Frequently Asked Questions by Rhetoric Students

Q: What is the Speaking Center?
A:  The Speaking Center is an outreach facility sponsored by the Department of Rhetoric.  We provide undergraduate rhetoric students with one-on-one tutoring and assistance with their speaking assignments.  We also assist rhetoric instructors with designing speaking assignments, evaluating student speeches, and formulating class activities which emphasize oral presentation.

Q:  Who works at the Speaking Center?
A:  Experienced rhetoric instructors who are committed to enriching the speaking component of the rhetoric curriculum.

Q:  How do undergraduates who are enrolled in a rhetoric course take advantage of the Speaking Center?
A:  All you need to do is come to Room 12 in the English-Philosophy Building and sign up for an appointment.  We give scheduling priority to students currently enrolled in rhetoric courses.  Appointments are for 60 minutes.  You can sign up for meetings as often as scheduling allows.

Q:  Who should sign up for the Speaking Center?
A:  All students currently enrolled in a rhetoric course are encouraged to stop by the Speaking Center and schedule an initial appointment.  Students who have little public speaking experience, suffer from speech anxiety, or have ever had a "bad experience" speaking in front of a group are especially encouraged to sign up.  Even if you just like the idea of having 60 minute sessions devoted solely to thinking about and working on your speaking assignment, you should sign up!  There simply is no good reason NOT to take advantage of the Speaking Center.

Q:  OK OK you convinced me.  Now where do I go?
A:  The Speaking Center is located in Room 12 of the English-Philosophy Building (EPB).  Our phone number is 335-0205.  You can email us at speaking-center@uiowa.edu.

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