Delivery of speech using sensory aids
Utilizing sensory aids helps the audience to better understand and memorize the material presented while interacting more with the speech.
The value of sensory aids
By using sensory aids or visual tools, it is possible to increase interaction, comprehension, and memorization of content. In this article, we will talk about sensory aids, their importance, and how to use them. Delivery of speech using sensory aids.
Sensory Enhancements help the audience break down the content into sections that are easier to remember; These are easier to understand than those that do not use visual aids. Delivery of speech using sensory aids.
1. Increase listener interaction by using sensory aids
If you get to know the listeners and choose your sensory aids accordingly, they will also have more interaction with the speech.
For example, if you are lecturing to a group that has a shorter attention span (such as how long a person can focus on an activity) (such as teens or young adults), it is best to use sensory aids, including pictures and colors, instead of additional texts and explanations.
Visual aids help the audience follow the structure and flow of the content you present. Utilizing visual aids increases the audience’s attention to the content because effective communication with visual tools is easier than communicating with words.
Use short stories, quotes, and engaging examples in your visual aids. Storytelling and helps to separate the parts of the speech and make the audience pay more attention to the content. Providing summaries of these stories in visual aid also helps the audience to memorize the stories and thus better understand the speech.
2. Increase listener comprehension through repetition and sensory aids
By repeating the material, the listener’s understanding can be greatly increased; Because repetition causes the audience to re-practice and process the presented information mentally (both visually and aurally). This repetition is most effective when sensory aids are used to replicate an idea.
For example, if the speaker tells a story to explain a concept and uses visual help related to that story, the audience will process both the visual aid and the story and will be more likely to understand the concepts.
3. Increase content memorization through sensory aids
Utilizing sensory aids is a good way to increase audience retention. This is done by repeating the information provided to the audience. If the speaker discusses an idea and then uses visual aids to help the audience understand the idea, the audience will think about the idea again and process it.
This allows more audiences to recall the idea. In addition, visual aid can help the audience remember the story or concept described by the speaker in the form of a cue. The use of visual cues (instead of just words) has a greater effect on the memorization of the concept described.
Select the appropriate visual aids
One way to make a speech memorable is to use visual aids. Choose a tool that is appropriate for the point you want to make to the audience. Visual communication relies on observation. Two-dimensional images are used to establish this connection. Visual aids usually include the following:
- Typography (typography).
- Drawing shapes.
- Graphic Design.
- pictures.
- the chart.
- Map.
- Video clips.
The visual message along with text has more power in informing, educating, or convincing the audience. Today, most visual aids and content delivery tools are computer-designed and produced. You should be familiar with how to use this tool or any other type of visual aid in your speech.
The type of visual aid used by the speaker depends on his preferences and the information he has to provide. In order to determine the type of visual aid used, first write a summary of your speech, in which the main and important points of the speech and also paying attention to the audience and their cultural characteristics.
Choose media that is appropriate for the point you want to make. Visual aids should confirm, clarify and reinforce your statements; Not just repeat what you said in another way. To make sure your goal is to use clear visual aids, you should use only important and memorable words or phrases.
Consider these points
- When choosing a visual aid, you should see if the tool used is also visible and understandable to the people who are furthest from the screen.
- Practice using visual aids as you examine your speech in terms of timing and relevance.
- Do not use visual aids at the beginning or end of a speech; Unless it’s important to start a lecture or explain a key point.
- Introduce visual aids in a way that gently aligns with the speech and highlights important points or clarifies your examples;
- Maintaining eye contact with the audience is also very important. You need to speak to your audience and not just look at your visual aids during the talk.
- Practice giving a speech and coordinating the points you make with the visual aids used.
- Avoid distributing copies of visual aids to your audience; Because it often distracts them.
- Be sure to add interactive aspects (such as polling or asking for audience feedback) to your visual aids as this will engage and increase the audience’s attention.
The importance of preparing sensory aids
Preparing visual aids will ensure that using this tool helps increase audience engagement, memorization and comprehension. There are three important questions to consider when preparing visual aids.
1. Is your visual aid appropriate for your audience
Once you have decided on the topic of the lecture and done the necessary research, you should think about how you want to present the desired information using visual aids.
You have to look at your speech from different angles, and in the meantime, the most important thing to keep in mind is the question, “Who is my audience?” Never the importance of knowing the audience. If the audience cannot understand your visual aids, it will be more difficult to achieve your intended goal.
You need to consider the level of knowledge, demographics, occupation, and values of your audience when selecting or producing visual aid.
For example, you should not use examples and images that a particular generation or age group is unable to comprehend. Your decision to use visual aids such as PowerPoint or any other display tool will have a significant impact on the audience; So think smart about using this tool.
