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85 Using Visual Aids Effectively

NSCC; Jordan Smith; and Verna Johnson

Visual aids are powerful tools that can strengthen your message, improve understanding, and keep your audience engaged. While slideshows are common, they’re not the only way to enhance your presentation. Using a variety of visual aids—such as whiteboards, flip charts, handouts, props, and videos—can help you make a stronger impact, especially when chosen thoughtfully and used effectively.

When done well, visual aids benefit you:

  • Appeal to your audience’s imagination and emotions

  • Reinforce your spoken words

  • Improve retention and understanding

  • Increase your credibility as a presenter

Before selecting a visual aid, consider the type of content, size of your audience, and presentation setting. Think creatively—what’s the best tool for delivering your message clearly and memorably?

His section focuses on visual aids other than PowerPoint slides, such as flip charts, whiteboards, videos, and props. You’ll learn how to choose the right visual aid for your content, use it without distracting your audience, and design visuals that support—not replace—your words. Let’s explore these other options before we get into details about creating digital slides.


Types of Visual Aids

Whiteboard or Blackboard

These tools are especially useful when you want to:

  • Show a sequence of steps or a process

  • Clarify complex terminology

  • Record audience responses or key points live

Tips:

  • Write clearly and large enough for everyone to read.

  • Erase only after confirming your audience has had time to copy the information.

  • Avoid leaving outdated or irrelevant notes on the board—it may confuse your audience.

Flip Charts

A flip chart is a large pad of paper mounted on a stand. It’s simple but flexible and effective for small to medium audiences.

Tips:

  • Prepare key points on separate sheets in advance.

  • Use one main idea per sheet.

  • Turn pages to show progression and to recap earlier ideas.

  • Make sure your handwriting and diagrams are large and clear.

Paper Handouts

Handouts are helpful when your information is too detailed for slides or other types of visuals. They also allow your audience to refer to the content after the presentation.

Tips:

  • Avoid handing them out too early—your audience may read instead of listening.

  • Consider using partially completed handouts your audience can fill in during the presentation, if appropriate.

  • Include extended data, graphs, or sources for reference.

Props or Artifacts

Bringing a real object into your presentation can help your audience concretely connect with your topic.

Tips:

  • Ensure it’s visible to the whole audience or pass it around if appropriate.

  • Don’t overuse props—they should support your message, not distract from it.

  • Reveal larger items only when needed to keep attention focused on your talk.

Video Clips

Video is an engaging way to show movement, real-life examples, or expert commentary.

Tips:

  • Only use clips that are directly related to your topic.

  • Keep clips short and to the point.

  • Introduce the video by telling your audience what to look for.

  • Always test the video and equipment in advance to avoid technical issues.

Watch the following video for more tips on using visual aids.

 


When to Use Visual Aids

Use visual aids strategically to support different stages of your presentation, not just for decoration. Some effective moments to use them include the following:

Introduction:

  • Show the title of your presentation

  • Define technical terms

  • Display a key image or ask a question to spark curiosity

Main Body:

  • Highlight key points

  • Show evidence (charts, graphs, stats)

  • Illustrate concepts, sequences, or relationships

Conclusion:

  • Summarize the main ideas

  • Reinforce your message visually

  • Show references or further reading


Tips for Using Visual Aids Effectively

1. Use one main idea per visual.
Avoid overcrowding with too much information.

2. Keep the format clear and consistent.
Use the same layout, font, and design style for all materials.

3. Touch, Turn, Talk.

  • Touch (or gesture to) the visual so the audience knows where to look.

  • Turn to face the audience.

  • Talk to the audience, not the visual.

4. Know how to use the aid confidently.
Practice with your visual aids before presenting. This helps avoid distractions, delays, or technical issues.

5. Stay connected to your audience.
Don’t let visual aids take over. Make eye contact, explain the visuals, and stay engaged with your listeners.


Summary

Using a variety of visual aids—not just slides—can increase the impact of your presentation. Choose aids that do the following.

  • Match your message and audience

  • They are easy to understand and view

  • Support, rather than distract from, your speech

No matter which aid you choose, ensure it adds value and helps you communicate clearly and confidently.


Attribution

This section contains material from Chapter Unit 35 “Visual Aids” in Communication Skills and is used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.

References

References are at the end of this chapter.

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Using Visual Aids Effectively Copyright © 2025 by NSCC; Jordan Smith; and Verna Johnson is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.