A Picture Says a 1,000 words

Visual Aids

Purposes of Visual Aids

Improve clarity of complex ideas Improve retention of information Provide interest and variety

Using Visual Aids in Reports

Visual aids help communicate ideas. Each should have a specific purpose. Use and placement enhance the effectiveness of your communication.

Visual Aids
Placement Identification of visual aids Identification of sources

Visual Aids
Tables Graphs Charts Drawings Photographs Diagrams Maps

Developing Visual Aids

Tables
Word tables Numeric data tables

Charts
Organization charts Flow charts Pie charts

Graphs
Bar graphs Line graphs

Other Visual Aids

Maps Pictographs Photographs Drawings

To Improve Clarity of Complex Ideas

Tables and graphs easy data comparisons Organization and flow charts - present relationships and procedures Pie charts - relationships of parts to a whole Bar graphs - compare differences and quantities
Different data types at one time Same data type over time Multiple bar graphs different items at one time

Stacked bar graphs differences within variables Drawings emphasize detail

Numeric Data Table

Organization Chart

Pie Chart

Bar Graph

Stacked Bar Graph

Planning and Interpreting Visual Displays

Accurate and ethical visual aids Colorsfor color prints or presentations
Identify different items Show contrast of items Create moods

Shading and cross hatching (patterns) for black and white copies
Identify different items Show contrast of items

To Improve Retention of Information

Visual aids promote retention of information. Slides and transparencies summarize main points. Handouts promote note taking. Physical objects appeal to vision and touch.

To Provide Interest and Variety

Pictographs attract attention. Maps show locations and relationships. Photographs and multimedia stimulate interest.

Selecting Appropriate Presentation Aids

Effective visual aids Effective audio aids Effective multimedia presentations

Visual Presentation Aids

Slides and transparencies Handouts Flip charts and posters Objects

Audio Presentation Aids

Cassette tapes CDs Podcasts

Multimedia Presentations
Include several types of media visual, sound, action
Slides
Audio Transitionsdissolves, fades, swipes

Computer projection links

Websites Podcasts or vodcasts Blogs Video clips