RESOURCES
Here you can find several resources for teaching and studying speech and debate. Please feel free to use these materials with attribution.
Four Tips for Practicing a Speech
Noreen Bayouk Many people have heard the saying “practice makes perfect,” but how does this phrase directly apply to public speaking? Sure, someone can reread their written speech and call that practice, but is this really the most effective way to practice a speech? There are so many ways to practice a speech, but here are a few effective ... >>
Public Speaking in careers: Speech and yoga instruction
Photo: StockSnap Mackenzie Oliver As a third year student studying Communication and English Literature here at UW, my education has been deeply embedded in the Communications department. I’ve been tutoring at the speech center for over two quarters now, and it’s been an amazing experience to be able to help my fellow students further develop both speechwriting ... >>
A Rhetorical Approach to Public Speaking
The Center for Speech & Debate director, Matt McGarrity, recorded an overview of a "Rhetorical approach to public speaking" for the UW's College of Arts and Sciences. The videos below give a brief overview of the Center's approach to teaching and consulting. Episode 1: Speech is Power Episode 2: Don’t treat writing as speaking Episode ... >>
The Difference Between Giving a Speech and Performing One
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. I like to think of public speaking as giving a ... >>
Preparing your manuscript “for the ear”
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 world of print, picture, and paragraphs, ‘writing for the ear’ ... >>