If you want to get better at public speaking and have fun doing so, then take Raise Your Voice, a small online class with Penn’s Associate Director of Communication within the curriculum and former collegiate forensics/debate coach. We’ll discuss communication apprehension, listening, organization, visual design, narrative, and argument. You’ll learn how to create virtual presentations that are vocally and visually engaging. You’ll practice, practice, practice by doing solo and team impromptu presentations. For your prepared (outside of class) assignments, you’ll tell us your story, teach your talent, and deliver a TED-style presentation. The course textbooks will be free and online and you won’t take any exams (but your professor will).
Daily Schedule can be found here >
| You will be able to— |
You will not be able to— |
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understand communication anxiety and employ strategies to manage it. |
avoid getting nervous for every speech you’ll deliver. |
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prepare clearly organized and cogent speeches. |
deliver flawless speeches. |
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identify your major strengths and weaknesses as an orator. |
make dramatic improvements in minutes. |
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come up with interesting support for your ideas. |
please all audience members with your evidence and examples. |
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advocate with clear and focused arguments. |
convince everyone of your cause or always change minds. |
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use effective visual support to convey your message. |
create design-professional-quality graphics. |
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connect with people. |
speak perfectly. |
Required Texts
All required reading and viewing/listening will be free and available online.
Principles & Expectations
Non-Credit Course & Assessment
Because you will not receive Penn credit for this course, most of the work will happen during class sessions. You will need to rehearse and revise your prepared speeches outside of class, though. You will have time in class to workshop your final presentation, a TED-style Talk.
Although you will not receive a course grade or course credit, I will evaluate your work and your progress. I am happy to write letters of recommendation for students who meet the following criteria:
- Attend every class period on time. (If another class causes tardiness or an illness causes an absence, let me know in advance.)
- Provide thoughtful and constructive peer feedback.
- Demonstrate respectful participation (as agreed upon in our community standards).
- Demonstrate respectful listening when others speak.
- Demonstrate progress as a speaker, showing that you are integrating feedback.
