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Introduction to Public Speaking
  • Level Foundation
  • Duration 15 hours
  • Course by University of Washington
  • Offered by

About

This course offers a proven framework for crafting and delivering impactful presentations. In the professional world, academic settings, or public life, we're frequently asked to "share some thoughts." Many individuals struggle in these situations. This course aims to make you excel where others stumble. We'll explore how to structure speeches coherently, write memorably, and present confidently. Upon completion, you will diminish your public speaking anxiety, leverage rehearsal methods to develop a robust, engaging speaking voice, and execute speeches with dynamic movements. The speech model we'll practice is versatile for briefings, elevator pitches, interviews, and even as a blueprint for hour-long presentations. Whether you're a novice or an experienced speaker, this course will help you master speaking fundamentals or elevate your public speaking skills to new heights. As a bonus, you'll gain access to an immersive VR experience that lets you perfect your presentation skills in a simulated auditorium or conference room, complete with a virtual audience. You will receive real-time feedback, empowering you to refine your abilities through practice in a realistic setting.

Modules

Welcome to Introduction to Public Speaking

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

3 Videos

  • Welcome!
  • Course and assignment overview
  • Week 1 overview

1 Readings

  • Get help and meet other learners. Join your Community!

Public speaking as rhetoric

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Rhetoric

3 Videos

  • What is rhetoric?
  • Rhetorical situations
  • The canons of rhetoric

The medium of speech

    • 4 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Speaking and writing in action

4 Videos

  • Speech is a natural medium of sound
  • Don't treat speaking as writing
  • How do we talk?
  • Good delivery is easy to understand

Review and Quiz

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Week 1 quiz

1 Videos

  • Week 1 review

2 Readings

  • Week one lesson summaries
  • Week one assignment check-in

Introductory Speech (Optional)

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 PeerReview
    • 1 ExternalTool
Show info about module content

1 External Tool

  • Immersive Experience: Introductory Speech Delivery

1 Peer Review

  • Introductory Speech (Optional)

2 Videos

  • Introductory speech sample
  • Recording good speech videos

Week 2 overview

    • 1 Videos
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • Week 2 overview

The key point speech overview

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

2 Videos

  • Key point speech overview
  • Key point speech rubric

1 Readings

  • Key point speech assignment description

A model for memorable points

    • 3 Videos
Show info about module content

3 Videos

  • The components of a memorable point
  • Can you hear these components?
  • Outlining and flowing

Inventing your key points

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

2 Videos

  • Inventing key points: Topics
  • Inventing key points: How many points?

1 Readings

  • Case study: Inventing key points

Arranging and phrasing your key points

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Revising for arrangement and style

3 Videos

  • Arranging key points: Subordination
  • Arranging key points: Coordination and discreteness
  • Stylizing key points: Phrasing

Speech Analysis #1

    • 2 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 PeerReview
Show info about module content

1 Peer Review

  • Speech analysis #1

2 Videos

  • Key point speech for analysis
  • Improved key point speech (Optional)

2 Readings

  • Speech analysis #1 overview
  • Matt's feedback (Optional)

Review and quiz

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Week 2 quiz

1 Videos

  • Week 2 review

2 Readings

  • Week two lesson summaries
  • Week two assignment check-in

Optional lesson: Handling Q&A

    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Dealing with Q&A

2 Readings

  • Dealing with Q&A
  • Sample Q&A exchanges

Week 3 overview

    • 1 Videos
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • Week 3 overview

Support and explanation

    • 4 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Discussing your support

4 Videos

  • Finding the right support
  • Discussing your examples concisely
  • Performing your key point
  • Sample performance of a key point

Making your speech easy to follow

    • 5 Videos
Show info about module content

5 Videos

  • Highlighting speech structure
  • Introductions
  • Transitions
  • Conclusions
  • Key point speech with structure identified (Optional)

Revising, practicing, and remembering your speech

    • 2 Videos
Show info about module content

2 Videos

  • Revising your speech
  • Practicing and remembering your speech

Review and quiz

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Week 3 quiz

1 Videos

  • Week 3 review

2 Readings

  • Week three lesson summaries
  • Week three assignment check-in

Elevator Speech (optional)

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 PeerReview
Show info about module content

1 Peer Review

  • Elevator speech

1 Videos

  • Sample elevator speech

Week 4 overview

    • 1 Videos
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • Week 4 overview

Overcoming your fear of public speaking

    • 5 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Discussing the example

5 Videos

  • What is public speaking apprehension?
  • The causes of public speaking apprehension
  • Reducing your public speaking apprehension
  • Example of public speaking apprehension
  • Analyzing the example

Dynamic vocal delivery

    • 4 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Pause length

4 Videos

  • Breath control
  • Projection
  • Pitch
  • Rate and pauses

Composed physical delivery

    • 2 Videos
Show info about module content

2 Videos

  • Gestures
  • Movement

Speech analysis #2

    • 2 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 PeerReview
Show info about module content

1 Peer Review

  • Speech analysis #2

2 Videos

  • Sample speech
  • Improved speech (Optional)

2 Readings

  • Speech analysis #2 overview
  • Matt's feedback on the sample speech (Optional)

Review and quiz

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Week 4 quiz

1 Videos

  • Week 4 review

2 Readings

  • Week four lesson summaries
  • Week four assignment check-in

Optional lesson: Dealing with difficult situations

    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Dealing with difficult situtaions

2 Readings

  • Linguistic bias, uptalk, and vocal fry
  • Getting interrupted at work

Final review

    • 2 Videos
Show info about module content

2 Videos

  • Course review
  • Other recommended courses

Key Point Speech

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 PeerReview
    • 1 ExternalTool
Show info about module content

1 External Tool

  • Immersive Experience: Key Point Speech Delivery

1 Peer Review

  • Key Point Speech

1 Videos

  • Sample key point speech

Auto Summary

"Introduction to Public Speaking" is a foundational course designed to help you craft and deliver impactful presentations confidently. Ideal for both novices and experienced speakers, it covers structuring speeches, writing memorably, and presenting with confidence. The course includes a unique VR experience for realistic practice and real-time feedback. Offered by Coursera, it spans 900 minutes and is available with Starter, Professional, and Paid subscription options. Perfect for anyone looking to excel in professional, academic, or public speaking scenarios.

Dr. Matt McGarrity
Instructor

Dr. Matt McGarrity