What can the use of visuals in a presentation help achieve?

The use of visuals in a presentation significantly enhances the overall effectiveness of communication by reinforcing key points and aiding audience understanding. Visual aids such as slides, charts, graphs, and images can clarify complex information, highlight critical data, and engage the audience more thoroughly than verbal content alone. This dual coding—where visual and auditory channels are utilized—can lead to better retention of information, as the audience is likely to remember both the visuals and the spoken words associated with them.

Visuals can also break up the monotony of a purely verbal presentation, capturing attention and maintaining interest. When designed thoughtfully, they serve to complement and enhance the spoken message, creating a more powerful impact and facilitating a deeper understanding of the topic presented. This is why their strategic use is recommended in effective public speaking to ensure that the audience walks away with a clear comprehension of the presenter's message.