Successful Presentation from Coursera

Few kinds of communication can have the effect of a powerful presentation. Even a short speech can motivate people to change long-held beliefs or to take action, and a wonderfully delivered speech can transform a normal person into a leader.

In this course, Prof. William Kuskin provides a series of pragmatic videos and exercises for successful public speaking and presentations. The course develops through four themes—mastering fear, developing a creative formula, using verbal and body language, and anticipating the room—so that you can discover your personal power as a speaker and give excellent presentations.

Successful presentations do not rely on perfect teeth, a deep voice, or an army of scriptwriters. They depend largely on the same skills as successful Business Writing and Graphic Design: clarity, structure, and revision. The goal of the course, therefore, is to enable you to discover your own internal power as a speaker and express it to the world. After this course, with some practice, you will be able to go into any situation and command the room for as long as you like.

This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Data Science (MS-DS) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The MS-DS is an interdisciplinary degree that brings together faculty from CU Boulder’s departments of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Science, and others. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the MS-DS is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience in computer science, information science, mathematics, and statistics. Learn more about the MS-DS program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/master-of-science-data-science-boulder.

What's inside

Syllabus

Getting Started with Public Speaking

In this module William tackles the one element that makes public speaking difficult: fear. Unlike writing a memo or designing a slide deck, presenting a speech puts you directly in front of an audience. Public speaking is wrapped up in the fear of immediate judgment and of lasting rejection. Yet the skills of writing and design are exactly the same as those of public speaking: clarity, structure, revision, and above all, storytelling. By applying these skills you can control your fear and take center stage in public. The results will astound you.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Teaches fear management, which is crucial for effective public speaking

Provides a practical formula and modules for constructing successful presentations

Emphasizes the importance of creativity and personal style in public speaking

Covers strategies for adapting to various presentation environments and audiences

Provides techniques for practicing and refining presentations to enhance impact

Can be taken for academic credit as part of a Master of Science in Data Science degree

Reviews summary

Overcoming fear and mastering presentation skills

According to students, this course offers practical strategies for overcoming public speaking fear and provides a clear and helpful structure for building presentations. Many learners found the instructor, Professor Kuskin, highly engaging and inspiring, praising his energy and ability to make the material accessible. The course is particularly beneficial for gaining confidence and applying learned techniques immediately, especially in professional settings. However, some reviewers felt the course content could be too basic for more experienced speakers and noted a desire for more opportunities for hands-on practice or feedback. Overall, it's seen as a solid foundation for improving presentation skills.

Tips can be immediately used in real life.

"The advice given is highly practical and I could immediately start applying it to my work presentations."

"I learned concrete strategies that I can use right away to improve my public speaking."

"Found the content very applicable to real-world scenarios, not just theoretical."

"The course gave me tools I could use the very next day in meetings."

Provides a practical framework for presentations.

"The course provides a very useful formula for structuring any presentation effectively, which was a game-changer for me."

"Learning the structure and how to break down complex ideas was the most valuable part."

"The formula presented is practical and easy to apply, helping to create clear and organized talks."

"I appreciated the focus on clarity and structure. It gave me a solid plan for preparing my speeches."

Offers strategies to manage public speaking anxiety.

"The section on overcoming fear was surprisingly effective and provided actionable steps that helped me feel less nervous."

"This course genuinely helped me reduce my fear of speaking in public. The tips felt practical and achievable."

"Approaching fear as the first module was great; it set the tone and gave tools to handle anxiety."

"I feel much more confident standing in front of an audience after taking this course."

Professor Kuskin is inspiring and energetic.

"Professor Kuskin is absolutely fantastic! His energy and passion make the lectures engaging and easy to follow."

"The instructor is excellent; he makes the material engaging and provides great insights."

"Loved the professor's style, very motivating and helps make the potentially dry topic come alive."

"Prof. William Kuskin is wonderful, very clear and engaging."

May be too introductory for some learners.

"For someone with some prior public speaking experience, parts of this course felt a bit too introductory."

"I was hoping for more advanced techniques; some of the core concepts felt like a review of basics."

"If you're already comfortable presenting, you might find certain modules less groundbreaking."

"Felt like a good refresher, but perhaps not deep enough for someone seeking mastery."

Desire for more practice & feedback options.

"While the concepts are great, I really wish there were more opportunities for actual practice and receiving feedback on my speaking."

"The course teaches you what to do, but I felt I needed more guided practice sessions to truly internalize the techniques."

"Could be improved with more assignments where you actually record yourself speaking and get peer or instructor feedback."

"I felt like I understood the principles, but the practical application outside the exercises was limited."

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 Successful Presentation with these activities:

Refresh your knowledge of public speaking principles and techniques

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Refresher activities will help reinforce and retain the knowledge you gain from the course.

Browse courses on Communication

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Review your notes and materials from previous public speaking courses or workshops.
Watch recorded presentations by effective public speakers.
Attend a public speaking event or webinar to observe the techniques in action.

Watch online tutorials on public speaking techniques

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There are numerous online resources available that can provide valuable guidance on public speaking.

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Search for online tutorials on public speaking.
Watch and listen to the tutorials carefully.
Take notes and make a list of the key tips and strategies.
Apply the techniques to your own presentations.

Find a mentor who can provide guidance and support

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A mentor can provide valuable advice, encouragement, and support throughout your public speaking journey.

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Identify individuals in your field or network who are experienced public speakers.
Attend networking events or join professional organizations to connect with potential mentors.
Reach out to your identified mentors and inquire about their willingness to provide guidance.
Set up regular meetings or communication channels to receive feedback and support.

Five other activities

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Review the Art of Public Speaking by Dale Carnegie

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This book provides valuable insights into the techniques and strategies for effective public speaking.

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Read the book thoroughly and make notes.
Summarize the key points and principles.
Identify the specific techniques and strategies that you can apply to your own presentations.

Review the Presentation Skills for Professionals by Ellen Finkelstein

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This book offers practical tips and techniques for delivering successful presentations in a professional setting.

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Read the book thoroughly and make notes.
Identify the key strategies and techniques described in the book.
Apply these techniques to your own presentations.

Practice body language and vocal exercises

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These exercises will help you improve your nonverbal communication skills, which are essential for effective public speaking.

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Stand in front of a mirror and practice different body postures and gestures.
Record yourself speaking and listen to your tone, pace, and volume.
Practice projecting your voice and speaking with clarity.
Enroll in a public speaking workshop or club for additional practice.

Create a short presentation on a topic of your choice

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This activity will allow you to practice your presentation skills and apply the techniques learned in the course.

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Choose a topic that you are familiar with and passionate about.
Research and gather information on the topic.
Structure your presentation with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
Practice delivering your presentation multiple times.
Record yourself delivering the presentation and review it for areas of improvement.

Attend a public speaking workshop or conference

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These events provide an opportunity to learn from experts, network with other public speakers, and practice your skills in a supportive environment.

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Research and find a public speaking workshop or conference that aligns with your interests.
Register for the event.
Attend the event and actively participate in the sessions.
Network with other attendees and speakers.
Apply the knowledge gained from the event to your own presentations.

Career center

Learners who complete Successful Presentation will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Speechwriter

A Speechwriter plans and writes speeches, presentations, public statements, and other communications for political, business, religious, or advocacy leaders. With a course on Successful Presentation, you may learn some of the skills of speechwriting. For example, you might learn to utilize storytelling, structure, clarity, and creativity.

See salaries and explore the career path for Speechwriter

Public relations manager

A Public Relations Manager oversees the development and implementation of public relations campaigns, including media relations, marketing communications, and social media outreach. With a course on Successful Presentation, you may learn some of the skills of public relations. For example, you might learn to manage a brand's reputation, interact with media and the public, and plan events.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public relations manager

Journalist

A Journalist investigates and reports on news and current events for print, broadcast, or online publications. With a course on Successful Presentation, you may learn some of the skills of journalism. For example, you might learn to research and write effectively, conduct interviews, and communicate complex information clearly.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Marketing Manager

A Marketing Manager develops and implements marketing campaigns to promote products or services, build brand awareness, and attract customers. With a course on Successful Presentation, you may learn some of the skills of marketing. For example, you might learn to develop marketing materials, conduct market research, and manage marketing budgets.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Sales Manager

A Sales Manager leads and manages a team of sales representatives, sets sales goals, and develops sales strategies. With a course on Successful Presentation, you may learn some of the skills of sales. For example, you might learn to develop and deliver sales presentations, negotiate contracts, and build relationships with customers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Business Development Manager

A Business Development Manager identifies and pursues new business opportunities, develops sales leads, and builds relationships with potential customers. With a course on Successful Presentation, you may learn some of the skills of business development. For example, you might learn to develop and deliver presentations, network effectively, and build trust with potential customers.

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Account Manager

An Account Manager is responsible for managing relationships with existing customers, providing customer service, and identifying and pursuing opportunities for additional sales. With a course on Successful Presentation, you may learn some of the skills of account management. For example, you might learn to build and maintain relationships with clients, identify and resolve customer issues, and upsell products and services.

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Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing out projects, ensuring that they are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. With a course on Successful Presentation, you may learn some of the skills of project management. For example, you might learn to develop project plans, manage budgets, and track progress.

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Operations Manager

An Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a business, including production, quality control, and customer service. With a course on Successful Presentation, you may learn some of the skills of operations management. For example, you might learn to develop and implement business processes, manage inventory, and improve efficiency.

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Human Resources Manager

A Human Resources Manager is responsible for overseeing the human resources function of an organization, including recruiting, hiring, training, and employee relations. With a course on Successful Presentation, you may learn some of the skills of human resources management. For example, you might learn to develop and implement HR policies, manage employee benefits, and resolve employee issues.

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Training and Development Manager

A Training and Development Manager is responsible for developing and implementing training and development programs for employees. With a course on Successful Presentation, you may learn some of the skills of training and development. For example, you might learn to develop and deliver training materials, assess training needs, and evaluate training effectiveness.

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Event Planner

An Event Planner is responsible for planning and executing events, such as conferences, meetings, and parties. With a course on Successful Presentation, you may learn some of the skills of event planning. For example, you might learn to develop event budgets, negotiate contracts with vendors, and manage event logistics.

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Teacher

A Teacher plans, prepares, and delivers instruction to students in a classroom, online, or other educational setting. With a course on Successful Presentation, you may learn some of the skills of teaching. For example, you might learn to develop lesson plans, manage a classroom, and assess student learning.

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Dean

A Dean is responsible for the academic and administrative leadership of a school or college. With a course on Successful Presentation, you may learn some of the skills of a Dean. For example, you might learn to develop and implement academic programs, manage budgets, and represent the school or college to external stakeholders.

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Professor

A Professor conducts research, teaches courses, and advises students at a college or university. With a course on Successful Presentation, you may learn some of the skills of a Professor. For example, you might learn to develop and deliver lectures, write research papers, and mentor students.

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