Writing & Public Speaking

Strong spoken and written communication skills are essential to any profession. Learn to communicate complex topics efficiently to diverse audiences through different formats. 

Objectives

1. Articulate effective strategies for oral and written communication for varied audiences
2. Build awareness of your own speaking and writing abilities and skills
3. Demonstrate and practice communication skills that can be applied to diverse audiences
4. Reflect on communication practices, evaluate their effectiveness, revise and iterate

Suggested Framework

Education

• Complete a department speaking or writing course (ENGR 202W/203, GEOPHYS 205, ORALCOMM 215/217/219, PWR 194NCR, EDUC 389C, BIOS 231/292, EPS 307, BIOHOPK 257H/330H, ENVRES 340)
• Complete English for Speakers of Other Languages courses
• Enroll in Hume’s Canvas site to access resources on written and oral communication 
• Attend the Science and Art of Grant Writing Symposium or review recordings of previous grant writing workshops
• Participate in relevant offerings focused on writing and public speaking within SDSS (Pro-Seminars, workshops, etc) or across the University

Experience

• Participate in the Talk of the Farm Speaking Club
• Participate in the Stanford Storytelling Project 
• Participate in an OpEd Project
• Participate in a Hume Dissertation Bootcamp 
• Participate in a GWA Mini Proposal Bootcamp or a GWA autumn/spring proposal bootcamp
• Work with a Hume writing or speaking tutor
• Work with a GWA grant coach 
• Become a GWA Grant Coach
• Become a HUME Oral Communication Tutor
• Become a HUME Graduate Writing Tutor
• Other options: 
  • Present at a conference
  • Give a guest lecture
  • Lead a SkillShare
  • Engage in public-facing pedagogy (lab tours, grade school science class)
  • Draft a research proposal or paper
  • Be a reviewer for a journal article
  • Write a popular science article, text book chapter, or book  

Portfolio Piece

• Publish a manuscript, podcast, op-ed, popular science article, or book
• Obtain photos or recordings of you presenting at a conference, giving an invited lecture, or presenting a keynote speech
• Update your website or CV to reflect your professional activities and experiences