Prof

THE 120: FUNDAMENTALS OF SPEECH

Professor: Bill DeLuca

Office/Phone: 310-243-2400

E-Mail: bdeluca@csudh.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course introduces the basic principles of speech communication. Classes cover the use of organization and evidence in speech preparation, and emphasize research and performance techniques. Students develop speeches for a variety of topics and situations. Students who excel in this course will be encouraged to join Forensics (THE 329).

There are no prerequisite classes for THE 120.

REQUIRED TEXT:

German, Kathleen, Bruce E. Gronbeck, Douglas Ehninger, and Alan H. Monroe. Principles of Public Speaking. 15th ed. New York: Longman, 2004.

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES:

Overall, this course focuses on speech performance, but also on critical thinking skills, research skills, effective listening skills, and awareness of current events. By the end of this course, successful students will:

Give lucid, logical and persuasive speeches in a variety of contexts;

Display self-confidence in interpersonal and group communication;

Demonstrate their ability to harness their own communication apprehension and use it to their advantage.

Revise and narrow a topic so that it is manageable.

Take the necessary steps to adapt their presentation to an audience.

Demonstrate understanding of the importance of research in the development of a speech, through the use of interviews, library resources, and the Internet.

Demonstrate understanding and application of the principles of outlining a speech in preparation for delivery.

Show the importance of making ideas believable.

Demonstrate the diverse ways that presentational aids can help a speaker, and following basic guidelines for creating and using presentational materials.

Show how style can promote comprehension through the use of clear, interesting and appropriate language.

Apply the basic techniques of effective delivery.

Judge the speeches of their peers through effective listening and critical thinking.

ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Achievement of student learning outcomes and objectives shall be measured primarily through exams, peer evaluations, and group feedback following each speech presentation. The instructor will review all peer evaluation forms and return them to the speaker along with a detailed instructor critique. Instructor assessment and grading criteria is based upon the following rubric:

A "C grade" Speech:

-satisfies the specific requirements of the assignment

-offers unique, original treatment of a topic

-is appropriate for the audience, providing purposeful communication

-is focused upon a clear and manageable thesis statement

-provides adequate development/support with a variety of quality materials

-clearly identifies sources of information and ideas

-is well-structured and has an appropriate design for its purpose

-makes a strong start in the introduction and a strong finish in the conclusion

-uses language correctly

-is presented effectively (taking into consideration the peer evaluations and comments)

A "B grade" Speech:

-meets all criteria for "C" Speech

-displays impressive research, going beyond the minimal number of sources required

-creates and sustains attention throughout the speech

-provides helpful transitions, previews and summaries

-employs good oral style

-is presented with poise

An "A grade" Speech:

-meets all criteria for the "B" Speech

-creatively and imaginatively selects, explores and develops the topic

-nurtures audience involvement with a variety of appeals

-adapts information and supporting material to the experiential world of the audience

-is very well-researched, going well beyond the minimal number of sources required

-is artful in the use of language and style

-is a polished presentation, verbally and non-verbally

REQUIREMENTS:

1. ATTENDANCE AND LATENESS: Students are expected to attend every class on time and contact the instructor prior to class should conflicts arise. Repeated lateness and/or three absences or more will lower grades. You will be counted absent if you arrive after 30 minutes of class has elapsed; you also are charged a double lateness when you arrive after 15 minutes. Three lates = One absence.

NOTE: Non-attendance will affect your grade:

2 absences: no change in grade;

3 absences: down 1/3 grade (i.e., B to B-);

4 absences: down 2/3 grade (i.e., B to C+);

5 absences: down 1 full grade (i.e., B to C);

6 or more absences: down 2 full grades (i.e., B to D).

2. PARTICIPATION: Your contribution to the class includes your evaluation of your classmateÕs work, participation in discussion, work on in-class assignments, symposium participation, and postings to the Discussion Board on Blackboard.

3. DISCUSSION BOARD: Students are assigned two identifications from the course outlines, and are responsible for posting well-written descriptions of each onto the Discussion Board area within Blackboard, a campus network that supplies web sites for CSUDH classes. The Discussion Board is designed to promote student reflection, discussion, and writing skills, while also serving the class as a review for both the Mid-term and Final exams. Students need to consult the Directions (posted on the Blackboard site).

4. Make-up Work: Contact the instructor immediately if you think you will have to miss a class. If you receive an excuse for missing the included assignment, then arrangements can be made to make up the work.

5. EXAMS: Two exams (Mid-Term and Final) are used to assess the student's familiarity with material from the course outline and textbook. Only numbered items on the outlines will be the content of all assessments. To do well, all students should listen and take notes on other students' presentations in class, read all the Discussion Board postings, and also do their own research readings on the numbered items from the outlines. Both exams involve multiple choice, true and false, identifications and essays.

MASTER SCHEDULE

Date Topic Assignment Due

Introductions

Interviews

Labor Day Holiday

Speeches of Introduction

Effective Public Speaking Chapter 1, 2

Critical Listening &

Public Speaking and Cultural Life Chapter 3 & 4

Anecdotal Speech Prep

Anecdotal Speech

Understanding Your Audience Chapter 5

Finding and Using Supporting Materials Chapter 6

Researching Speeches

Organizing and Outlining the Speech &

Beginnings and Endings Chapter 7 & 8

Evaluating Speeches

Master Speeches

Wording Your Speech &

Delivering Your Speech Chapter 9 & 10

Using Visual Aids Chapter 11

MIDTERM EXAM

Speeches to Inform Prep (Outlines) Chapter 12

Speech to Inform

Collaboration on speech #4 Chapter 15

Collaboration on speech #4

Speeches to Persuade Chapter 13

Argumentation and Critical Thinking Chapter 14

Speech #4 Ð Persuasive Speech

FINAL EXAM

GRADE DISTRIBUTION:

Participation: 15%

Blackboard Identifications (2 at 5 points each) 10

Peer Evaluations 5

Speeches: 55%

Introduction 5

Anecdote 5

Informative 15

Persuasive 20

Two Outlines 10

Exams: 30%

Mid-Term Exam 10

Final Exam 20

100% 100 points

GRADING SCALE:

A = 94-100 B+ = 87-89 C+ = 77-79 D+ = 65-69 F = 59 & below

A- = 90-93 B = 83-86 C = 73-76 D = 60-64

B- = 80-82 C- = 70-72

PUBLIC SPEAKING ASSIGNMENTS

THEATRE 120

Speech #1: INTRODUCTION (1 minute limit - 5 points)

Introduce the class partner that you interviewed. Describe where they are from (hometown, where raised, living now, etc.), what they have done (work, sports, school activities, etc.), and what they are planning to do (career or personal goals). Provide a clear picture using your own analysis of their appearance, personal style, and character traits.

Speech #2: ANECDOTE (3 minute limit - 5 points)

Relate an event that happened to you that you believe was meaningful, humorous, dramatic, or unusual. You must tell the story (the sequence of incidents) and not only reveal its significance or characters. Rehearse the speech at home and time it. Deliver the speech using an outline which clarifies for you the introduction, body of the speech, and conclusion.

Speech #3: INFORMATIVE SPEECH (3-5 minutes - 15 points)

Using the "World Perspectives" concept from your short paper in POL100-05, use your analysis, research, and organizational skills to clarify this concept for the class. The general purpose here is to inform; this is not an opinion speech. Visual aids are encouraged. Typed outline required.

Speech #4: PERSUASIVE SPEECH (5 minute limit - 20 pts.)

After two class periods to organize your presentation with your group, draw from the "World Perspectives" topic of your position paper in POL100-05, to compose a speech to influence thinking. This Persuasive Speech also needs to be informative, so include evidence to support your main ideas. Typed outline required. After each member presents their speech, the symposium will be opened for discussion, which may include question and answers from other members of the panel or the audience.

Student Work:

Good example of a Speaking Outline - Laura Diaz - Fall 2005