TN145 Illustrating what you say

First published on this website in April 2023 and last updated in May 2025

Synopsis

These notes provide advice for preachers and speakers in church on the use of illustrations in a talk. But there is a warning that illustrations must serve the message and not dictate it. Twelve types of illustration are listed and commented on.

1. Story telling
2. Living analogies
3. Personal testimony
4. Apt quotations
5. Probing questions
6. Visible objects
7. Supportive PowerPoint
8. Appropriate humour
9. Sudden surprise
10. Message application
11. Group discussion
12. Interactive quiz

Spoken words alone can be dull. Here are practical ways to ‘colour’ what you say.

These notes were updated in May 2025 with some minor amendments.