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.
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
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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.6
(54 reviews)
Beginner level
No prior experience required
9 hours to complete
3 weeks at 3 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
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
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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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There are 4 modules in this course
“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
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
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
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.
What's included
3 videos7 readings3 assignments6 discussion prompts
Instructor
Instructor ratings
4.6 (11 ratings)Offered by
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University of Colorado Boulder
Coursera Project Network
Johns Hopkins University
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Frequently asked questions
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
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