A chalkboard or plastic marker board (used with broad-tipped markers) is a presentation medium available in almost every corporate conference room or classroom. These boards work well when you want to emphasize certain words or ideas, or to clear up something the audience doesn’t understand by creating a spontaneous presentation aid.
Writing terms or names on the board calls the audience’s attention to their importance and helps your listeners remember them. This is especially important if the word or name is spelled differently from the way it is pronounced. For example, if you mentioned the leader of the underground Christianity movement in China, Lin Xiangao, it would be advisable to write the name on the board. As you turn to the board, you might say, “Let me write this name for you.” Print the word or words quickly but legibly as you continue speaking, then immediately regain eye contact with your audience.
A chalk or marker board also is a good audience-adaptation tool. Despite your best preparation, there may be moments when you look at your listeners and realize that some of them have not understood what you have just said. You can respond to this feedback by writing a few words on the board or drawing a simple diagram to help reduce their confusion.
Be careful when using chalk or marker boards. When you write on a board, print the words in large letters so that people in the back of the room can read them without straining. Clear the board before you begin and, as a courtesy to later speakers, erase the board when you are finished.
Finally, don’t overuse or misuse a chalk or marker board. You should not use these media for anything that will take more than a few seconds to write or draw. When you are writing or drawing, you lose contact with your audience. We have all had teachers who talked more to the chalkboard than to the class. Talk to the audience, not to the chalk or marker board. Stand to the side of your drawing or writing and maintain eye contact with your listeners. Never use chalk or marker boards simply because you do not want to take the time to prepare a polished presentation aid.