What is the best way to support your answers with visuals or examples? (2024)

Visuals or examples are powerful tools to support your answers because they appeal to different learning styles, capture attention, and increase retention. Some people are more visual learners, who prefer to see images, graphs, charts, or diagrams to understand complex or abstract concepts. Others are more auditory or kinesthetic learners, who benefit from hearing stories, anecdotes, or metaphors that relate to their experiences or emotions. By using visuals or examples, you can cater to different preferences and make your answers more memorable and convincing.

The first step to using visuals or examples is to choose the ones that are relevant, clear, and credible. You want to select visuals or examples that directly relate to the question and your main point, and that support your argument with evidence or logic. You also want to make sure that they are easy to see, hear, and understand, and that they do not confuse or distract the audience. Finally, you want to use visuals or examples that are trustworthy and accurate, and that you can cite or explain the source if needed.

The second step to using visuals or examples is to use them effectively and appropriately. You want to integrate them smoothly into your answer, and not just show or tell them without any context or connection. You also want to explain how they illustrate or prove your point, and what they mean for the audience or the topic. You also want to avoid overusing or repeating them, and to vary the types and formats of visuals or examples you use. For instance, you can use a combination of data, images, stories, quotes, or analogies to enrich your answer.

The third step to using visuals or examples is to prepare them in advance and have them ready to use. You want to anticipate the possible questions you might get from the audience, and have some visuals or examples that match your main points and messages. You also want to have them accessible and easy to display or share, whether you use slides, handouts, videos, audio clips, or online tools. You also want to practice using them in your answer, and to check that they work properly and look professional.

The fourth step to using visuals or examples is to handle any challenges or issues that might arise with them. You want to be prepared for any technical glitches, such as malfunctioning equipment, incompatible formats, or slow internet connection. You also want to be ready for any questions or objections that might come from the audience, such as doubts, criticisms, or counterexamples. You also want to be flexible and adaptable, and to have some backup or alternative visuals or examples in case you need to change or adjust your answer.

The fifth step to using visuals or examples is to improve your skills and confidence with them. You want to learn from your own and others' experiences, and to seek feedback and suggestions from your peers, mentors, or coaches. You also want to keep up with the latest trends and best practices in using visuals or examples, and to explore new tools and resources that can help you create and present them. You also want to practice and rehearse your answers with visuals or examples, and to refine and polish them until they are clear and compelling.

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Conference Speaking

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