Photo: TEDx VIT Thy Do Public speaking is no easy feat. Even the most confident and experienced speakers will struggle with anxiety before speaking publicly in front of a crowd. This is a natural and human response, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to combat this. ... >>
Ronald Reagan's speaking script for his 1987 "Tear Down This Wall!" speech in Berlin. Photo from the National Archives Catalog. Chloe Adams ‘Write for the ear’. If you’ve ever taken a public speaking course, or been otherwise instructed on speech, you’ve probably heard this phrase. In the ... >>
Photo: Brian Herzog Eyoung Liu For many years, I have been discouraged from pursuing a path that involves extensive reading, writing, and speaking, because of my identity as a foreign student. As a non-native speaker, I struggled to open my mouth in front of crowds when I ... >>
Jamie Christiansen There is a debate I have had with myself on whether content or delivery is what makes a good speech. The honest answer I have come to is both. However, with more developed content, the delivery has a higher chance of success. I mention this because my ... >>
The Center for Speech & Debate hosted a panel "Unlocking Career Success Through Speech Skills" on Thursday, November 2. The three panelists, all UW and Center for Speech & Debate alumni, discussed how public speaking had helped them develop their careers as communications professionals. They shared specific tips on careers ... >>
In this video, CSD tutor Olivia Knoll examines how Nixon effectively responded to accusations leading up to the 1952 election. Olivia talks about how Nixon's rhetorical moves are instructive for all of us. https://youtu.be/r7MIxT65V0E
In this video, CSD tutor Jamie Christiansen examines how Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez uses style and argument in her response to Ted Yoho. Jamie translates this effective speech into some tips to improve your next speech. Originally created for her COM 320: Advanced Public Speaking class, Jamie has agreed to share this ... >>
The “Rhetoric and/as Boxing” course moderated a heavyweight debate. Two high profile boxing writers debated the resolution: “Who was the greatest heavyweight of all time? Joe Louis or Muhammed Ali?” Arguing for Louis was Bernard Fernandez, a 2020 inductee into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Arguing for Ali was ... >>
CSD director, Dr. Matt McGarrity, worked with TVW on a video for Washington State schools on "How to watch a televised debate." Dr. McGarrity teaches the debate technique known as "flowing" and emphasizes to voters the importance of taking notes when watching televised debates. https://youtu.be/BOB8pd9NBmI
Boxing, speech, and debate may seem like vastly different activities, but they share much in common. They involve performance, competition, strategy, and the ability to think on your feet. Like competitive specch and debate, boxers perform their arguments for the judges. This leads us to a discussion of how a ... >>