The content, assignments, and assessments for Public Speaking are aligned to the following learning outcomes.

Public Speaking Learning Outcomes

Module 1: Introduction to Public Speaking

Outline the fundamental elements, skills, and goals of Public Speaking

• Explain the goals and benefits of public speaking
• Recognize communication apprehension and explain how to reduce it
• Describe how public speaking can be used to advocate or create change
• Recognize the social and historical contexts of speech, oratory, and rhetoric

Module 2: Ethical Speech

Demonstrate an understanding of ethical considerations in public speech

• Explain the importance of ethics in public speaking
• Identify key principles of ethical communication
• Identify how to quote and paraphrase sources and avoid plagiarism

Module 3: Listening and Responding

Explain how to listen actively and respond productively to others

• Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of active listening
• Recognize barriers to listening and identify how to avoid them
• Explain how to give effective verbal and nonverbal feedback

Module 4: Considering the Audience

Explain ways to adapt your speech to the needs and expectations of a particular audience

• Explain how to use audience analysis to adapt a speech for a particular audience
• Explain how to use audience analysis before, during, and after your speech.
• Describe key considerations in speaking to diverse and multicultural audiences

Module 5: Choosing and Researching a Topic

Choose and research a speech topic

• Identify strategies for choosing a topic and identifying a purpose and thesis of the speech
• Identify strategies for researching and supporting a speech
• Explain key concepts for using statistics and data in your speech

Module 6: Organizing and Outlining Your Speech

Identify strategies for organizing and outlining a speech

• Identify strategies for organizing a speech
• Identify strategies for outlining a speech
• Document the sources of a speech

Module 7: Refining Your Speech

Identify strategies for refining the various parts of a speech

• Identify characteristics of an effective speech introduction
• Identify characteristics of an effective speech conclusion
• Identify characteristics of effective connectors and transitions
• Identify effective language for spoken presentations

Module 8: Delivering Your Speech

Identify strategies for delivering a speech effectively

• Explain the elements of effective vocal delivery
• Explain the nonverbal aspects of effective speech delivery
• Explain the importance of practice and preparation

Module 9: Informative Speaking

Identify strategies to prepare and deliver an informative speech

• Identify how an informative speech can meet the needs of the audience
• Recognize different types of informative speeches
• Explain how to put together and informative speech

Module 10: Persuasive Speaking

Identify strategies to prepare and deliver a persuasive speech

• Explain the objectives and characteristics of a persuasive speech
• Explain how to use evidence to establish credibility in a persuasive speech
• Explain persuasive strategies using ethos, logos, and pathos

Module 11: Speaking to Entertain and for Special Occasions

Explain how to prepare and deliver speech for a special occasion

• Recognize the speech requirements of special occasions
• Explain how to prepare and deliver a toast, roast, or eulogy
• Explain different speaking roles at awards ceremonies and other events

Module 12: Public Speaking Online

Explain some of the strategies and challenges for effective online speaking

• Identify ways to adapt your speech to online delivery
• Identify the particular challenges of engaging an audience online
• Identify various scenarios of online speech

Module 13: Public Speaking on the Job

Identify how to adapt public speaking skills to the workplace

• Identify strategies for effective interviewing
• Explain how to give an effective presentation
• Identify the characteristics of a successful meeting

Module 14: Small Group Communication

Recognize typical dynamics of small groups and identify effective strategies for effective collaboration

• Identify typical dynamics of small groups
• Identify strategies for meeting productively as a group
• Explain the characteristics of communication within and as a group

Module 15: Creating and Using Presentation Aids

Explain how to create effective presentation aids

• Recognize when to use visual aids
• Recognize different types of visual aids
• Recognize and create different kinds of digital slide presentations
• Recognize the appropriate amount of information to have on a slide