Clinical Assistant Professor of Law
Speaking and Presenting: Conversation Starters
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
4 Modules
12 Hours
3 hrs per module (approx.)
Rating
About Speaking and Presenting: Conversation Starters
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.
Skills You'll Gain
- Business Networking
- Public Speaking
- Public Speaking Preparation
What You'll Earn
- Certificate of Completion:
- Certificates of completion acknowledge knowledge acquired upon completion of a non-credit course or program.
Welcome Message
Welcome to Speaking and Presenting: Conversation Starters, the third course in the Good with Words: Speaking and Presenting Specialization. This course focuses on helping you communicate more effectively by using unexpected language and thoughtful conversation strategies. You will learn how to create memorable messages, prioritize clarity over complexity, and build meaningful connections through practical speaking techniques applicable in professional and everyday settings.
This abbreviated syllabus description was created with the help of AI tools and reviewed by staff. The full syllabus is available to those who enroll in the course.
Course Schedule
Module 1: Unexpected: Vocabulary
- Video: Be Surprising, in a Convincing Way
- Reading: Meet Professor Barry
- Reading: Teaching Style and Resources
- Reading: Syllabus
- Reading: University of Michigan Survey
- Reading: Community Engagement Rules
- Video: E. M. Forster
- Reading: Bill Gates—Microsoft, Mosquitos, and Malaria
- Reading: Steve Jobs—Apple and Envelopes
- Video: Un-Numb the Numbers
- Reading: Un-Numb the Numbers (Optional)
- Video: Include a Little Mischief
- Reading: Popcorn
- Reading: Ice Water (Richard Feynman)
- Reading: (Optional) Chapter 5—Unexpected
- Graded Assignment: Low-Stakes Practice
- Reading: Speaking Stats ("Conversation Geography")
- Discussion Prompt: Speaking Stats ("Conversation Geography")
- Reading: Edit our Edits
- Video: Babble
- Video: Rip it Out
- Video: Sojourner Truth
- Reading: (Optional) Class Clips
- Discussion Prompt: Recap
- Graded: Week 1 Review
Module 2: Unexpected: Speaking Studies and Exercises
- Video: Peek-a-Boo Pedagogy
- Video: Star at Work
- Video: Cautionary Note
- Graded Assignment: Low-Stakes Practice
- Reading: Speaking Exercise ("Supreme Surprise")
- Discussion Prompt: "Supreme Surprise"
- Reading: Storytime
- Reading: Strive for Five
- Discussion Prompt: Recap
- Graded: Week 2 Review
Module 3: Conversation: Vocabulary
- Video: Conversation
- Video: Mrs. Bertha Flowers
- Video: Warren Buffett
- Reading: (Optional) Chapter 6—Conversation
- Reading: Optional Resources: Class Clips
- Graded Assignment: Low-Stakes Practice
- Video: The Language of Common Life
- Video: Kayaking
- Video: Location. Location. Location
- Reading: Setting the Stage Video
- Discussion Prompt: Setting the Stage
- Reading: Good Sentences, Good Speeches ("Broadway Theater")
- Discussion Prompt: Good Sentences, Good Speeches ("Broadway Theater")
- Discussion Prompt: Recap
- Graded: Week 3 Review
Module 4: Conversation: Speaking Studies and Exercises
- Video: Conversation Styles
- Video: Conversation Starters
- Video: Mirror Mirror
- Graded Assignment: Low-Stakes Practice
- Reading: Listen Up
- Discussion Prompt: Listen Up
- Graded Assignment: Low-Stakes Practice ("Listen Up")
- Reading: Ideas + Emotions
- Reading: Speaking Exercise ("Follow-up Questions")
- Discussion Prompt: Follow-up Questions
- Reading: Speaking Exercise ("Friendly Advice")
- Discussion Prompt: Friendly Advice
- Reading: Speaking Exercise ("Talking to Strangers")
- Discussion Prompt: Talking to Strangers
- Discussion Prompt: Recap
- Discussion Prompt: Course Takeaways
- Reading: Course Feedback
- Reading: "Good with Words: Writing and Editing" and Michigan Online
- Graded: Week 4 Review
Grading Policy
The course grade is based on four quizzes worth 25% each. To pass the course, learners must earn an overall score of 80% or higher. Practice quizzes and optional activities support learning but do not count toward the final grade.
Beginner Level
No prior experience required
