The Center for Writing & Rhetoric offers numerous resources in support of the Big Pitch. Make one-on-one appointments, review modules, recordings, and handouts at your own pace, or attend a live workshop. Signing up for any of these will add you to our email list, which we send out regularly in the lead-up to the finals!
One-on-One Appointments & Canvas
- Schedule a 30-minute one-on-one appointment with Dr. Marcus Weakley, Director of the Center for Writing & Rhetoric to discuss any aspects of your pitch development or practice.
- Writing Consultants at the Center for Writing & Rhetoric can help you develop, revise, & practice your presentation. Schedule an appointment! http://www.cgu.edu/write
- Access a Canvas module full of recorded webinars, examples, and handouts dedicated to various elements of developing and delivering your pitch!
Recording Your Pitch
The Three Minute Thesis website from the University of Queensland offers some great information on how to record your Big Pitch (3MT) video.
Webinars
1. Big Pitch Information Session (Register HERE)
Tuesday, September 21, 2023, at 12 p.m. | Facilitated by Marcus Weakley, CWR Director
Learn all about the event from the virtual format to the rules for participation to the criteria the judges use to assess the pitches to the structure of the preliminary and final rounds. We will also discuss all the deadlines, the dates for the series of preparative webinars being offered, and how to take advantage of all the support programs put in place for the event.
2. Big Pitch Strategy Session (Register HERE)
Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at 12 p.m. | Facilitated by Marcus Weakley, CWR Director
Preparing a presentation that is limited to one slide and three minutes to a non-specialist audience is a unique challenge; doing that on a complex topic that is meant to be condensed but not dumbed down is even more so! This webinar provides quick coverage of a range of tips on developing and delivering a successful Big Pitch presentation. We will cover structure, essential persuasive elements, PowerPoint slide strategies, and presentation practice and delivery. Also, we will talk about our resources for how to use a phone camera to record a Big Pitch presentation with an embedded PowerPoint slide.
Recorded Webinars
- Big Pitch Information Session: Learn all about the event from the changes for the virtual format to the rules for participation and criteria the judges use to assess the pitches to the structure of the preliminary and final rounds. We will also discuss all the deadlines, the dates for the series of preparative webinars being offered, and how to take advantage of all the support programs put in place for the event.
- Big Pitch Strategies: Preparing a presentation that is limited to one slide and three minutes to a non-specialist audience is a unique challenge; doing that on a complex topic that is meant to be condensed but not dumbed down is even more so! This webinar will address of a number of helpful strategies in approaching this rhetorical situation, from the use of narratives or themes to structure key ideas to how to insert real-life examples to how much technical information is appropriate.
- Humanities Forum on the Big Pitch: At first glance, it might not appear that work in the Humanities or the Arts is a good fit for the format and culture of 3-Minute Thesis competitions like the Big Pitch. With our Big Pitch, we are actively trying to shift that idea and make the event an opportunity to showcase projects from across all departments at CGU. In this forum for Humanities and Art students, learn some starting points for how to talk about your art, historical analysis, cultural and literary critique, and more for the Big Pitch!
- Big Pitch PowerPoint Slides: Given the parameters of the Big Pitch, your single PowerPoint should not be designed in the same way you would typically design a slide. Too much information will distract attention from you, and too little might give the impression that you do not have a lot to say. Learn some ideas for how to find a middle ground and create a great complement to your presentation.
- Presentation Skills (for the Big Pitch & Beyond): This interactive webinar will cover techniques for preparing for and successfully delivering recorded presentations.