However, if used incorrectly, the presenter will find their audience looking at their watches rather than the presentation. No one wants to stare at a presenters back or ask the person next to them what the heck it says.
Let's take a look at the advantages of flip charts, and how to use them effectively.
Basic Rules
Use flipcharts with small groups of students – usually under 25
Write on sheet, then turn and talk to your students; avoid talking to the flipchart
What you write should appear spontaneous but to be effective, it must be carefully thought out in advance
Use simple lines forming squares, triangles, circles, arrows to convey ideas and explanations
This visual aid is a very personal one since it is small and portable. It should be on your left-hand side if your are right handed, and right, if you are left handed.
Use a small pointer or pen to point out the information as you cover it.
Apply the 7 x 7 rule: 7 words on a line and 7 lines on a sheet - With flipcharts, less is more.
Don't crowd the page with words. Keep your audience focused on the important points
Help your audience separate key points/ideas by using bullets.
White space on the flipchart enables an audience to better focus on key points
Letters should be a minimum 2" high
Use upper and lower case - don't use all block letters as they are difficult to read
Avoid weak colors that are difficult to see. Remember that blue and black can be difficult to differentiate from a distance. Use color to highlight key points
Use markers meant for flipcharts, not regular magic markers – they "bleed" through the paper
Use only the top two-thirds of the page. If you write too low down on the page, your students sitting at the back will have difficulty reading your writing
Write lightly in pencil any notes you need to remind yourself next to key points. These notes would not be seen by your students from where they are sitting
Correct small errors with liquid paper; for large areas, cover them with double layer of flipchart paper and correct the errors
Using Prepared Flipcharts
Making "prepared" flip charts can take a considerable amount of time
Make sure you start preparing your charts early enough so you can review them and make any changes or corrections before hand
Check that the flipcharts that you use fit the flipchart stand you will be using
Leave a blank page between each page of writing. This will prevent your information from "bleeding" through from sheet to sheet
Prepare your charts early enough so that you have time to review them and make any changes or corrections beforehand
Design your charts on paper first before drawing them on the actual flip chart pad
Lightly write text in pencil before using actual flip chart markers
Store and transport your charts properly. Invest in a carrying case if you intend to re-use your flipcharts
Correct small errors with liquid paper; for large areas, cover them with double layer of flipchart paper and correct the errors
One last thing to remember. It never looks good if you trip over the flipchart!
