

• Switch the projector on only when you need the transparency.
• Use a pointer, a pen (that you put directly on the projector table) or paper to cover and uncover parts of your transparencies, to direct the attention of your audience.

3. Physical objects

• Using physical objects, such as books, instruments, sports equipment, models etc. makes a speech colourful and lively.
• Make sure the object is not too big, too heavy or too hairy.
• If you pass these objects around check before whether the audience may be distracted by them and may not follow your talk. If you do allow them some time to look at the objects before you continue

4. Audio and video clips

• Sound clips (radio broadcasts, speeches, excerpts from audio books) should not longer than two or three minute. If you present for example a song that is longer than that, make sure your audience is provided with the song text (paper, overhead transcript).
• Video clips should not be longer than 3 minutes. Consider whether the effort justifies the effort. Reading a thrilling scene from a book can be at least as exciting as showing a film clip.
• Video and sound clips should always be commented on before or afterwards.
• You can also use a silent video clip giving your own comments.

5. Computer generated images

• These are "slide shows" that are created on computer programs (e.g. irfanview)
• You need a computer or laptop and a beamer, so check
• Do not overdo the animation.

General Rules

• Write big and bold
• Use colours
• Wipe it off/ switch off the projector when no longer used
• Face the audience when you talk
• Making transparencies
  • Use landscape
  • Use key words
  • Max. 8 lines
  • Use pictures and colours
• Using the overhead projector
  • Use a mask to show one point at a time
  • Use a pointer

Tips when using visuals!

• Visualisiation supports a presentation and should not replace it.
• The audience can't read or write at the same time: Make sure your audience is with you and listens. Wait, if not!
• Use visual aids moderately and not all kinds at the same time.
• Make sure the end justifies the means.
• Work with your visual aids. Point at them and at details on them. Visuals are not meant to be decoration.