In this class, we will explore the foundations of communication then move into methods of communication and practical applications of public speaking. Learners will develop the necessary confidence and skills to present your ideas clearly and effectively to both large and small audiences. The class is designed to provide a number of different speaking and listening opportunities so that you can practice the techniques necessary to become a competent oral communicator in a wide variety of social and professional settings. Learners will also have a full tool kit to help manage stress and anxiety in the future. 

Ultimately, this class is about creating the type of speaker you are meant to be. The goal is not to have each learner deliver in the same way but to bring out how they best present. 

Week 1: Plan
In this class, students will be introduced to the power of public speaking, ethics, model of communication, audience analysis, and mapping ideas as part of planning. Students will read some excerpts of impactful speeches, examine the elements of ethics of speech, analyze modes of communication in their everyday lives and map ideas for a speech.

Week 2: Audiences & Connection
This week, students will discuss categories that help us understand audiences and discuss the importance of audience analysis and its connection to diversity.

Week 3: Research
Research is the core of an successful presentation. Students will discuss evaluating the reliability of sources during research and referencing authors of referenced material.  

Week 4: Impromptu Speaking
Impromptu speech is a presentation delivered without any preparation. Students will discuss four strategies that can be used in impromptu speaking.

Week 5: Persuasive Speaking
In discussing persuasive speaking, students will look at types of persuasive speeches, the persuasive appeals (ethos, logos, and pathos), and audience motivation and evaluation. Students will also put it all together with Monroe’s Motivated Sequence.

Week 6: Informative Speaking
This week, students will learn about informative speaking, or presentations about sharing information and enhancing the audience’s knowledge on a specific area.

Week 7: Putting it Together
Students will begin to put together a presentation outline, applying organizational patterns, parts of an outline, the Rule of Three, accessibility, and creating interest. 

Week 8: Presentation Supports
Students will explore different learning styles, creating slide decks, and handouts to support their presentation.

Week 9: Presenter Preparation
Here, we will discuss nerves in presenting and creating a Nerve Control Toolkit to prepare students to present. Students will also discuss preparing for their presentation through practice and timing.

Week 10: Delivery
Students will learn nonverbal and verbal components of delivery, including eye contact, hand gestures, facial expressions, voice, and locations.

Week 11: Listening & Feedback
Students will explore active listening, the five stages of listening, giving feedback, and accepting feedback and criticism.

Week 12: Final Presentations
Students will present their final presentations and give and receive constructive feedback.

#academic

SUBSITUTE POLICY:
Ferrell Studios is an organization on Outschool with about 15 teachers with professional training and experience in the arts. Occasionally, the teacher for this class may not be able to teach and a substitute teacher from the organization will take her place. Only teachers trained to teach this class will serve as a possible substitute for the class. A message will be posted in the Outschool classroom before the class takes place in the event a substitute will be teaching. Thank you for your understanding!