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Oral communication skill-building available

3:59 p.m., Nov. 17, 2006--Professors, during in-class presentations, do any of your students exhibit the following behaviors:

• Use “uhm,” “like,” and “you know” as transitions;
• Appear uncomfortable in front of their audience, aka “Bambi in the headlights”;
• Seem to get lost in the presentation of their material; or
• “Talk” to their visual aids rather than to their audience?

“Unfortunately, these are common problems in many student presentations,” according to Jo Kmetz, an instructor in communications. “To help students learn public speaking skills mentoring services are provided by the Oral Communication Fellows in the Department of Communication.”

The fellows are a group of undergraduates who have been trained to provide peer mentoring to other students who may be having difficulty with in-class presentations. The service is free and appointments can easily be made online. Appointments can be as short as 15 minutes or as long as an hour. Students can sign up as often as needed.

Oral Communication Fellows are prepared to work on all elements of speech development, including:

• Audience analysis;
• Organizing the speech;
• Opening and concluding the speech;
• Using of transitions;
• Citing sources;
• Helping with visual aids and how to avoid “death by PowerPoint”;
• Reducing speaker apprehension;
• Using verbal and nonverbal delivery (eye contact, vocal sound, gestures, posture); and
• Building confidence.

Videotaping of speeches, for review by students and fellows, also is available.

Oral Communication Fellows' services are available throughout the fall and spring semesters, and appointments can be made 24 hours a day at [www.rich15.com/ocf].

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