Public Speaking Center
A page within Murphy Learning Center
Welcome to the PSC
Monday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday: 11 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 11 a.m. - Noon, 1:30 - 6 p.m.
Thursday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Monday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday: 11 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 11 a.m. - Noon, 1:30 - 6 p.m.
Thursday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. - 12:30 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
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
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?
During the 2012-2013 academic year, Dr. Tony Docan-Morgan and undergraduate student Lindsay Swiggum piloted the Center and found student and instructor interest and need. During the 2013-2014 academic year, we received a permanent home in the Murphy Learning Center, hired 11 peer consultants, provided over 500 student consultations, and hosted six workshops on topics ranging from managing public speaking anxiety, extemporaneous delivery, using creative and vivid language, and using PowerPoint. During 2014-2015, our training program was certified by the National Association of Communication Centers, we had over 1,200 student consultations, and we created and hosted the Public Speaking Competition. During 2015-2016, we had over 1,500 student consultations and delivered 40 public speaking workshops on campus. We’re excited about serving all UWL students and look forward to continued growth and usage.
We've received grants from the College of Arts, Social Sciences, & Humanities (C.A.S.S.H) Small Grant, CLS Technology Grant, and CATL Faculty Development Grant.
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
Majors: Public Health and Communication Studies
Why do you love tutoring at the PSC?
I am looking forward to having students revisit me! I love seeing growth among the same students from their first speech in CST 110 to their second!
Favorite type of speech to give: Persuasive

Emma Eslinger
Major: Interpersonal Communication Studies
Minors: Leadership Development & Organizational and Professional Communication Studies Emphasis
Why do you love tutoring at the PSC?
I love tutoring at the PSC because I am very passionate about the field of Communication Studies and I am excited to continue to build connections and support my peers in this very personal way! I particularly love learning more about students' speaking topics and hearing their concerns, working to address those areas together, and then witnessing them leave in a more confident state by the end of the appointment.
Favorite type of speech to give: Informative

Anna Giese
Majors: Secondary English Education and Public Communications with emphasis in Advocacy
Why do you love tutoring at the PSC?
I have always had a passion for public speaking and recognize the importance of a good speech, so I wish to help people express their passions in a well-done speech as well as open their horizon to the new topics.
Favorite type of speech to give: Persuasive or Exempt

Anastasia Grochowski
Major: Biology
Minor: Chemistry, Spanish, Interpersonal Communication
*Certificate in Spanish for Health Professions; Pre-PA
Why do you love tutoring at the PSC?
I truly enjoy connecting with other students and helping them feel more confident about their speech! I look forward to making more connections within the PSC!
Favorite type of speech to give: Informative

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!

Piper Mitchell
Major: Elementary/Middle Education and TESOL dual license
Minor: Leadership Development
Why do you love tutoring at the PSC?
I am most looking forward to meeting new people and guiding them towards a goal. I want everyone that visits me to feel pleased with their presentation.
Favorite speech to give: Persuasive

Matthew Nordstrom
Major: Finance
Minor: Economics
Why do you love tutoring at the PSC?
What I love the most about tutoring at the PSC is seeing students improve their public speaking skills and getting over any anxiety that they have. I am looking forward the most to helping another incoming class of students!
Favorite type of speech to give: Informative/Presentation

Connor Pendleton

Jordyn Plitzner

Karissa Schmit
Major: Communication Studies - Media Studies Emphasis
Minor: Digital Art
What are you looking forward to the most about tutoring?
I am looking forward to meeting new students and seeing them grow confident in their abilities.
Favorite type of speech to give: Persuasive

Benjamin Vandigo
Major: Biology
Minor: Chemistry
What are you looking forward to the most about tutoring?
I was excited at the opportunity of being able to help others, especially in something like public speaking, which can be very difficult.
Favorite type of speech to give: Informative
Managing Communication Apprehension
Hosts: Anna Horn and Matthew Nordstrom, PSC Peer Consultants
When: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 6 p.m.
Where: Centennial 1309
Teaching Professor
4206 Centennial Hall
tsmith@uwlax.edu
608.785.8523
Specialty areas:
Public Speaking
Public Speaking Center
Media Literacy