Winter Intensive

2024 OCC Winter Intensive

Dates: January 11-14, 2024, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily

This free winter intensive program will guide students step by step through the speech creation process. Students with all levels of public speaking experience can gain new insights into the speech-making process and leave the Intensive with a complete speech that fits the requirements for the Public Speaking Competition. Students who do not intend to enter the Competition are still welcome to join us to develop fundamental speaking skills.

This 4-day workshop includes guidance from Hamilton alumni, faculty, and peer tutors. This year, participants will learn from Hamilton alumnus Kit Pang ’10, founder of BostonSpeaks.

Students who take part in the Intensive can expect personalized attention, one-on-one support, and group activities to develop speaking skills that can transfer into a variety of contexts. See the tentative schedule below for more details.

All Hamilton students who will be on-campus in Spring 2024 are eligible to participate in the OCC’s Winter Intensive. The OCC will register participants for an early arrival back on campus; Community Living will confirm exact details of your return to campus. All meals will be covered by the OCC.

Interested?

Applications are open now through Wednesday, Nov. 8 at this form. 

Students who may have increased costs associated with traveling to campus early are eligible for a travel stipend. More information about the travel stipend and the expectations associated with receiving a stipend can be found on the application form. 

Applicants will be notified of their acceptance into the Intensive by Nov. 15.

Tentative Schedule

January 11

Meet with program tutors to discuss the basics of getting started on a speech, discuss topics, and the different kinds of speeches students are interested in writing. Kit Pang ’10, founder of BostonSpeaks, will lead a workshop on the speech development process, with topics including delivery strategies, content creation tips, and a guide on how to cultivate the right mindset when giving a speech.

January 12

Work in small groups for a guided debriefing of the workshop from the day before and begin to draft speeches. Small groups will serve as sounding boards to discuss which strategies they want to employ in their speeches.

January 13 and 14

Independently schedule time with program tutors and small groups to rehearse out loud the speeches they have drafted in the first two days of the program, meeting with program tutors at least twice. Students who wish to enter the Public Speaking Competition will record their presentations during one session.