Line graphs show relationships between two or more variables. Source: Data from Information Please Database, 2010. Cell Phone Subscribers in the U.S., 1985–2008 <www.infoplease .com/ipa/A0933563.htm>

Prison Population Rates per 100,000 of the population = 25 prisoners

USA 740 (Total prisoners: 2,186,230)

Russia 610 (Total prisoners: 869,814)

U.S. Virgin Islands 520 (Total prisoners: 576)

To p

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FIGURE 12.5 Adding visual symbols, such as those in this picture graph, can help your audience maintain interest and understand complex information. Source: From “Prison population rates per 100,000 of the population,” Visual Aid 2, 2009. Reprinted by permission of Black Dog Publishing and Draught Associates.

Types of Presentation Aids 273

to prepare large charts or graphs. Make sure your letters are large enough to be seen clearly in the back row. Use simple words or phrases, and eliminate unnecessary words.

Flipcharts A flipchart consists of a large pad of paper resting on an easel. Flipcharts are often used in business presentations and training sessions, although the preva- lence of computer graphics software has reduced their use in corporate presentations. You can either prepare your visual aids before your speech or draw on the paper while speaking. Flipcharts are easy to use. During your presentation, you need only flip the page to reveal your next visual. Flipcharts are best used when you have brief infor- mation to display or when you want to summarize comments from audience mem- bers during a presentation.

Most experienced flipchart users recommend that you use lined paper to keep your words and drawings neat and well organized. Another suggestion is to pencil in speaking notes on the chart that only you can see. Brief notes on a flipchart are less cumbersome to use than notes on cards or a clipboard. If you do use notes, however, be sure that they are few and brief; using too many notes will tempt you to read rather than have eye contact with your audience.

Chalkboards and Whiteboards A fixture in classrooms for centuries, chalk- boards are often used to offer visual support for spoken words. Whiteboards are re- placing chalkboards in both education and business settings; these more contemporary boards serve the same function as chalkboards, but instead of writing on a black or green slate with a piece of chalk, the speaker writes on a whiteboard with a marker. Chalkboards and whiteboards have several advantages: They are inex- pensive, simple to use, and low-tech, so you don’t need to worry about extension cords or special training.

Although you can find a chalkboard or whiteboard in most classrooms and board- rooms, many public-speaking teachers discourage overuse of them. Why? When you write on the board, you have your back to your audience; you do not have eye contact! Some speakers try to avoid that problem by writing on the board before their speech starts. But then listeners often look at the visual rather than listening to the introductory remarks. Moreover, chalkboards and whiteboards are probably the least novel presenta- tion aids, so they are not particularly effective at getting or holding audience attention.

Use a board only for brief phrases or for very simple line diagrams that can be drawn in just a few seconds. It is usually better to prepare a chart, graph, or drawing on a poster or an overhead transparency than to use a chalkboard or whiteboard.