UW Dialogue Initiative

COM 220: Introduction to Public Speaking

5 Credits

A report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers shows that employers want job candidates with strong communication skills. Similarly, educational success also requires the ability to articulate your thoughts clearly. This class goes over the principles of public speaking and encourages students to critically examine theirs others' speeches through interactive practice.

This class gives students space compose, practice, and deliver clear and compelling speeches. Students will study the principles of prosody, narrative, and argumentation, and critically examine their own speeches/the speeches of others.

Learning outcomes:

• Design and deliver basic arguments clearly.
• Design and deliver commemorative presentations movingly.
• Design and deliver complex arguments persuasively.
• Speak confidently with appropriate rate, projection, movement, and vocal variety.
• Evaluate and critique speeches insightfully.