15.3 The use of Presentation Aids
Lana Iapicco and Marie Torres
15.3 Using Presentation Aids
Presentation aids, such as slides, charts, or images, can enhance your speech, but only when they are used thoughtfully. First, ask yourself: Do I really need a visual aid? Do not use one simply to avoid being on camera. Your audience wants to see you, not just your slides.
If you use a presentation aid, make sure you know how to share it through your platform, such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Practice switching between your screen and the aid smoothly so your audience is not confused or distracted. If you are presenting to a specific group, consider sending materials ahead of time so audience members can follow along more easily.
Also decide whether your aid needs to be shown live or can be included in a recording. For example, if you are presenting data to a small group, a report sent in advance might be more effective than trying to display a complex chart during your speech.
Technical Awareness
Know your technology setup. Understand what equipment you will be using, where it is placed, and how it affects your delivery. If you are responsible for operating the technology yourself, rehearse with it until you are confident.
Make sure your camera captures you clearly, your microphone picks up your voice well, and your lighting supports a clear image.
Sharing Audiovisual Recordings
If you are submitting a recorded speech, upload it to a cloud-based platform such as YouTube or SoundCloud and share the link with your instructor. Video files are often too large to send by email, so cloud sharing is usually the most efficient method.
Final Thought
Online public speaking is constantly evolving, and mastering it requires thoughtful preparation. By rehearsing under actual conditions, refining your delivery, and managing your technology and presentation aids, you will be ready to deliver a confident and effective digital speech.
These strategies will help you avoid common problems and ensure that your message reaches your audience with clarity and impact.
Licenses and Attribution
CC Licensed Content, Original
Speech Communication was created by Lana Iapicco and Marie Torres. Independently created original and AI-assisted content developed specifically for this book is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.
This educational material includes content generated or revised with the assistance of large language models. Lana Iapicco and Marie Torres reviewed, edited, and take responsibility for the final published content.
Other Content Included
Presentation Aids and Online Delivery
Clark, R. C., & Mayer, R. E. (2016). E-learning and the science of instruction (4th ed.). Wiley.
Duarte, N. (2010). Resonate: Present visual stories that transform audiences. Wiley.
Lucas, S. E. (2023). The art of public speaking (14th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
Microsoft. (2023). Present content in Microsoft Teams.
Verderber, R. F., Sellnow, D. D., & Verderber, K. S. (2017). The competent communicator (14th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Zoom Video Communications. (2023). Sharing your screen during a Zoom meeting.
