260 / SPEAKING AND WRITINGDeveloping visual support
Behavioral scientists have known for many years that visual images
can have a powerful effect on the process of learning. In some cases,
pictures may reach people who simply don’t listen well to the spoken
word, or who may not understand what the words mean.How does visual support help?
Behavioral scientists have found that visual
support is important in communication for
three main reasons:-^ It can help explain, reinforce, and clarify the
spoken word during a presentation. If you
can’t say something easily, you may be able
to show it to your audience.
-^ Some people pay more attention to what they
see than what they hear, and can more quickly
and easily recall information and concepts
with a visual component than those that
are just spoken aloud.
-^ People tend to recognize ideas most easily
when they are presented as a combination
of both words and pictures, rather than when
presented as either words or pictures alone.
of professional speakers
use PowerPoint or similar software
for part or all of their presentation
94 %
US_260-261_Developing_Visual_Support.indd 260 30/05/16 3:04 pm