Speaking and Presenting: Conversation Starters from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1 | Unexpected: Vocabulary

“Be surprising, in a convincing way.” You’ll encounter those words a lot during this course. To discover who said them and how you can put them to work, check out the materials in Week 1!

Week 2 | Unexpected: Speaking Studies and Speaking Exercises

A great way to create a message that people not only listen to but actually remember is to include what the behavioral economist George Lowenstein calls “information gaps.” We’ll learn what those are this week. We’ll also meet a scientist who does something remarkable: makes talking about the life of grass really interesting.

Week 3 | Conversation: Vocabulary

Those of you who have taken the companion series Good with Words: Writing and Editing may remember the following advice: “Trying to sound smart is a pretty dumb strategy.” We’ll learn this week that it also applies to speaking and presenting. Don’t try to impress your audience. Don’t set out to wow them with your intellect. Focus instead on being helpful. Treat your words like they are a gift you really want to share.

Week 4 | Conversation: Speaking Studies and Speaking Exercises

Congratulations! You’ve made it to the fourth and final week of Course 3. We’re going to start by looking at the difference between a high-considerateness speaking style and a high-involvement one. But we’ll also make time for some surprising findings about what you can do to make your next commute a little more pleasant and stimulating--not just for you but also for a complete stranger.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Focuses on developing skills in delivering persuasive presentations, which is beneficial for various professional settings

Taught by Patrick Barry, recognized for their expertise in communication

Provides practical techniques for initiating and maintaining impactful conversations, useful for networking and collaboration

Emphasizes avoiding intellectual posturing and focusing on delivering valuable content to the audience, fostering a genuine connection

Course materials include a mix of readings, videos, and exercises, providing a diverse learning experience

Encourages participants to consider unique perspectives and find surprising angles in their presentations, enhancing creativity

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: Conversation Starters with these activities:

Read 'Made to Stick'

Show steps

Learn science-backed techniques for creating memorable presentations.

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

Show steps

Identify key takeaways from the book.
Apply the principles to your own presentations.

Take an online course on body language

Show steps

Learn effective body language techniques to enhance your presentations.

Browse courses on Body Language

Show steps

Enroll in an online body language course.
Complete the course modules.
Practice the techniques you've learned.

Join a toastmasters club

Show steps

Gain experience giving presentations and receive feedback from peers.

Browse courses on Public Speaking

Show steps

Find a toastmasters club near you.
Join the club and attend meetings regularly.
Prepare and deliver speeches.
Seek feedback from your fellow members.

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Focus on information gaps

Show steps

Use unexpected information to create memorable presentations.

Show steps

Identify an unexpected angle for your presentation.
Craft a clear and concise message.
Use visuals and examples to illustrate your points.

Record yourself giving a presentation

Show steps

Analyze your body language and presentation skills to improve your delivery.

Browse courses on Public Speaking

Show steps

Choose a topic and prepare a short presentation.
Record yourself giving the presentation.
Watch the recording and identify areas for improvement.

Participate in a public speaking competition

Show steps

Challenge yourself and receive feedback from experienced judges.

Browse courses on Public Speaking

Show steps

Find a public speaking competition.
Prepare a speech and practice it thoroughly.
Deliver your speech and receive feedback.

Mentor new presenters

Show steps

Reinforce your own knowledge and skills by helping others.

Browse courses on Mentoring

Show steps

Volunteer to mentor new presenters.
Provide guidance and support.
Share your experiences and insights.

Contribute to open source projects

Show steps

Gain experience working on real-world projects and make a contribution to the community.

Browse courses on Open Source

Show steps

Find a project on GitHub or another platform.
Review the project's documentation.
Report bugs or contribute code.

Career center

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

Public Relations Specialist

Public relations specialists may find that the techniques taught in this course will be helpful for coming up with content for press releases and other communications materials that can help persuade audiences or motivate them to take action. The information provided in the syllabus about "information gaps" and "speaking studies" may be particularly useful for individuals interested in a career as a public relations specialist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist

Teacher

Teachers may find that the techniques taught in this course will be helpful for coming up with content for lesson plans and other teaching materials that can help persuade students or motivate them to learn. The information provided in the syllabus about "information gaps" and "speaking studies" may be particularly useful for individuals interested in a career as a teacher.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Journalist

Journalists may find that the techniques taught in this course will be helpful for coming up with content for news articles and other written pieces that can help persuade audiences or motivate them to take action. The information provided in the syllabus about "information gaps" and "speaking studies" may be particularly useful for individuals interested in a career as a journalist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Social Media Manager

Social media managers may find that the techniques taught in this course will be helpful for coming up with content for social media posts and other communications materials that can help persuade audiences or motivate them to take action. The information provided in the syllabus about "information gaps" and "speaking studies" may be particularly useful for individuals interested in a career as a social media manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager

Screenwriter

Screenwriters may find that the techniques taught in this course will be helpful for coming up with content for movies and television shows that can help persuade audiences or motivate them to take action. The information provided in the syllabus about "information gaps" and "speaking studies" may be particularly useful for individuals interested in a career as a screenwriter.

See salaries and explore the career path for Screenwriter

Copywriter

Copywriters may find that the techniques taught in this course will be helpful for coming up with content for advertising and marketing campaigns that can help persuade audiences or motivate them to take action. The information provided in the syllabus about "information gaps" and "speaking studies" may be particularly useful for individuals interested in a career as a copywriter.

See salaries and explore the career path for Copywriter

Media Relations Manager

Media relations managers may find that the techniques taught in this course will be helpful for coming up with content for press releases and other communications materials that can help persuade audiences or motivate them to take action. The information provided in the syllabus about "information gaps" and "speaking studies" may be particularly useful for individuals interested in a career as a media relations manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Media Relations Manager

Playwright

Playwrights may find that the techniques taught in this course will be helpful for coming up with content for plays that can help persuade audiences or motivate them to take action. The information provided in the syllabus about "information gaps" and "speaking studies" may be particularly useful for individuals interested in a career as a playwright.

See salaries and explore the career path for Playwright

Television Producer

Television producers may find that the techniques taught in this course will be helpful for coming up with content for television shows and other video content that can help persuade audiences or motivate them to take action. The information provided in the syllabus about "information gaps" and "speaking studies" may be particularly useful for individuals interested in a career as a television producer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Television Producer

Video Game Writer

Video game writers may find that the techniques taught in this course will be helpful for coming up with content for video games and other interactive entertainment that can help persuade audiences or motivate them to take action. The information provided in the syllabus about "information gaps" and "speaking studies" may be particularly useful for individuals interested in a career as a video game writer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Video Game Writer

Fiction Writer

Fiction writers may find that the techniques taught in this course will be helpful for coming up with content for novels, short stories, and other works of fiction that can help persuade audiences or motivate them to take action. The information provided in the syllabus about "information gaps" and "speaking studies" may be particularly useful for individuals interested in a career as a fiction writer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fiction Writer

Speech Writer

Speech writers may find that the techniques taught in this course will be helpful for coming up with content for speeches that can help persuade audiences or motivate them to take action. The information provided in the syllabus about "information gaps" and "speaking studies" may be particularly useful for individuals interested in a career as a speech writer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Speech Writer

Radio Producer

Radio producers may find that the techniques taught in this course will be helpful for coming up with content for radio shows and other audio content that can help persuade audiences or motivate them to take action. The information provided in the syllabus about "information gaps" and "speaking studies" may be particularly useful for individuals interested in a career as a radio producer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Radio Producer

Podcast Producer

Podcast producers may find that the techniques taught in this course will be helpful for coming up with content for podcasts and other audio content that can help persuade audiences or motivate them to take action. The information provided in the syllabus about "information gaps" and "speaking studies" may be particularly useful for individuals interested in a career as a podcast producer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Podcast Producer

Nonfiction Writer

Nonfiction writers may find that the techniques taught in this course will be helpful for coming up with content for books, articles, and other works of nonfiction that can help persuade audiences or motivate them to take action. The information provided in the syllabus about "information gaps" and "speaking studies" may be particularly useful for individuals interested in a career as a nonfiction writer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonfiction Writer