Why Use Props?

Source: Adapted with permission from Using Props by Tom Antion, Advanced Public Speaking Institute, Landover Hills, MD. Online (add link:http://www.public-speaking.org/public-speaking-props-article.htm) .

In teaching, the term prop is a shortened version of the theatrical term property, a word used to describe any object handled or used by an actor in a performance. Teachers are performers. You have an obligation to use whatever means necessary to get your message across to your students.

A prop is any physical item that is "on stage" with you. Your flipchart is a prop. Your lectern is a prop. Overhead projectors, pointers, notes, chairs, markers, pens, and other audio/visual aids are all forms of props — valuable visual aids.

Props energize. Props help warm up the audience during a speech or lecture. They help focus attention on the speaking points you are trying to make along with illustrating them for you. They make better connections than your words with visually oriented students. Props create interest, add variety, and make your points more memorable.

Props grab attention. Unusual items prominently displayed immediately arouse curiosity. Custom-designed crossword puzzles relevant to the class content connect students to the topic immediately. The puzzles make especially great icebreakers because the members of the class can get together to help each other with the solutions.

Props help organize content. Do you hate relying on notes? Props can serve as a substitute for written cheat sheets. Professional speaker Tom Antion illustrates this point in live seminars and television interviews when he uses three hats as an outline for his program.

The first hat is a novelty ball cap that has long hair attached to it so that the wearer looks like a hippie. The second hat is a black top hat. The third is a safari hat. Each hat prompts him to deliver a thoroughly rehearsed segment. Putting on the longhaired ball cap immediately reminds him to talk about when the company was young and aggressive. To illustrate the next point he removes the ball cap and puts on the black top hat. The top hat prompts a section on the mature growth years of the company. Next, he dons the safari hat that kicks off a section on searching for new business. The whole talk is done without any notes at all. He only has to memorize the opening and closing and practice each of the sections independently.

Props focus attention. Didn't someone say a prop is worth a thousand words? Maybe that was a "picture," but it's just about the same thing. Many times a well-selected prop will illustrate your point much better than you could ever do in words. It also focuses attention directly on the point you are trying to make because it is something novel that is occurring during the presentation. Students' attention can easily stray from your words, but a unique prop is hard to ignore. Also, the visual learners will perk up and get more value when you use props.

Props enhance memory. People remember pictures far longer than words, which is why public speakers who use stories choose vivid words to create images in your mind. They know that the images will be remembered when the words are long forgotten. If you are not a great storyteller yet, you can use props to help create these pictures.

Use props as fillers. Keep on hand several interesting props or artifacts related to your subject to use when you finish a lesson early. Some teachers have had success with collecting discarded common objects (e.g., telephones, radios, computers, or motors) and allowing students to see inside them. Capitalize on students' natural curiosity.