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Communicating with the Public

Marcy McGinnis, Valeri Lantz-Gefroh, MFA, Evonne Kaplan-Liss, MD MPH, and Timothy Goldman, MA

Rooted in theater, journalism and humanities practices, this course presents tools and techniques that help you improve your public-facing communication skills, particularly when describing your work to a lay audience. Whether it’s a 30-second elevator pitch or speaking to a large organization, “Communicating with the Public” will boost your confidence in any speech-communication scenario.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Communicating with the Public: Overview

Part 1: Introduction to The Big Idea

Part 2: The Audience & You

Part 3: Defining Your Goal & Finding Common Ground

Part 4: Supporting Content for Your Big Idea

Part 5: Preparing for a Media Interview with Marcy McGinnis

Part 6: Marcy's Presentation Tips

Part 7: The Media Interview: Vision of Good (and Bad)

Part 8: Introduction to What's the Story?

Part 9: Story Fundamentals

Part 10: The Story Structure

Part 11: The Story of Penicillin

Part 12: Using the What's the Story Form

Part 13: Summary—Tying it All Together

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines essential communication skills that are useful for all disciplines

Introduces students to the concept of 'The Big Idea' and how it can be applied in various communication scenarios

Provides guidance on defining target audiences and tailoring communication strategies accordingly

Offers tips and techniques for preparing for media interviews

Empowers students to convey scientific information to non-scientific audiences effectively

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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 Communicating with the Public with these activities:

Read 'Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die'

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Explore the principles of effective communication by reading this book, which provides insights on how to make your messages memorable and persuasive.

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

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Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
Identify strategies to apply the principles to your own communication.

Participate in a Peer Feedback Group for Public Speaking

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Join a group where you can practice public speaking, receive constructive feedback, and support others in developing their communication skills.

Browse courses on Peer Feedback

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Find a peer feedback group or organize one with fellow classmates or colleagues.
Prepare and deliver presentations or speeches.
Provide and receive constructive feedback on each other's presentations.

Review Public Speaking Basics

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Review the fundamentals of public speaking to strengthen your foundation in communication and build confidence in your delivery.

Browse courses on Public Speaking

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Identify key elements of effective public speaking, such as structure, delivery, and audience engagement.
Practice active listening and non-verbal communication techniques.
Seek feedback on your practice speeches to improve your presentation skills.

Four other activities

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Practice Storytelling Techniques in Different Scenarios

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Engage in storytelling exercises to improve your ability to weave narratives, connect with audiences, and make your presentations more impactful.

Browse courses on Storytelling

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Study different storytelling techniques and their applications.
Practice telling stories in various settings, such as group presentations, informal conversations, or written communication.
Seek feedback on your storytelling to refine your approach and enhance your effectiveness.

Develop Your Message With the 'Big Idea' Framework

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Explore the 'Big Idea' framework to refine your message, making it clear, concise, and impactful in your communications.

Browse courses on Message Development

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Analyze the 'Big Idea' concept and its components.
Apply the framework to your own work to identify and refine your key message.
Seek peer feedback on your 'Big Idea' to gain diverse perspectives and insights.

Attend a Public Speaking Workshop or Seminar

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Attend a specialized workshop or seminar to enhance your public speaking skills, learn from experts, and gain practical tips and strategies.

Browse courses on Communication Skills

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Research and identify relevant workshops or seminars.
Register and prepare for the event.
Actively participate in the workshop or seminar.
Apply the knowledge and techniques learned to your own communication practices.

Create a Video Presentation on Your Research or Project

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Translate your research or project into an engaging video presentation to enhance your communication skills and present your ideas in a memorable format.

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Develop a clear and concise script for your video presentation.
Use visuals, animations, and audio elements to enhance your message.
Practice your delivery and timing to ensure a smooth and engaging presentation.
Share your video presentation with peers or a wider audience to gain feedback and improve your skills.

Career center

Learners who complete Communicating with the Public will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Spokesperson

A Spokesperson can benefit from the 'Communicating with the Public' course because it provides tools for developing and delivering effective messages. The course covers topics such as message development, public speaking, and media relations, which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Spokesperson

Public Affairs Manager

A Public Affairs Manager can benefit from the 'Communicating with the Public' course because it provides tools for managing relationships with government agencies and the public. The course covers topics such as public policy, media relations, and community outreach, which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Affairs Manager

Media Relations Specialist

A Media Relations Specialist can benefit from the 'Communicating with the Public' course because it can provide insight into describing the organization, or company, in a positive light to the press and media outlets. By learning about phrasing, storytelling, and the 'Big Idea,' they can gain confidence in creating and delivering successful media pitches.

See salaries and explore the career path for Media Relations Specialist

Public relations manager

A Public Relations Manager can benefit from the 'Communicating with the Public' course because it can help develop better skills for making statements and speeches on behalf of the organization. This course offers tools like The Big Idea and What's the Story that can strengthen a PR Manager's ability to craft effective messages that resonate with the public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public relations manager

Corporate Communications Specialist

A Corporate Communications Specialist can benefit from the 'Communicating with the Public' course because it helps build a foundation for communicating with external and internal audiences. The course provides tools for crafting clear and concise messages, understanding media relations, and handling crisis communications, all of which are important aspects of this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Communications Specialist

Nonprofit Manager

A Nonprofit Manager can benefit from the 'Communicating with the Public' course because it can provide tools for managing relationships with donors, volunteers, and the community. The course covers topics such as public relations, fundraising, and community outreach, which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager

Sales Representative

A Sales Representative can benefit from the 'Communicating with the Public' course because it can help them develop stronger communication skills and build relationships with clients. The course provides tools for effective communication, including verbal and non-verbal communication, which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Representative

Communications Director

A Communications Director can benefit from the 'Communicating with the Public' course because it enhances their ability to lead and manage communication strategies. This course provides tools for effective public speaking, media relations, and crisis communication, which are essential skills for a Communications Director.

See salaries and explore the career path for Communications Director

Fundraiser

A Fundraiser can benefit from the 'Communicating with the Public' course because it can help them develop stronger communication skills and build relationships with donors. The course provides tools for effective communication, including verbal and non-verbal communication, which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fundraiser

Social Media Manager

A Social Media Manager can benefit from the 'Communicating with the Public' course because it can help enhance their ability to create and manage social media content. The course provides tools for developing a social media strategy, creating engaging content, and measuring the effectiveness of social media campaigns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager

Customer Service Representative

A Customer Service Representative can benefit from the 'Communicating with the Public' course because it provides tools for handling difficult conversations and resolving customer issues. The course covers topics such as active listening, empathy, and conflict resolution, which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Service Representative

Event Planner

An Event Planner can benefit from the 'Communicating with the Public' course because it can help build a foundation for building relationships with clients, vendors, and attendees. The course provides tools for effective communication, including verbal and non-verbal communication, which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Event Planner

Technical Writer

A Technical Writer can benefit from the 'Communicating with the Public' course because it teaches the importance of storytelling and making technical information understandable. This course can provide tools for organizing content, communicating with diverse audiences, and using visuals to support ideas, which are all essential skills for Technical Writers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Marketing Manager

A Marketing Manager can benefit from the 'Communicating with the Public' course because it can provide tools for developing and executing marketing campaigns that effectively reach the target audience. The course covers topics such as audience analysis, message development, and storytelling.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Educator

An Educator can benefit from the 'Communicating with the Public' course because it offers tools for developing lesson plans and communicating effectively with students. The course covers topics such as storytelling, public speaking, and media literacy, which can help educators create engaging and effective learning experiences.

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Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Communicating with the Public.

Making Numbers Count

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Explores the principles of what makes ideas sticky, or memorable. It helpful resource for anyone who wants to learn how to create messages that are more likely to be remembered and shared.

Communicating with the Public

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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