Visuals and handouts
This page will outline some guidelines relating to the use of visuals and handouts during a presentation.
Visuals
Visuals are an important part of a presentation. They can illustrate, clarify, and aid analysis of complex issues. Keep them simple – they should only be used to enhance your message.
Here are some tips on using visuals effectively:
- Limit the number of visuals - 'too many' lessens the impact of them.
- Make only one key point per visual. Your listeners should be able to read and understand a visual in five seconds or less.
- Make visuals large enough to be seen by everyone.
- Use large type and simple lettering.
- Do not use whole sentences. Write visuals like newspaper headings.
- Use diagrams, graphs, pictures, maps and charts instead of words where possible and always explain them briefly in your talk.
- Eliminate all unnecessary details.
- Do not show a page full of numbers.
- Include no more than three curves on a graph.
- Include no more than three colours on a visual.
- Aim for no more than 4-5 bullet points on each slide if possible.
- Try not to overuse 'slide animations' as they can tend to easily distract.
Handouts
Handouts are your message for the audience to take away. While your presentation is immediate, your handout is for the audience to reflect on.
A good handout:
- summarises your message and information
- emphasises your main point
- contains the most important visuals
- points to further information (e.g. a short reading list, related internet sites)
- should only be given at the end of your presentation, so that they listen to you before they read it.