Director of Artificial Intelligence Initiatives
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.
Course content developed by U-M faculty and managed by the university. Faculty titles and affiliations are updated periodically.
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
- The Power of Surprise in Communication
- Applying the Concept
Module 2: Unexpected: Speaking Studies and Speaking Exercises
- Creating Memorable Messages
- Making the Unexpected Interesting
Module 3: Conversation/Vocabulary
- Clear Communication Over Showing Off
- Focus on Being Helpful
Module 4: Conversation: Speaking Studies and Speaking Exercise
- Speaking Styles
- Meaningful Connections
Grading Policy
Course materials and assignments remain open and available for self-paced learning. To pass the course and earn the certificate, you must achieve an overall grade of 80% or higher.
Your final grade is based entirely on four Module Review Quizzes. Each quiz is a summative assessment covering the material from its respective module and includes multiple-choice and True/False questions with feedback. You have unlimited attempts to complete the graded quizzes.
Module Review Quizzes — 100% of the Course Grade
Each module review quiz contributes equally to your final grade:
- Module 1 Review Quiz: 25%
- Module 2 Review Quiz: 25%
- Module 3 Review Quiz: 25%
- Module 4 Review Quiz: 25%
Total Course Grade: 100%
Beginner Level
No prior experience required
