Public Speaking Center
A page within Murphy Learning Center
We support student success by providing quality peer consulting on speech assignments and oral presentations.
Peer consultants aid students with:
- Topic selection
- Preparation and presentation outlines
- Content development
- Delivery
- Presentational aids
- Managing speaking anxiety
- Remote presentations
- Increasing confidence in public speaking
Want to be a Peer Consultant?
We hire every spring - our application for 2023-24 will be available in late February 2023.
Here is more information about becoming a tutor and what a tutor does.
Additional Resources
You can use this QR code to leave consultants feedback.
The Murphy Learning Center offers free tutoring in a variety of subject areas.
The Public Speaking Center at UWL is one of fifteen communication centers in the United States that has a training program certified by the National Association of Communication Centers.
Sundays: 12 p.m.- 5 p.m.
Mondays: 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Tuesdays: 11 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Wednesdays: 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Thursdays: 11 a.m.- 8 p.m.
Fridays: 11 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Tutoring is available in-person, virtually through Zoom, or asynchronously through emailing documents. If doing asynchronously, a tutor will look over materials during their scheduled hours if there are no appointments.
Each session is a half hour long.
We offer tutoring in three modalities.
- In person appointments or drop in
- Remote appointments
- Asynchronous tutoring
We will re-open for the Spring on February 6th.
- In person in the Murphy Learning Center
- Book through the Navigate App
- Go to Book an Appointment
- Select "Tutoring"
- Select "Murphy Learning Center"
- Select "Public Speaking Center"
- Select the day and time you'd like to have an appointment
- Submit
- Drop-ins are welcome, but come second to schedules appointments
- Remote tutoring via Zoom
- Please self-enroll in this Canvas page: Tutoring, UWL Learning Center to have access to remote tutoring
- Join us in the Public Speaking Center Zoom room
- Asynchronous tutoring Please email materials to psc@uwlax.edu
- Send materials 72 hours before you need feedback.
- Include the following information in your email:
- The name of your instructor
- 2-3 areas the tutor should provide feedback on
- The due date of the assignment
- Please send materials as an attachment (Word or PDF so tutors can easily provide direct feedback.
If you need assistance with a group speech, we can help you in two ways:
- A 30 minute speech focused on a specific aspect of the presentation.
- Schedule two back to back sessions (60 minutes) with the same tutor where they can help your group with the entire presentation (similar to an individual speech).
- Share materials for asynchronous feedback.
During your appointment, the tutor will track your information Navigate.
Please read the frequently asked questions before coming to your appointment.
Where do I go for tutoring?
You have two options:
- Appointment or drop in face to face tutoring. We are located in the Murphy Learning Center.
- For remote tutoring (by appointment only). Please self-enroll in this Canvas page: Tutoring, UWL Learning Center to have access to remote tutoring. Join the Public Speaking Center room in Zoom.
Who comes to the Center and why?
Students from all majors can use the Public Speaking Center. Trained peer consultants will help any UWL student. We offer assistance with:
- Topic selection
- Audience analysis
- Content development
- Organizing ideas
- Preparation outlines
- Persuasive Presentations
- Informative Presentations
- Group Presentations
- Delivery outlines and speaking notes
- Delivery (hand and facial gestures, vocal tone)
- Audio-visual aids
- Managing speaking anxiety
What should I bring to my appointment?
- A copy of your course syllabus
- Assignment directions and rubric
- Any notes or drafts
What will happen at the beginning of my appointment?
The peer tutor will ask a few questions to work with you, including:
- The assignment you want to work on
- Your instructor's name
- The course where the assignment is from
- Your goal for the 30 minute session (what part of the assignment do you want to work on)
How long do appointments last?
- Appointments are 30 minutes
- If you need additional help, you can schedule a follow up appointment
Asynchronous tutoring
We recognize that it may be difficult to participate in remote or face to face tutoring. If you would like to receive feedback via email from a tutor, you can email psc@uwlax.edu and you will receive feedback from a tutor within 72 hours Sunday-Friday.
Can I practice my presentation and receive feedback?
Yes! A peer consultant can watch you practice and provide feedback on your delivery and/or content. The Public Speaking Center is equipped with a laptop, a large monitor for practicing with visual aids (i.e., PowerPoint), and video camera if you would like your practice session taped.
Can I receive feedback on my content and organization?
Yes! A peer consultant can provide feedback on content development, outlines, and organization of ideas.
Will coming to the Center increase my grade?
Our goal is to help you be as successful as possible for your presentations. Most students who meet with a peer consultant during a 45-minute appointment leave with approximately specific suggestions for improvement. Receiving feedback from a peer consultant is just one step in preparing a presentation. Students should recognize that they are ultimately responsible for their performance on their assignments, and that the feedback they receive may or may not affect their grade positively or negatively. Please also note that the Center will not:
- Write speeches for students.
- Guarantee a perfectly composed and/or delivered presentation.
- Guess (or second guess) grades.
What is the history of the Public Speaking Center?
See our 2012-2015 and 2015-2016 reports for additional information regarding our growth, outreach, assessments, and goals.
How can I work at the Public Speaking Center?
If you are interested in becoming a Public Speaking Center consultant, you can fill out this Qualtrics survey or scan this QR code.
Public speaking basics
These handouts are adapted from the current CST 110 Textbook (Fall 2019).
Getting Started with Speeches Guides
Online Presentations
- PSC Handout Online Presentations - Best Practices.pdf
- Student Resources for Remote Presentations
- Online Presentation Tips (Video from Nate Meihak)
- Tips for Effective Delivery in Online Presentations
Audience Analysis Guides
Writing Speeches Guides
Outlining Guides
- Tips for Using Limited Speech Notes
- Outlining Principles
- Tips for presentational outlines
- Tips for key word speaking outlines
Presentational Aids Guides
Using Research in Speeches Guides
- APA Style Guide (7th Edition)
- APA citations - demonstration video
- Citing Sources
- Direct Quotes v. Paraphrasing
- Search UW demonstration video
- Types of Supporting Evidence
- Evaluating Sources
Speech Delivery Guides
- Vocal Delivery
- Physical Delivery
- Conversational Delivery
- Tips for Impromptu Speeches
- Delivery Demonstration (Video by Nate Meihak)
Informative Speech Guides
- Informative Speech Organization Patterns
- PSC Sample Informative Speech (Full Sentence outline)
- PSC Sample Informative Speech (keyword outline)
Persuasive Speech Guides
- Organizing Persuasive Speeches
- PSC Sample Persuasive Preparation Outline (Full Sentence).pdf
- PSC Sample Persuasive Outline (keyword).pdf
Informative Speaking - Resources & examples
- Austin MacKenzie's purpose was to inform the audience about spray paint art and to teach them how to create an original piece of spray art. Files: Speech video, preparation outline
- Allison Shaver's purpose was to inform the audience about memorization and teach them useful memorization techniques. Files: Speech video, audience analysis questionnaire, preparation outline, speaking outline, PowerPoint slides
Persuasive speaking - Resources & examples
- Cara Henney's purpose was to persuade the audience to help protect Wisconsin waterways from harmful pollutants. Cara won the 2014-2015 Public Speaking Competition. Files: Speech video, preparation outline, speaking outline, PowerPoint slides
- Carly Ferguson's purpose was to persuade her audience to eat healthier. Carly was a Top 5 Speaker in the 2014-2015 Public Speaking Competition. Files: Speech video, preparation outline, PowerPoint slides
- Samantha Mueller's purpose was to persuade the audience to no longer ignore domestic violence. Samantha was a Top 5 Speaker in the 2014-2015 Public Speaking Competition. Files: Speech video, PowerPoint slides
- Adria Braley's purpose was to persuade the audience to stand up to hate incidents against the LGTBQ community. Adria was a Top 5 Speaker in the 2014-2015 Public Speaking Competition. Files: Speech video, speech manuscript, PowerPoint slides
- Allison Shaver's purpose was to persuade college students to volunteer for the La Crosse YMCA Teen Center. Allison was a Top 5 Speaker in the 2014-2015 Public Speaking Competition. Files: Speech video, preparation outline, PowerPoint slides
Marti Maday
Scheduling Lead
Owen Montheard
Social Media Lead
As a peer consultant: My goal as a tutor is to help people see how fun public speaking can be!
Specialty: Delivery of the speech
Bri Beining
Hiring Lead
Kate Lochner
Hiring Lead
Quote to live by: "Keep moving forward." - Walt Disney
As a peer consultant: My goal is to help students become more confident while public speaking and learn how to effectively present their thoughts and ideas. Everyone has important ideas to share, but sometimes communication becomes a barrier to sharing those ideas. My goal is to help remove that barrier so students can clearly express themselves and be confident in doing so.
Specialty: Topic selection, presentation delivery, and science-related topics.
Emma Eslinger
What is your favorite part of public speaking?
My favorite part of public speaking is creating the blueprint of your speech (outline) and then presenting it in front of your audience!
I think that while these parts in the public speaking process may seem daunting at times, they are the most rewarding because you are able to communicate your interests to others in an authentic and structured way, as well as in a setting that sets you up for success.
What are your goals as a tutor?
My goals as a tutor are to listen, support, and guide my clients on their journey through the public speaking process.
Anna Horn
What is your favorite part of public speaking?
My favorite part of public speaking is being able to learn from your speeches and how you can grow from every speech you give.
What are your goals as a tutor?
My goals are to help students find a spark of joy with public speaking and hopefully see that it isn't as scary as it's made out to be!
Anna Giese
What is your favorite part of public speaking?
My favorite part of public speaking is the ability to share my passions and express my ideas.
What are your goals as a tutor?
My goals as a tutor are to make the student see their topic in a new perspective, as well as making them comfortable in their topic.
Matthew Nordstrom
What is your favorite part of public speaking?
My favorite part about public speaking is that you can always be improving your communication and social skills.
What are your goals as a tutor?
To help others get over their fears of public speaking and to help boost their confidence when giving speeches.
Aly Theilen
Anastasia Grochowski
Connor Pendleton
Connor Pendleton
Speaking Across Modalities
Host: Dr. Ashley Hanna Edwards
When: Thursday, March 23rd at 7 p.m.
Where: Centennial 1403 or on Zoom
Managing Communication Apprehension
Hosts: Anastasia Grochowski and Matthew Nordstrom, PSC Peer Consultants
When: Thursday, February 2nd at 7 p.m.
Where: Centennial 1309
Researching Topics and APA Formatting
Hosts: Anna Giese, PSC Peer Consultant and Chelsea Wyman, UWL Librarian
When: Wednesday, February 15th at 7 p.m.
Where: Student Union 3105
Outlining Presentations
Host: Emma Eslinger
When: Thursday, February 23rd at 6 p.m.
Where: Student Union 3110
Public Speaking Center Director
Teaching Assistant Professor
4226 Centennial Hall
jwelsh@uwlax.edu
608.785.6697