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

Public Speaking and Presentations

Learn the strategies to share your message with audiences of any size, and plan your message type based on your communication goals!

Enroll now

Or subscribe to Coursera Plus

And get unlimited access to Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Start Here

Responding with an elevator pitch

Preparing an informative lecture

Engaging others with storytelling

Delivering a persuasive speech

Course Conclusion

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches public speaking skills based on communication goals, which helps learners prepare a range of presentations

Develops skills in preparing elevator pitches, informational lectures, and persuasive speeches, which are core skills for career advancement

Taught by CareerCatalyst instructors, who are recognized for their work in public speaking

Save this course

Save Public Speaking and Presentations to your list so you can find it easily later:

Save

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 Public Speaking and Presentations with these activities:

Read 'Effective Public Speaking' by Dale Carnegie

Show steps

This book provides practical advice and techniques for effective public speaking, which aligns with the course's focus on message delivery and communication strategies.

View Melania on Amazon

Show steps

Purchase a copy of the book.
Read the book thoroughly, taking notes on key concepts.
Summarize the main points of each chapter in your own words.
Identify specific techniques or strategies you can apply to your own communication.

Create an Elevator Pitch for Your Communication Skills

Show steps

Crafting an elevator pitch forces you to concisely articulate your communication strengths and value, directly applying the skills taught in the course.

Browse courses on Elevator Pitch

Show steps

Identify your key communication skills and strengths.
Craft a brief statement that introduces yourself and effectively conveys your communication capabilities.
Practice delivering your elevator pitch with confidence and clarity.

Enroll in a Storytelling Workshop or Online Course

Show steps

External workshops or online courses can provide structured guidance and hands-on practice in storytelling techniques, complementing the theoretical knowledge gained in the course.

Browse courses on Storytelling

Show steps

Research and select a reputable storytelling workshop or online course that aligns with your interests and learning goals.
Participate actively in the workshop or course, taking notes and engaging in discussions.
Apply the storytelling techniques learned in the workshop to your own communication.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Organize a Peer Practice Group for Persuasive Speeches

Show steps

Engaging in peer practice allows you to refine your persuasive speech delivery, receive feedback, and learn from others' approaches.

Show steps

Find a group of peers who are interested in improving their persuasive speech skills.
Meet regularly to practice delivering and critiquing persuasive speeches.
Provide constructive feedback to each other, focusing on strengths and areas for improvement.

Participate in a Public Speaking Competition or Event

Show steps

Participating in competitions provides a challenging and immersive environment to test your communication abilities and push your boundaries.

Browse courses on Public Speaking

Show steps

Research and identify public speaking competitions or events that align with your interests and goals.
Prepare a speech or presentation for the competition.
Deliver your speech or presentation at the event.
Reflect on your performance and identify areas for growth and improvement.

Contribute to an Open-Source Project Related to Communication

Show steps

Contributing to open-source projects allows you to apply your communication skills in a practical setting, collaborate with others, and enhance your technical abilities.

Browse courses on Open-Source

Show steps

Identify an open-source project that aligns with your interests and skill set.
Read the project documentation and familiarize yourself with the codebase.
Identify an area where you can contribute, such as bug fixes, feature development, or documentation improvements.
Submit a pull request with your contributions.

Create a Comprehensive Course Review

Show steps

By reviewing and organizing course materials, you will reinforce key concepts, identify areas for further study, and improve your understanding of the overall course content.

Show steps

Gather all course materials, including lecture notes, readings, assignments, and quizzes.
Review the materials thoroughly, making notes and highlighting important points.
Organize the materials into a logical structure, such as by topic or module.
Create a comprehensive review document that summarizes the key concepts, insights, and learning outcomes of the course.

Career center

Learners who complete Public Speaking and Presentations will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Speech Pathologist

Speech pathologists assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, and swallowing disorders. They may work with individuals of all ages, from infants to the elderly. This course can help speech pathologists develop the public speaking and presentation skills necessary to effectively communicate with patients, families, and colleagues. This course can help speech pathologists build a foundation in public speaking and presentations, which can be useful for communicating with patients, families, and colleagues.

See salaries and explore the career path for Speech Pathologist

Broadcaster

Broadcasters present information to the public through radio, television, or the internet. They may work as news anchors, reporters, or talk show hosts. This course can help broadcasters develop the public speaking and presentation skills necessary to effectively communicate with their audiences. This course can help broadcasters build a foundation in public speaking and presentations, which can be useful for communicating with their audiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Broadcaster

Politician

Politicians hold elected office and make decisions that affect the public. They may work at the local, state, or federal level. This course can help politicians develop the public speaking and presentation skills necessary to effectively communicate with constituents, the media, and other stakeholders. This course can help politicians build a foundation in public speaking and presentations, which can be useful for communicating with constituents, the media, and other stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Politician

Teacher

Teachers instruct students at all levels, from preschool to college. They may teach a variety of subjects, including math, science, English, and social studies. This course can help teachers develop the public speaking and presentation skills necessary to effectively communicate with students, parents, and colleagues. This course can help teachers build a foundation in public speaking and presentations, which can be useful for communicating with students, parents, and colleagues.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Salesperson

Salespeople sell products or services to customers. They may work in a variety of settings, including retail stores, offices, and over the phone. This course can help salespeople develop the public speaking and presentation skills necessary to effectively communicate with customers and close deals. This course can help salespeople build a foundation in public speaking and presentations, which can be useful for communicating with customers and closing deals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Salesperson

Event Planner

Event planners plan and coordinate events, such as weddings, conferences, and corporate parties. They may work for a variety of clients, including individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations. This course can help event planners develop the public speaking and presentation skills necessary to effectively communicate with clients, vendors, and guests. This course can help event planners build a foundation in public speaking and presentations, which can be useful for communicating with clients, vendors, and guests.

See salaries and explore the career path for Event Planner

Public Relations Specialist

Public relations specialists manage the public image of organizations. They may work for a variety of clients, including businesses, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. This course can help public relations specialists develop the public speaking and presentation skills necessary to effectively communicate with the media and the public. This course can help public relations specialists build a foundation in public speaking and presentations, which can be useful for communicating with the media and the public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist

Lawyer

Lawyers represent clients in legal matters. They may work in a variety of settings, including law firms, corporations, and government agencies. This course can help lawyers develop the public speaking and presentation skills necessary to effectively communicate with clients, judges, and juries. This course can help lawyers build a foundation in public speaking and presentations, which can be useful for communicating with clients, judges, and juries.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lawyer

Social Worker

Social workers help people cope with a variety of challenges, such as poverty, mental illness, and addiction. They may work in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, and social service agencies. This course can help social workers develop the public speaking and presentation skills necessary to effectively communicate with clients, colleagues, and the public. This course can help social workers build a foundation in public speaking and presentations, which can be useful for communicating with clients, colleagues, and the public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit managers oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations. They may work for a variety of organizations, including charities, foundations, and advocacy groups. This course can help nonprofit managers develop the public speaking and presentation skills necessary to effectively communicate with donors, volunteers, and the public. This course can help nonprofit managers build a foundation in public speaking and presentations, which can be useful for communicating with donors, volunteers, and the public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager

Customer Service Representative

Customer service representatives provide assistance to customers. They may work in a variety of settings, including call centers, retail stores, and online chat. This course can help customer service representatives develop the public speaking and presentation skills necessary to effectively communicate with customers and resolve their issues. This course can help customer service representatives build a foundation in public speaking and presentations, which can be useful for communicating with customers and resolving their issues.

See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Service Representative

Marketing Manager

Marketing managers develop and implement marketing campaigns. They may work for a variety of organizations, including businesses, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. This course can help marketing managers develop the public speaking and presentation skills necessary to effectively communicate with clients, employees, and the public. This course can help marketing managers build a foundation in public speaking and presentations, which can be useful for communicating with clients, employees, and the public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Human Resources Manager

Human resources managers oversee the human resources department of an organization. They may be responsible for a variety of tasks, such as recruiting, hiring, and training employees. This course can help human resources managers develop the public speaking and presentation skills necessary to effectively communicate with employees, managers, and the public. This course can help human resources managers build a foundation in public speaking and presentations, which can be useful for communicating with employees, managers, and the public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Financial Analyst

Financial analysts provide financial advice to individuals and organizations. They may work for a variety of clients, including investment banks, hedge funds, and corporations. This course can help financial analysts develop the public speaking and presentation skills necessary to effectively communicate with clients, colleagues, and the public. This course can help financial analysts build a foundation in public speaking and presentations, which can be useful for communicating with clients, colleagues, and the public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Insurance Agent

Insurance agents sell insurance policies to individuals and businesses. They may work for a variety of insurance companies, including life insurance companies, health insurance companies, and property insurance companies. This course can help insurance agents develop the public speaking and presentation skills necessary to effectively communicate with clients and close deals. This course can help insurance agents build a foundation in public speaking and presentations, which can be useful for communicating with clients and closing deals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Insurance Agent

Reading list

We've selected 12 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 Public Speaking and Presentations .

The Art of Public Speaking, PowerWeb and Topic...

Save

Comprehensive guide to public speaking that covers everything from planning and preparing your speech to delivering it with confidence. It's a great resource for anyone who wants to improve their public speaking skills.

Public Speaking and Presentations

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses