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Speaking and Presenting: Conversation Starters

Speaking and Presenting: Conversation Starters

This course is part of Good with Words: Speaking and Presenting Specialization

Instructor: Patrick Barry

28,108 already enrolled

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

101 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

99%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

101 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

99%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

How to incorporate a "little bit of mischief" to your presentations in a way that delights and informs your audience
How to use "mirroring" and follow-up questions to establish trust and build rapport
How to connect with people via the "language of common life"
How to reimagine the experience of starting a conversation with a stranger

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

9 assignments

Taught in English

91% of learners achieved a positive career outcome

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This course is part of the Good with Words: Speaking and Presenting Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

This course will teach you how to build persuasive surprises into your presentations, the kind of surprises that will change how your audience sees a particular situation or proposal and then gets them talking—in a good way. It will also identify several techniques you can use to start (and maintain) your own conversations, whether with a big group, a small group, or even just one-on-one.

Module details

“Be surprising, in a convincing way.” You’ll encounter those words a lot during this course. To discover who said them and how you can put them to work, check out the materials in Week 1!

What's included

7 videos14 readings2 assignments2 discussion prompts

7 videosTotal 14 minutes

Be Surprising, in a Convincing Way1 minute
E. M. Forster1 minute
Un-Numb the Numbers3 minutes
Include a Little Mischief1 minute
Babble3 minutes
Rip it Out1 minute
Sojourner Truth3 minutes

14 readingsTotal 111 minutes

Meet Professor Barry2 minutes
Teaching Style and Resources10 minutes
Syllabus10 minutes
University of Michigan Survey10 minutes
Community Engagement Rules3 minutes
Bill Gates—Microsoft, Mosquitos, and Malaria5 minutes
Steve Jobs—Apple and Envelopes3 minutes
Un-Numb the Numbers (Optional)10 minutes
Popcorn3 minutes
Ice Water (Richard Feynman)10 minutes
(Optional) Chapter 5—Unexpected20 minutes
Speaking Stats ("Conversation Geography")10 minutes
Edit our Edits10 minutes
(Optional) Class Clips5 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 28 minutes

Week 1 Review20 minutes
Low-Stakes Practice8 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

Speaking Stats ("Conversation Geography")10 minutes
Recap10 minutes

A great way to create a message that people not only listen to but actually remember is to include what the behavioral economist George Lowenstein calls “information gaps.” We’ll learn what those are this week. We’ll also meet a scientist who does something remarkable: makes talking about the life of grass really interesting.

What's included

3 videos3 readings2 assignments2 discussion prompts

3 videosTotal 4 minutes

Peek-a-Boo Pedagogy1 minute
Star at Work2 minutes
Cautionary Note1 minute

3 readingsTotal 45 minutes

Speaking Exercise ("Supreme Surprise")20 minutes
Storytime5 minutes
Strive for Five20 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 25 minutes

Week 2 Review20 minutes
Low-Stakes Practice5 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

"Supreme Surprise" 10 minutes
Recap10 minutes

Those of you who have taken the companion series Good with Words: Writing and Editing may remember the following advice: “Trying to sound smart is a pretty dumb strategy.” We’ll learn this week that it also applies to speaking and presenting. Don’t try to impress your audience. Don’t set out to wow them with your intellect. Focus instead on being helpful. Treat your words like they are a gift you really want to share.

What's included

6 videos4 readings2 assignments3 discussion prompts

6 videosTotal 14 minutes

Conversation2 minutes
Mrs. Bertha Flowers3 minutes
Warren Buffett4 minutes
The Language of Common Life2 minutes
Kayaking2 minutes
Location. Location. Location3 minutes

4 readingsTotal 37 minutes

(Optional) Chapter 6—Conversation20 minutes
Optional Resources: Class Clips2 minutes
Setting the Stage Video5 minutes
Good Sentences, Good Speeches ("Broadway Theater")10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 25 minutes

Week 3 Review20 minutes
Low-Stakes Practice5 minutes

3 discussion promptsTotal 30 minutes

Setting the Stage10 minutes
Good Sentences, Good Speeches ("Broadway Theater")10 minutes
Recap10 minutes

Congratulations! You’ve made it to the fourth and final week of Course 3. We’re going to start by looking at the difference between a high-considerateness speaking style and a high-involvement one. But we’ll also make time for some surprising findings about what you can do to make your next commute a little more pleasant and stimulating--not just for you but also for a complete stranger.