Course Description

 

This course systematically examines the elements of an effective speech and goes through an element-by-element examination of the essentials of public speaking, while also identifying traits of the individual speaker and how they affect preparation and presentation. This course also demonstrates specific, performance-oriented aspects of public speaking. The themes of information and ethics tie these elements together and are emphasized in every part of the course because they are vitally important to all communicators. Since modern societies have ever-increasing access to information, there are increased demands on the individual to use information effectively and ethically. For example, "the New York Times has more information in one week than individuals in the 1800s would encounter in a lifetime". This illustrates the additional challenges speakers face beyond the common stresses of public speaking anxiety. In spite of that, ethical communication means not only accepting responsibility for the information you present, but also speaking up when others abuse their information platforms.

 

This course includes the following units:

Unit 1: Why Public Speaking Matters Today

Unit 2: Speaking Confidently

Unit 3: The Importance of Listening

Unit 4: Audience Analysis

Unit 5: Finding a Purpose and Selecting a Topic

Unit 6: Researching Your Speech

Unit 7: Supporting Ideas and Building Arguments

Unit 8: The Body of a Speech

Unit 9: Introductions and Conclusions

Unit 10: Outlining

Unit 11: The Importance of Language

Unit 12: Delivering the Speech

Unit 13: Presentation Aids: Design and Usage

Unit 14: Speaking to Inform and Entertain

Unit 15: Persuasive Speaking

 

Certification

Only the final exam is considered when awarding you a grade for this course. In order to pass this course, you will need to earn a 70% or higher on the final exam. Your score on the exam will be calculated as soon as you complete it. If you do not pass the exam on your first try, you may take it again as many times as you want, with a 7-day waiting period between each attempt. Once you have successfully passed the final exam you will be awarded a free Course Completion Certificate.