COMMUNICATION LAB ACTIVITIES
Location: MI 3021 Open: M-Th 10-5 (based on staff availability)
The Lab is a free tutor service for any student on campus preparing
presentations. There are always 1-3 tutors available to help students on a
drop-in basis. The tutors are experienced in public speaking (communication
majors and trained by the Lab Director) but they are not teachers. They help
students find resources, get started on activities, guide them in completing
assignments, and offer advice to improving pronunciation. They cannot do the
work for the student nor do they correct or edit work completely.
What can your students do in the Lab?
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Prepare for speeches.
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Brainstorm topics
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Research topics
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Organize ideas / arguments / develop critical thinking
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Outline speeches
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Prepare speaker notes
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Prepare / Practice / Check out visual aids
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Practice the delivery on tape or with a tutor.
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Use the computer program, Speechworks, to improve their spoken English.
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Use the audio-tape program, Speaking Clearly, to improve their spoken
English.
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Listen to an audio tape. Our audio-tape collection includes titles, such as:
“101 Secrets to Highly Effective Speakers”
“Power Networking”
“101 Great Answers to Interview Questions”
“Say it Right”
“The Sound of You Voice”
“Word Power”

Watch video tapes of student speeches to learn from example.
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Watch professional speeches on video tape to inspire and stimulate
creativity.
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Watch various speech topics on video tape, such as audience analysis.
Students can watch these tapes to learn/review basic speech topics.
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Video tape their own speeches for instructors or for self-evaluation.
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Listen to professional speeches on CD in the Lab.
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Read / Use / Copy one of our books. Our reference section includes a MLA,
APA, dictionary, and various writing handbooks. We have also recently
unpacked shelves of communication journals. These can be used for
brainstorming topics and for research material. There are also many topics
in our textbook collection, such as:
Business Communication (including resume writing)
Public Speaking
Pronunciation
Small Group Communication
Interpersonal Communication
Intercultural Communication
Oral Interpretation

Take one of our handouts covering communication topics, such as:
research
organization
outlining
action words
transitional words
support material
citing sources
visual aid tips
delivery tips
impromptu tips
various pronunciation tip sheets
We can create a separate sign-in sheet for your class so you may have a list of
visitors at the end of the quarter. You may also send us specific student
assignments for your students to complete when they visit the Lab.
I hope to see your students in the Lab. Please let us know if there is anything
else we can do for you.
Veronica Martinez, Lab Director
MI 3019 X 3925