RESOURCES
Here you can find several resources for teaching and studying speech and debate. Please feel free to use these materials with attribution.
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’ ... >>
Overcoming Foreign Language Speech Anxiety
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 was younger — I was ashamed of my accent, abashed ... >>
How bullet points builld performance ready speeches
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 advice might feel redundant. It might seem like the process ... >>