Constructing and Constructing and Using Visual AidsUsing Visual Aids
A Critique and Iconic A Critique and Iconic Performance of:Performance of:
Clark, Ruth Anne and Clark, Ruth Anne and Christopher Christopher Adasiewicz. Adasiewicz. Speech Speech Communication 101: Communication 101: Course Manual.Course Manual. 2006-2006-2007 ed. Champaign: 2007 ed. Champaign: Stipes, 1996.Stipes, 1996.
The First Type: The First Type: Thesis and Main PointsThesis and Main Points
PowerPoint and this Manual Make Three ClaimsPowerPoint and this Manual Make Three Claims
1. 1. Thesis slides clarify arguments.Thesis slides clarify arguments.2. 2. Other slides clarify supporting Other slides clarify supporting
material.material.3. 3. “It is not advisable to use visual aids “It is not advisable to use visual aids
to convey information you do not say in to convey information you do not say in your speech.”your speech.”
(119-122).(119-122).
Thesis Slides Obscure Thesis Slides Obscure Data in Three WaysData in Three Ways
1. Create a Hierarchy 1. Create a Hierarchy (Tufte “Rocket”).(Tufte “Rocket”).
2. Assumes everything 2. Assumes everything divisible into 2-3 divisible into 2-3 steps.steps.
3. Uses repetition to 3. Uses repetition to overcome overcome obfuscation.obfuscation.
The Second Type: ListThe Second Type: List
““Slide as an electronic version of poster or Slide as an electronic version of poster or overhead.”overhead.”
Then why do we need PP?Then why do we need PP?
List Slides: Few bulleted or numbered itemsList Slides: Few bulleted or numbered items““Usually works well”?Usually works well”?
Definitional Slides: AcronymsDefinitional Slides: AcronymsSelf evident?Self evident?
Schematics: Simplify the Real WorldSchematics: Simplify the Real WorldThen told this might be much too hardThen told this might be much too hard
(122-126)(122-126)
The Second Type: DefineThe Second Type: Define
UU ndefinedndefined
GG uess its an uess its an acronymacronym
HH ow does the ow does the example slide helpexample slide help
(it doesn’t)(it doesn’t)
HH yperyper
TT extext
MM arkuparkup
LL anguageanguage
(125)(125)
The Second Type: SchematicsThe Second Type: Schematics
Schematics should Schematics should exclude information so it exclude information so it can be unlocked and can be unlocked and accessed by the audience.accessed by the audience.
This doesn’t work, and hurts This doesn’t work, and hurts more than it helps.more than it helps.
The textbook example uses The textbook example uses “standard” PP clipart that “standard” PP clipart that
is so outdated that it is no is so outdated that it is no longer standard.longer standard.
The Third Type: AbsentThe Third Type: Absent
ReviewReview
PowerPoint and this Manual Make Three ClaimsPowerPoint and this Manual Make Three Claims
1. 1. Thesis slides clarify arguments.Thesis slides clarify arguments.2. 2. Other slides clarify supporting Other slides clarify supporting
material.material.3. 3. “It is not advisable to use visual aids “It is not advisable to use visual aids
to convey information you do not say in to convey information you do not say in your speech.”your speech.”
(119-122).(119-122).