Eli Quay & Stephanie Brooks
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Oral Communication Class

Make yourself heard

At BC, all students take COMM-100 in their first year. Find out how it can transform your communication style.

Communication is key in all areas of your life, from school to the workplace and interactions among family and friends. But being an effective communicator means more than just sharing your opinion. It requires knowing your audience, clearly articulating your message and adapting it to different situations, and listening to—and responding appropriately to—others.

Eli Quay & Stephanie Brooks are examples of students who were empowered to feel confident in their communication skills.

Our Oral Communication (COMM-100) class is required of all students as part of the general education curriculum because it prepares you for success in your college courses as well as your future career. This class breaks down the public speaking wall and shows you how important developing this lifelong skill is. Students who were apprehensive about speaking in front of others develop greater confidence because of the concrete skills they have learned and practiced. Shy students have transformed into strong leaders who take prospective students on tours of campus. Students who were previously hesitant to raise their hand in class now enjoy participating in thought-provoking discussions in which students talk with—not at—one another. Preparing a presentation for an internship or at your first job becomes that much easier with the skills learned in this class.

Success at Bridgewater means students feel courageous and purposeful about their next steps. This class empowers you to feel confident in your communication and connection with others along your journey, both on campus and beyond. To be prepared to bring forth your ideas in a big way.

Persuade

Like all students at Bridgewater, Eli and Stephanie took our Oral Communication course. You should hear them now.

Eli Quay, Communication, Technology and Culture major
Eli Quay, Communication, Technology and Culture major
A major discovery

Eli was your classic undecided major when he started at Bridgewater. But after taking the Oral Communication class, he discovered he had a knack for public speaking. Now, he’s on the debate team and majoring in communication.

Stephanie Brooks, English major
Stephanie Brooks, English major
Goodbye, shy… hello, world

Before coming to Bridgewater and taking Oral Communication, Stephanie says she wasn’t exactly known for speaking up. Even as a teenager, she’d ask her mother to order food for her in a restaurant. Today, she’s a respected leader on campus and an admissions tour guide — and an example of how one class can change your life.

What you’ll learn

  • You’ll gain experience in formal and informal speaking, from elevator pitches to persuasive and motivational speeches on topics that inspire you.
  • You’ll learn how to find, select and use visual aids to support your points and speak effectively using computer programs such as PowerPoint.
  • You’ll learn how to establish credibility in your speech using examples, statistics, quotations, images and explanations to support your argument.
  • You’ll learn how to articulate your main point clearly and memorably and why that matters.
Student speaking to someone with hands pointed to poster presentation next to him
Student, Anton Kopti, using his communication skills to present at ASPIRE, a week dedicated to showcasing the accomplishments of students and faculty.