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  • Civil Discourse: Connection & Persuasion (Summer 2025)

Summer 2025

Civil Discourse: Connection & Persuasion

Our words can change minds and the world. Discover what you can do with yours… Mentees will learn how to persuade audiences on issues that matter to them. By the end of the journey, they will not only gain confidence in self-expression and analytical thinking but also develop and deliver a final speech that showcases their growth in civil discourse and persuasive communication.

Civil Discourse Connection & Persuasion; two girls speaking with a mic

Journey Led By:

Ayushree Dahal

(she/her/hers) Mentee

Ayushree is a high school student from the Bay Area. She enjoys watching TV shows/movies (especially romance), doing ceramics, and Googling about anything and everything to learn more. You might find her doing debate, running, or writing. Always feel free to Slack her about anything, she would love to chat!

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Ayushree Dahal

AnnMarie Baines

Guest/Teaching Artist

AnnMarie Baines, PhD, is an educator, researcher, and public speaking coach dedicated to self-expression, literacy, and agency through inclusive education. She facilitates kind, welcoming places for people to develop their voice and navigate inequities to become transformative leaders. AnnMarie started her career as a volunteer speech and debate coach for her high school and a special education teacher. She still gives back to the program that developed her voice as a quiet Filipina who was petrified of public speaking. Her work in speech and debate with The Practice Space was recognized by the National Speech & Debate Association for an Activating Equity Award. AnnMarie has held faculty positions at UC Berkeley and San Francisco State and was a program officer at the George Lucas Educational Foundation. She is a TEDx speaker and author of two books. She received her PhD in Learning Sciences from University of Washington, where she was recognized with the 2023 Distinguished Graduate Award, and also has a Master's in Education Policy from Harvard, a teaching credential from Boston Teacher Residency, and an undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley.

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AnnMarie Baines

Summer Journey Applications Closed

…but you are still invited to join the Collaboratory! Explore other pathways this summer, and be the first to know when fall Journey applications open.

Start Here

Summer Journey Applications Closed

…but you are still invited to join the Collaboratory! Explore other pathways this summer, and be the first to know when fall Journey applications open.

In this one-cycle journey, mentees will develop essential skills in public speaking, argumentation, and critical thinking. Through engaging activities and interactive discussions, participants will learn to craft persuasive speeches, construct well-reasoned arguments, and present their ideas with confidence. They will explore techniques for effective communication, refine their ability to think critically under pressure, and practice responding to diverse perspectives in a structured setting.

Developed by mentee Ayushree Dahal in partnership with AnnMarie Baines at The Practice Space, this is the perfect Journey for anyone who wants to raise up their voice for the causes they are passionate about.

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  • Cycle(s) Summer 2025
  • Time 3 hours per month
  • Areas of Focus Public Speaking, Leadership, Finding Core Beliefs, Critical Thinking, Advocacy, Empowerment
  • Available Spots Per Cycle 20

Requirements

  • Attend Journey live sessions and one community studio per month
  • Have at least 2 pair sessions per month
  • Complete Journey’s asynchronous course work
  • Develop and present a polished speech that demonstrates growth in persuasion, argumentation, and public speaking.
  • Record a 2 minute speech at the beginning and at the end of the cycle.
  • Participate in a final presentation celebration.
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Civil Discourse: Connection & Persuasion Course

Public Speaking & Authentic Expression

This course explores how to engage in respectful, thoughtful, and productive conversations, even on difficult or controversial topics. It complements our interactive workshops by providing additional exercises, resources, and feedback opportunities to refine your public speaking skills. Through guided vocal delivery exercises, structured speech-writing templates, and recorded performance submissions, you’ll gain confidence in crafting and delivering compelling speeches. Whether you’re preparing a persuasive argument, a spoken-word piece, or a presentation, participants will develop active listening skills, learn to express their perspectives with clarity and empathy, and practice techniques for fostering meaningful dialogue in diverse settings.

Journey Circle - Writing

Civil Discourse: Connection & Persuasion Mentoring

Mentees and mentors in this Journey will be matched for one cycle. Pairs will meet for at least two sessions each month. Each session should be at least one hour. This journey is open to both mentor/mentee pairs and peer-to-peer pairs.

Journey Circle - Mentoring

Civil Discourse: Connection & Persuasion Experiences

Mentors and mentees in the Civil Discourse: Connection & Persuasion Journey are required to attend monthly meetings, held on Saturdays from 1-3 pm ET. Additionally, they may attend one community studio per month, preferably a leadership-focused community studio.

Live virtual meeting dates:

  • July 12, 1 pm ET
  • August 9, 1 pm ET
  • September 13, 1 pm ET

Final presentations:

  • September 27, 1 pm ET
Journey-Circle-Community

Lead 360 Adventure

The Civil Discourse: Connection & Persuasion Journey is a part of the Lead 360 Adventure.

Journeys in the Lead 360 Adventure emphasize leadership, aiming to help mentees and mentors develop their leadership skills and work together to create a better future.

Learn more about the other Adventures offered at Girls Write Now below.

See All Adventures

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Explore Tour (Spring 2026)

Explore all of the creative and storytelling pathways Girls Write Now has to offer through a multimedia, multi-genre experience that includes mini courses, exploratory studios, and one-on-one pair sessions. Discover new skills and build on existing ones with offerings that range from fiction to journalism to publishing, and dive into formats like video, podcasting, visual storytelling, and more. Ideal for Mentees who enjoy working across multiple genres and media or are focused on specific projects, this Journey offers the flexibility to tailor your learning experience to your individual needs.

Explore Tour, photos of two girls smiling, GWN logo

Writing for TV: From Script to Screen (Summer 2026)

The Writing for TV Journey is designed to help develop the skills and understanding needed to work as a writer in today’s TV industry. This Journey provides insight into the work of a scriptwriter – a deep understanding of TV storytelling and professional scripts, drama vs comedy scripts, professional working practices, and employment strategies. Specific topics range from story structure and formatting scripts to actually seeing a script to fruition.

Civil Discourse: Connection & Persuasion (Summer 2026)

In this one-Cycle Journey, Mentees will develop essential skills in public speaking, argumentation, and critical thinking. Through engaging activities and interactive discussions, participants will learn to craft persuasive speeches, construct well-reasoned arguments, and present their ideas with confidence. They will explore techniques for effective communication, refine their ability to think critically under pressure, and practice responding to diverse perspectives in a structured setting.

Civil Discourse Connection & Persuasion; two girls speaking with a mic
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