V.A.R.K.
We are all aware that we use different senses to collect and retain data, in fact we have a preference for one and then another as secondary and the third to a lesser degree still. As a presenter you have no idea as to who in your audience prefers ‘what’ sense – so it makes sense (pardon the pun) to incorporate all three thereby ensuring you get everyone. The primary three are:
- (V) Visual, some people prefer to ‘see’ the material.
- (A) Auditory, others prefer to ‘hear’ the material.
- (K) Kinaesthetic, while others like to ‘feel or touch’ or basically use their hands in some way.
But there is a fourth element to the sensory input options. It is (R) for Reading and this is precisely why most presenters bore their audience to sleep… If you can understand and follow the next statement you may very well experience an epiphany in regards to presentations: “The brain relaxes looking at a picture, the brain has to work to read words (and numbers)”.
So every time you put your multitude of bullet points on the big screen the audience is forced to ‘work’ their brain. Every time you put a picture on the screen their brain relaxes. So ask yourself this question: “Who would I like more, the presenter who makes me work my brain and tires me out, or the presenter who allows my brain to relax and keeps me alert?”
Take home message: USE PICTURES