Speaking Center News
Fall 2008
Women with VOICE: Introducing the New Speaking Center Tutors
By Jasmine S. Terry
At the close of the last academic semester, the ASC Speaking Center hired two new tutors: Kera Lovell, who is a senior History major, and Dani Herd, a sophomore who is strongly considering a major in Theatre, Creative Writing or both. Read more.
"Blazing New Trails": The Speaking Center Presents at NACC
By Alice Ferron
In April, the Agnes Scott Speaking Center attended the National Association of Communication Centers (NACC) annual conference in Colorado Springs. During the trip we attended a variety of presentations and panels exploring topics ranging from reducing speech anxiety in first year students to reexamining Aristotelian rhetoric. Read more.
Palin's Labyrinth
By Hannah Alley
The Republican National Convention: a time to officially nominate a party's candidate... and a beautiful illustration of the political American rhetoric machine. Sarah Palin, the Vice-Presidential candidate for Senator John McCain, not only accepted the bid for office but demonstrated the many nuances of rhetoric and public speaking on Sept. 3, 2008. Read more.
Speakbook... or Is It Facespeech? The Center for Writing and Speaking Goes Online!
By Dani Herd
Oh, the Internet: a truly magnificent creation that supplies Scotties with endless means of distraction on a daily basis. It can also be pretty handy in an academic sense, however. We here at the Center for Writing and Speaking understand the importance of the Web. Read more.
Eggcorns
By Kera Lovell
It's alive! It's alive!
No, I'm not talking about Frankenstein—the English language is alive. While our high school English teachers will forever cling to the rigid grammar rules of junior high English textbooks, we are undergoing a language evolution. Read more.
"Wake Up and Smell the Coffee": Gender Differences in Communication May Account for Gender Differences in Workplace Credibility
By Ashley Mengwasser
While most fields continue to see an influx of women in professional careers, the second half of the picture shows an outflux of women in these same fields. A sad trend is that women are leaving their jobs dispirited and undecorated. But why? Read more.
Spring 2008
Agnes Scott Speaking Center’s Rhetoric: Voices to move an audience
By Hannah Alley
What is "Voices of Rhetoric?" It is a program that attempts to show college students that rhetoric is not solely political or a formal presentation, but that rather it is everywhere and can involve anyone or anything. Read more.
Ethical Speaking Lesson #1: Truthfulness
By Ashley Mengwasser
Every time you speak, the venial temptation exists: Through what lens can I spin researched information to better support my argument? Can I overlook the fact that my topic has garnered great opposition? Similarly, can I concede strict attention to the nuances of a dilemma to gain greater authority and obviate counterclaims? Read more.
We’ve Got MAIDS On Our Minds
By Alice Ferron
Have you ever wanted a quick solution to crafting the perfect presentation? Then want no more and think MAIDS or MIDAS. The up to date speaker can use these acronyms interchangeably to help them remember the five canons of rhetoric. We’re at a women’s college so let’s go with MAIDS. Read more.
Good Women Speaking Well: What You Need to Know About Speaking Ethically
By Jasmine S. Terry
Good speakers never want their audience to perceive them negatively. Appearing incompetent or coming off as someone other than what you want the audience to think you are are obstacles all speakers face. But what do you do when the truth about your character or your evidence could substantially compromise the persuasiveness of your argument? Read more.
Center Sponsors Presidential Town Hall
By Hannah Alley
February 4, 2008 marked the Agnes Scott College Speaking Center’s first Political Town Hall. The Center’s main goals were to educate the campus community on the politicians and have one student articulate a candidate’s views. Read more.
Fall 2007
Impromptu Speech Contest 2007
By Erin Linsenmeyer
On Thursday, November 8th, the Speaking Center held the annual Impromptu Speech Contest. With 16 participants speaking on subjects ranging from tips on impressing Georgia Tech guys to the impact of the death of Sadaam Hussein, an informative and fun time was had by all. Read more.