Identify and explain six guidelines for using handouts effectively

What will be an ideal response?

1. Do notdistribute your handout during the presentation unless your listeners must refer to the material while you're talking about it. Do not distribute handouts that have only marginal relevance to your verbal message. They will defeat your purpose.
2. Control listeners' attention. If you do distribute a handout and you see that your listeners are giving the written material more attention than they are giving you, tell them where in the handout you want them to focus. For example, you could say, "I see that many of you are interested in the second and third pages of the report. I'll discuss those items in just a few moments. I'd like to talk about a few examples before we get to page 2."
3. After distributing your handouts, tell audience members to keep the material face down until you're ready to talk about the material. This will help listeners resist the temptation to peek at your handout instead of keeping their focus on you and your message.
4. Clearly number the pages on your handout material. This will make it easy for you to direct audience members to specific pages in your handouts.
5. Consider preparing images of each page to project on a computer-prepared slide.You'll be able to display the specific page you're talking about; you can also quickly point to the paragraph or chart on the page you want them to focus on. Listeners will be able to see what page you're on if they miss your verbal announcement. It's not a good idea, however, to economize by only displaying detailed material and not providing handouts. The print will be too small to be seen clearly.
6. If your listeners do not need the information in your handouts during your presentation, tell them that you will distribute a summary of the key ideas at the end of your talk. Your handout could include a copy of all computer-generated slides or it might summarize the specific action you want your audience to take, as well as distill the key information you have discussed.