COM-230-008 - Summer 2007

Techniques of Speaking (CRN#40769)

M/W/F - June 25 - Aug. 31

(No Class July 4 - Independence Day)

Curtis Hall 255A

3:00 p.m. to 3:50 p.m.

Instructor: Rosemary Rys, M.A., APR

CEO/President

Creative Public Relations

Cell: 609-471-0311

Drexel E-mail: rer22@drexel.edu

Office Appointment: Before classes--call ahead to schedule as needed

I. REQUIRED MATERIALS:

 “Essential Elements of Public Speaking,” 2nd Edition, by Joseph A. DeVito
Publisher: Allyn & Bacon, Copyright: 2006

ISBN-10: 0205423817

II. COURSE OVERVIEW

The course emphasizes the preparation and delivery of a public speech. The focus is speaking to inform, persuade, and entertain. Through readings, lectures, and class discussions, you will learn how to select a topic, research it, develop your ideas, organize them, and present them to an audience whose knowledge and opinions you have sought to understand. You will develop your speaking skills through delivering and critiquing your own speeches. You will also learn how to critique the ideas of others and to give helpful feedback. We may have speakers occasionally, including representatives of such groups as Toastmasters International.

III. COURSE OBJECTIVES

By the end of the course you should have studied and practiced the following skills:

§ Making ethical choices about speech communication

§ Listening actively

§ Giving and receiving feedback

§ Researching a topic using a variety of sources

§ Organizing your thoughts using evidence and logical argument

§ Enhancing your awareness of rhetoric and word choice

§ Using voice and body language effectively

§ Creating visual aids

§ Analyzing and responding to the ideas of others

§ Understanding and applying various genres of public speaking

§ Making a public speech

IV. ASSIGNMENTS (Read chapters each week and do exercises to discuss in class.)

a) Self-Introduction Speech (1-2 minutes)

Short speech introducing yourself to the class. Choose a theme: interests, experience, future plans. Focus your speech on that theme, offering facts, examples and/or opinions.

b) Special Occasion Speech (3-5 minutes)

Speech for the special occasion of your choice. You may use this assignment to work on speaking to entertain.

c) Informative Speech (7-9 minutes)

Inform the audience about a specific topic on which you have done original research. Visuals (i.e., PowerPoint) are required for this talk. If you use any additional resources, be sure to cite your references for them. You will also be videotaped and asked to do a “post-mortem” (self-critique).

d) Persuasive Speech (5-7 minutes)

Persuade the audience to agree with, or at least see the value of, your point of view and perhaps take action. Note that persuasion usually requires providing information, as well as making a compelling argument.

ASSIGNMENT FORMATTING

All outlines and other written work must be neatly typed or word processed using correct format, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and style. Electronic submissions will be accepted only with prior approval. Otherwise, all work must be printed out and handed in during class.

Video Equipment

Class participation will include assisting the class by reserving, picking up, and dropping off the video camera and tripod at least once during the term, as needed. (Equipment is available at Instructional Media Services, 4007 MacAlister, as well as in the Main Building. Call x2925 in advance to reserve equipment.) Students can work in pairs to handle these tasks. Assisting (or failing to assist) with this task will be factored into your grade.

PowerPoint

Students who want to use PowerPoint during their presentations are responsible for bringing a laptop to class. Laptops can be borrowed from Media Services. I encourage you to coordinate with classmates: only one student needs to bring a laptop each speech day. If you borrow a laptop from Media Services, I recommend combining that with picking up and dropping off the camera and tripod.

V. GRADING  Note: There is no final exam, since you will have a full workload with all these required speeches.

Assignment Percent of Grade

Class attendance/participation 20

Self-introduction speech 5

*Special-occasion speech 15

*Informative speech (visuals/critique) 25

*Persuasive speech 20

Three text-chapter quizzes 15 (5 percent each)

Total: 100

(*Typed outlines are required for these talks at the time of presentation.)

Grade Levels:

A+ (97-100) C+ (77-79)

A (93-96) C (73-76)

A- (90-92) C- (70-72)

B+ (87-89) D+ (67-69)

B (83-86) D (60-66)

B- (80-82) F (59 and below)

VI. CLASS FORMAT

The class will include lectures, in-class exercises, student speeches and quizzes on text material. Much class time will be devoted to student speeches. Because every speaker needs an audience, and audience feedback will be an important part of each speaking assignment, attendance at class is essential. Come prepared to raise questions, share ideas, and engage in constructive dialogue.

VII. DEADLINES

If you cannot deliver a speech on your assigned day for a verifiable reason, your speech may be rescheduled with my prior approval. If you otherwise fail to deliver a speech, but time remains in the schedule, you may make the speech up at the cost of one grade step. If no time is available for rescheduling, you will receive an F for the speech.

VIII. OUTLINES, VIDEOTAPING, CRITIQUES

· You must submit a typed outline at the time you present your informative, persuasive and special-occasion speeches.

· Your informative speeches will be videotaped. I will need volunteers to get the digital camera, tripod and tapes for these presentations. Your brief self-critique should include at least three objectives for improvement. This critique is due within one week of delivering your speech. Failure to submit an outline will result in your grade for the speech being dropped one-half grade (for example, from B to B-). Failure to tape your speech and

submit a critique will result in the grade for your speech being dropped one full letter grade. Submitting written work late will result in a loss of one-half grade.

IX. PARTICIPATION/ATTENDANCE

Being present to participate in discussions and to hear and critique the speeches of other students will greatly enhance the amount you learn from this class. Therefore, regular attendance and active participation are essential. Engaging in discussions, asking questions, offering feedback to other students, and responding to the ideas other students present in their speeches are essential and will be factored into your grade.

Special Attention: Class attendance, especially in this concentrated course, is very important. Details concerning out-of-class assignments may be given in class. If you aren’t here, you may not be able to complete the work successfully. Absences will be noticed; after two cuts, your grade may be lowered one step (i.e., from a B to a B-). More than two cuts constitute grounds for an “F” in the course. Any medical excuses must be in writing. Three late arrivals will equal one absence. Leaving class early or inattention will be considered the functional equivalent of lateness. Arriving late or leaving early is disruptive to the environment. If a student is giving a speech and you arrive late, wait outside until the speech is over. If you have to leave class early, please check in with me before class begins. Please turn off cell phones and personal laptops before class begins.

X. PLAGIARISM http://www.library.drexel.edu/resources/tutorials/plagiarism/plagiarism.html

XI. CLASS CANCELLATIONS

If I need to cancel class, I will advise you via e-mail that morning. Assignments due that day must be submitted at the next class meeting. Likewise, if you are scheduled to deliver a speech that day, you must deliver it the next class meeting.

Course Schedule

WEEK	DATE	TOPIC	ASSIGNMENT DUE
1	6/25 6/27 6/29	Introduction to class Public-speaking basics Listening, criticism	Peer interviews Chapter 1 - Read/Exercises Chapter 2 - Read/Exercises
2	7/2 7/4 - no class 7/6	Happy 4^th of July!!	Chapter 3 - Read/Exercises Chapter 4 - Read/Exercises
3	7/9 7/11 7/13	Topic, purpose, thesis Audience analysis Review Chapters 1-4	Self-introduction Speeches Self-introduction Speeches Self-introduction Speeches
4	7/16 7/18 7/20	Quiz #1 - Chapters 1-4 Support Materials/Aids Organizing Your Speech	Chapter 5 - Read/Exercises Chapter 6 - Read/Exercises
5	7/23 7/25 7/27	Wording Your Speech Delivering Your Speech Review Chapters 5-8.	Chapter 7 - Read/Exercises Chapter 8 - Read/Exercises Group 1 - Special Occasion Speeches (with typed outline to prof.)
6	7/30 8/1 8/3	Quiz #2 - Chapters 5-8 Speaking/Special Occasions Speaking in Small Groups	Chapter 11 - Read/Exercises Chapter 12 - Read/Exercises Group 2 - Special Occasion Speeches (with typed outline to prof.) -continue until completed
7	8/6 8/8 8/10	Informing Your Audience Persuading Your Audience Review Chapters 9-12	Group 1 - Informative Speeches (with typed outline to prof.) - continue until completed Chapter 9 - Read/Exercises Chapter 10 - Read/Exercises
8	8/13 8/15 8/17	Quiz #3 - Chapters 9-12 Lesson: Persuading Your Audience	Group 2 - Informative Speeches (with typed outline to prof.) - continue until completed
9	8/20 8/22 8/24	Substitute teacher - Mrs. Cirillo Prof. Rys (I will be on vacation 8/20 and 8/24, but back for this class.) Substitute teacher - Mrs. Cirillo	Special public-speaking topics Group 1 - Persuasive Speeches (with typed outline to prof.) - Self-critique of Informative Speech due (Group 1). Special public-speaking topics
10	8/27 8/29 8/31 - Last class/no final		Group 1 - Persuasive (cont’d) Group 2 - Persuasive Speeches (with typed outline to prof.) Group 2 - Persuasive (cont’d) Self-critique of Informative Speech due (Group 2).

(This instructor reserves the right to change the course schedule as necessary.)