Speaking to Inspire: Ceremonial and Motivational Speeches from Coursera

The most memorable speeches inspire, entertain, and praise. By blending stories and eloquence, great speeches highlight the core values motivating an audience. You might need to do this in a keynote address, a eulogy, or simply a business meeting. Inspiring audiences is a common, but difficult writing challenge. You want a speech that elevates the topic and the audience.

This course gives you a method for preparing and delivering speeches that inspire and entertain. By the end of this course, you should be able to compose and deliver moving speeches that praise core audience values through evidence, storytelling, and humor. You should be able to write eloquent passages in tones appropriate to the audience and occasion and speak fluidly from either a well-prepared manuscript or from memory. Learners will record speeches, providing and receiving peer feedback.

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1. Using values and storytelling to develop a great speech

Welcome! We begin this week with an overview of the course: What it is and what we’ll be doing. From there we can start preparing our speeches. We’ll start by finding the core values that will drive the speech. Values that speak to the topic and inspire your audience. We’ll then explore how to discuss those values through evidence and storytelling. By the end of the week, you’ll have a list of values and stories to write a speech. With a sense for the topic, we can then get to know each other with an introductory speech. It’s a fun and easy speech that allows you to get to know some of your classmates.

Week 2. Arrangement. Finding the right form for your speech.

Last week, we worked on developing the pieces of our speech (values and support). This week, we’ll take those pieces and build a speech outline. There are a few broad arrangement models that prove helpful in organizing the speech in a compelling and moving way. We’ll look to some of the very specific concerns that emerge when dealing with speeches of introduction, eulogies, and award speeches. Having discussed invention and arrangement, we'll watch and evaluate a sample speech. You’ll watch a speech, write up some feedback, and read how others analyzed the speech.

Week 3. Getting it just right. Good language, tone, and writing for the delivery

You have your outline, so now let transform that into a manuscript. This week is all about style. We’ll start by thinking about what overall style is most appropriate for your speech. Then we’ll move through a bunch of stylistic devices. These are equations for eloquence. You put your value into these stylistic devices and eloquence pops out the other side. From there, we can talk more about word choice and overall tone. Once we have the basic structure down, we can look to openers and closers, basically figuring out how to get into and out of the speech. Finally, we’ll talk a little bit about writing for the ear and drafting a speech manuscript (which is different from an essay). The optional assignment this week is a draft manuscript. This is just a chance to get some feedback from others on an early draft.

Week 4. Remembering and delivering a great speech.

You have your manuscript, now let’s perform it. Memory and delivery are clearly linked. We need to decide whether we’ll extemporize the speech, work from a manuscript, or memorize the whole thing. No one approach is inherently better, but should be a good response to the rhetorical situation. We’ll talk about making this decision. Now we can finally get into some humor work. Some of this is certainly invention, but a lot of it is delivery. We’ll think about where and how to insert some humor into our speeches. And just as important, what to do when a joke falls flat. We’ll wrap up with some general delivery and performance issues. The assignment this week is a speech analysis. You’ll watch a speech, write up some feedback, and read how others analyzed the speech.

Week 5: Review and assessment

Thank you for your time in this course. I hope the material has proven helpful in some way. We concluded our discussion of the ceremonial speech last week. I would like to spend a bit of time reflecting on the course. We will end this week with your final speech.

Week 5: Review and assessment: Lesson Choices

Choice 1: For the final assignment, you can either submit a video or written speech (below). | Choice 2: For the final assignment, you can either submit a video (above) or written speech.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops professional speaking and eloquence skills, which may be useful in any number of industries or professional environments

Evaluates ceremonial speeches, which is standard practice within rhetoric and communications

This course is taught by Matt McGarrity, who is recognized within the field for their expertise in ceremonial speeches

Reviews summary

Inspiring speeches made easy

Students say this course guides learners through the process of crafting and delivering effective ceremonial and motivational speeches. The instructor provides in-depth research that underscores the importance of effective public speaking in a range of contexts.

Instructor is knowledgeable and engaging.

"Matt did an in-depth research into this topic and delivered it to us."

High-quality course for improving public speaking skills.

"This course gives you an insight into preparing and delivering a great speech!"

"Research-backed strategies for effective speeches in various contexts."

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 Inspire: Ceremonial and Motivational Speeches with these activities:

Practice impromptu speaking exercises

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Impromptu speaking exercises can help you to improve your ability to think on your feet and to speak confidently.

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Find a partner or group to practice with.
Take turns giving each other prompts, such as a topic or a question.
Speak for a set amount of time, without preparation.
Give each other feedback on your performances.

Review famous speeches

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Take some time to review famous speeches to familiarize yourself with eloquent speech writing.

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Consider a list of renowned speeches to review, such as the Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln, the 'I Have a Dream' speech by Martin Luther King Jr., or the 'Woman of the Year Acceptance Speech' by Michelle Obama.
Listen to each speech and identify techniques such as storytelling, personal anecdotes, humor, and rhetoric.
Analyze the structure, tone, and persuasive elements employed by the speaker.

Read 'Made to Stick' by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

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Read 'Made to Stick' to gain a deeper understanding of what makes a speech memorable and persuasive.

View Making Numbers Count: The Art and Science of... on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow a copy of 'Made to Stick' by Chip Heath and Dan Heath.
Read the book and take notes on key concepts, such as the 'SUCCESs' framework and the importance of storytelling.
Apply the principles from the book to your own speeches.

Five other activities

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Prepare a speech bank of personal experiences

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Build a personal repository of anecdotes, stories, and experiences that you can potentially use in your speeches.

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Introspection: Begin by reflecting on memorable speeches you have delivered or heard, and identify moments that resonated with your audience.
Journaling: Keep a journal to capture relevant personal experiences, observations, and anecdotes that could serve as potential speech material.
Categorization: Organize these entries into various categories, such as humorous, inspirational, or motivational, to make them easily accessible when crafting a speech.
Review: Periodically review your speech bank and update it with new or refined experiences.

Participate in a public speaking group or workshop

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Join a public speaking group or workshop to practice speaking and receive feedback from others.

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Research and identify public speaking groups or workshops in your area.
Attend meetings or sessions regularly and actively participate in discussions and exercises.
Prepare and deliver speeches for constructive critique from group members.
Take notes of the feedback and use it to improve your speaking skills.

Write and record a short speech

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Write and record a short speech to practice your speech writing and delivery skills.

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Choose a topic that you are passionate about and research it thoroughly.
Write a speech outline that includes an introduction, body, and conclusion.
Practice delivering your speech in front of a mirror or with a friend.
Record yourself delivering the speech and watch it back to identify areas for improvement.

Start a blog or vlog about public speaking and persuasion

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Starting a blog or vlog about public speaking and persuasion can help you to solidify your understanding of the concepts and techniques learned in this course.

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Choose a platform for your blog or vlog, such as WordPress, Blogger, or YouTube.
Create a posting schedule and stick to it.
Write or record content that is informative, engaging, and thought-provoking.
Promote your blog or vlog on social media and other online platforms.

Volunteer as a speaker or facilitator

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Volunteering as a speaker or facilitator allows you to put your speech writing and delivery skills into practice and to make a positive impact on your community.

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Identify organizations or events that are looking for speakers or facilitators.
Reach out to the organizers and inquire about volunteering.
Prepare a speech or presentation that is tailored to the audience and the event.
Deliver your speech or facilitate the event with confidence and enthusiasm.

Career center

Learners who complete Speaking to Inspire: Ceremonial and Motivational Speeches will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Orator

Orators, also known as public speakers, use their communication skills to present and persuade an audience. They may do this by writing and delivering speeches, or even serving as a spokesperson on behalf of an organization. Those who work as Orators are solely focused on using the power of words to drive impact. In this course, you'll learn how to craft memorable speeches that captivate an audience. You'll learn the right tone to set for any occasion and become more comfortable speaking from the heart. For an Orator, eloquence and impact are essential tools, so this course is an excellent resource for building the skillset needed to succeed.

See salaries and explore the career path for Orator

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers plan, develop, and implement marketing campaigns for a variety of products or services. They may do this in a variety of forms, such as broadcast commercials, social media, email, and more. Regardless of the medium, a Marketing Manager must ensure that the marketing campaign resonates with the right audience. This often means using the power of words to drive engagement. In this course, you'll learn how to craft memorable speeches that captivate an audience. You'll learn the right tone to set for any occasion and become more comfortable speaking from the heart. This is critical for a Marketing Manager who needs to represent the voice of the brand across different platforms and campaigns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialists maintain a company's image and protect its reputation. They do this by responding to media requests and inquiries, issuing press releases, and pitching stories to the press. They must also be prepared to respond to crises and negative publicity. This course can help Public Relations Specialists by giving them the tools to craft memorable speeches that captivate an audience. They'll learn how to set the right tone for any occasion and become more comfortable speaking from the heart. These skills are essential for Public Relations Specialists who need to be able to clearly and effectively communicate a company's message to the public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist

Teacher

Teachers inspire students to learn and think critically. They may do this by presenting lessons, leading discussions, and designing assignments. They may also be responsible for grading and providing feedback to students. Teachers must be able to communicate effectively and build relationships with students and parents. In this course, you'll learn how to craft memorable speeches that captivate an audience. You'll learn the right tone to set for any occasion and become more comfortable speaking from the heart. These skills are essential for Teachers who need to be able to clearly and effectively communicate with students.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Writer

Writers create content for a variety of purposes, such as websites, blogs, articles, and books. They may also write for marketing or advertising purposes. Writers must be able to communicate clearly and effectively, and they must be able to adapt their writing style to their audience. Writers may choose to specialize in a particular field, such as technical writing or creative writing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Writer

Actor

Actors portray characters in plays, movies, television shows, and other forms of media. They must be able to interpret scripts, develop characters, and work with directors and other actors. They may also need to sing, dance, or play musical instruments. Actors may choose to specialize in a particular genre, such as comedy, drama, or musical theater.

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Politician

Politicians create and enforce laws for their city, state, or country. They may also represent their constituents' interests in government. Politicians must be able to communicate effectively, build consensus, and negotiate with others. They may also need to campaign for office and raise funds.

See salaries and explore the career path for Politician

Salesperson

Salespeople sell products or services to customers. They may do this in person, over the phone, or online. Salespeople must be able to communicate effectively, build relationships with customers, and close deals. They may also need to generate leads and develop sales strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Salesperson

Lawyer

Lawyers represent clients in court, advise clients on legal matters, and draft legal documents. They must be able to communicate effectively, research legal issues, and think critically. Lawyers may choose to specialize in a particular area of law, such as criminal law, civil law, or corporate law.

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Program Director

Program Directors plan and implement programs for a variety of organizations, such as schools, businesses, and non-profit organizations. They may be responsible for developing curriculum, setting budgets, hiring staff, and evaluating programs. Program Directors must be able to communicate effectively, build relationships with stakeholders, and lead a team.

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Judge

Judges preside over court proceedings and make decisions on legal matters. They must be able to interpret laws, weigh evidence, and apply legal principles. Judges may also issue rulings and write opinions.

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Community Organizer

Community Organizers work to improve the lives of people in their communities. They may do this by organizing protests, lobbying for policy changes, or providing social services. Community Organizers must be able to communicate effectively, build relationships with people from all walks of life, and lead a team.

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Fundraiser

Fundraisers raise money for non-profit organizations. They may do this by organizing events, soliciting donations, or writing grant proposals. Fundraisers must be able to communicate effectively, build relationships with donors, and close deals.

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Minister

Ministers lead religious services and provide spiritual guidance to their congregation. They may also perform baptisms, weddings, and funerals. Ministers must be able to communicate effectively, build relationships with people from all walks of life, and lead a team.

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Social Worker

Social Workers help people cope with difficult life situations, such as poverty, addiction, and mental illness. They may provide counseling, case management, and other services. Social Workers must be able to communicate effectively, build relationships with people from all walks of life, and work as part of a team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker