visual aids in essays

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

113 Effective Visual Aids

Before you just open up PowerPoint and begin creating slides, you should stop for a moment and consider what type of visual aid will best serve your purpose and if you even need an aid at all. Select a visual aid that adds to your presentation in a meaningful way, not merely something pretty to look at or a substitute for thorough preparation. Visuals are not there for you to hide behind when you are in front of your audience. Because of the tendency for novice speakers to use visuals as a crutch in their speeches, it has even been suggested that beginner speakers be forbidden from using visual aids while they are learning to present. [1]

Visual aids serve a unique role in a presentation, and you should consider the specific purpose and desired outcome of your speech when determining if, when, to what extent, and in what format you use visual aids.

Visuals can spark interest, build emotional connections, clarify your words, explain abstract ideas, help draw conclusions, or increase understanding. For instance, a speaker may show a stacks of books to represent the amount of data storage in a speech about the evolution of computers; or demonstrate the proper use of ear plugs by distributing ear plugs, showing how to insert them, and then blasting an air horn in a speech about preventing hearing loss in order to make the value of ear protection more memorable and concrete. Done well—simple, visible, relevant, memorable, and audience-focused— visual aids can have a profound impact on your audience and your overall message.

Visual aids can be an important part of conveying your message effectively since people learn far more by hearing and seeing than through hearing or seeing alone. [2]  The brain processes verbal and visual information separately. By helping the audience build visual and verbal memories, they are more likely to be able to remember the information at a later time. [3]  If you can find a visual aid to complement what you are saying, you will help your audience understand the information you are presenting and remember your message. For example, a speaker might show the proper and improper ways to bow when being introduced in Japan while at the same time talking about the movements and also displaying a slide with the appropriate angles and postures for bowing. By using multiple modes in concert with each other, the message is strengthened by the pairing of words, images, and movement.

Not just any visual will do, however. Each visual should be relevant to your message, convey an important point, be clearly understandable, and be visible by your entire audience. Visuals should be used to make concepts easier to understand and to reinforce your message. They should illustrate important points that are otherwise hard to understand. [4]

“Diving in the Adriatic”  by melschmitz.  morgueFile license .

Use visuals for speeches about processes, products, or demonstrations of how to do something, such as a diagram of how email is delivered in a speech about computer security. Use visuals when you need to explain things you cannot see because they are hidden or abstract, like a model of your internal organs in a speech about gastric bypass surgery. Use them when you need to grab your audience’s attention or stir their emotions. A speaker could use a photo of a starving child and a bag of rice that represents the daily calorie intake of a poor child in a speech about food insecurity to create a visceral reaction in the audience. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, so use images to tell a story or create a visual metaphor. Visual metaphors are useful when trying to evoke an emotion, such as showing an image of someone running or diving into a pool when you want to evoke action on the part of your audience. The images convey the message to “get going” or “dive in.” When talking about numbers or statistics, use visuals to provide context, comparison, and to help your audience understand the meaning of data. Done well, graphs can convey data. [5]  While there are many possible reasons to use visuals in your presentation, your guiding principle should be: does this make the message clearer or more memorable? If you cannot answer with a resounding “YES!” then re-think the plan for your visuals and begin again.

• Palmer, E. (2011).  Well spoken: Teaching speaking to all students.  Portland, ME: Stenhouse Publishers.  ↵
• Vasile, A. J. (2004).  Speak with confidence: A practical guide  (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.  ↵
• Malamed, C. (2009).  Visual language for designers: Principles for creating graphics that people understand.  Beverly, MA: Rockport Publishers.  ↵
• Detz, J. (2000).  It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.  New York, NY: St. Martin’s Griffen; Palmer, E. (2011).  Well spoken: Teaching speaking to all students.  Portland, ME: Stenhouse Publishers; Young, K. S., & Travis, H. P. (2008).  Oral communication: Skills, choices, and consequences  (2nd ed.). Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press.  ↵
• Malamed, C. (2009).  Visual language for designers: Principles for creating graphics that people understand . Beverly, MA: Rockport Publishers; Palmer, E. (2011).  Well spoken: Teaching speaking to all students . Portland, ME: Stenhouse Publishers; Tufte, E. R. (2003).  The cognitive style of PowerPoint . Cheshire, CT: Graphics Press; Vasile, A. J. (2004).  Speak with confidence: A practical guide  (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.  ↵
• Chapter 13 Effective Visual Aids.  Authored by : Sheila Kasperek, MLIS, MSIT.  Provided by : Mansfield University, Mansfield, PA.  Located at :  http://publicspeakingproject.org/psvirtualtext.html .  Project : The Public Speaking Project.  License :  CC BY-NC-ND: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives
• Cake depicting a cheeseburger.  Authored by : Michael Prudhomme.  Located at :  http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cake_depicting_a_cheeseburger.jpg .  License :  CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
• Diving in the Adriatic.  Authored by : melschmitz.  Provided by : MorgueFile.  Located at :  http://mrg.bz/SMkUNQ .  License :  Other .  License Terms : You are allowed to copy, distribute, transmit the work and to adapt the work. Attribution is not required. You are prohibited from using this work in a stand alone manner.

Effective Visual Aids Copyright © 2020 by Liza Long; Amy Minervini; and Joel Gladd is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book

Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Assignments

• Annotated Bibliography
• Analyzing a Scholarly Journal Article
• Group Presentations
• Dealing with Nervousness

Using Visual Aids

• Grading Someone Else's Paper
• Types of Structured Group Activities
• Group Project Survival Skills
• Leading a Class Discussion
• Multiple Book Review Essay
• Reviewing Collected Works
• Writing a Case Analysis Paper
• Writing a Case Study
• About Informed Consent
• Writing Field Notes
• Writing a Policy Memo
• Writing a Reflective Paper
• Writing a Research Proposal
• Generative AI and Writing
• Acknowledgments

Giving a class presentation can be stressful under the best of circumstances. However, the effective use of presentation software to organize and structure the content of your work can help ease your anxiety because the content is already organized and ready to be seen by your audience. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you develop your presentation.

Using Presentation Software Effectively

• State no more than three main points on a slide . Slides that have too many words on them are not effective because audience members feel they have to hurry and read everything before you move to the next slide. This means they're more focused on finishing reading the slide than listening to what you are saying. Remember that the slides are intended to supplement and enhance what you are saying, not to replace it.
• Give your audience time to take notes . Pausing briefly before moving to the next slide also gives you the opportunity to collect your thoughts before continuing to the next point. This is important if a slide has a lot of information or the content is especially important.
• Don't read from the slides! Audience members really, really hate this. Summarize or explain what's on a slide. Only selectively read direct quotes or statements when you want to highlight something important or to emphasize a significant or complex issue.
• Make sure your audience can see the screen . Think about where are you standing. Do not stand in front of the screen. If there is no angle where everyone can see, then move around before moving to the next slide [for example, point to something for emphasis].
• Don't overcrowd your slides with too much detail . Using bright colors, pictures, and graphics can make your slides more interesting, but be aware of the fact that certain color combinations can be very hard to read from a distance. It may look fine on a computer screen, but projected in a large format, it can be overwhelming to the eye.
• Remember that PowerPoint or Prezi may look great, but if the technology goes wrong, it's a good idea to print out a handout as a backup just in case. If the audience is too large to do this, ensure that your notes are sufficiently detailed so that you can talk about your topic with out relying on the slides.
• I know you may be tempted to spend more time on producing creative graphics than on the actual talk, but remember: if your talk is poor, no amount of fancy graphics will save it!

Visual Guidelines for Presentation Slides

Pictures or other illustrations are used for the following reasons:

• Illustrative -- provides a visual representation of a specific element of the presentation [e.g., "This graph shows population growth in the neighborhood over the last ten years...."].
• Complementary -- adds new information or context to the subject matter of the presentation [e.g., "This photograph of newly installed benches shows how more parents are gathering to socialize in the courtyard before school lets out...."].
• Explanatory -- not only represents an element of the presentation, but it offers explanatory information about that element or it provides a specific example [e.g., "This photograph of a vacant lot shows how trash accumulates in the open spaces of low income neighborhoods that the city's waste management department often ignores...."].
• Decorative -- no direct relation to the content of the presentation but the graphics does provide an attractive or engaging visual element [usually not referred to during a presentation unless the audience reacts to it in some way]. However, do not overuse decorative graphics because it can be distracting.

NOTE:   The use of funny cartoons, silly pictures, or other attention-grabbing graphics can help your audience feel more comfortable and engaged by adding some humor to your presentation. However, don't over do it! Under most circumstances, there will be a level of professionalism expected in how you present your work. This doesn't mean that your presentation should be bland and tedious , but always keep in mind that funny graphics are no substitute for good content; overdoing it can distract to the point of annoying your audience [think of this in terms of the person who tells the same joke over and over again].

Guidelines for Presentation Slides

Below are basic guidelines to remember when composing your presentation slides. Most of this is common sense, but cutting and pasting text, moving things around, and revising content over time can create errors, so keep these general guidelines in mind when reviewing the final draft of your presentation.

• Use the same text colors and fonts throughout; display graphic images in the same style
• Keep the background consistent and subtle
• Be sure the text contrasts well with the background
• Generally use no more than six words per a line
• Generally use no more than six lines per a slide
• Avoid long sentences unless it is an important quotation
• Larger font or bolded text indicates more important information
• Font size generally ranges from 18 to 48 point
• Fancy or cursive fonts can be hard to read
• Words in all capital letters are hard to read
• Avoid abbreviations and acronyms
• Limit punctuation marks

NOTE:   Strategies to highlight a particular point during your presentation include capitalizing text, bolding text, or using a bright [but readable] color to contrast against the regular text. It's also appropriate to use italics to convey a direct quote. However, follow the general rule that less is more; use short declarative statements or as few words as possible to convey the meaning of what you are saying. Unlike research papers, presentation slides do not have to adhere to strict sentence grammar and paragraph rules.

Additional Advice

Handouts are a great idea if your audience isn't too big, but you don't want to spend a lot of time distributing them or having audience members distracting each other while they pass around a pile of materials [or trying to find a link to them]. If you do use handouts, think about whether you want to distribute them before or after your presentation. If possible, arrive early so you can place a copy on each chair. Another strategy to save paper is to leave a card on each seat listing the web site where the audience can access the content online. Use a link management platform like Bit.ly to shorten long URLs.

It is always a good idea to include space on the handout for people to take notes, a list of references, and your contact information so people can review them later or contact you if needed. You could also include some follow-up questions for discussion in your handouts [they can be referred to after the presentation to prompt questions from the audience or to spark a discussion]. Finally, if your handout is more than one double-sided page, staple them together before distributing so audience members aren't distracting themselves with trying to count whether they've got all the pages.

Using the Whiteboard

If there is a whiteboard behind you, put your name and contact information on the whiteboard. However, do this before your talk begins because writing on a board is time-consuming and you will have to turn your back on the audience and break your eye contact, which is never a good idea. If you must use a whiteboard at other points during the presentation, come prepared with the right markers [black or dark blue] and write words in large, legible handwriting so that people can read it from a distance [it is best to print rather than using cursive]. And, of course, remember to write things off to the side so you don't block people's view of what you just wrote while you're speaking!

Know the Space

If possible, know the room from the perspective of facing your audience before you give your presentation. The front of a classroom or auditorium feels very different from where you sit as a student. Also, if necessary, check the lighting so you avoid fiddling with the lights before your presentation. If available, it's best to darken the lighting above you, but keep the lights lit above the audience; the contrast helps your audience read the slides by eliminating glare. It is also useful to have someone sit at the very back of the room to give you get a sense of how loud you should talk if you can't use a microphone and how big you should write if you use a whiteboard behind you.

Appersona, Jennifer M.,  Eric L. Lawsa, and James A. Scepansky. “An Assessment of Student Preferences for PowerPoint Presentation Structure in Undergraduate Courses.” Computers and Education 50 (January 2008): 148-153; Bedford, Erin. Preparing Presentations With PowerPoint. GradHacker Blog. Inside Higher Education; Kountouzi, Barbara. PowerPoint DO's and DON'T's. Biomedical Library. University of Pennsylvania; Creating and Using Overheads. Kosslyn, Stephen M., Rogier A. Kievit, Alexandra G. Russell, and Jennifer M. Shephard. “PowerPoint presentation Flaws and Failures: A Psychological Analysis.” Frontiers in Psychology 3 (July 2012): Article 230; Writing@CSU. Colorado State University; Designing an Effective PowerPoint Presentation: Quick Guide. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Giving an Oral Presentation. Academic Skills Centre. University of Canberra; Hallewell, Madeline J. and Natasa Lackovic. “Do Pictures `Tell' a Thousand Words in Lectures? How Lecturers Vocalise Photographs in Their Presentations.” Higher Education Research and Development 36 . (2017): 1166-1180; Inoue-Smitha, Yukiko and Shuyan Wang. “College-based Case Studies in Using PowerPoint Effectively.”  Cogent Education 3 (2016 ): 1-15.

Mayer's Twelve Principles of Multimedia Learning

Richard Mayer describes twelve research-based principles on the design and organization of multimedia presentations that support student learning. Although intended for faculty who are using prerecorded multimedia tools for class lectures, these principles can also be adapted to help students who are designing slides as part of their class presentations. Collectively, these principles provide a way to critically evaluate the overall quality of the multimedia elements used during your presentation. Think about these as you practice giving your presentation.

• COHERENCE PRINCIPLE – people learn better when extraneous words, pictures, and sounds are excluded rather than included. This relates to the idea that you should present only the information the audience needs to know; be concise and avoid unnecessary text or visual effects in your slides--including transitional effects from one slide to the next--that could distract from the essential elements of your presentation.
• SIGNALING PRINCIPLE – people learn better when cues that highlight the organization of the essential material are added. This can relate to highlighting key points during your presentation and using visual effects [highlighting text, bold text, arrows, etc.] to emphasize what your audience needs to pay attention to. If there is a lot of text, the audience will have trouble discerning what information is most important and how it is organized.
• REDUNDANCY PRINCIPLE – people learn better from graphics and narration than from graphics, narration, and on-screen text. This can relate to the idea that using narration and graphics [e.g., a film clip] should be enough to relay the information to the audience. The rationale is that your audience may focus on the printed word rather than the relevant portions of your graphics. Presenting with graphics, narration, and on-screen text can be overwhelming for the audience.
• SPATIAL CONTIGUITY PRINCIPLE – people learn better when corresponding words and pictures are presented near rather than far from each other on the page or screen. This can relate to aligning the space between your text and visuals on the screen in such a way that they clearly relate to each other. Your audience will better understand what you are presenting if the text and visuals clearly correspond to each other.
• TEMPORAL CONTIGUITY PRINCIPLE – people learn better when corresponding words and pictures are presented simultaneously rather than successively. This relates to talking about content on your slides at the same time you are showing the information to the audience rather than showing the information then talking about it or vice versa.
• SEGMENTING PRINCIPLE – people learn better when a multimedia lesson is presented in user-paced segments rather than as a continuous unit. This principle is based on the idea that your audience will learn the content better if your presentation is broken up into clear segments rather than a continuous stream of information. Make sure to embed [on screen or verbally] cues when you are transitioning from one piece of information to the next.  This helps your audience process each part during the presentation. 
• PRE-TRAINING PRINCIPLE – people learn better from a multimedia lesson when they know the names and characteristics of the main concepts. This relates to the idea that learning is more efficient if you already know the basics. If your presentation uses unfamiliar or technical terms, concepts, or theories, begin by defining them before introducing the rest of your content.
• MODALITY PRINCIPLE – people learn better from graphics and narrations than from animation and on-screen text. In general, your audience will understand the content better from visuals and spoken words than from visuals and printed words. This does not mean you should not use text on a slide but, if there are visuals and too much text, your audience may be overwhelmed.
• MULTIMEDIA PRINCIPLE – people learn better from words and pictures than from words alone. In general, images and text are more effective than text alone. Too much text can be overwhelming and your audience will probably focus on reading the text rather than listening to you during the presentation.
• PERSONALIZATION PRINCIPLE – people learn better from multimedia lessons when words used during a presentation are in conversational style rather than formal style. This relates to the verbal part of your presentation. Practice using a more informal, conversational voice than a formal voice because research shows that using a conversational voice will improve the audience's overall engagement and ability to understand the content.
• VOICE PRINCIPLE – people learn better when the narration in multimedia lessons is spoken in a friendly human voice rather than a machine voice. T his principle is also most relevant to evaluating recorded lectures , but it can be modified to think about how to use language as a means of setting the audience at ease.
• IMAGE PRINCIPLE – people do not necessarily learn better from a multimedia lesson when the speaker’s image is added to the screen. This principle is also most relevant to evaluating recorded lectures, but it can be modified to think about how you physically present information. Don't just stand there; use methods of non-verbal communication, such as, gesturing, eye contact, moving around, or conscious use of facial expressions, to help engage your audience.

Mayer, Richard E. "Research-based Principles for Designing Multimedia Instruction." In Applying Science of Learning in Education: Infusing Psychological Science Into the Curriculum . Victor A. Benassi and Catherine E. Overson, eds. (Durham, NH: University of New Hampshire Scholar's Repository, 2014), pp. 59-70;  Mayer, Richard. Multimedia Learning . Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2001; Mayer, Richard E., Julie Heiser, and Steve Lonn. "Cognitive Constraints on Multimedia Learning: When Presenting More Material Results in Less Understanding." Journal of Educational Psychology 93, 1 (2001): 187–198 ; DeBell, Andrew. How to Use Mayer’s 12 Principles of Multimedia [Examples Included]. Water Bear Learning Inc., 2020.

• << Previous: Dealing with Nervousness
• Next: Grading Someone Else's Paper >>
• Last Updated: Jun 3, 2024 9:44 AM
• URL: https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/assignments

• Our Mission

Making the Most of Visual Aids

Three strategies for using visual aids to encourage students to engage more deeply with course content.

Most teachers understand the power of visual aids in helping students grasp content. Teachers value the support that visuals lend to classroom instruction because they encourage students to make associations between pieces of information, soak up chunks of course content quickly, and function as a memory aid.

But sometimes we teachers don’t approach the use of visual aids as carefully as we should. We may be too lax in monitoring how students interpret visuals (allowing the oversimplification of content) or how students create visuals (which shows whether they understand what should be included). As a result, students struggle to make the needed connection with course content.

As an educator who relies on graphic organizers and charts in the classroom, I have three strategies for using visual aids without sacrificing course content.

Sharing Intent

We often naively believe that a visual can stand on its own with minimal explanation. Instead, we should directly communicate to students what we hope for them to see (or interpret) based on the lesson at hand. For example, it’s useful to help students explore why the visual was selected and what the key characteristics of it are, and to identify the non-essential elements of it. And we should specify what we intend for the students to know after examining it. For instance, Professor Howard Cox’s purpose in integrating props like an officer’s cap and a replica revolver into his lectures on fiction set during the Civil War is to help build his students’ foundational knowledge about an author’s purpose and inspiration.

If time allows, I like to share a “runner-up” image and invite students to consider why the image didn’t make the cut. This discussion can deepen their understanding. And teachers can use prompts to help students reach that deeper understanding. Examples include “This image is a stronger representation of the concept because _____” and “This image makes me think about _____ from our lesson, which is important because _____.”

Activating Discussion

Most teachers encourage some level of class discourse when presenting a visual aid, but we need to go a step further. We can promote a conversation about how the visual helps in processing the course content. For example, ask students to share how the visual reinforces—or challenges—what they previously learned about relevant vocabulary terms. In my College Readiness class, we review a line graph that compares letter grades and attendance, discussing how the upward direction of the lines supports our expectations of a connection between consistent attendance and higher grades. We also question the story presented by the graph: Beyond lower grades, what consequences do absentee students face?

To increase students’ processing opportunities, use a think-aloud to get students talking about what makes a visual useful vs. the qualities that seem less important to understanding the theme or central message of the graphic or its connection to other content.

Push students to think deeper. For instance, in order to promote retrieval practice , put the visual away and ask students to break down the concepts represented in the visual relying solely on their memory. It’s important to discuss any discrepancies between what the students recall and what’s actually present in the image.

This is an excellent opportunity to explore misconceptions about the concept at hand. It’s also an ideal time to highlight any blind spots or typical areas of confusion related to the concept. For example, when sharing a bar graph, caution students that the measurement scale can lead them to misread it, especially if the y-axis starts with a random number instead of zero or if information is measured in the short term instead of the long term.

Creating Visual Aids as a Class

I believe involving students in the design of visual aids is essential to foster buy-in and learning ownership, but initially, students may hesitate to create their own visuals and take on the designer role.

Establishing design parameters for students should help. For example, limit their format options by specifying the type of graphic organizer or chart they can use, and provide time to discuss what kinds of visuals would potentially work best based on the content at hand. You can also assign a specified number of key concepts—based on the content reviewed—that students are required represented with their visual.

For students who continue to seem uncertain about creating a visual on their own, educator Matt Miller explains the value of maintaining a library of icons  (related to the topic, of course). Such a library allows students to focus on making meaning from the course material instead of becoming frustrated with the design work.

In addition to parameters, offer models. Make a point of asking students if it’s OK to share their visual with peers, and let them know why you wish to share their work. And teacher models are priceless. Dr. Deidra Gammill, a high school teacher in Mississippi, makes a habit of including images in her notes in order to provide concrete examples for her students to follow.

It’s not enough for a visual to capture attention—it should help students become more engaged. Over time, I’ve learned that aligning visual aids with course content is a deliberate process, one that is harder than I realized when I was starting out. With appropriate attention, we can ensure that our visual aids are windows to our lessons’ purpose and construction.

We use essential cookies to make Venngage work. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

Manage Cookies

Cookies and similar technologies collect certain information about how you’re using our website. Some of them are essential, and without them you wouldn’t be able to use Venngage. But others are optional, and you get to choose whether we use them or not.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are always on, as they’re essential for making Venngage work, and making it safe. Without these cookies, services you’ve asked for can’t be provided.

Show cookie providers

• Google Login

Functionality Cookies

These cookies help us provide enhanced functionality and personalisation, and remember your settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers.

Performance Cookies

These cookies help us analyze how many people are using Venngage, where they come from and how they're using it. If you opt out of these cookies, we can’t get feedback to make Venngage better for you and all our users.

• Google Analytics

Targeting Cookies

These cookies are set by our advertising partners to track your activity and show you relevant Venngage ads on other sites as you browse the internet.

• Google Tag Manager
• Infographics
• Daily Infographics
• Popular Templates
• Accessibility
• Graphic Design
• Graphs and Charts
• Data Visualization
• Human Resources
• Beginner Guides

Blog Data Visualization 10 Types of Visual Aids in Teaching with Examples

10 Types of Visual Aids in Teaching with Examples

Written by: Sara McGuire Sep 28, 2018

Visual aids are any tools that use sight to communicate information. They can be anything from a simple picture to an elaborate animation.

In the realm of teaching, visual aids become powerful allies. Creating education visual aids takes abstract ideas and makes them concrete, aiding students in understanding and retaining information.

Visual aids for learning can also expand beyond the realm of just classroom posters and presentations. You can also visually enhance documents like student progress reports, lesson plans, and research reports.

Here are 10 types of visual aids for learning that will engage students and help you plan and deliver lessons more effectively. I’ve also included some education templates design tips to help you get started.

Click to jump ahead:

• Educational infographics to simplify complex information
• Creative presentations to keep students engaged with a lesson
• Educational charts to make data accessible
• Student assessment reports with an approachable design
• Research reports to make data and insights engaging
• School newsletters to get students, parents and teachers excited about events
• Lesson plans to help you stay organized and to inspire other educators
• Educational posters to inspire and remind students
• Classroom checklists to keep students, teachers and parents on track
• Education calendars to keep students, parents and teacher informed \

1. Educational infographics to simplify complex information

Infographics are a perfect classroom tool because they can make complex information easier to understand.

There are many different types of infographics you can create, depending on the information you want to visualize. For example, you could make an infographic to summarize a new topic , to show a timeline of events, to visualize statistics , to explain a process –and more.

For example, this educational infographic uses a combination of charts, icons and creative text to show statistics about teens and social media. Visuals aids like these can be helpful for students who have trouble wrapping their heads around big numbers.

The cool thing about infographics is that there’s so many approaches you can take to create one. And the design doesn’t have to be complicated–just effective.

Related: How to Create a Successful Employee Training and Development Program Using Visuals

For example, this infographic uses a pattern graphic design of colorful circles to represent different vitamins. Associating each vitamin with a color can help students remember each one.

In data visualization, color plays a bigger role than just for decoration. Color can also be used as a tool to visualize information. Check out our guide to using colors to communicate effectively .

2. Creative presentations to keep students engaged with a lesson

We’ve all sat through boring presentations before. I’m going to go out on a limb and assume you don’t want to be the one delivering a boring presentation!

A creative presentation template can go a long way to keep your students from snoring in the middle of class. For starters, introduce bright colors and creative fonts into your slide design. You can also combine photos, charts and icons to illustrate concepts.

For example, this creative presentation uses a bold color palette that give each slide impact:

The combination of a script font with a more modern font helps makes for an interesting and unexpected design. Simple tricks like mixing and matching styles (as long as they’re complementary) can go a long way in your  presentation design .

Related: Storyline: A Starter Guide to Creating Engaging Visual Training Courses

Presenting information in a creative and visually-stimulating way can help get students excited about a topic. This presentation template uses image frames to seamlessly incorporate different pictures of foods into each slide design:

We have a tutorial for using image frames in your design, which you can access  here .

3. Educational charts to make data accessible

Simple charts are another great visual aid for an online learning platform . They can make data more approachable, and can also help reveal the stories behind data.

Look for opportunities to present information visually in your presentations, handouts, and reports, and find a chart that fits that type of information. For example, a classic pyramid chart is effective for visualizing a topic in different levels:

Charts are also handy tools for analyzing processes. There are plenty of opportunities for you to include engaging visuals in your staff presentations, personal research, and more.

For example, a common problem that many teachers face is negotiating budgets for their curriculums, programs, and resources. Well-designed visuals can help you make a good case for your budget requests.

Check out our guide for choosing the best charts for your data .

4. Student assessment reports with an approachable design

Since tracking students’ progress is an important part of a teacher’s job, why not make your student assessment reports more engaging with a creative design?

Younger students at the preschool or elementary school level can find assessments particularly stressful. A fun and playful design can help make a student progress report appear less intimidating.

For example, this progress report template uses a rainbow color palette, with star pictograms representing their grades:

You can also help students and parents understand their progress better by summarizing their progress in a chart. For example, this chart template uses a combination of a pie chart and some simple icons to highlight the main educational areas the student is being assessed on.

5. Research reports to make data and insights engaging

If you want to share some interesting research findings with your students, or you want students to share their findings with you, try using a visually engaging report template . A visual report will require you or your students to identify and emphasize the most important pieces of information.

For example, this research report template uses circle icons to emphasize the study’s main findings:

Presenting research visually can also help inspire students and staff members. For example, if you want to promote a student organization or a charity, visualizing some surprising statistics can make people stop and think about a cause.

This research poster highlights the achievements of an organization using a simple bar graph and some icons:

6. School newsletters to get students, parents and teachers excited about events

A classic school newsletter can help keep staff, students and parents on the same page. Why not add some school spirit to your newsletter design ? If you start with a newsletter template, it’s easy to customize the text and visuals for every week or month.

Simply swap out the icons with ones that reflect the theme of each particular newsletter. You can also use image frames to share pictures of events at your school.

Incorporate your school colors and fonts into your newsletter design. For example, this newsletter template uses the school’s colors of orange for the headers and blue for the sub-headers:

Our newsletter maker offers a ton of creative newsletter templates. Why not try it out?

7. Lesson plans to help you stay organized and to inspire other educators

As an educator, you no doubt understand the importance of being organized. Incorporating visuals into your lesson plan can make it easier for you to scan for information. It can also help inspire your creativity about a subject!

Since organization is key when it comes to lesson planning, you don’t have to go overboard with the design. Some simple design elements like icons, colorful headers, and a thematic footer can breathe life into a mundane lesson plan.

And if you want to share your lesson plans on a personal blog or with other teachers in your school, making your lesson plan engaging will make all the difference!

8. Educational posters to inspire and remind students 

Educational posters are a classic teaching aid that can breathe life into a classroom. Hanging posters up on your classroom walls will not only invite color into the environment, they’ll also act as helpful resources for students.

For example, here’s an educational poster that you could pin up in your classroom. The three study tips on this poster are organized with a different colored background. This is a simple  poster design trick  to help the information stand out.

Meanwhile, this educational poster uses icons to visualize each different type of learner. A poster with this layout this can be useful for introducing students to new or foreign concepts (for example, words in a secondary language) because they can associate each word with a visual.

9. Classroom checklists to keep students, teachers and parents on track

A simple checklist can be a great tool to have in the classroom. From classroom duties to assignments for the semester, there are a lot of things that students need to keep track of.

Adding visual aids to your checklists can help make the points on the list easier to remember. For example, this simple checklist infographic  uses icons and a different color for each point:

A visual checklist can also be useful for staff members, to help them remember tasks or best practices. For example, this checklist template offers tips to guide new teaching assistants:

10. Education calendars to keep students, parents and teacher informed

Both teachers and students have a lot to keep track of. Adding some design flare to your calendar will make it a fun visual aid you can hang up in your classroom, or include to parents in an email.

Look for ways to organize the information so nothing is missed. For example, the lefthand column in this calendar template identifies the focus of each week, using an image to illustrate the ideas. This makes it easy for students to glance at the calendar and have an idea of what’s going on.

Read More:  27+ Lesson Plan Examples for Effective Teaching

A few things to keep in mind when designing visual aids for learning:

• Make sure your information is organized and easy to understand–even if that means toning down the design.
• On that same note, keep designs relatively simple and keep text concise.
• Look for ways to visualize information using charts, pictograms, icons, and images.
• Customize templates for things like newsletters, reports, and calendars so you can easily reuse them.
• Export your teaching aids as high quality PNGs or PDFs so they will look good when you print them.

These are just a handful of the different types of visual aids for learning that you can use in the classroom. Are there any other visual aids that you like to use in your classroom? Share your tips in the comments!

• What Is Your Teacher Personality Type? [QUIZ + INFOGRAPHIC]
• 9 Ways Middle Schools Can Use Infographics in Classroom

Discover popular designs

Infographic maker

Brochure maker

White paper online

Newsletter creator

Flyer maker

Timeline maker

Letterhead maker

Mind map maker

Ebook maker

Is it acceptable to include visual aids in academic essays to enhance understanding?

Yes, it is acceptable to include visual aids in academic essays to enhance understanding. Visual aids can be effective tools for presenting information, supporting arguments, and engaging readers. Here are some reasons why visual aids can be beneficial in academic writing:

Enhanced comprehension: Visual aids, such as tables, charts, graphs, or diagrams, can present complex information in a more accessible and understandable format. They can help readers grasp key concepts, relationships, and patterns more easily [1] .

Supporting evidence: Visual aids can serve as evidence to support your arguments or claims. They can provide visual representations of data, statistics, or research findings, making your essay more persuasive and credible [1] .

Improved retention: Visual aids have been shown to improve memory retention. By incorporating visual elements, you can help readers remember and recall the information presented in your essay more effectively [3] .

Engagement and interest: Visual aids can make your essay more engaging and interesting for readers. They can break up the text and add visual appeal, capturing readers' attention and encouraging them to continue reading [3] .

Accessibility for diverse learners: Visual aids can be particularly helpful for learners with different learning styles or those who may struggle with reading comprehension. They provide alternative ways of presenting information, catering to a wider range of learners [2] .

When using visual aids in academic essays, it is important to ensure that they are relevant, clear, and properly cited. Visual aids should be used purposefully to enhance understanding and support your arguments, rather than as mere decoration or filler.

Learn more:

• Is it ok to use visuals in academic writing? - Quora
• Use visual supports to increase understanding | inclusionED
• The Importance of Visual Aids for ELLs | Edmentum

Continue the conversation

Explore more.

Organizing Academic Research Papers: Using Visual Aids

• Purpose of Guide
• Design Flaws to Avoid
• Glossary of Research Terms
• Narrowing a Topic Idea
• Broadening a Topic Idea
• Extending the Timeliness of a Topic Idea
• Academic Writing Style
• Choosing a Title
• Making an Outline
• Paragraph Development
• Executive Summary
• Background Information
• The Research Problem/Question
• Theoretical Framework
• Citation Tracking
• Content Alert Services
• Evaluating Sources
• Primary Sources
• Secondary Sources
• Tertiary Sources
• What Is Scholarly vs. Popular?
• Qualitative Methods
• Quantitative Methods
• Using Non-Textual Elements
• Limitations of the Study
• Common Grammar Mistakes
• Avoiding Plagiarism
• Footnotes or Endnotes?
• Further Readings
• Annotated Bibliography
• Dealing with Nervousness

Using Visual Aids

• Grading Someone Else's Paper
• How to Manage Group Projects
• Multiple Book Review Essay
• Reviewing Collected Essays
• About Informed Consent
• Writing Field Notes
• Writing a Policy Memo
• Writing a Research Proposal
• Acknowledgements

Tips for Using PowerPoint Effectively

• State no more than three or four main points on a slide [slides that have too many words on them are a big turn-off]. Remember that the slides are intended to supplement and enhance what you are saying, not to replace it.
• Give your audience time to take notes from your slides . Pausing also gives you the opportunity to collect your thoughts before moving on to the next point.
• Make sure your audience can see the screen . Think about where are you standing. Do not stand in front of the screen. If there is no angle where everyone can see, then move around before moving to the next slide [for example, point to something for emphasis].
• Don't overcrowd your slides with too much detail . Using color, pictures, and graphs can make your slides more interesting, but be aware of the fact that certain color combinations can be very hard to read from a distance.
• Remember that PowerPoint may look great, but if the technology goes wrong, it's a good idea to print out a handout , or have some traditional overheads as a backup just in case.
• I know you may be tempted to spend more time on producing PowerPoint graphics than on the actual talk but remember: if your talk is poor, no amount of fancy graphics will save it!

Text Guidelines for PowerPoint Slides

• Use the same colors and fonts throughout; select graphic images in the same style
• Keep the background consistent and subtle
• Generally use no more than six words per a line
• Generally use no more than six lines per a slide
• Avoid long sentences
• Larger font indicates more important information
• Font size generally ranges from 18 to 48 point
• Be sure text contrasts with background
• Fancy fonts can be hard to read
• Words in all capital letters are hard to read
• Avoid abbreviations and acronyms
• Limit punctuation marks

Handouts are a great idea if your audience isn't too big [you don't want to spend a lot of time distributing handouts]. Think about whether you want to distribute them before or after your presentation. It is always good idea to include your references on a handout so that people can review them later. You could include some follow-up questions for discussion in your handouts as well.

Using the Whiteboard

If possible, put your contact information on the whiteboard before your talk begins, otherwise, you will have to turn your back on the audience and break your eye contact with them, which is never a good idea. Writing on a board is also time-consuming. Use alternative visual aids wherever possible. If you really must use a whiteboard, come prepared with the right pens and write in large neat handwriting, so that people can read it.

Know the Space

Know the room from the front before you have to give your presentation. The front of a classroom feels different from the seats you are normally used to. Also, check the lighting so you avoid fiddling with the lights before your presentation.

Creating and Using Overheads . Writing@CSU. Colorado State University; Designing an Effective PowerPoint Presentation: Quick Guide . The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Giving an Oral Presentation. Academic Skills Centre. University of Canberra.  

• << Previous: Dealing with Nervousness
• Next: Grading Someone Else's Paper >>
• Last Updated: Jul 18, 2023 11:58 AM
• URL: https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803
• QuickSearch
• Library Catalog
• Databases A-Z
• Publication Finder
• Course Reserves
• Citation Linker
• Digital Commons
• Our Website

Research Support

• Ask a Librarian
• Appointments
• Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
• Research Guides
• Databases by Subject
• Citation Help

Using the Library

• Reserve a Group Study Room
• Renew Books
• Honors Study Rooms
• Off-Campus Access
• Library Policies
• Library Technology

User Information

• Grad Students
• Online Students
• COVID-19 Updates
• Staff Directory
• News & Announcements
• Library Newsletter

My Accounts

• Interlibrary Loan
• Staff Site Login

FIND US ON  

Mighty Writer Blog

The importance of visual aids in teaching writing skills.

Visual aids can enhance the learning experience in a number of ways. For one, they can help KS1 children better understand complex concepts by breaking them down into simpler, more easily digestible parts. This is particularly important when teaching writing skills, as writing can be a complex and nuanced process. 

Visual aids can also help children stay engaged and focused on the task at hand. By incorporating images, videos, and other multimedia elements into your lessons, you can make learning more interactive and dynamic. This can help grab and hold children's attention, which is essential for effective learning. 

The Benefits of Visual Aids in KS1 Literacy

Examples of Visual Aids for Teaching Writing Skills

There are many different types of visual aids that can be used to teach writing skills. Here are just a few examples: 

Graphic organisers: These are visual tools that help children organise their thoughts and ideas before they start writing. Graphic organisers can be particularly helpful for children who struggle with writing or have trouble getting their ideas down on paper. 

Infographics: Infographics are visual representations of information that can help children better understand complex concepts. They can be particularly helpful when teaching children about grammar, syntax, and other technical aspects of writing. 

Images and videos: Incorporating images and videos into your lessons can help children better visualize concepts and processes. For example, you might use a video to demonstrate the writing process or use images to help children visualise key elements of a story. 

Visual aids are an essential tool for teaching writing skills in KS1. By incorporating them into your lessons, you can enhance student engagement, comprehension, and retention of important concepts. Whether you're using graphic organisers, infographics, images, or videos, visual aids are a powerful way to help your students become better writers.

How Can Mighty Writer Help?

If you want to take your pupils' writing skills to the next level, consider using Mighty Writer. This innovative resource is designed to make writing fun and engaging for young learners, while also developing their core literacy skills. With Mighty Writer, your pupils will love writing and you'll love the results! 

Mighty Writer uses cookies to improve your experience. This includes necessary cookies to interact with the website, anonymous analytical data, and some third party cookies. For a complete list and further options please see our Cookie Policy .

• Teaching Methods
• Audiovisual Aids

The use of visuals and visual aids for more effective language and skills’ teaching

• November 2019
• Conference: 27th International IATEFL Poland Conference
• At: Wrocław

• Cracow University of Economics

Discover the world's research

• 25+ million members
• 160+ million publication pages
• 2.3+ billion citations

• Zainab S Al-Shdeifat
• Deena J@yu Edu Jo
• Recruit researchers
• Join for free
• Login Email Tip: Most researchers use their institutional email address as their ResearchGate login Password Forgot password? Keep me logged in Log in or Continue with Google Welcome back! Please log in. Email · Hint Tip: Most researchers use their institutional email address as their ResearchGate login Password Forgot password? Keep me logged in Log in or Continue with Google No account? Sign up

Formatting Graphics and Visuals in APA Style

Statistics and results from data analysis are often best presented in the form of a table, and a theoretical model or pages of information are often best presented in a well-designed visual such as a chart or graph. The American Psychological Association (APA) distinguishes between two types of visuals: tables and figures. Both are used to provide a large amount of information concisely and to promote greater understanding of a text. This article explains how to format tables and figures according to APA Style 7th Edition.

Tables in APA Style (7th ed.)

Tables are organized in a row and column format and provide information that is not already given in the text. Tables should also be able to stand alone and be understandable without the accompanying text. Therefore, having a descriptive title for the table is important and so is using a “note” to explain any symbols, abbreviations, or asterisks used in the table.

When inserting a table in your work, include the following information (also exemplified by Table 1):

• Table number , aligned left, bolded, and presented in sequence: Table 1 , Table 2 , etc.
• Table title , aligned left, italicized, and offering a brief description the table: Title of Table
• The table itself , without shading or vertical borders; use horizontal boarders only for clarity such as a top and bottom border or to separate a row containing the sums of column data. Tables are double spaced unless one or one and a half spacing would enable the table to be displayed on a single page.
• Table note , double-spaced below the table, after the label “note” in italics: Note .

Use a callout such as “See Table 1” in the paragraph before the table to point the reader to it.

Table Notes

Table notes are only used when needed, and there can be up to three notes per table, ordered by type:

• General Note : General notes are given first. Table 1 in this article has a general note. General notes provide definitions, keys, and copyright statements for any information that came from a source.
• Specific Note : Specific notes provide information about individual columns or rows. If, for example, a specific column or cell’s data needed explanation, a superscript letter such as “a” would be placed by the data, e.g. Xa, and the same superscript letter would be placed before the note about it.
• Probability Note : Probability notes explain asterisks (*) or other symbols that provide probability values used in statistical hypothesis testing used for ruling out something occurring due to chance alone.
• In statistical testing, researchers use a probability level between 0 to 1 to describe the chance of an event occurring, with 0 meaning the event will never occur and 1 meaning the event will always occur. In a table or figure, probability levels are assigned asterisks to indicate a range in probability such as p < .05 and * p < .01, and ***p < .001 (APA, 2020). The fewest number of asterisks indicates the largest probability and the greatest number of asterisks indicates the smallest probability level.
• Plus (+) and minus (-) signs are also used in probability notes to show confidence intervals. For example, the results of an opinion poll may show 56% of the respondents prefer candidate A. If the confidence interval is +/-3, then 53%-59% of the population agrees with those sampled.
• Probability notes may also provide confidence levels to indicate how certain the researcher is that the general population will agree with the poll respondents. For example, if the confidence level is 95%, then there is a 95% certainty that 53% to 59% of the population agrees with those polled. Researchers typically use a 95% confidence level.

Example of a general note, specific note, and probability note:

Note . The poll revealed that respondents prefer candidate A. YA = ages 18-30. A = ages 31-43. Adapted from “Title of Article,” by A. Author, Copyright Year, Publication Title, vol(issue) page-page. (URL). Copyright year by Copyright holder or Copyright License or In the public domain.

Data are for all genders.

p < .05. * p < .01.

In the example above, the notes are to be double spaced as shown in Table 1, and each type of note begins on a new line with the first note providing general information about the table including a copyright note for the data used in the table. The second note gives specific information about the data in the rows, and the third note provides the probability (p) values.

Reference Entries for Table Data

A reference entry would also be included for any source of information used in the table and noted in the table note. The reference entry goes on a reference list at the end of the paper.

Table Checklist

• Is the table necessary?
• Is the table mentioned in the text?
• Is the table inserted under the paragraph where it is first mentioned?
• Is the title brief but explanatory and one double-spaced line below the table number?
• Are all vertical borders in the table eliminated?
• Does every column have a heading including?
• Are the notes in the following order: general note, specific note, probability note?
• Are the notes double spaced?
• Are all abbreviations, symbols, and special uses of dashes, italics, or boldface explained in a note?
• If the table is for statistical testing, are probability levels identified?
• If more than one table is used, are probability level asterisks consistent from table to table?
• With statistical testing data, are confidence intervals reported and consistent for all tables?
• If all or part of a copyrighted table is reproduced or adapted, does the general table note give full credit to the copyright owner and have a corresponding reference entry?

Figures in APA Style (7th ed.)

Figures include visuals such as charts graphs, pictures, maps, etc. When inserting a figure in your work, include the following information (also exemplified in Figure 1):

• Figure # , aligned left, bolded, and in sequence: Figure 1 , Figure 2 , etc.
• Figure title , aligned left, italicized, and offering a brief description the table: Figure Title
• The figure itself
• Figure note , double-spaced below the table after the label “note” in italics: Note .

Use a callout such as “See Figure 1” in the paragraph before the figure to point the reader to it.

The Chart tool in Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint provides options for various types of graphs and charts. With so many types to choose from, it’s important to carefully consider which type will best present the information. For example,

• a column chart displays categories of variables; • a bar chart demonstrates comparisons between single items; • a pie chart shows percentages; • a scatter plot illustrates correlations; and • a line graph demonstrates relationships.

The Microsoft Office Support webpage provides examples of these types of charts and more.

Figure Notes

As with tables, there can be up to three notes under the figure, ordered by type: (a) general information about the figure including a copyright statement for compiled data or images from the Internet, (b) specific information about individual sections, bars, graphs, or other elements of the figure, and (c)) probability explanations as discussed in the section on tables.

Copyright Statements for Compiled Data

When you use data and information in your table or figure that was compiled from research, the figure must contain a general note with a copyright statement identifying the copyright holder of that information. Because you are using this information for an academic purpose that is not for profit, you will not need to also acquire permission from the copyholder. It is considered “fair use” for students and scholars to use information that has been previously published if the information is attributed to the copyright holder with proper documentation.

Use the following copyright statement template in a note for data or information that came from a journal or book:

Journal : Note . From [or Adapted from] “Title of Article,” by A. A. Author, year, Journal Title, Volume (Issue), p. xx (DOI or URL). Copyright year by Name of Copyright Holder or In the public domain or Copyright License such as CC BY-NC .

Book : Note . From [or Adapted from] Title of Book (p. xx), by A. A. Author, year, Publisher (DOI or URL). Copyright year by Name of Copyright Holder or In the public domain or CC BY-NC .

Copyright Statements for Images

Images are different than compiled data. Depending on where the image is from, it may or may not require a copyright statement in a note under the image.

Copyrighted images : To use a copyrighted photograph, permission from the copyright holder is needed. It is an act of plagiarism to use a copyrighted image without permission.

Copyright statement template for copyrighted image that you have permission to use:

From [or Adapted from]. Title of Work [Photograph], by A. A. Author, year of publication, Site Name (URL). Copyright year by Name of Copyright holder. Reprinted or Adapted with permission.

Creative Commons licensed images : Photographs with Creative Commons licenses may be used without permission, but each type of Creative Commons license has different stipulations. You can read about each here: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/ . The licenses generally all require attribution to the source or creator of the image. (See Figure 2).

Copyright statement for Creative Commons image:

From [or Adapted from]. Title of Work [Photograph], by A. A. Author, year of publication, Site Name (URL). License such as CC BY-NC .

Photograph With a Creative Commons License for Reproduction With Attribution

Note . From Lilies After Rain [Photograph], by C. Cairns, 2015, Flicker. (https://flic.kr/p/vDHife) . CC BY 2.0 .

Public Domain images : Public domain works are not protected by copyright law or they have expired copyrights such as works published before January 1, 1924. In APA Style, works in the public domain are credited in a copyright statement in the note. (See Figure 3).

Copyright statement for image in the public domain:

From [or Adapted from]. Title of Work [Photograph], by A. A. Author, year of publication, Site Name (URL). In the public domain.

Photograph in the Public Domain

Note . From Study for The Cellist [Photograph], by A. Modigliani, 1909, Abcgallery (http://www.abcgallery.com/M/modigliani/modigliani12.html) . In the public domain.

Free Photos Online: Some photo sites allow for reproduction of images without attribution to the source or creator of that image. Sites such as Pixabay , Pexels , and Unsplash , for example, provide images that do not require attribution. A copyright statement is not needed for these images.

Reference Entries for Figures

In addition to a copyright attribution, include a reference entry for any source credited in a figure note. Below is the APA Style (7th ed.) reference entry template for a photograph:

Author last name, First initial. Middle initial. (year). Title of photograph [Photograph]. Site or Source Name. URL

Figure Checklist

• Is the figure necessary?
• Is the resolution of the image clear enough to be read and understood?
• Is the figure mentioned in the paper’s text?
• Is the figure inserted under the paragraph where it is first mentioned?
• Does the text explain how the figure is relevant to the discussion in the paper without repeating all the information from the figure in the text?
• Does the figure title provide a brief explanation?
• Are all elements of the figure clearly labeled?
• Are all figures numbered consecutively?
• Is proper credit given to the source of the figure in the figure note?
• Has a reference entry been provided for the source of the figure?

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association: The official guide to APA style (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000

© 2020 by Purdue Global Academic Success Center and Writing Center

Share this:

• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)

3 Responses

• Pingbacks 0

What size should the visual be in the actual paper? I have students ask this, and frequently their visuals cover half an entire page, but I cannot find the answer.

Hi Leslie, the American Psychological Association (APA) does not specify the size of visuals used, but does state that tables and figures should fit on one page. The publication manual of APA (2020) also states that tables and figures “should not be used for mere decoration in an academic paper. Instead, every table and figure should serve a purpose” (p. 195). It may be helpful to direct students with questions to review the sample tables and figures available here: https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/tables-figures

I”ve learned a lot from reading this.. I have never an apa paper before

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow Blog via Email

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive email notifications of new posts.

Email Address

• RSS - Posts
• RSS - Comments
• COLLEGE WRITING
• USING SOURCES & APA STYLE
• EFFECTIVE WRITING PODCASTS
• LEARNING FOR SUCCESS
• PLAGIARISM INFORMATION
• FACULTY RESOURCES
• Student Webinar Calendar
• Academic Success Center
• Writing Center
• About the ASC Tutors
• DIVERSITY TRAINING
• PG Peer Tutors
• PG Student Access

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

• College Writing
• Using Sources & APA Style
• Learning for Success
• Effective Writing Podcasts
• Plagiarism Information
• Faculty Resources
• Tutor Training

Twitter feed

Effective Use of Visual Aids as Objects to Make a Presentation Better Case Study

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Introduction

Increase credibility, create dramatic effect, gaining and maintaining attention, powerpoint of no return.

Visual aids are the objects, programs, and/or people and animals that are used to make a presentation better. A visual aid may be just visual, plain print, or audio-visual, to contain sound. The various forms of visual aid used in the world today include, video recordings, graphs, PowerPoint presentations and people. This case study discusses the importance of appropriate visual aids usage in the day to day life of people in different professions.

Visual aids are used to show professionalism in various fields of practice (Eline, 1984). A lawyer, for example, uses visual aids such as tapes and police reports while presenting his/her cases in court. If a lawyer does not present appropriate hard evidence for his case, his credibility is questioned. Hard evidence sometimes includes people and medical reports which are visible and which promote clarity in the presentation of a lawyer’s case. In the broadcasting of news, the news presenters support their story by use of clips from the scene from which the story was developed. In case a story is not supported by visual aids their credibility is risked because people will not just take their word for it.

In the field of business, visual aids indicate professionalism in a field study and proposal. When submitting the study or proposal to the stakeholders concerned, one should provide the proper samples of the data which led to their analyses. A person who provides graphs, pictures, people and multimedia materials to support their argument is considered to be professional. The people who do not support their arguments are considered unprofessional, and their proposals may be dismissed on the basis of lack of credibility.

The use of visual aids creates a dramatic effect on the presentation in that it makes it appealing (Eline, 1984). A lot of people may find it more appealing to watch news on the television than to have then broadcasted through the radio transmitters. The television transmission gives an extra touch to the story by presenting the appropriate pictures and multimedia clips to support their presentations. In a business firm’s conference hall, the introduction of supporting visual aids such as influential people who have succeeded in the topic being discussed provides an extra touch to the presentation. The use of video clips and other multimedia materials during presentation make it intriguing and understandable.

The use of properly prepared visual aids kills the monotony of listening to one’s presentation, increasing the attentiveness of the listeners (Eline, 1984). This is done by occasionally diverting the attention of the listeners from the speaker to something that is not only entertaining, but which also enriches the topic of presentation. In the scene of broadcasting the attention of the audience is held by their curiosity to see what really happened and this curiosity is satisfied by the visual aids presented for each story. In a court of law, the judge’s and jury’s attention is caught and maintained through the presentation of arguments backed up by hard evidence such as witnesses.

In business firm presentations whereby proper visual aids are used, the presentation is not only interesting but also enriching. As a result, the attention of the audience is captured and the effect of what the presenter is putting across increased. In the absence of these visual aids the presentation is likely to be more boring and have less effect on the stakeholders. With use visual aid the attention of the audience is shifted between the presenter and the visual aids thus promoting understanding.

The use of PowerPoint slides for presentation has proven to be ineffective especially while used inappropriately. To ensure the appropriate of power points slides as visual aids to enhance a presentation, ample preparation and careful usage are essential. The presenter should be having ample knowledge on how to use slides to avoid giving the wrong impression to the audience, he must know what he is doing and how to do it. PowerPoint slides are visual aids and are supposed to enhance the presentation not down play it. Ensure that you are well informed on the topic as the slides are intended for summary (Guffey & Almonte, 2009).

The PowerPoint slides created should be made to capture the audience by being interesting. They are supposed to enhance the presentation and make it better not worse. The slides should thus be interesting and relevant to the topic of presentation. Only the appropriate information should be used on the slide and any other information considered not appropriate for the slide should be presented in other medium of communication. It is very important to remember that the power point presentation is supposed to complement the presenter and thus the major means of presentation should be through speech and paralinguistic (Guffey & Almonte, 2009).

Visual aids are powerful in enhancing a presentation if used the correct way. They increase the credibility of the presenter in what he does, create an extra touch on the presentation and help with audience attention. The correct choice of what visual aid to use to present what information is important and should be carefully handled. The main means of presentation should not be forsaken for the visual aids but should be enhanced through them.

• Eline, L. (1984). How to Prepare and Use Effective Visual Aids. Alexandria, VA: American Society for Training and Development.
• Guffey, M. E., & Almonte, R. (2009). Essentials of Business Communication. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning.
• Mars Reconnaissance Orbital
• Wood-Based Technology and Manufacturing Processes
• Effective Communication and PowerPoint Presentation
• Multimedia Technology for Teaching and Learning
• The Supercuts vs. Great Clips Businesses Comparison
• The Five Factor Model: Technology Acceptance
• IT Investment and Productivity Paradox
• The iPad Tablet as Technological Needs
• IPod Product as a Media Devices Market Development
• Weaknesses and Strengths of Apple iPad
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2022, January 13). Effective Use of Visual Aids as Objects to Make a Presentation Better. https://ivypanda.com/essays/effective-use-of-visual-aids-as-objects/

"Effective Use of Visual Aids as Objects to Make a Presentation Better." IvyPanda , 13 Jan. 2022, ivypanda.com/essays/effective-use-of-visual-aids-as-objects/.

IvyPanda . (2022) 'Effective Use of Visual Aids as Objects to Make a Presentation Better'. 13 January.

IvyPanda . 2022. "Effective Use of Visual Aids as Objects to Make a Presentation Better." January 13, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/effective-use-of-visual-aids-as-objects/.

1. IvyPanda . "Effective Use of Visual Aids as Objects to Make a Presentation Better." January 13, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/effective-use-of-visual-aids-as-objects/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Effective Use of Visual Aids as Objects to Make a Presentation Better." January 13, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/effective-use-of-visual-aids-as-objects/.

Why Do We Need Visual Aids in Tech Writing?

A few days ago, I bought a new smartphone—one of the new flashy models which contains more bells and whistles than I could ever need. I am decently comfortable with new-age devices, but this one had me scratching my head. I just could not figure out how to insert the second SIM card along with the memory card. After much tinkering, I decided to give the official user guide a shot. Only after I looked at the booklet and studied the visual instructions did things start making sense. I was finally able to complete my task.

Visual elements in technical documentation help end users absorb complex information, understand new concepts and finish their tasks faster.

Types of Visual Aids

There are different types of visual aids that tech writers can add to enrich the  content.

• Charts and Diagrams: Flow charts help users to understand processes from start to end. By having a pictorial representation, users can grasp the process and ensure that they do not miss out on any of the key steps. Sample flow chart .

• Infographics: Oftentimes, it is crucial to highlight certain calculations and values in the documentation. Having them in tables or paragraph format might make users overlook them due to the information overload. Infographics make it easier to visualise data. Sample infographic .

• Videos and GIFs: Explainer videos, with or without voiceover, are excellent resources for users to quickly learn about products, concepts and procedural steps. Sample video

• Screenshots: Product UI images that help the user connect the instructions to the interface. Sample screenshots

4 Reasons Visual Aids Are Important

• Simplifies complex content

The most important reason to add visual aids such as screenshots and diagrams is to break the content into smaller, understandable pieces. This simplification enables the user to grasp the concepts better. The visual cues help them to relate to the ideas better.

For example, in the aviation industry, flight manuals come with detailed diagrams and images to ensure pilots and other officials can absorb the information well. Another example is a map that helps users navigate or understand the layout of complex buildings.

2. Improves retention

Our minds are able to retain details when it is displayed to us in visual form. The usage of vivid colours and shapes helps our brains to store information. Studies have shown that people are more likely to remember information when it is presented in a visual format. Compared to text, images are processed by the human brain at a speed 60,000 times faster. Furthermore, visual information accounts for 90 percent of the information that is transmitted to the brain.

3. Saves time

Some users are visual learners. Sometimes users do not have enough time or do not want to put in the effort of going through lengthy text. They want to quickly get the information they need to go ahead and get the job done. 

In fact, at Razorpay, when we conducted feedback sessions with users to understand the efficacy of our documents, we realised that users preferred watching our dashboard videos rather than reading the steps. Videos definitely help in faster dissemination of information.

4. Improves accessibility

Adding visual elements makes your documentation accessible to a wider audience. For example, readers who may struggle with written language can benefit from the use of visual aids such as images, diagrams, or videos. 

In the case of visual impairments, visual aids can provide alternative ways of presenting information through braille, tactile images, or audio descriptions.

Ending Notes

When selecting a visual aid, it is critical to consider the purpose of the writing, the target audience, and the type of information. Visual aids are powerful tools for writers looking to enhance content clarity, engagement, and memorability. When used effectively, visual aids can add an element of creativity and interest to a piece of writing, making it more enjoyable for readers to engage with. 

Start using visual aids to enhance the communication process and improve the overall quality of your writing.

Principal Tech Writer at Razorpay who loves to read, write and drink copious amounts of coffee.

Related Posts

How to link aadhaar to pan a step-by-step guide for 2024, how to check aadhaar and pan card link status online, aadhaar update last date: how to update aadhaar card online in 2024, how to change aadhaar address online and offline, write a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

• Register or Login

Join our mailing list

Visual AIDS utilizes art to fight AIDS by provoking dialogue, supporting HIV+ artists, and preserving a legacy, because AIDS is not over.

Featured Web Gallery

“food to vision hungry children”: art and fragments from steven arnold’s mouth.

"These are our responsibilities: To remember, represent, interact and to love." Alexandra Juhasz

Browse Work In The Artist Registry

Pandemic publications: on aids, covid, and books, public garden, 16 commerce street: anthony pellino and his 1983 plan for an aids memorial, community knowledge practice: a portfolio, walker reader: because aids is not over, call for video proposals: day with(out) art 2025, events calendar, guided tour of peter hujar's "rialto" exhibit for aids activists, aids, archives, and arts assemblies in belgium: aaliy a. muhammad, and nino_uncut, what isn’t governable, donate today.

Founded in 1988, Visual AIDS is the only arts organization fully committed to raising AIDS awareness and creating dialogue around HIV issues today, by producing and presenting visual art projects, exhibitions, public forums and publications - while assisting artists living with HIV/AIDS. We are committed to preserving and honoring the work of artists with HIV/AIDS and the artistic contributions of the AIDS movement.

Kyle Croft Executive Director

Shawn Escarciga Development Director

Blake Paskal Programs Manager

Jacs Rodriguez Community Archivist

Board of Directors

Marguerite Van Cook, President

Wendy Olsoff, Vice President

Carlos Gutierrez-Solana, Treasurer

Dr. Daniel S. Berger

Antonio Sergio Bessa

Nayland Blake

Marques McClary

Visual Aids Essays

Topic: kindergarten teachers’ perception, experiences and challenges using visual aids for children with autism, popular essay topics.

• American Dream
• Artificial Intelligence
• Black Lives Matter
• Bullying Essay
• Career Goals Essay
• Causes of the Civil War
• Child Abusing
• Civil Rights Movement
• Community Service
• Cultural Identity
• Cyber Bullying
• Death Penalty
• Depression Essay
• Domestic Violence
• Freedom of Speech
• Global Warming
• Gun Control
• Human Trafficking
• I Believe Essay
• Immigration
• Importance of Education
• Israel and Palestine Conflict
• Leadership Essay
• Legalizing Marijuanas
• Mental Health
• National Honor Society
• Police Brutality
• Pollution Essay
• Racism Essay
• Romeo and Juliet
• Same Sex Marriages
• Social Media
• The Great Gatsby
• The Yellow Wallpaper
• Time Management
• To Kill a Mockingbird
• Violent Video Games
• What Makes You Unique
• Why I Want to Be a Nurse
• Send us an e-mail

This website uses cookies to provide you with the most relevant information. Please accept cookies for better performance.

• Annotated Bibliography
• Coursework Writing
• Book Reports
• PowerPoint Presentation
• Capstone Project
• Excel Homework
• Article Writing
• Article Critique
• Blog Article
• Scholarship Essay
• Marketing Plan
• White Paper
• Research Proposal
• Dissertation
• Thesis Proposal
• Proofreading
• IB Extended Essay
• Grant Proposal
• Write My Interview Essay
• Questions-Answers
• Literature Review
• Literary Analysis
• Business Plan
• Research Paper
• Discussion Board Post
• Response Reaction Paper
• Letter Writer
• Questionnaire
• Book Review
• Interview Essay
• Affiliate Program
• Write My Outline
• Rewriting Service
• Problem Solving Essay
• How It Works
• --> --> --> -->