This course has one simple goal: elevate the way you speak to be more articulate so that people want to listen to what you have to say. Our society is facing an epidemic of poor communication skills. Our vocabulary is vague and sloppy, our conversations littered with “ums”, “you knows”, and “I feel likes” and our thoughts are predictable. We speak the same set of 1000 words and can't break out of our stale word cycle into the realm of verbal freshness or originality.
Read more
This course has one simple goal: elevate the way you speak to be more articulate so that people want to listen to what you have to say. Our society is facing an epidemic of poor communication skills. Our vocabulary is vague and sloppy, our conversations littered with “ums”, “you knows”, and “I feel likes” and our thoughts are predictable. We speak the same set of 1000 words and can't break out of our stale word cycle into the realm of verbal freshness or originality.
This course has one simple goal: elevate the way you speak to be more articulate so that people want to listen to what you have to say. Our society is facing an epidemic of poor communication skills. Our vocabulary is vague and sloppy, our conversations littered with “ums”, “you knows”, and “I feel likes” and our thoughts are predictable. We speak the same set of 1000 words and can't break out of our stale word cycle into the realm of verbal freshness or originality.
Yet even with our language deficiencies we still deeply reverence for power of words. Why are motivational speeches among the most sought out YouTube videos? Why does our culture become so captivated with those individuals who are able to make sense of the unfocused ideas and disorder that occupies our minds? Why do we find quotes on every social media grid, in every garden, in every garage? Because we understand words to have power. And the people who can harness this power to articulately express themselves typically attain better satisfaction and opportunities in their personal, professional, and intellectual lives.
That’s why I created BetterSpeak (now hosted here on Udemy. ). I believe a better world is possible where people embrace language as the superpower that it is. To be clear, this is not a public speaking course. I’m not teaching how to eradicate nervousness, eliminate your accent, develop charisma, control body language, or master conversation. Rather, you will learn to upgrade your vocabulary, prune filler words and empty language, diagnose sources of poor language in your life, speak more figuratively and poetically, and see how history's greatest orators have employed these same techniques.
I hope you would consider joining me in learning the art of articulate communication. To the adventures ahead.
Here's a deal for you
UDEAFNULP2024
What's inside
Learning objectives
- Learn how to compose articulate and persuasive speech (in conversation & presentation)
- Prune filler words and empty language from your speaking
- Expand your vocabulary and learn how to properly employ new words
- Sound more poetic and graceful with your expressions
- Learn effective sentence structure to increase clarity
- Diagnose your sources of poor language and locate articulate alternatives
- Learn how to compose articulate and persuasive speech (in conversation & presentation)
- Prune filler words and empty language from your speaking
- Expand your vocabulary and learn how to properly employ new words
- Sound more poetic and graceful with your expressions
- Learn effective sentence structure to increase clarity
- Diagnose your sources of poor language and locate articulate alternatives
Syllabus
Day 3
Pruning Empty Language
Welcome + Introduction!
Start Here: How This Program Works
Read more
Syllabus
Communication Keys Template (make a "copy" and it should be editable): https://docs.google.com/document/d/11EzfBHHWGI_Rm9gs9J2x2aE5HnTE762anhZTPw4Wn90/edit?usp=sharing
Communication Keys Template (make a "copy" and it should be editable): https://docs.google.com/document/d/11EzfBHHWGI_Rm9gs9J2x2aE5HnTE762anhZTPw4Wn90/edit?usp=sharing
Free Word Cloud Generator: https://www.freewordcloudgenerator.com/
SpeechTexter: https://www.speechtexter.com/
Good to know
Save this course
Save
Activities
Identify and practice key speaking techniques
Show steps
Review and practice fundamental speaking techniques covered in earlier coursework to strengthen your foundation.
Browse courses on
Speaking
Show steps
-
Review notes and materials from previous courses on speaking techniques.
-
Attend a Toastmasters meeting or enroll in a local speech class to practice these techniques in a group setting.
-
Find a speech online or write your own and practice delivering it.
Create a personal word bank
Show steps
Expand your vocabulary by creating a personal word bank of new and interesting words encountered during the course.
Browse courses on
Vocabulary Building
Show steps
-
Keep a notebook or use a digital tool to record new words encountered during the course.
-
Use resources such as thesauri, dictionaries, or online word lists to find synonyms, antonyms, and definitions.
-
Review your word bank regularly and practice using the words in conversation or writing.
Read 'Articulate: The Power of Words' by Carmine Gallo
Show steps
Gain insights from a renowned communication expert on the art of effective speaking and harnessing the power of words.
View
The Bezos Blueprint: Communication Secrets of...
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read the book thoroughly, taking notes on key concepts and techniques.
-
Apply the principles discussed in the book to your own speaking and communication practices.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Explore different speech delivery techniques
Show steps
Develop your speaking skills by exploring different delivery techniques and learning from experts.
Browse courses on
Speech Delivery
Show steps
-
Watch videos or tutorials on various speech delivery techniques, such as the Aristotle's three modes of persuasion, the Toulmin model, or the Monroe's Motivated Sequence.
-
Analyze speeches by famous orators or thought leaders to identify and study effective delivery techniques.
-
Practice different techniques in front of a mirror or with a trusted friend or family member for feedback.
Attend a public speaking or communication skills workshop
Show steps
Enhance your speaking abilities in a hands-on setting by attending a workshop led by experienced professionals.
Browse courses on
Public Speaking
Show steps
-
Research and identify reputable public speaking or communication skills workshops in your area.
-
Attend the workshop and actively participate in exercises and discussions.
-
Network with other participants and seek feedback on your speaking.
Engage in regular speaking exercises
Show steps
Enhance your fluency and confidence by engaging in regular speaking exercises.
Browse courses on
Speaking skills
Show steps
-
Join a debate club or participate in online speaking challenges.
-
Volunteer to give presentations or speeches in social or professional settings.
-
Record yourself speaking and analyze your delivery, identifying areas for improvement.
Organize a speaking practice session with classmates
Show steps
Improve your speaking skills by practicing and receiving feedback from your peers.
Browse courses on
Speaking
Show steps
-
Reach out to classmates and schedule a time to meet for a speaking practice session.
-
Prepare a short speech or presentation to present to the group.
-
Deliver your speech and receive feedback from your peers on your delivery, content, and overall effectiveness.
Participate in a speech contest or debate competition
Show steps
Challenge yourself and test your speaking abilities by participating in a competitive environment.
Browse courses on
Public Speaking
Show steps
-
Research and identify speech contests or debate competitions that align with your interests.
-
Prepare a speech or debate topic and practice extensively.
-
Participate in the competition and deliver your speech or engage in the debate.
Identify and practice key speaking techniques
Show steps
Review and practice fundamental speaking techniques covered in earlier coursework to strengthen your foundation.
Browse courses on
Speaking
Show steps
- Review notes and materials from previous courses on speaking techniques.
- Attend a Toastmasters meeting or enroll in a local speech class to practice these techniques in a group setting.
- Find a speech online or write your own and practice delivering it.
Create a personal word bank
Show steps
Expand your vocabulary by creating a personal word bank of new and interesting words encountered during the course.
Browse courses on
Vocabulary Building
Show steps
- Keep a notebook or use a digital tool to record new words encountered during the course.
- Use resources such as thesauri, dictionaries, or online word lists to find synonyms, antonyms, and definitions.
- Review your word bank regularly and practice using the words in conversation or writing.
Read 'Articulate: The Power of Words' by Carmine Gallo
Show steps
Gain insights from a renowned communication expert on the art of effective speaking and harnessing the power of words.
View
The Bezos Blueprint: Communication Secrets of...
on Amazon
Show steps
- Read the book thoroughly, taking notes on key concepts and techniques.
- Apply the principles discussed in the book to your own speaking and communication practices.
Explore different speech delivery techniques
Show steps
Develop your speaking skills by exploring different delivery techniques and learning from experts.
Browse courses on
Speech Delivery
Show steps
- Watch videos or tutorials on various speech delivery techniques, such as the Aristotle's three modes of persuasion, the Toulmin model, or the Monroe's Motivated Sequence.
- Analyze speeches by famous orators or thought leaders to identify and study effective delivery techniques.
- Practice different techniques in front of a mirror or with a trusted friend or family member for feedback.
Attend a public speaking or communication skills workshop
Show steps
Enhance your speaking abilities in a hands-on setting by attending a workshop led by experienced professionals.
Browse courses on
Public Speaking
Show steps
- Research and identify reputable public speaking or communication skills workshops in your area.
- Attend the workshop and actively participate in exercises and discussions.
- Network with other participants and seek feedback on your speaking.
Engage in regular speaking exercises
Show steps
Enhance your fluency and confidence by engaging in regular speaking exercises.
Browse courses on
Speaking skills
Show steps
- Join a debate club or participate in online speaking challenges.
- Volunteer to give presentations or speeches in social or professional settings.
- Record yourself speaking and analyze your delivery, identifying areas for improvement.
Organize a speaking practice session with classmates
Show steps
Improve your speaking skills by practicing and receiving feedback from your peers.
Browse courses on
Speaking
Show steps
- Reach out to classmates and schedule a time to meet for a speaking practice session.
- Prepare a short speech or presentation to present to the group.
- Deliver your speech and receive feedback from your peers on your delivery, content, and overall effectiveness.
Participate in a speech contest or debate competition
Show steps
Challenge yourself and test your speaking abilities by participating in a competitive environment.
Browse courses on
Public Speaking
Show steps
- Research and identify speech contests or debate competitions that align with your interests.
- Prepare a speech or debate topic and practice extensively.
- Participate in the competition and deliver your speech or engage in the debate.
Career center
Reading list
Share
Similar courses
OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.
Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.
Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.
We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.
Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.
Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.
