Public Speaking
Public Speaking
Public Speaking
Catalog Description
Study and practice of the fundamentals involved in the speaking process.
Course Goal
The goal of this course is to help students become better communicators. Students learn how to speak
effectively in public. They learn why some people are more effective and others less effective as public
speakers. In short, students learn both the HOW and the WHY so they become better speakers and better
consumers of public communication.
General Education Requirements
This course has been approved to meet the Communication category in general education. The assignments
in this course will help students meet General Education Outcome 1: Communicate effectively in a variety
of contexts and formats. Students will demonstrate their abilities to communicate effectively through a
series of structured classroom presentations individually, in pairs, and in a group. This course will help
students to meet General Education Outcome 6: "Integrate knowledge and ideas in a coherent and
meaningful manner" by requiring topic selection, research and analysis of a vital issue, and competent
communication in a presentation to the class. Textbook readings, in-class activities, outlines, quizzes, and
tests will support both outcomes.
Objectives
o The student will describe the communication process.
o The student will use research skills to prepare speeches.
o The student will compose outlines for public speeches.1
o The student will demonstrate effective use of voice and body to deliver public speeches.
o The student will recognize and understand public speaking terminology.
o The student will understand the need for effective oral communication skills in professional and
personal settings.
Pre-COMM Learning Outcomes
o Students will recognize the different areas of communication studies and the relevance of
communication expertise in contemporary society.
o Students will demonstrate the capacity to conceptualize and develop ideas, organize and arrange
information, and use appropriate language when creating and delivering oral messages in relevant
communication contexts.
o Students will demonstrate the capacity to conceptualize and develop ideas, organize and arrange
information, and use appropriate language when creating written messages in relevant
communication contexts.
You will need to purchase a folder which you can use to turn in your materials for each speech and
3 x 5 index cards.
Your textbook has many supplemental learning materials which can enhance your comprehension
and retention of course concepts, including:
o online chapter quizzes,
o chapter objectives and summaries, and
o flashcards of the key terms within each chapter.
These learning materials and resources are available for each chapter and can be accessed at the
textbook website: http://www.mhhe.com/ispeak10
Royalty Notice
Any royalties derived from sales of this book to students at NDSU go into an NDSU Development Fund for
recruitment, retention, and travel for graduate and undergraduate students in the Department of
Communication at NDSU. The local authors do no profit from the textbook or workbook sales.
Course Requirements
o Attendance
o Classmate Introduction
o Informative
o Group Symposium
o Persuasive
o Special Occasion
o Exam 1
o Exam 2
o Critical Thinking Essay
o Peer Critiques
o Research Participation
Total
Grading
All graded work will conform to the traditional grading scale. Points needed for each grade are as follows:
A
B
C
D
F
458510
407457
356406
305355
0304
All speeches must be completed to pass the course (either for a grade or not).
The grading scale is non-negotiable. A final grade of 457 points, for instance, is a B. All grades are final
unless questions about grades are addressed in writing within 2 weeks after the grade is posted on
Blackboard. Speeches may be regraded but the new grade may be higher or lower than the original.
Presentation Assignments
o Classmate Introduction This speech is an opportunity to get to know one of your classmates indepth. You will be asked to interview a classmate and plan a 2 to 3 minute informative presentation
about that person around a theme. For example, you could focus upon one of the individuals
personal goals, activities or qualities that have played a significant role in his/her life and which ties
together a number of other features you discuss in the speech. The speech should give listeners
sufficient information to help them remember the student you introduce.
(25 points total)
o
Group Symposium: Informative Presentations on a Vital Issue Groups of 4-5 students will be
assigned to explore one of the following vital issue topics in a symposium format: the environment,
education, health, democracy, ethics, diversity, economics or technology. The assignment has two
graded parts: a group portion and an individual portion. All individuals in the group are to
develop unique 4-6 minute speeches, which all relate to the vital issue. Then, the group is
responsible for formulating a brief summative introduction and conclusion, which introduces the
vital topic and provides a brief preview of the specific speeches on the vital topic. Likewise, the
summative conclusion should summarize or review the entire vital issue topic presentation.
Individually, each students speech should utilize at least two visual aids, use at least five
different sources or oral citations, and strongly establish listener relevance by developing a regional
or local focus to each individual speech. One of the five required sources should come from an
interview conducted by the student with a credible source for the individual topic.
(100 points total)
Persuasive Presentation Each individual will develop a 6-8 minute persuasive speech. The
assignment requires two presentation aids and the use of eight to ten sources with oral citations.
Your presentation should advance a policy with an audience call to action by clearly establishing
the problem/cause of the problem, solution /visualization of the solution, and the practicality of
putting the proposed solution into place. In essence, you will attempt to change the behavior of
your audience and solve an actual problem.
(100 points total)
Special Occasion Impromptu Presentation This 2 to 3 minute speech requires approximately two
minutes of preparation time. You are required to present an impromptu speech as your final
presentation (during finals week). Topic will be provided the day of the final.
(20 points total)
Exams
The course has two examinations. Exam questions will come both from your textbook and class material.
Each exam is worth 65 points. Exams will not be discussed during class time. You can stop by during
scheduled office hours or make an appointment to see and discuss your exam. Study guides for each
chapter are included in the back of the workbook. Use these to your advantage.
(130 points total)
Class Topic
Course & Instructor Introduction
Chapter 1: Why We Study Public Speaking, Communication Components,
& Communication Apprehension
Chapter 2: Preparing Your First Presentation
Five Cannons, Tips, & Common First Presentations
Classmate Introduction Speech Assignment
Explain Assignment & Interview Classmate
Speaking Day: Classmate Introduction Speech
Chapter 10: Presenting to Inform
Informative Interest Speech Assignment
Chapter 3: Selecting a Topic and Purpose
Chapter 4: Analyzing the Audience
Chapter 6: Organizing and Outlining your Presentation
Chapter 5: Finding Information/Oral and Written Citations
Required In-Class Work Day
Speaking Day: Informative Speech
Speaking Day: Informative Speech
Review for Exam #1
Have Read
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Classmate Introduction
Speech Assignment WB p. 8
Chapter 10 & Informative
Speech WB p. 17
Chapter 3 & Chapter 4
Chapter 5 & Chapter 6
Chapter 8
Chapter 7