The inability to speak publicly can be crippling, particularly for those hoping to enter the business world. To be able to deliver a powerful and moving speech effectively however can make all difference between being mediocre and being successful. More than that though, learning how to be a great public speaker can make you a more confidant person and help you to discover many surprising and wonderful things about yourself. These are just some of the things I learned when I had the privilege of taking Professor Threadgill's Public Speaking class at NYU.
Shawn Threadgill is a life-changing teacher. He didn't just teach the basic tenets of public speaking, because anyone can do that. He taught me how to find passion within myself and translate that into persuasive, informative, and moving speeches. During a mere semester of seeing Shawn two times a week, even the most timid student was speaking with vigor and confidence. Shawn teaches his students how to be real, how to be successful, and how to give speeches that will be remembered. If you want to learn public speaking, if you want to learn how to be more confident and self-assured, or if you just want to learn how to move people, Shawn Threadgill is your man. I am a better public speaker and person for having taken his class.
Bridget Freihart
What did I expect from a Public Speaking class? I have to admit I imagined there would be a lot of speeches and a teacher who would probably lecture at me. However, my assumptions were quickly eliminated the first day of class with Professor Threadgill. It was immediately obvious that this was a man who was passionate about his job and had a gift for engaging an audience. After spending three-hours in the first class, I was left still wanting to hear more.
Professor Threadgill captured my attention and gave new meaning and insight into Aristotle’s Rhetoric; the art of speaking effectively and persuasively. I was enlightened by the extent a presenter could impact an audience. By the end of the class I found myself saying, “I want to be like him, I want to be dynamite! Every week I am excited to attend class for I know I have a great role model who is sincerely dedicated in seeing his students excel. Through my experience thus far I feel Professor Threadgill has given me the tools to become a more poised, captivating, and inspiring public speaker…something Aristotle would be proud of!"
Sarina Bang
Professor Threadgill has an obvious love of teaching and his personal investment in both his subject (public speaking) and his students, and the energy he is willing to devote to see his pupils succeed is refreshing. Personally, I have seen a marked growth in my own public speaking skills - both the way I approach the idea of public speaking itself and the execution of speech-making. As one who came into Professor Threadgill's class considering myself a relatively strong public speaker, I have seen my assumed strengths blossom into something even greater - he has instilled in me the values of passion, true confidence, and commitment to both my speech and my audience - qualities that often slip through the cracks for many speakers capable of giving a "fine" speech. Professor Threadgill has demonstrated his ability to communicate these values to a group of students that is quite diverse in age, interests, and public speaking experience. I very much enjoyed watching the entire group grow further into poised, engaging public speakers. I have no doubt that every student in his class, myself included of course, have finished the course being better for having taken it."
O.M.
