This course will equip students with the ability to effectively articulate and present ideas, arguments, and positions in face-to-face contexts, an essential skill in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world. While opportunities to develop presentation skills may be limited, this course provides the necessary training to become confident and persuasive public speakers through hands-on learning and practical application. Students will gain the tools needed to communicate clearly and compellingly in various speaking scenarios.
This course will cover the construction and delivery of multiple speech types, including informative and persuasive speeches. Students will research, outline, and develop speeches to ensure structured and impactful presentations. The course also focuses on reducing public speaking anxiety by emphasizing preparation and refining public speaking skills. Additionally, the importance of active listening and attention during presentations and informal public speaking situations students may encounter will be explored. By the end of the course, students will be well-prepared to present effectively in a range of professional and social contexts.
Key Topics Covered
- Construct and Deliver Informative and Persuasive Speeches: Learn how to create and present various speech types tailored for different audiences and purposes.
- Develop Effective Research and Outlining Skills: Gain proficiency in researching topics and outlining speeches for clear and logical presentations.
- Reduce Public Speaking Anxiety: Explore techniques to overcome nervousness and become a more confident speaker in front of audiences.
- Enhance Public Speaking Skills: Focus on improving vocal delivery, body language, and overall presentation techniques to captivate audiences.
- Understand the Importance of Active Listening: Learn to listen attentively and respond appropriately during formal and informal speaking engagements.
- Prepare for Informal Public Speaking Situations: Gain insight into speaking confidently in impromptu or casual settings.
- Emphasize the Role of Preparation in Successful Speaking: Understand the critical role of thorough preparation in ensuring effective and persuasive public speaking.
REFERENCE MATERIALS
for
Full-CLC Students
Based on your HESEAP application, you have been awarded full CLC for this course, classifying it as a test-out course, meaning no traditional instruction will be provided. Your CLC award signifies that you possess knowledge, whether gained through prior education or experience, equivalent to or surpassing what would typically be learned in a traditional college setting. Consequently, classroom attendance is not required; however, you are required to successfully pass a final exam for the course.
USILACS remains committed to fostering your academic success. Should you find a refresher necessary or wish to deepen your understanding of the subject, it is recommended that you explore a variety of free online educational resources on the suggested topics below.
Thousands of FREE Online College Courses:
Search Topics: Publications/Videos/Papers
The majority of the exam questions for this course are based upon information contained in the below search topics.
- (2016) Exploring Public Speaking. Barbara G. Tucker and Kristin M. Barton. University System of Georgia. Available at: http://oer.galileo.usg.edu/communication-textbooks/1
- 1 What are Presentation Aids (pg. 184)
- 4 Practising Your Delivery (pg. 260-261, 263)
- 1 What is an informative speech (pg. 275-276)
- 2 A definition of persuasion (pg. 293, 297)
- 3 Why is persuasion hard? (pg. 299-300)
- (2014) Guidelines for Preparing Effective Presentation. American Statistic Association. https://ww2.amstat.org/meetings/jsm/2014/effectivepresentations.cfm
- (2014) Make Body Language Your Superpower. Stanford Graduate School of Business. (Video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFLjudWTuGQ
- (2013) How to Do a Presentation? - 5 Steps to a Killer Opener. Rule The Room Public Speaking. (Video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEDcc0aCjaA
- (2009) How to Give an Effective Presentation? Meeting Tomorrow. Available at: https://meetingtomorrow.com/content-library/how-to-give-an-effective-presentation
Please note that USILACS is not the source of the above links; therefore, we do not have control over their accessibility. Some links may no longer be active, and in such cases, we encourage you to copy and paste the title into Google or YouTube to find an alternative source. Should you encounter an inactive link, please contact our academic team at academics@usilacs.org for assistance or notify them so the link can be updated.
Occasionally, the links may prompt you to download reference material in PDF format. While we have made every effort to ensure the safety of the sources, we encourage you to take precautions to verify the security of any downloads on your device.
Although comprehensive study materials have been provided, you can search for the topics and titles on Google and YouTube if additional resources are needed.
Tips for Success
Remember that the exams are open-book, meaning you can keep reference materials open in other tabs for easy access during the exam. Some reference materials are extensive, with hundreds of pages. To quickly find answers, follow these steps:
- Choose a keyword or phrase from the exam question.
- Open the reference material.
- Press ‘Ctrl’ + ‘F’ on your keyboard to open a search bar.
- Enter your keyword or phrase and click search. This will display all instances of that word or phrase within the document, allowing for more efficient navigation.