Course Assignments and Weight

Speeches and Support Work (65% of total grade)

Icebreaker Speech, 50 total points

This 3-minute speech gives the student an opportunity to introduce himself/herself to the other students in the class.  The speech should include an introduction, specific purpose statement, body and conclusion.  Share information and personal experiences about your life so that the audience learns interesting facts about your background and your goals for the future.   Remember, YOU are the expert on your life.

Special Occasion-Impromptu Speech, 50 total points

Students choose three topics about which they are knowledgeable.  The instructor will choose one of the topics and ask the student to deliver a 3-minute speech about the topic.  The focus is on organizing the speech and presenting it to the audience in an interesting manner. 

Informative Speech, 200 total points

Students will prepare a 5-minute extemporaneous speech about a topic of their choice. The focus will be on having an introduction, specific purpose, organizing the body, quoting at least 3 sources and the conclusion. 100 points.

An outline will be submitted for 50 points.

Inform speech self-assessment – 50 points.

Group Presentation Assignment, 100 points

Students will be assigned a team of 4 or 5 other students.  Your group must highlight an historical landmark in the Austin area, focusing on the story behind the location, what makes it historic and any other details you deem important. You December speak from notecards, but not from full-length paper.

After choosing the topic, decide how you would like to present this symposium.  Here are the guidelines:

• Each member must participate.
• Each member must present at least one unique source (avoid Wikipedia).
• Your group must use a PowerPoint presentation.
• The presentation must appear organized and prepared, showing group cohesiveness among members (include an introduction, conclusion and transitions from one speaker to the next).
• The presentation should last between 15-20 minutes

Your team will be questioned and given feedback from the opposing team and audience. Your team will respond to these questions, as well as ask questions/provide feedback to the opposing team.

Group Presentation Self-Assessment, 50 points

After the project, on Blackboard, submit a one-page paper in which you answer the following questions:

• What did you contribute to the team project as an individual? (Be specific.) Do you feel that you contributed the same, more, or less than other members of the team?
• List all of your team members, including yourself. If you had a total of 10 points to divide among everyone on the team (including yourself) based on how much each of you contributed, how would you distribute the points? Why?

Class Audience Analysis, 50 points

Prior to the Persuasive speech, consider this:  What steps would you, as a speaker, with your specific purpose statement need to take to adapt your speech to the interests, knowledge, and attitudes of this class?  What questions might you ask your classmates?

List 5 questions.

Survey at LEAST 10 of your classmates.

Submit the results of the questions via Blackboard.

Persuasive Speech, 150 points

Students will give a 6-minute persuade speech that is a question of policy. The student should seek to persuade the audience to do a prescribed action by employing Monroe’s Motivated Sequence. (stir to action).  The student will give an earnest speech, pleading for action if necessary to make the point. 

The student should be convinced that this action is needed. 100 points

Students will submit an outline highlighting the 5 steps in Monroe’s Motivated Sequence and 3 credible sources listed according to MLA or APA format.  50 points.

Exams (20% of total grade)

Exam 1: Chapters 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,15    50  total pts

Exam 2: Chapters 8,9,10,11,12,13   50 total pts.

Final Exam:  Comprehensive over all chapters.  Part 1, 80 points; Part 2, 20 points

100 total points.

Other Assignments (15% of total grade)

Student Questionnaire – 25 points

Syllabus Quiz – 25 points

Listening Self-Evaluation – 50 points

Audience feedback provided for Informative speaker – 50 points.

Civic and Cultural Awareness

Analyze differences and commonalities among peoples, ideas, aesthetic traditions, and cultural practices to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.

Critical Thinking

Gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and applying information for the purposes of innovation, inquiry and creative thinking.

Personal Responsibility

Identify and apply ethical principles and practices to decision-making by connecting choices, actions, and consequences.

Teamwork

Consider different points of view to work collaboratively and effectively in pursuit of a shared purpose or goal.

Communication Skills

Develop, interpret, and express ideas and information through written, oral and visual communication that is adapted to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate skills in researching, planning, organizing, rehearsing, and delivering a variety of speeches individually and/or in groups.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the foundation models of communication leading to effective and ethical communication based on audience and context. 
3. Illustrate and appropriately employ verbal and nonverbal various modes of delivery in oral communication (e.g. manuscript, extemporaneous, impromptu, memorized).
4. Recognize and use principles of critical thinking, problem solving, and technical proficiency in gathering information for the development of oral presentations and arguments. 
5. Employ appropriate research and provide speeches with appropriate documentation.
6. Practice effective use of computer-based technology in communicating and acquiring information.
7. Recognize the roles that public speaking plays in civic awareness.
8. Identify how culture, ethnicity and gender influence communication. 
9. Utilize listening skills for analysis and evaluation of a speaker’s message. 
10. Participate in teamwork situations to foster interpersonal and collaboration skills. 
11. Practice strategies for reducing stress while presenting to an audience.