Center for Speech and Effective Advocacy

This center is designed to address the curricular and co-curricular needs of a wide variety of classes and campus groups, and provides a collaborative space to practice and refine the skills of public speaking, argumentation, advocacy, and persuasion.

Oral communication is among the most important skills for college students to possess, according to an employer study conducted by the American Association of Colleges and Universities in 2018. Speaking skills can have a positive impact on a student's academic life, career, and civic success. Trained peer speech consultants are available by appointment to assist students and faculty members with every aspect of learning and teaching oral communication skills.

We are grateful for the generous support of the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations in the 2019 launch of the Center for Speech and Effective Advocacy. The support helps us to extend the long-standing strength of Puget Sound in speech communication, argumentation and debate (dating back at least to the early 1920s) to new generations of students and teachers. 

Request an Appointment

Resources for Students

--What to bring to a meeting with a peer speech consultant

--Sound Writing, Ch. 9

--Speaking Guides
     --Audio-based Communication
     --Ceremonial Speaking
     --Ceremonial Speaking Genres
     --Delivery Tips
     --Group Presentations
     --Leading Effective Group Discussions
     --Oral v. Written Style
     --Outline Script (Structure & Source Citation)
     --Questions and Answers
     --Speaking to Persuade
     --Virtual Presentations
     --Visual Aids

--Sample Student Speeches
     --Megan Sanders ‘19 Commencement Address
     --Student Presentations

Resources for Faculty

Please see additional guides under Resources for Students
   --Completing Oral Communication Assignments Virtually - FAQ
   --Evaluating "Ephemeral" Oral Assignments
   --Group Oral Communication Assignments
   --Guidelines for Accessible Visual Presentations
   --Transferable Skills - From teaching written communication to teaching oral communication
   --Writing Oral Communication Assignment Prompts

--Sample Speech Assignments & Rubrics

--Speech Center Workshop Materials

--Additional Readings

--Teaching More Effectively

--Teaching More Inclusively

Freedom of Speech and Effective Advocacy

--Puget Sound Statement on Academic Freedom and the Exercise of Free Speech

--Additional Readings

--Upcoming Campus Speakers

--Contemporary Public Speech examples

About Us & More

--Meet our Peer Speech Consultants

--Upcoming Workshops

--Request an Appointment