Public Speaking Center

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

• Topic Selection
• Dealing with Public Speaking Anxiety 
• Manage speaking anxiety

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

• Survey Data & Audience Analysis
• Conducting Audience Analysis
• Dialogic Communication

Writing Speeches Guides

• Attention Getters
• Terms & Structure of Language
• gender inclusive language

Outlining Guides

• Tips for Using Limited Speech Notes
• Outlining Principles
• Tips for presentational outlines
• Tips for key word speaking outlines

Presentational Aids Guides

• Powerpoint
• Strategies for Visual Aids.pdf
• Design Ideas in PowerPoint.pdf

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