In Waymaker Public Speaking, students learn the theoretical and practical skills they need to deliver effective, well-researched oral presentations. The course covers essential communication skills including listening and feedback, audience analysis, research and information literacy, and ethics. It offers practical advice about making one’s voice heard (literally and figuratively), and introduces students to the major speech types, including informative, persuasive, and special occasion speeches.
Available in Waymaker, Public Speaking enables students to assess their understanding of the learning outcomes through interactive activities and practice questions, as well as end-of-section review quizzes. Outcome-aligned quizzes, assignments, and discussions allow instructors to evaluate student progress both specifically and broadly. A scaffolded, multi-part speech assignment supports students as they work through the steps of preparing a capstone presentation.
MODULES:
1. Introduction to Public Speaking
Speaking Effectively
Speaking Confidently
Speaking Powerfully
Public Speaking Through History
2. Ethical Speech
Introduction to Ethics
Ethical Dimensions of Public Speaking
Originality, Citation, and Plagiarism
3. Listening and Responding
Active Listening
Barriers to Effective Listening
Strategies to Enhance Listening
Feedback
4. Considering the Audience
What is an Audience
Audience Analysis
Diverse and Intercultural Audiences
Adapting to the Audience
5. Choosing and Researching a Topic
Choosing a Topic
Researching and Supporting Your Speech
Documenting Your Research
6. Organizing and Outlining Your Speech
Organizing your Ideas
Writing/Outlining Your Speech
Preparing Your Speaking Outline
7. Refining your Speech
Creating Introductions
Creating Conclusions
Integration of Source Material
Creating Transitions
Language and Style
Revising Your Work
8. Delivering your Speech
Methods of Delivery
Vocal Aspects of Delivery
Nonverbal Aspects of Delivery
Preparation, Practice, and Delivery
9. Speaking to Inform
What is an Informative Speech?
Types of Informative Speeches
Building an Informative Speech
10. Persuasive Speaking
Speaking to Persuade
Credibility and Evidence
Ethos, Logos, and Pathos
Ineffective vs. Effective Persuasion
11. Speaking to Entertain and for Special Occasions
What are Special Occasions?
Speaking to Entertain
Special Occasions
Speakers and Events
12. Public Speaking Online
Introduction… scenarios of online speech
Public speaking online
The online audience
Technical considerations
13. Public Speaking on the Job
Informational interviews
Job interviews
Public interviews
Presentations
Meetings
14. Small Group Communication
Group dynamics
Group discussions
Group presentations
15. Creating and Using Presentation Aids
Effective Visual Aids
Types of Visual Aids
Slideware
Slide design
Note: This course is under development and content is subject to small changes until the course is completed.
Additional Course Features
- Waymaker Courseware: User-friendly Waymaker learning tools improve success for at-risk students with personalized study plans, automated study tips and nudges, and early alerts to identify and help struggling students.
- Outcome-aligned OER: Designed to replace expensive textbooks, this course curates the best available open educational resources (OER) aligned with learning outcomes. Teach it as-is or customize to fit your needs.
- LMS Integration: This course is delivered with seamless LMS integration and automatic grade return for Canvas, Blackboard, Brightspace, and Moodle.
- Accessibility: Lumen is 100% committed to providing learning materials that are accessible to all learners. Lumen course materials are mobile-friendly.
Developed By
Why Teach with Lumen Course Materials?
- Replace expensive textbooks: Ready-to-adopt open educational resources (OER) include text, videos, simulations, self-checks, and other interactives.
- Choose affordability: Low cost to students.
- Use better content: Continuous, data-driven improvements make OER content more effective at supporting learning.
- Simplify access: Easy access to course materials in your LMS (Blackboard, Canvas, D2L, and Moodle) plus automatic grade return.
- Improve student outcomes: Research shows Lumen course materials can improve academic performance, passing rates, and course completion.
FOR INSTRUCTORS
- Save time: Start with curated, outcome-aligned OER and supplemental instructor resources like quiz banks, assignments, slide decks, etc.
- Customize your course: Freedom to tailor course content to fit your learning outcomes and instructional approach.
- Enjoy awesome support: Faculty-friendly onboarding, training, and support.
See OER pioneer David Wiley’s overviews of Lumen courseware.
FOR STUDENTS
- Learn by doing: Online homework, self-check activities, and other interactive tools strengthen learning.
- Engage from day one: Avoid falling behind with access course materials from the first day of class.
- Retain materials: Download a digital copy of course content to keep forever.
- Become a better learner: Real-time feedback guides students on where to focus and how to improve.
Three Steps to Teaching this Course in Your Class
Pick the course you want to teach
Fill out our Try this Course form, and we’ll get materials to you
Setup your course in your LMS (optional)
Send a message to support@lumenlearning.com if you’d like help
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Wondering what it’s like? Watch a faculty roundtable video