victoria

Feeling uneasy about an upcoming toast at a wedding or a business presentation? Many of us wish we could speak more clearly and confidently. Informed by scholarly research, this course provides a hands-on, practical introduction to the theory, basic principles, and methods of effective public speaking. Using a variety of relevant contexts (e.g., job interviews, sales presentations, and business meetings), we will focus on the three major aspects of speechmaking: delivery, organization, and oratorical style. This course will consist of a combination of lectures, discussions, group activities, video analysis, and speechmaking. Everyone will develop, deliver, and then evaluate both formal (informative and persuasive) and informal (impromptu and question/ answer) speeches. Additionally, students will learn speech apprehension management techniques, effective use of visual aids, and tips and tricks for powerful online presentations.

Matt Abrahams, Co-Founder, Bold Echo Communication Solutions

Matt Abrahams received a BA in psychology from Stanford, an MA in communication from UC Davis, and a secondary education teaching credential from San Francisco State. He has published several articles on cognitive planning, persuasion, and interpersonal communication. He also teaches business psychology at Palo Alto University. He is the author of Speaking Up Without Freaking Out, a book on public speaking anxiety management.