Public speaking is an invaluable skill that many people lack.  It does not come naturally for most and takes practice; the goal of this class is not necessarily for students to become comfortable with public speaking, but to become *less uncomfortable* with the process.  Students will learn what it takes to deliver an effective speech, as well as tips & tricks that help reduce nerves before and during the speech.  This is an overview class for students that want to brush up on the basics or get a sense of what will be offered in the ongoing public speaking course.

We will briefly review that a good speech begins with solid writing, but the ultimate focus will quickly shift to speaking.  Skills will be modeled and students will be encouraged to ask questions along the way.  I hope students will want to practice reading a few lines of a well-known speech, but it is not required.

These skills are transferable to real life situations!  The confidence built by practicing public speaking will help students interact with others in social situations and will serve them well both in school and the workplace.