Public Speaking Sessions
“Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Grad Slam semifinalists will be invited and encouraged to attend optional public speaking workshop sessions hosted by the SJSU Writing Center.
Session A: Organizing and Tailoring Content
This session will be an interactive workshop where participants will learn through examining other successful three-minute student research presentations. Participants will work to develop a list of good practices to apply to their submissions. We will review techniques for
Engaging a general audience
Sequencing and organizing speeches
Designing clear, concise slides
This session will be held on Zoom and last 1.5 hours. The registration link will be sent to qualifying semi-finalists.
Dates and times:
Wednesday, March 24th from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. PST. Zoom room opens at 11:50.
Thursday, March 25th from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. PST. Zoom room opens at 5:50.
Session B: Speech Delivery and Recording
This session will be an interactive workshop where participants will learn through evaluating successful speakers and giving short speeches themselves. These short speeches will be on accessible topics, such as "Why did you choose your program? or "What is a piece of advice you would give to a new graduate student?" You do not need to prepare anything before attending this workshop. This activity will enable everyone to practice gestures and pacing in real time, while receiving feedback from each other and the facilitator. We will review tips for
Gestures, body language, and stage presence
Speech delivery techniques
Filming techniques
This session will be held on Zoom and last 1.5 hours. The registration link will be sent to qualifying semi-finalists.
Dates and times:
Wednesday, April 7, 2021 from 12-1:30 p.m. PST
Thursday, April 8, 2021 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. PST
One-on-One Sessions: Personalized Feedback
Participants can choose to attend a 30-minute one-on-one feedback appointment on Zoom. During this appointment, the participant and facilitator will review a draft of their Grad Slam video submission. The participants will receive live, individualized feedback on their speech, delivery, or slide as needed to help them refine their work before the final submission. The participant can also ask for specific advice as it relates to their submission's speech, delivery, or slide.
The 30-minute appointments will be held on Monday, April 12th, and Tuesday, April 13th, from 12:00 to 5:00 PST each day. Sign ups are required. The timeslot signup link will be sent to qualifying semi-finalists.
Free Online Resources to Improve Public Speaking Compiled by the SJSU Writing Center
Even though the 2021 Grad Slam will take place in a largely asynchronous format through video presentations, you might find these online resources helpful as you prepare to record your video or attend an on-campus filming opportunity.
Connecting with Your Audience
Vocal Variety
