Speaking and Presenting: Poise from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1 | Poise: Vocabulary

Poise is not some elusive or innate characteristic. It’s a series of choices, all of which can help you better connect with your intended audience. This course will help you identify those choices and teach you how to consistently make them.

Week 2 | Poise: Speaking Studies and Speaking Exercises

We’ll follow up the “Speaking Stories” we learned about last week with a new, research-filled section called “Speaking Studies.”

Week 3 | Rhythm: Vocabulary

People who have taken our companion course Good with Words: Writing and Editing may remember some of the rhetorical moves we’ll be learning about this week, including anaphora, epistrophe, and the Rule of Three. But even if these techniques are new to you, I hope you’ll soon try to incorporate them into your various speaking opportunities. There are good reasons why everyone from John F. Kennedy, to Margaret Thatcher, to Martin Luther King relied on them to get important points across.

Week 4 | Rhythm: Speaking Studies and Speaking Exercises

Congratulations on making it to the final week of the first course in the series “Good With Words: Speaking and Presenting.” We’ll finish up with some additional material on rhythm and then get a chance to combine rhythm and poise together in a speaking exercise that involves a popular U.S. president, an acclaimed war correspondent, and the 1993 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores patterns of professional speech and creates actionable steps to improve them

Develops poise and rhythm, which are core skills for public speaking and presentations

Taught by Patrick Barry, who is recognized for their work in public speaking

Examines various speaking techniques and provides exercises to practice them

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 and Presenting: Poise with these activities:

Review vocabulary related to poise

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Strengthen your understanding of the fundamental concepts of poise, which will aid in comprehension throughout the course.

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Compile a list of key terms and definitions related to poise.
Create flashcards or use a spaced repetition software to practice memorizing the terms.

Attend a public speaking event

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Experience the dynamics of public speaking firsthand, observing the poise and techniques of others and expanding your network.

Browse courses on Public Speaking

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Find a local public speaking event or workshop and attend.
Pay attention to the speakers' poise, delivery, and use of language.

Analyze speeches of public figures

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Improve your ability to identify and understand techniques used by skilled speakers, enhancing your own poise and delivery.

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Select speeches by renowned public figures known for their poise and charisma.
Observe and analyze their use of body language, tone, and language.
Identify specific techniques they employ to convey confidence and connect with the audience.

Three other activities

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Record and critique your own speeches

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Develop your ability to self-assess and identify areas for improvement in your poise and delivery.

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Prepare a short speech on a topic of your choice.
Record yourself delivering the speech.
Review the recording and critique your poise, body language, and vocal delivery.
Identify areas where you can make improvements.

Create a video blog or podcast on poise

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Solidify your understanding of poise by creating educational content that requires you to synthesize and explain concepts.

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Choose a specific aspect of poise to focus on.
Research and gather information on the topic.
Create a video or audio recording explaining the concept in a clear and engaging way.

Volunteer as a speaker or facilitator

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Practice poise in real-world settings by volunteering to speak or lead discussions.

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Contact local organizations or community groups to inquire about volunteer opportunities as a speaker or facilitator.
Prepare and deliver speeches or lead discussions on topics related to poise and communication.

Career center

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

Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialists create and implement communication strategies to build and maintain a positive image for their organizations. They may work for a variety of organizations, including corporations, non-profits, and government agencies. The ability to speak and present with poise is essential for Public Relations Specialists, as they often need to give speeches, conduct media interviews, and interact with the public. This course can help Public Relations Specialists develop the skills they need to communicate effectively and build strong relationships with their audiences.

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Speechwriter

Speechwriters are responsible for writing speeches for politicians, business leaders, and other public figures. They need to be able to write speeches that are clear, concise, and persuasive. This course can help Speechwriters develop the skills they need to write effective speeches that connect with their audiences. It can help them learn how to use language effectively, how to structure a speech, and how to deliver a speech confidently.

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Broadcaster

Broadcasters communicate information to the public through television, radio, and other media. They need to be able to speak clearly and concisely, and they need to be able to engage their audiences. This course can help Broadcasters develop the skills they need to communicate effectively with their audiences. It can help them learn how to use their voices effectively, how to structure a broadcast, and how to deliver a broadcast confidently.

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Politician

Politicians are elected officials who represent the interests of their constituents. They need to be able to communicate effectively with their constituents, and they need to be able to persuade people to vote for them. This course can help Politicians develop the skills they need to communicate effectively with their constituents. It can help them learn how to use language effectively, how to structure a speech, and how to deliver a speech confidently.

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Lawyer

Lawyers represent clients in legal matters. They need to be able to communicate effectively with their clients, and they need to be able to persuade judges and juries. This course can help Lawyers develop the skills they need to communicate effectively with their clients and with the courts. It can help them learn how to use language effectively, how to structure an argument, and how to deliver an argument confidently.

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Teacher

Teachers educate students in a variety of subjects. They need to be able to communicate effectively with their students, and they need to be able to create a positive learning environment. This course can help Teachers develop the skills they need to communicate effectively with their students. It can help them learn how to use language effectively, how to structure a lesson, and how to deliver a lesson confidently.

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Customer Service Representative

Customer Service Representatives provide support to customers. They need to be able to communicate effectively with customers, and they need to be able to resolve customer issues. This course can help Customer Service Representatives develop the skills they need to communicate effectively with customers. It can help them learn how to use language effectively, how to handle difficult customers, and how to resolve customer issues efficiently.

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Salesperson

Salespeople sell products or services to customers. They need to be able to communicate effectively with customers, and they need to be able to persuade customers to buy their products or services. This course can help Salespeople develop the skills they need to communicate effectively with customers. It can help them learn how to use language effectively, how to build relationships with customers, and how to close a sale.

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Marketer

Marketers develop and implement marketing campaigns to promote products or services. They need to be able to communicate effectively with customers, and they need to be able to persuade customers to buy their products or services. This course can help Marketers develop the skills they need to communicate effectively with customers. It can help them learn how to use language effectively, how to create marketing campaigns, and how to track the results of their campaigns.

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Event Planner

Event Planners plan and coordinate events, such as weddings, conferences, and parties. They need to be able to communicate effectively with clients and vendors, and they need to be able to manage logistics. This course can help Event Planners develop the skills they need to communicate effectively with clients and vendors. It can help them learn how to use language effectively, how to plan an event, and how to manage an event budget.

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Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers oversee the human resources department of an organization. They are responsible for recruiting, hiring, and training employees. They also need to be able to communicate effectively with employees and managers. This course can help Human Resources Managers develop the skills they need to communicate effectively with employees and managers. It can help them learn how to use language effectively, how to conduct interviews, and how to resolve employee issues.

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Financial Advisor

Financial Advisors provide financial advice to clients. They need to be able to communicate effectively with clients, and they need to be able to explain complex financial concepts in a clear and concise way. This course can help Financial Advisors develop the skills they need to communicate effectively with clients. It can help them learn how to use language effectively, how to explain financial concepts, and how to build relationships with clients.

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Insurance Agent

Insurance Agents sell insurance policies to clients. They need to be able to communicate effectively with clients, and they need to be able to explain complex insurance policies in a clear and concise way. This course can help Insurance Agents develop the skills they need to communicate effectively with clients. It can help them learn how to use language effectively, how to explain insurance policies, and how to build relationships with clients.

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Real Estate Agent

Real Estate Agents help clients buy and sell homes. They need to be able to communicate effectively with clients, and they need to be able to explain complex real estate contracts in a clear and concise way. This course can help Real Estate Agents develop the skills they need to communicate effectively with clients. It can help them learn how to use language effectively, how to explain real estate contracts, and how to build relationships with clients.

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Customer Success Manager

Customer Success Managers help customers get the most out of their products or services. They need to be able to communicate effectively with customers, and they need to be able to resolve customer issues. This course can help Customer Success Managers develop the skills they need to communicate effectively with customers. It can help them learn how to use language effectively, how to handle difficult customers, and how to resolve customer issues efficiently.

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