Final answer:
Handouts are meant to provide supplemental information to an audience, enhancing their understanding of the presentation. They should not replace, distract, or entertain, but rather support the speaker's message.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of providing handouts to audience members during a presentation is as a form of supplemental information. Handouts serve to enhance and reinforce the content being presented. They should not serve as a stand-alone replacement for the entire presentation, as the presentation itself is the primary method of communication. Handouts are also not intended to be a distraction from the speaker or a source of entertainment. Rather, they should provide additional material that the audience can refer to during or after the presentation to better understand and remember the information shared.