SPCH 1023 Public Speaking 11:10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., TR, Wells Hall Room 108

   You are responsible for everything in this syllabus and the General Class Policies. If you have questions, consult the syllabi then consult me. Ignorance of the syllabi will not save you points.

PREREQUISITES

• Working knowledge of the Internet and e-mail

   Students will be introduced to the basic principles of speech communication such as: anxiety reduction, topic selection, audience analysis, research techniques, organization and presentation skills. Students will be expected to do individual work, some group work, peer-evaluations and a self-analysis essay.

   This course fulfills specific general education requirements. For more information, consult the current academic catalog. 

OBJECTIVES

   Business and professional people frequently speak to audiences about their work as they climb the corporate ladders to success. Poorly organized, ineffective speaking can and will halt that climb. Effective public speaking requires knowledge and practice. Therefore, this course aims to teach students to:

1. think critically;
2. organize their messages;
3. adapt their messages to an audience; and
4. speak extemporaneously.

1. Increase personal confidence and manage communication apprehension in public speaking situations.
2. Select appropriate speech topics and demonstrate the ability to both focus and limit such topics.
3. Develop and improve the ability to attend, comprehend, analyze/evaluate and respond to spoken messages through appropriate listening skills.
4. Develop organizational skills for arranging and outlining a speech.
5. Utilize language effectively for clear, appropriate and vivid expression.
6. Discover, analyze and logically support ideas.
7. Analyze audiences and adapt messages accordingly.
8. Evaluate oral messages and give appropriate feedback.
9. Develop effective delivery skills and appropriate nonverbal behaviors.
10. Demonstrate proficiency in both informative and persuasive speaking.
11. Appreciate the role and importance of public speaking in our society, and the responsibility for ethical communication.

• One (1) VHS video tape (of at least 30 minutes) for recording your presentations
• Pens or pencils for taking notes, tests and/or quizzes
• Electronic storage device of your choice

• Planning, Writing and Delivery Tips, www.speechtips.com

ASSESSMENT	POINTS
Quizzes	25
Final Exam	50
Five speeches	450
Class Participation	25
TOTAL	550

GRADING

   Grading is based on performance, not effort — it takes great effort to perform. At first, your work will be flawed as most of you will be unfamiliar with the correct methods of public speech. However, your work will improve over time.

   Grades are given for individual presentations, in-class and out-of-class writing assignments, individual and group quizzes, and attendance and class participation (includes good listening and discussion skills, and an open attitude to learning). Neither quizzes nor exams may be made up without prior approval from Dr. Sitton.  Make-up speeches will only be allowed once, under the most dire of circumstances and only if there is time during regular class hours. Illnesses and extenuating circumstances will require written documentation.

   By accepting this syllabus, you are indicating that you understand and will abide by the Missed Assignments Policy and the Academic Honesty Policy.

PERCENT TOTAL POINTS	LETTER GRADE
90	A
80	B
70	C
60	D
Less	F

   Because students' skill and knowledge increases as the semester progresses, there is no plausible way to project grades before the drop date. Final grades depend upon task completion from the beginning to the end of the semester. By the drop date, you'll know whether you've attended class and devoted the appropriate amount of time towards the course. I'll have no way of determining what you'll do for the remainder of the course. The few grades you will have by drop date will be minimal in determining final course grades. Thus your grade is entirely up to you.

   Incompletes — An incomplete grade is only available under extraordinary circumstances and at the discretion of the instructor.

   Extra Credit — Extra credit is available once during the semester by critiquing a public speaker at a university-sanctioned event. Extra credit will not be accepted after the 13th week of class. You may earn up to 50 points for this critique. However, since students may earn extra credit, the instructor will not round grades up.

SPEECHES

   You will give four public speeches in this course, each requiring a typewritten outline to be submitted to the professor prior to the speech. ALL speeches will be delivered from formal, typed outlines, which will be submitted to Sitton prior to presentation. The extemporaneous method of organization and delivery must be demonstrated.

 DO NOT READ OR MEMORIZE YOUR PRESENTATION. MANUSCRIPT SPEECHES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.

   You must be ready to present on the first day of speeches. Dr. Sitton will determine the order through random selection. You will deliver the following speeches, which must follow the major steps of speech preparation:

1. Self-introductory speech (50 points) — This assignment will provide your audience one to three aspects of your identity that increases your credibility (competence, integrity, likableness, and forcefulness) in our eyes. Be creative. Your speech should have an introduction, body, and conclusion, and you should present it in a conversational tone of voice. The speech will last 3 to 5 minutes. Not meeting the time parameters will result in the loss of a letter grade.
    
2. Informative speech (100 points) — This speech will recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of a person, group, object, or event  important to you and worthwhile for us to know. The topic should be adequately researched and covered thoroughly through demonstration and description in the allotted time. Support your main points in a manner that compels our attention, once again being creative. Your speech should have an introduction, body, and conclusion, and you should present the speech in a conversational tone of voice. The speech will last 5 to 6 minutes. Not meeting the time parameters will result in the loss of a letter grade.
   
   
3. First persuasive speech (125 points) — This speech will motivate the class to act in some new way. Support your arguments with sound evidence and reasoning. You must adapt your topic to this audience and handle it in an imaginative way. You need an introduction, body, and conclusion. The speech will last 6 to 8 minutes. Not meeting the time parameters will result in the loss of a letter grade.
   
   
4. Second persuasive speech (175 points) — This speech requires you to focus on a single issue/assertion that is significant, controversial and debatable. Convince your listeners of your position. You still need an introduction, body, and conclusion. The speech will last 7 to 8 minutes. Not meeting the time parameters will result in the loss of a letter grade.

   Each speech will cover an original topic. No speeches will be allowed that require you to bring a firearm, living animal or pornography of any kind into the classroom..

CLASS PARTICIPATION

Home Page (5 points)

   In order for your classmates and instructor to learn a little about you, you will make a WebCT homepage using information from the First-Day Survey. 

Peer Review (5 points)

   Throughout the course you will provide critical feedback to your peers. Comments will be phrased in a constructive manner that focuses on the person's communicative behaviors. On assignment days when you do not speak, you will complete an evaluation sheet that provides substantive remarks commenting in detail on the individual's communicative strengths and weaknesses.

   Indicate the person's strengths so he/she can continue to do these things. But in addition, help them with their weaknesses by answering the question, "What would I advise him/her to do differently if the person were able to do the assignment again?" Commenting only on the person's strengths will not help the individual improve.

   Respect for others through active listening and audience analysis is mandatory at ALL times. We will only be speaking to each other as children and outside visitors are not permitted in the class. In addition, consumption of beverages, snacks or other consumables is not permitted during presentations.

ATTENDANCE

   The attendance guidelines set forth in the General Class Policies cover most instances, but it's worth noting why attendance is necessary.

1. In order to become a better public speaker, one must observe others and note strengths and weaknesses.
2. You have an obligation to give your fellow classmates an audience as they are obligated to provide you with an audience.
3. Some information provided in class is unavailable in the text.

ASSIGNMENTS

   You will complete assignments prior to each class meeting. Assignments are due by the beginning of class on the date listed in the schedule.

   All speech topics must be approved before your assigned speech day. Outlines are due two scheduled class days prior to your assigned speech day and the topic must be approved in advance of the outlines.

   On your speech day a final typed outline, in correct outline form, must be given to the instructor prior to delivering your speech. As we move to presentations requiring research, a bibliography (using MLA formatting) will also be required to show your preparation.

   If you need power point set up for a presentation, it is your responsibility to request it in writing. Giving a note to the instructor the week before it is needed will allow for the A/V department to accommodate the request. There is no guarantee that power point will be available if it is not ordered the week before it is needed.

   Though the University does not have a dress code, your dress and appearance should add to a presentation, not detract. Remember, we're preparing for you to speak before a public group, not your family and friends. Therefore, refrain from wearing the following on presentation days or receive an automatic grade deduction for doing so:

• Hats
• T-shirts
• Shorts
• Worn-out Jeans
• Shirts with writing

FORMAT

   Written assignments (speech outlines, speech topics and follow-up critiques) must be typed or finalized on a word processor/printer. Hand-written material and/or electronic submissions will not be accepted. Work will be submitted by deadline on unlined, white 8.5" x 11" paper.

 On the upper-right corner of the page, write:

• last name, first name
• class
• assignment identification
• date

If you don't understand something in this Web note, please e-mail Dr. Sitton.