TEXT: Mastering Public Speaking, Skinner & Grice

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
To learn to speak in front of an audience is learning more than simply gaining the skill of public speaking. It is learning how to organize your thoughts, to present information to a specific audience, to use language effectively-all things each of us need to know for any interaction, both privately and publicly; therefore, learning to speak in public can help give you the confidence to speak in any situation. This class is an experimental class, a lab in a sense, where all of you will be learning and focusing on different things. My purpose as your instructor is to give you guidelines and information on how to improve your presentational skills. Your responsibility is to learn, not only how to give a speech, but to recognize what makes a good speech.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1. To demonstrate an understanding of course terms and concepts
2. To demonstrate increased skills in public presentation
3. To show learning in critiquing speakers and speeches
4. To demonstrate an understanding of the place in which public speaking plays in human communication

Class Schedule

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
NOTE: I will not accept papers or outlines via email unless previous permission is granted.

Attendance and participation: speakers need an audience; therefore it is important for you to be present for speeches. I will take roll each day of the term; if you miss more than one classe (including more than 10 min late or if you leave on your own earlier than I have dismissed the class), your term grade will be dropped one grade. If you are not prepared to give your speech on the assigned day, that speech grade will drop one full grade and the possibility exists that the speech will not be given due to time constraints.

Course Required Supplies:

An 8x11 manilla folder with your name on it that you will bring to class each session. It will be used to turn in all assignments and peer critiques.

A blank VHS tape that will be used to videotape your graded speeches.

In-class graded speeches: Topic selection and outlines are due on stated days on schedule.

1. Narrative Speech: 3-5 minutes -- you are to tell us a story that has a moral, convincing us that the moral is important for us to know. Formal outline due at time of speech.

2. Informative Visual Aid Speech: 4-6 minutes -- you are to give an informative speech that utilizes visual aids. It can be a demonstrative speech or a speech that uses visual aids in order to clarify a subject. No references are required but must be used if needed. Formal outline due at time of speech.

3. Persuasion Speech: 5-7 minutes--speech created to persuade the audience. It will be a speech on a question of policy. You are required to have at least 3 difference sources cited within your speech. You will turn in a works cited page with your formal outline. Formal outline due at time of speech-no outline or bibliography, no speech.

Speech critique paper: Part of this class is theoretical -- what makes a good speech. You are to listen to a live speech (live to you, not televised) and, using the textbook, explain the aspects listed on the handout.

P/NP stuff: Topics, working outlines, self analysis sheets and correctly written formal outlines turned in on time, introduction speech, advertistment speech, and balloon speech--these are all things graded on P/NP basis.

GRADING CRITERIA: