Visit us online at www.academics.umw.edu/speaking/speaking-center/ or come in to Combs Hall, 101.
The Speaking Center
THE PODIUM
Volume 16
A publication of the Speaking Center at the University of Mary Washington Edited by Catherine LeBouton and Mariah Young
Issue 1, Fall 2013
The Director’s Corner: Ch-ch-ch-changes By Dr. Anand Rao
There have been some changes in the Speaking Center this semester—a new Director (me), a new online scheduling tool, new social media outreach, new consultants. But one thing hasn’t changed: the Speaking Center continues to be an excellent resource for students to use in preparing for speeches, class discussion, and group work. Our consultants do an outstanding job of working with students on their assignments, and the Center has continued its tradition of offering engaging and informative student workshops. Here is a bit about what we have been up to: What’s New: ‘New’ Speaking Center Director and Staff. Hard to see myself as ‘new’ given my 11 years as a faculty member and SI Director at UMW, but this is my first time serving as Speaking Center Director. I am excited to work with and support the excellent crew of consultants in the Center—learn more about other new faces later in this newsletter. Online Scheduling Tool. If you have been to our webpage you might have noticed a new link that allows you to schedule an appointment online. The new scheduler has been a big hit, making it easier for students to book and manage their appointments. And the email and text reminders are great! We still take phone calls, but most students seem to
prefer online scheduling. Check it out for yourself and let us know what you think. Speaking Center in Social Media. This semester we have added a twitter account to complement our Facebook and web presence. To kick it all off we have a great online scavenger hunt that we are running with the Writing Center. Be sure to play—you could win one of the big prizes! What’s NOT New: Great Workshops and Octoberfest. So far this year the Speaking Center has offered three workshops, a public speaking contest, and hosted a guest speaker (thanks, Dr. Zach Whalen!). And we are just getting started. Check out the back page of this newsletter for our Spring 2014 events! Excellent Academic Support. We never waver from our primary mission to provide excellent academic support for students. That is why 98% of the students who have visited the Center this semester say that they would encourage other students to visit the Speaking Center. We look forward to seeing you soon in the Speaking Center!
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The Do’s and Don’ts:
Taking a hold on your education: What the Speaking Center can do for you!
Body Language and Public Speaking By Catie LeBouton
By: Thomas Pacheco
New to Mary Washington? Stressing about your senior seminar? Don’t miss out on one of the best resources on campus – the Speaking Center! The Speaking Center offers a wide range of services to all students, but it is a particularly good tool for first-year students to use. College emphasizes the importance of discussion in the classroom, particularly a liberal arts college like Mary Washington. The Speaking Center offers knowledgeable peers for student-student interaction that can enhance public speaking skills. The Speaking Center can help with any sort of presentation, interview, or even early stages of speech writing. The Speaking Center also has a vast collection of handouts on speaking tips, and several shelves of books and videos. All of this is for
Meet the Consultants: Fall 2013 2
the students. The Speaking Center provides a unique educational experience. It is not a classroom where there is a teacher and a student. There are no
grades. Students coming to the Speaking Center have an opportunity to engage in a dialogue on whatever they feel can benefit them. Students come to the Speaking Center with questions or ideas, and find someone off which to bounce them. Students have the ability to receive
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Abbie
instantaneous feedback in a friendly, uncompetitive environment. We also have mints for students as they leave so that they can be as confident in their breath as they are in their speech. There is no fee or minimum number of communication courses required for entry. Even if a student feels confident in their public speaking, the Speaking Center can still offer feedback on delivery, speech structure, and visual aids. The Speaking Center exists to help foster communication skills in the students of Mary Washington that benefit not only the college experience of students, but also skills that will assist students later in life in future careers. Take hold of your education! Make an appointment at the Speaking Center.
When speaking in front of a group, your body language says just as much as you do during your presentation. It can give you confidence, establish credibility, and show the audience that you are relaxed and prepared for your talk…or at least make them think that you are! We’ve compiled a list of a few of our most helpful do’s and don’ts when it comes to body language: Do use appropriate hand gestures. They can help you make your point, expel extra energy, and appear confident. Just make sure that they are natural, relaxed, and comfortable for you.
But don’t go to extremes. Keep gestures above your waist, below your head, and reasonably close to your body. Similarly, don’t keep your hands stiff and immobile, or in any negative position—such as in your pockets or across your chest.
Do make eye contact. If you can look out at your audience, they’re going to be much more connected to what you’re saying. A good presentation means nothing if no one is listening to you!
Again, don’t take anything too far. Focusing intently on one person can be pretty creepy, but at the same time, you don’t want to be reading from your notes or PowerPoint. Find a happy medium that makes you—and your audience—comfortable. Don’t close yourself off. This means using those hand gestures and making eye contact, but it also refers to your overall body language. Don’t turn away from the audience, frown, fidget, or sway. These all contribute to an image of someone uninviting, disinterested, or unprepared—and that’s not you! Do give off a positive image. You want to appear warm and inviting to really engage your listeners. So relax, keep a steady stance, and smile! If you look confident and interested in your own topic, chances are your audience will think that what you’re saying is more interesting and exciting.
For more tips, be sure to check out the handouts on our website, or come to the Speaking Center to talk with a consultant about your concerns!
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Catie
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Spring 2014 Workshops!
Visual Aids: Jan. 30th: Hosted by Mariah, Alex and Catie Speech Anxiety: Feb. 5th: Hosted by Danielle and Michael Speech Basics: Feb. 17th: Hosted by Abbie and Russell Persuasive Speech: Feb. 26th: Hosted by Tom and Jerome
The Speaking Center
University of Mary Washington Combs Hall 101 1301 College Ave. Fredericksburg, VA 22401 @UMWSPKC
UMW Speaking Center