The goal of this center is to assist students, faculty, and staff at Mississippi State University with public speeches at all levels. Through the Speaking Center clients work one-on-one with consultants to ensure the speech/talk/presentation has a clear message, structure, and strong delivery. The consultant provides constructive feedback to the client to assist with strengthening the confidence in the client’s message delivery through advice and encouragement given throughout their session.
Public speaking skills include, but are not limited to, topic and speech purpose development, audience adaptation (adjusting a speech to the size, demographics, and knowledge of the audience), organization, visual delivery (eye contact, posture, gestures, use of notes), audio delivery (volume, enunciation, pace, inflection), and use of visual aids. Individuals would also get assistance with reducing public speaking apprehension (stage fright). The center will be open to anyone who wants improvement in this area, including undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and staff.