Using Aids in Demonstration Speeches
Improve demonstration speeches by using one or more of the 5 types of aids.
Demonstration speeches focus on describing or explaining procedures.
If you want to make your examples clearer and help make your presentation more understandable, you should incorporate aids into your talk.
Types of Aids
Think of your five senses: Visual, audio, touch, taste and smell.
You can use any or all 5 to assist your demonstration it just depends on your topic.
Visual
Visual aids include showing an object or performing an action.
When using an object your audience make sure your audience can see it clearly.
Do this by:
Using a large object.
Projecting a picture or video of it on a screen.
What about your slide templates? A well designed template can give your speech that extra something. If you really want to impress your audience use professional templates.
Allowing the audience to inspect it- be careful this does not distract from your presentation, examinations may be best left till you’ve finished speaking.
- Performing an Action
Many people find it easier to learn by watching others.
Ensure your actions are clear and deliberate, you may find it beneficial to explain what you are doing at the same time.
Perform slowly, and repeat if required.
Before using visuals aids ensure you know their disadvantages.
Audio
- Do you need a microphone?
- Will your listeners be able to hear you if you do not use one?
- Think about where you are giving your presentation, will background noise be disturbing? Will there be children in the audience?
- If you don’t want to use a mike should you have one available just in case?
- Are you playing back recordings? - If so use good quality ones. They should be clear enough so people can easily hear and understand them.
- If, however, they are historical and/or of poor quality provide a transcript or clarify what is being said or happening.
- Do you want to use live sounds- like the sound of cow mooing, or food sizzling in a pan? Ensure you have a back up plan in case the live sound will not perform.
Touch
- Imagine how many words you need to describe the feel of snow or the smoothness of sanded wood. Now imagine how easy it would be to let someone actually experience those feelings for themselves.
- Including an object that your audience can examine will greatly assist your demonstration.
- If you don't want your speech to disappear into the background whilst your spectators are busy inspecting your object, keep examinations until your have finished your talk.
- Are there other things you need to consider for example, do you need to provide gloves, masks, tongs etc?
- How many people will be allow to come and touch? Should it be only a select few?
- If so how do you chose who has the opportunity?
Taste
- Letting your audience taste food is a great aid for cooking demonstrations.
- Be sure to check with your venue about cooking regulations. Don’t forget to think about hygiene, containers, rubbish disposals.
Smell
- Chemistry demonstrations are a fantastic way to produce some horrible smells but whatever smells you are producing, be considerate.
- The next people who hire the venue will probably not appreciate any leftover odours so remember to banish them.
Final tips for using aids in demonstration speeches
- Keep them easily assessable- Not only will you will lose your speech momentum if you have to stop and search for them, you will be wasting valuable talking time.
- Do you require other equipment ? – speakers, plug sockets, projector screen etc.
- Think about your audience- have you got strobe lighting that could bring on epileptic fits? Do you need to warn them about images they might see etc?
- Check with the venue- ensure they give you clearance and you have any necessary permits.
- Whether you are using a visual or other aid ensure you know how to use it.
More
information about giving presentations to get results, can be found in my newsletter, The Powerful Speaker.
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