COM 109 — Clarity, Structure, and Impact: Delivering Persuasive Presentations
Quarter: Fall
Instructor(s): Rod C. Taylor
Date(s): Oct 5—Nov 9
Class Recording Available: Yes
Class Meeting Day: Mondays
Grade Restriction: No letter grade
Class Meeting Time: 6:00—7:50 pm (PT)
Tuition: $465
Refund Deadline: Oct 7
Unit(s): 1
Enrollment Limit: 45
Status: Registration opens Aug 17 8:30 am (PT)
Quarter: Fall
Day: Mondays
Duration: 6 weeks
Time: 6:00—7:50 pm (PT)
Date(s): Oct 5—Nov 9
Unit(s): 1
Tuition: $465
Refund Deadline: Oct 7
Instructor(s): Rod C. Taylor
Grade Restriction: No letter grade
Enrollment Limit: 45
Recording Available: Yes
Status: Registration opens Aug 17 8:30 am (PT)
What makes an audience lean forward and pay attention? Why do some presentations clarify and persuade while others quickly dissolve into background noise? This course explores how effective speakers capture attention, organize ideas, and move audiences through clear and compelling lines of reasoning. Drawing on rhetorical theory from Aristotle to Kenneth Burke, alongside examples ranging from classic literature to top-charting music, journalism, and film, we’ll examine how memorable openings draw audiences in, narratives sustain momentum, and thoughtful conclusions create emotional and intellectual impact. Students will analyze presentations and speeches, develop their own communication style through hands-on workshops and guided feedback, and learn practical techniques to communicate with clarity, confidence, and persuasive force.
Advanced-level proficiency in spoken English is required.
ROD C. TAYLOR
Founder and CEO, Performance Learning Concepts
Rod C. Taylor is an educator, scholar, and founder and CEO of Performance Learning Concepts, a leadership development firm serving organizations such as Deloitte, Nissan North America, Blackstone, and Morningstar. With more than 30 years of experience, he has taught at Stanford, Indiana University, and Tennessee State’s Honors College. He has also served as a design faculty fellow in Paris and as an artist in residence at Lipscomb University. He received a PhD in English literature from Indiana University Bloomington. Textbooks for this course:
There are no required textbooks; however, some fee-based online readings may be assigned.