Preparing to Excel

Public speaking is a skill that requires practice, and we have workshops and resources to help you succeed. Whether you participate in Grad Slam or are preparing for a class presentation or poster session, we can help you build confidence and refine your public speaking abilities. 

All information sessions are offered via Zoom. The link will be provided after registration. An overview of the competition structure and expectations will be presented in addition to general question and answer.

Grad Slam 2025 Information Sessions

All students may attend the workshops for free. Participation in Grad Slam is not required to attend the training opportunities. Workshops are offered in hybrid format via Zoom and at the Graduate Center (1600 E 1st St.) in Room 102. The link to the Zoom meetings is provided after registration. Titles and descriptions of workshops are subject to change. All times are in Mountain Standard Time zone. Missed a workshop or information session? No worries! You can access slides and handouts from the workshops by visiting our online folder. You will need to login using your NetID and password.

The series focuses on how to utilize the COMPASS Message Box for public speaking, communicating research, and explaining the importance of your project. Communication strategies from other sources such as Toastmasters, theater, and journalism will be incorporated into the workshop series.

Grad Slam 2025 Workshop Schedule

Tailoring Your Presentation to a Non-Specialist Audience

Attendees will learn strategies for considering non-specialist audience needs and identifying presentation goals to suit the presentation genre.

Crafting a Memorable Message

Attendees will learn strategies for making presentations to diverse audiences memorable.

Visual Design Considerations

Attendees will learn and apply strategies for creating slides and figures for public talks.

Confidence and Effective Body Language & Vocal Variety

Attendees will learn how to mitigate presentation anxiety and strategies for using body language and vocal variety.

These sessions are dedicated time for Grad Slam participants to practice their presentations, get feedback, and ask questions.

  • December 6, 2024, 1:30 PM to 2:45 PM Graduate Center and Zoom, Register on Trellis
  • January 16, 2025, 4 PM to 6 PM Dress Rehearsal, ENR2 N595 (by invitation after registering for competition)
  • January 17, 2025, 9 AM to 12 PM, Dress Rehearsal , ENR2 N595 (by invitation after registering for competition)
  • January 27, 2025, 3:30 PM to 6 PM, Semifinals Dress Rehearsal, ENR2 S107
  • February 4, 2025, Afternoon/early Evening, Finals Dress Rehearsal, Stevie Eller Dance Theatre

COMPASS Message Box Workbook - A great resource for helping you communicate to a variety of audiences.

UArizona Toastmaster Clubs- Communities where you can refine your communication and leadership skills. The University has five groups to choose from.

How to Give a Killer Presentation: Lessons from TED by Chris Andersen, Harvard Business Review, June 2013

Giving an Academic Talk by Jonathan Shewchuk, Associate Professor in Computer Science, University of California at Berkeley

Giving Oral Presentations from English Communication for Scientists by Jean-luc Doumont (ed.), Nature (2010)

Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds

Making the Most of Your Three Minutes for 3MT: The Three Minute Thesis by Simon Clews, Director, Writing Centre, University of Melbourne

10 Hints for Improving Presentations for the Three Minute Thesis Competition by Danielle Fischer, Charles Darwin University

TED Talks: A direct link to the TED talk site with the 0-6 minute duration selected.

PhD Comics Two-Minute Thesis: PhD Comics challenged graduate students to explain their work in two minutes; the best have been turned into videos!

3 Minute Thesis Competition Presentations: Top presentations from a multi-university thesis competition in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and the South Pacific

Watch past Grad Slam finalists and semi-finalists for inspiration.

Check out the Arizona 3-Minute Grad Slam participant videos. The event is similar to Grad Slam and features presenters from the University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University, and Arizona State University.