We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Speaking to persuade

Motivating audiences with solid arguments and moving language

Dr. Matt McGarrity

In the professional realm, we need to be able to argue without being argumentative. Whether you are fundraising for a nonprofit, pitching a business proposal, or suggesting a change to company policy, you are making arguments. In making the case for your topic, you often want to raise awareness, identify a pressing problem, discuss appropriate solutions, and outline specific steps for the audience.

To be persuasive, you must be clear (the audience may have little to no existing knowledge), you must be convincing (you are trying to sway the audience that your argument is valid), and you must be compelling (you are trying to motivate the audience enough so that they want to take specific actions). Persuasive speaking thus requires clarity, strategy, topic mastery, plus a sense of style and presence.

By the end of this course, you should be able to design persuasive speeches that address problems and solutions and that motivate audience members. You should be able to use rhetorical style strategically and deliver passionate and compelling speeches. Learners will record speeches, providing and receiving peer feedback.

Enroll now

Or subscribe to Coursera Plus

And get unlimited access to Coursera

Here's a deal for you

Save money when you learn with a deal that may be relevant to this course.

All coupon codes, vouchers, and discounts are applied automatically unless otherwise noted.

Valid until August 30

Google AI App Builder

Learn how to use Gemini API and API Studio with a three-course series from Google DeepMind

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome. Let's develop a persuasive argument.

In this module, we’ll focus on the key strategies for designing persuasive speeches. In examining persuasive speaking, we tackle both solid argument and eloquent writing. After sorting through the broad concerns about persuasion, we start with some of the most powerful argumentative tools you can have: status quo and stock issues. By the end of the week, these two ideas will have helped us figure out what we need to argue (and what we don’t) and how to go about it. If you want some feedback, you’ll be able to upload an introductory speech for peer review.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores the fundamentals of persuasive speaking, which is essential for leaders and professionals

Taught by Dr. Matt McGarrity, a respected instructor known for his expertise in communication

Provides opportunities for peer review and feedback, fostering a collaborative learning environment

Course duration is not specified, which may require planning and flexibility from learners

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.

Save

Reviews summary

Build strong persuasive speaking skills

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation in designing and delivering persuasive speeches. Students particularly praise the clarity and expertise of the instructor, finding the concepts, such as status quo and stock issues, easy to understand and immediately applicable. The section on logical fallacies is frequently highlighted as highly valuable. While the peer review process is seen as a crucial component for practice, its effectiveness can vary depending on the quality of peer feedback received. Overall, the course is viewed as practical and effective for improving argumentation and public speaking.

Provides practice but quality of feedback varies.

"The peer review assignments forced me to practice delivery, which was great, but the feedback quality was inconsistent."

"Peer feedback was helpful when reviewers put effort in, but sometimes it felt like people just checked a box."

"I appreciated the opportunity to practice and get feedback through peer review, though some comments weren't very constructive."

"The peer review process is a valuable part of the course structure for applying what you learn."

Excellent module on logical fallacies and avoiding them.

"The section on logical fallacies was incredibly insightful and helped me spot weak arguments (my own and others')."

"Understanding fallacies is critical, and this course did an excellent job explaining them in a practical way."

"Learning about common logical fallacies has significantly improved my ability to construct sound arguments and avoid pitfalls."

"This part of the course felt particularly important for anyone looking to debate or persuade ethically."

Teaches useful structures like status quo and stock issues.

"Learning about the status quo and stock issues gave me a clear framework for structuring my arguments."

"The practical tools provided, like using stock issues, were immediately helpful in organizing my thoughts for speeches."

"This course introduced me to concepts like 'status quo' that I'd never considered before, making my arguments stronger."

"I can now apply the framework taught here to analyze and build persuasive cases more effectively."

Instructor provides clear explanations and valuable insights.

"The instructor is fantastic! His explanations are incredibly clear, and he makes complex ideas easy to grasp."

"I found the instructor to be very knowledgeable and engaging. His passion for the subject was evident."

"The lectures were well-structured and presented by a highly competent and articulate instructor."

"I really appreciated the way the instructor broke down the concepts into manageable parts."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Speaking to persuade: Motivating audiences with solid arguments and moving language with these activities:

Review argumentative techniques

Show steps

Review the basic principles of argumentation, including fallacies, logical reasoning, and persuasive techniques to strengthen your understanding of the core concepts covered in this course.

Browse courses on Argumentation

Show steps

Revisit the chapters on argumentation from a previous course or textbook.
Practice identifying logical fallacies in examples.
Develop outlines for persuasive speeches on various topics.

Engage in peer review and provide feedback on persuasive speech outlines

Show steps

Engaging in peer review will provide you with valuable insights and feedback on your persuasive speech outline, helping you improve its clarity, structure, and persuasiveness.

Browse courses on Peer Review

Show steps

Share your persuasive speech outline with a peer for review.
Provide constructive feedback on your peer's outline, focusing on its clarity, structure, and persuasiveness.
Incorporate feedback from your peer into your own outline.

Attend workshops on public speaking

Show steps

Attend workshops or webinars on public speaking to enhance your delivery skills, learn advanced techniques, and receive feedback from experienced professionals.

Show steps

Research and identify relevant workshops or webinars.
Register and attend the selected workshops.
Actively participate in exercises and discussions.
Seek feedback from the instructor or other participants.

Three other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all six activities

Practice identifying and analyzing logical fallacies in persuasive speeches

Show steps

Practicing identifying and analyzing logical fallacies will enhance your ability to evaluate the validity and credibility of persuasive arguments.

Browse courses on Logical Fallacies

Show steps

Review common types of logical fallacies.
Analyze persuasive speeches for logical fallacies.
Identify the impact of logical fallacies on the persuasiveness of arguments.

Join a virtual speech club

Show steps

Join a virtual speech club or online forum where you can practice delivering speeches, receive feedback, and connect with other learners to enhance your persuasive speaking skills.

Show steps

Research and identify relevant virtual speech clubs or online forums.
Join the selected club or forum.
Prepare and deliver speeches regularly.
Provide and receive constructive feedback to other members.

Develop and deliver a persuasive speech on a topic related to your field of study or career

Show steps

Developing and delivering a persuasive speech on a topic related to your field of study or career will provide you with an opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge gained in this course to a real-world scenario.

Browse courses on Career Development

Show steps

Choose a topic for your persuasive speech that is relevant to your field of study or career.
Conduct thorough research on your topic.
Develop a compelling and persuasive argument.
Practice delivering your speech effectively.
Deliver your persuasive speech to an audience.

Career center

Learners who complete Speaking to persuade: Motivating audiences with solid arguments and moving language will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Public relations manager

Public Relations Managers lead the development of public relations campaigns for businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies. They work to maintain a positive image and build relationships with the media and other key stakeholders. This course can help Public Relations Managers by providing them with the skills to develop persuasive arguments and deliver compelling speeches. These skills are essential for building relationships with the media and other key stakeholders, and for promoting a positive image for an organization.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public relations manager

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers develop and execute marketing campaigns to promote products and services. They work with a variety of audiences, including consumers, businesses, and the media. This course can help Marketing Managers by providing them with the skills to develop persuasive arguments and deliver compelling speeches. These skills are essential for communicating with target audiences and promoting products and services.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Advertising Account Executive

Advertising Account Executives work with clients to develop and execute advertising campaigns. They work to create persuasive marketing messages and negotiate with media outlets to get the best possible placement for their clients' ads. This course can help Advertising Account Executives by providing them with the skills to develop persuasive arguments and deliver compelling speeches. These skills are essential for negotiating with clients and media outlets, and for developing effective advertising campaigns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Advertising Account Executive

Sales Manager

Sales Managers lead sales teams and develop strategies to increase sales. They work with customers to build relationships and close deals. This course can help Sales Managers by providing them with the skills to develop persuasive arguments and deliver compelling speeches. These skills are essential for building relationships with customers and closing deals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Financial Advisor

Financial Advisors provide financial advice to individuals and families. They work to help their clients make sound financial decisions and plan for their future. This course can help Financial Advisors by providing them with the skills to develop persuasive arguments and deliver compelling speeches. These skills are essential for building relationships with clients and providing them with sound financial advice.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Advisor

Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers develop and implement human resources policies and procedures. They work to create a positive work environment and attract and retain top talent. This course can help Human Resources Managers by providing them with the skills to develop persuasive arguments and deliver compelling speeches. These skills are essential for communicating with employees and building a positive work environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research and analyze public policy issues. They work with policymakers to develop and implement policies that address a variety of social and economic issues. This course can help Policy Analysts by providing them with the skills to develop persuasive arguments and deliver compelling speeches. These skills are essential for communicating with policymakers and advocating for policy changes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Grant Writer

Grant Writers write grant proposals to secure funding for nonprofit organizations. They work with donors and grantmakers to develop persuasive proposals that articulate the organization's mission and goals. This course can help Grant Writers by providing them with the skills to develop persuasive arguments and deliver compelling speeches. These skills are essential for writing grant proposals and securing funding for nonprofit organizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Grant Writer

Political Consultant

Political Consultants advise candidates and political organizations on campaign strategy and messaging. They work to develop persuasive arguments and deliver compelling speeches that resonate with voters. This course can help Political Consultants by providing them with the skills to develop persuasive arguments and deliver compelling speeches. These skills are essential for developing campaign strategy and messaging, and for persuading voters to support a particular candidate or cause.

See salaries and explore the career path for Political Consultant

Communications Director

Communications Directors develop and implement communication strategies for businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies. They work with a variety of audiences, including the media, employees, and the public. This course can help Communications Directors by providing them with the skills to develop persuasive arguments and deliver compelling speeches. These skills are essential for communicating with a variety of audiences and building a positive image for an organization.

See salaries and explore the career path for Communications Director

Media Relations Specialist

Media Relations Specialists work with the media to promote their organization's products, services, or initiatives. They work to build relationships with reporters and editors, and to get their organization's message out to the public. This course may help Media Relations Specialists by providing them with the skills to develop persuasive arguments and deliver compelling speeches. These skills can be helpful for building relationships with reporters and editors, and for pitching stories to the media.

See salaries and explore the career path for Media Relations Specialist

Speechwriter

Speechwriters write speeches for politicians, business leaders, and other public figures. They work to develop persuasive arguments and deliver compelling speeches that resonate with audiences. This course may help Speechwriters by providing them with the skills to develop persuasive arguments and deliver compelling speeches. These skills are essential for writing speeches that engage and persuade audiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Speechwriter

Professor

Professors teach and conduct research at colleges and universities. They work with students to develop their knowledge and skills, and to prepare them for careers in their chosen fields. This course may help Professors by providing them with the skills to develop persuasive arguments and deliver compelling lectures. These skills can be helpful for engaging students and conveying complex information in a clear and concise manner.

See salaries and explore the career path for Professor

Lawyer

Lawyers represent clients in legal matters. They work to develop persuasive arguments and deliver compelling speeches in court and other legal settings. This course may help Lawyers by providing them with the skills to develop persuasive arguments and deliver compelling speeches. These skills are essential for representing clients in legal matters and advocating for their interests.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lawyer

Journalist

Journalists research and write news stories for newspapers, magazines, and other media outlets. They work to develop persuasive arguments and deliver compelling stories that inform and engage audiences. This course may help Journalists by providing them with the skills to develop persuasive arguments and deliver compelling stories. These skills can be helpful for researching and writing news stories that are accurate, informative, and engaging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Reading list

We've selected 28 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Speaking to persuade: Motivating audiences with solid arguments and moving language.

On Rhetoric

Save

Aristotle's Rhetoric classic work that provides the foundations of persuasive speaking and rhetoric. It covers the principles of argumentation, emotional appeals, and the use of language, offering valuable insights into the art of persuasion.

Speaking to persuade

Motivating audiences with solid arguments and moving language

Here's a deal for you

What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Build strong persuasive speaking skills

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses