Course title

The Art of Public Speaking

Course description:

What is the course about?

What do the participants learn?

The knowledge related to public speaking is generally available. Therefore, this course does not intend to be another repetition of a set of known facts and principles. The emphasis is rather on making the participant (university teaching and research staff member) aware that public speaking is a key competence in knowledge sharing and teaching. It is a practical guide for university lecturer on how to, with the right message, convince the audience and their reasons. , how to attract attention and make the transferred knowledge stay with listener for a longer time. This is of great importance, both in academic work (e.g. during conferences) and in teaching. For a lecturer, substantive knowledge is an absolutely necessary condition of work. However, without the ability to pass it on to the next generation with passion, it will be nothing.   

Upon completing the course, you will be able to ensure that:

• your speeches receive the attention they deserve;

• your audience listens to you with attention and sympathy;

• your audience understands your message in the way you intended;

• the audience feels equipped with the knowledge you have given them.

Main topics:

1. CHAPTER I: “EACH CAUSE LEADS TO A SPECIFIC EFFECT” – About the Art of Public Speaking in the Context of Social Communication.

   1. Social communication.

   2. Communication, communicating, interaction.

   3. Public speaking

2. CHAPTER II: “THE BEGINNING IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN ANY ACTION” – a Prelude to Public Speaking.

   1. Preparatory phase.

   2. Presentation layout.

   3. Elementary suggestions.

   4. Attention-enhancing techniques.

3. CHAPTER III: “DON’T SAY WHAT YOU THINK, THINK WHAT YOU SAY” – About the Language of Speech in the Communication Process.

   1. Spoken communication rules.

   2. Opening the content.

   3. Developing the content of your speech.

   4. Sealing the verbal presentation.

   5. Effective argumentation.

4. CHAPTER IV: “BESIDES VERBAL COMMUNICATION, THERE ARE OTHER ELEMENTS OF COMMUNICATION WITH <YOURSELF>” – About the Role of Non-verbal Communication in Public Speaking.

   1. The essence.

   2. Types of non-verbal signs.

   3. Non-verbal communication subsystems.

5. CHAPTER V: “THINGS MAKE IT MORE REALISTIC” – About the Role of Resources During Public Speeches.

   1. Items.

   2. Rules of use.

   3. A multimedia presentation.

6. CHAPTER VI: “INTERNET, UNLIMITED COMMUNICATION (...)” – Public Speaking in the Virtual Space.

   1. Remote communication tools.

   2. Shots.

   3. Tips.

7. CHAPTER VII: “DOES STRESS MAKE YOU STRONGER?!” – A Few Remarks About Stress in the Context of Self-presentation.

   1. How to cope with stress.

   2. The consequences of stress.

   3. Stress management methods.

8. CHAPTER VIII: “A LEARNER SHOULD KNOW, BE ABLE TO AND WANT” – Advice in a Nutshell to Conclude.

   1. Stay factual.

   2. Adjust the language of speech to the audience.

   3. Use a multimedia presentation.

   4. Use gadgets and props.

   5. Pay attention to your own non-verbal communication.

   6. Take care of the visual self-presentation.

   7. Do not forget about the audio communication.

   8. Encourage the audience to ask questions.

   9. Find time for a conclusion.

   10. Be yourself.

Author:

Dominika Narożna, PhD

Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań

University:

WSB University in Poznań, Poland