Communications 230: Techniques of Speaking

Instructor: Alexander Kudera

Summer Quarter, June--August 2007

Section 010, MWF 2:00—2:50pm, Building and Room: CAT 77

Office:  Macalister 5064

Office Hours:  After each class I will stay as late as needed

ak47@drexel.edu, alexander_kudera@yahoo.com (email to communicate with me)

Office Phone:  215-895-1824

 

Required Text: Lucas, Stephen. The Art of Public Speaking. 9th edition, McGraw Hill: NY 2007

 

INTRODUCTION: This course is designed to help you become a better public speaker.  Students will learn all aspects of how to prepare a speech and how to present a speech. Participation and attendance are required of course, but to truly improve your public speaking skills, reading the textbook and practicing your speeches are crucial. We will also emphasize positive visualization as a key component of a successful performance.

 

SPEAKING PROCEDURE: You will sign up for speaking slots. Slots may be traded if both students notify me in advance. For Speech #4 and #5, I require an APA or MLA works cited page and a typed, formal outline handed in the week you speak. (I will not accept handwritten work.) If you like, I will evaluate speeches or outlines in progress; we can meet just after class or you may email me these materials.  Speeches are given from note cards, not the preparation outline (3Ó x 5Ó or 5Ó x 8Ó okay/notebook paper cut in half or quarters acceptable but not ideal). There is no automatic right to make up a missed speech although it will be possible if time allows. If you miss your speaking date, come prepared to speak for the next three classes, and I will try to fit you where possible. There will be a full letter grade deduction (10 percent) for make-up speeches.

 

ATTENDANCE: Attendance is required because it is important for you and your peers to have an opportunity to practice speaking in front of as large a group as possible. You will lose 5 points for each missed class after your fourth absence. You cannot pass the class if you miss more than 7 classes. To be clear, there are no ÒexcusedÓ absences, only the 4 personal days you may use if you wish. Two late arrivals or early departures will count as one absence.

 

PARTICIPATION: When you are not making a speech, you are a member of the audience and essential to the learning experience.  Students learn by observing and evaluating others.  Let me know prior to class if you must leave early.  If arriving late, enter the room as quietly as possible, and avoid walking directly past a student speaker. (You may walk behind the speaker if the only seats available are on the far side of the room.)  Leaving early and arriving late will negatively impact your final grade. If you are not here, you can not participate. There will be a 5 point deduction for each absence after your fourth absence; two late arrivals or early departures will count as one absence. You are expected to actively listen to your peers.

 

EXTRA CREDIT: For up to 15 points (5% of class grade), you may film yourself speaking for #4 and/or #5, either in class or outside. Either way, submit a 3 to 4 page analysis of your speaking along with a VCR/DVD or internet link to your speech. Within your analysis, include book terminology in bold as you assess your strengths and weaknesses. For this assignment, you could tape both 4 and 5 and compare and contrast, or you could tape yourself giving one speech or the other both in class and then on your own (assessing how you did with and without an audience). If you consult any outside sources for the written portion, be sure to include a works cited page.

 

NOTE: The syllabus is not a Òcontract,Ó and so it is possible I will alter an assignment due date as required.  I certainly will not do this merely to confuse or ÒtrickÓ you, and I will give advance notice for any such change.  The attendance policy will definitely be enforced, so I strongly urge you to consider completing the extra credit if you know you will miss more than 4 classes.

 

PLAGIARISM: All work must be your own original work. Plagiarism must be avoided in both written and spoken work and will result in failure for this class. We will review methods for giving credit to oneÕs sources during oral presentations.

 

Course Assignment:                           Time Requirement               Value:

1—Poem, joke or story                          2-3 minutes                            10

2—Self Introduction                             3-4 minutes                             30

3—Impromptu Speech                          2-3 minutes                             20

4—Informative Speech                         6-8 minutes                             50 Outline=10

5—Persuasive Speech                           6-8 minutes w/Q&A               60 Outline=10

6—Group Presentation                         7-9 minutes                              40

7—Group Report/Final Paper                                                               30

8—Participation/Attendance                                                                 30

9—2 Personal Evaluations                                                                         5 x 2=10

Total                                                                                                       300

Final Grade:   A=270-300   B=240-269  C=210-239  D=180-209

 

Course Schedule:

Week 1:        

June 25--  Sorry for any inconvenience

June 27--  Course Introduction/Review Syllabus/Personal Evaluation #1

June 29--  Chapter 1 Speaking in Public/Chapter 2 Ethics and Public Speaking

Week 2:

July 2--  Speech #1 DUE/Chapters 2 and 3

July 4--  University holiday for Independence/No Class

July 6--   Your Independence extended/class optional/I will be here/bring practice materials

Week 3:

July 9--  Chapter 12 Delivery/Chapter 4 Selecting a Topic and Purpose

July 11--  Speech #2 DUE/Chapter 5 Analyzing the Audience

July 13--  Speech #2 DUE/Chapter 5 Analyzing the Audience

Week 4:

July 16--  Chapter 8 Organizing the Body of the Speech/Chapter 9 Beginning and Ending the Speech

July 18--  Speech  #3 DUE/Chapter 9 Beginning and Ending the Speech

July 20--  Speech  #3 DUE/Chapter 9 Beginning and Ending the Speech

Week 5:

July 23--  Chapter 6,7 Gathering Materials and Supporting Your Ideas

July 25--  Chapter 10 Outlining the Speech/Chapter 14 Speaking To Inform

July 27--  Class Optional/I will be in the classroom to answer your questions/practice time possible

Week 6:

July 30--  Speech #4 DUE/Chapter 14 Speaking to Inform

August 1--  Speech #4 DUE

August 3--  Speech #4 DUE

Week 7:

August 6--  Chapter 15 Speaking to Persuade

August 8--  Chapter 16 Methods of Persuasion

August 10--  Class Optional/I will be in the classroom to answer your questions/practice time possible

Week 8:

August 13-- Speech #5 DUE

August 15--  Speech #5 DUE

August 17--  Speech #5 DUE

Week 9:

August 20--  Chapter 2 Ethics and Public Speaking/Chapter 18 Speaking in Small Groups

August 22--  Chapter 18 Speaking in Small Groups/Work in your groups

August 24--  Chapter 18 Speaking in Small Groups/Work in your groups

Week 10:

August 27--  Work in your groups/Personal Evaluation #2 DUE

August 29--  Speech #6 DUE

August 31--  Speech #6 DUE/Group Paper #7 DUE