COMM 350-011 PUBLIC SPEAKING

Fall, 1996

M-W-F 104 Pearson Hall
11:15 - 12:05

INSTRUCTOR:  Jo Kmetz

Office:

Phone:

E-mail: 01872@udel.edu

TEXTBOOK and other Necessities:

Gronbeck,German,Ehninger,& Monroe PRINCIPLES OF SPEECH COMMUNICATION, 12th ed.

Comm 350 Assignment Packet

VHS videotape: 2-6 hours

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

  1. To develop an understanding of the factors in analyzing audiences' attitudes and beliefs;
  2. To develop an understanding of the interaction of verbal and non­verbal communication variables in public speaking;
  3. To improve your communication skills in a variety of speeches; and,
  4. To improve your ability to evaluate communication techniques.

DEPARTMENTAL GRADING POLICY:

Many students seem to believe that they start with an "A" in a class and then work their way down when they "do something wrong."  Actually, the reverse is true.  Students begin with a zero and work their way up if they "do something right." 

Grades in the "D" range suggest that the work is acceptable but of poor quality. (Students must receive a grade of at least "C" in a course to have it count toward the major.)  Grades in the "C" range suggest that work fulfills the basic requirements of the syllabus and is of average quality.  Grades in the "B" range suggest that work fulfills the basic requirements and is of high quality.  Grades in the "A" range suggest that work is exceptional. Thus, good grades are earned, not an inherent right.  Your final grade will be determined by your total number of points (from 400 possible).  Plus and minus grades are determined by proximity of scores to the dividing lines. Your attendance will be an influencing factor in your final grade as well.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Because of the limited number of hours and because of the group organization of the class, daily attendance is a REQUIREMENT of this class.  You are required to attend all speech days to evaluate your peers. Your course grade will be lowered for by 5 points for each evaluation day you miss. Only a written doctor's excuse will reinstate these points. Because of the limited time, performances must be given the days you have scheduled them; therefore, on the day you are to present a project or to participate in any type of public performance before the class, you will NOT be excused from class unless:

  1. I have excused you PRIOR to the class meeting, or
  2. You have a substantiated University­excused illness or verified family emergency. (As the Health Service will not confirm type nor extent of illness, it will NOT serve as an excuse unless you have been confined to the infirmary and we receive substantiation through the Dean's office.)  No other late speeches will be given a grade although the speech may be given, time permitting, for comments from the class and instructor.  Any unexcused absence will mean an automatic "ZERO" on the assignment to be performed or turned in on that day. To avoid pain and agony, talk with me prior to the event.

PROJECTS AND GRADES (400 possible points):

1. 4 SPEECHES: 210 points (40-60)

Each student will be responsible for four speeches with a 3 to 12 minute time length. One speech will include additional time for a question and answer segment. Each speech will be videotaped. Each speaker will receive peer evaluations as well as a written evaluation from the instructor. The speeches are:

2. WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS:  90 points

Each speech requires two outlines, a Brief Outline (BO) and a Rehearsal Outline (RO). Each BO is worth 4 points for a total possible score of 16 points. Each RO is worth 6 points for a total possible score of 24 points. In addition, there will be two audience analysis due. One for the speech of Argumentation and one for the speech of Persuasion. Each audience analysis has a potential for 15 points for a possible 30 points overall.

Each student is required to attend a speech (outside of classroom lectures) and analyze the guest speaker. This assignment is worth 10 points. * Additionally, each student is required to turn in a self-analysis based on the first three speeches. This is accomplished by reviewing your taped speeches and analyzing what you perceive as having improved and what you perceive as needing improvement. This is also worth 10 points.

* Read pp. 506-513 (Ch. 18) for insights into the writing of a Critical Analysis.

3. EXAMS: l00 points possible:

Two exams at 50 points per exam. The first will be a 50 question multiple-choice exam which covers all lectures and assigned chapters of both texts. The second will be a take-home examination based on the skills necessary to prepare a presentation. An in-depth explanation of the second exam will take place towards the latter part of the semester.

FYI: The following is required for minimum compliance for written outlining assignments.

A Brief Outline (BO) consists of:

l) Speech title

2) Speech to: (inform, persuade, etc.)

3) Thesis statement:

4) Specific purposes:

5) Your plan for speech: Using the appropriate outlining format

A Rehearsal Outline (RO) consists of:

1) Speech title:

2) Speech to: 

3) Thesis statement: 

4) Specific purposes:

5) Complete draft of intended speech in outline form using the appropriate outlining format.

Personal Grade Sheet

______ Exam #1 (50 points)

______ Exam #2 (50 points)

Written Assignments:

______ Critique of an outside speaker (10 points)

______ Self-critique of your first three speeches (10 points)

Project #1--Speech of Information 3-5 minutes (50 total points)

______ Brief Outline (4 points)

______ Rehearsal Outline (6 points)

______ Speech of Information (40 points)

Project #2--Speech of Information with Visual Aids 3-5 minutes (60 total points)

______ Brief Outline (4 points)

______ Rehearsal Outline (6 points)

______ Speech of Information with Visual Aids (50 points)

Project #3--Speech of Argumentation 5-6 minutes/Question & Answer 2 minutes (85 total points)

______ Brief Outline (4 points)

______ Rehearsal Outline (6 points)

______ Audience Analysis (15 points)

______ Speech of Argumentation (50 points)

______ Questions (5 points)

______ Answers (5 points)

Project #4--Speech of Persuasion 10 - 12 minutes (85 total points)

______ Brief Outline (4 points)

______ Rehearsal Outline (6 points)

______ Audience Analysis (15 points)

______ Speech of Persuasion (60 points)

______ Sub-total

______ Deduct 5 points for unexcused absences

______ Total (400 possible points)

Scale (in broad categories) PLUS/MINUS will be administered.

A: 400 ­ 360

B: 359 ­ 320

C: 319 ­ 280

D: 279 ­ 240

E: 230 ­ ­­­ Please Note: NO CURVES

* REQUIRED ATTENDANCE (5 points deducted from total for unexcused absences)

CALENDAR OF ASSIGNMENTS

W Sep.4 Lecture: Orientation and Introduction to course

F Sep. 6 Lecture: Review of Communication Models; Discuss types of speeches

*M Sep. 9 Lecture: Choosing a topic and how to orient your topic to different types of speeches

W Sep. 11 Lecture: Thesis development; outline development

F Sep. 13 Organizing Informative Speeches

*M Sep. 16 Introduction of classmate - 2 minutes maximum

W Sep. 18 Lecture: Introductions & Conclusions;

F Sep. 20 Lecture: Ways to develop a speech

M Sep. 23 Lecture: Speaker credibility

*W Sep. 25 Group #1

*F Sep. 27 Group #2

*M Sep. 30 Group #3

*W Oct. 2 Group #4

*F Oct. 4 EXAM #1: Ch. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 15 + All lecture materials

M Oct. 7 Lecture: Discuss Project #2, Speech of information with visual aids

W Oct. 9 Lecture: Supporting the speech; Verbal and Visual Aids

F Oct. 11 Examples and critique of Visual Aids

*M Oct. 14 Group #2

*W Oct. 16 Group #3

*F Oct. 18 Group #4

*M Oct. 21 Group #1

F Oct. 25 Lecture: Basic Appeals - Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

M Oct 28 Lecture: Questions, Asking & Answering; Interview questions

W Oct. 30 Lecture: Verbal Style and Delivery

*F Nov. 1 Group #3 begins (5 speeches)

*M Nov. 4 Group #4 begins (5 speeches)

*W Nov. 6 Group # 4 concludes, Group #1 begins (5 speeches)

*F Nov. 8 Group#1 concludes, Group #2 begins (5 speeches)

*M Nov. 11 Group #2 concludes

W Nov 13 Lecture: Discuss Speech of Persuasion with Audience Analysis

F Nov. 15 Lecture: Aspects of Persuasive Speeches

M Nov. 18 Class work day: Use this class time to gather information for your audience analysis. Bring your surveys and questionnaires at this time.

W Nov. 20 Review of style and delivery

*F Nov. 22 Group #4 begins (4 speeches)

*M Nov. 25 Group #4 concludes and Group #3 begins (4 speeches)

*W Nov. 27 Group #3 concludes and Group #2 begins (4 speeches)

F Nov. 29 NO CLASSES - THANKSGIVING BREAK

*M Dec. 2 Group #2 concludes (4 speeches)

*W Dec. 4 Group #1 begins (4 speeches)

*F Dec. 6 Group #1 concludes (2 speeches)

M Dec. 9 Return all evaluations

*W Dec. 11 Exam #2 - All readings and lecture materials

That's All Folks!

Have a terrific break.