Public Speaking

Course Lecturer Name(s):  Ms. QueenAnnie Gill

Course Director Name: Ms. QueenAnnie Gill

Course Lecturer(s) Contact Information:  agill@sgu.edu

Course Director Contact Information: agill@sgu.edu 

Course Lecturer(s) Office Hours:  By Appointment 

Course Director Office Hours: By Appointment

Course Lecturer(s) Office Location:  Ballsier Building Upper Floor

Course Director Office Location: Ballsier Building Upper Floor

Course Support: NA

Course Management tool: To learn to use Sakai, the Course management tool, access the link https://apps.sgu.edu/members.nsf/mycoursesintro.pdf

Course Description: 

Public Speaking is  designed  to  help  you  develop  communication  skills  that  contribute  to academic, vocational, personal, and social success in a wide variety of contexts. Since students learn best by doing, you will be actively involved in class discussions, and group exercises throughout the course.

Course Objectives: 

Fundamental to the course is the idea that presentation skills are a means of empowerment.

To this end, on completion of the course students should be able to: 

1. Develop and hone their communication skills, especially in the area of oral communication. their oral sDevelopment of communication skills
2. Discuss and debate ideas in a logical and coherent way.
3. Demonstrate effect use of  qualitative and quantitative evidence to buttress their arguments.
4. Evluate the soundness of an argument based on evidence presented and the employment of persuasive strategies. 
5. Expound on a topic using the extemporaneous style of delivery. 

Student Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. Overcome the usual apprehension that comes with public speaking and learn to speak extemporaneously
2. Establish credibility and develop his or her oratory skills to participate ethically, in an increasingly interactive and verbal society;
3. Cite sources, use supporting materials and visual media.
4. Demonstrate critical thinking skills required in a society that constantly demands that people make choices and defend them;
5. Speak effectively in different settings.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the rules of engagement as described in the text book.

Program Outcomes Met By This Course:

PO.1- Utilize psychology knowledge in the understanding of self, and how one relates to others.

PO.2- Practice and analyze decision making and positions on ethical issues. PO.4- Effectively communicate information by extracting and constructing meanings through analysis and critical thinking.

SAS Grading Scale: Grades will be assigned as follows:

A  = 89.5% or better

B+ = 84.5 - 89.4%

B  = 79.5 - 84.4%

C+ = 74.5 - 79.4%

C = 69.5 - 74.4%

D = 64.5 - 69.4%

F = 64.4% or less 

Course Materials:

Text: • Kathleen M. German, Bruce E. Gronbeck, Douglas Ehninger, and Alan H. Monroe.

Principles of Public Speaking.  18th, 19th or 20th  editions. Addison Pearson Education, Inc.

Other readings may be assigned

Supplementary Readings/Resources: Student Manual Course Grading Requirement:

Introductory Speech                5%

Informative Speech                 15%

Persuasive Speech                   15%

3rd party speech written         10%

3rd party speech delivery         15%

Quizzes (4)                              20%

Participation                            10%

Debate                                     10%

Total                                        100%

Course Requirements:

I. Speeches: The focus of this course will be the development of extemporaneous speaking skills.

Introductory Speech – The first speech is a 2-3 minute brief self introduction that tells the audience what you want them to know about you.  It should tell the audience who you are and what you are about. The speech provides you with the opportunity to develop and support a clear thesis and to begin working on a conversational delivery style using a brief outline.

Informative Speech – In this speech, you develop a 3-5 minute presentation in which you share information about some phenomenon of personal interest.  This might include a skill you have  learned  through  a  hobby,  an  organization  you  are  affiliated with,  or  “consumer” information important to you and your audience.  Develop a central idea (thesis) with two different kinds of support material using an appropriate and discernible organizational structure. You are required to develop and use a visual aid for this assignment.

Persuasive Speech – This is a 3-5 minutes persuasive presentation.  The speech will focus on the development of logical proofs for clear thesis statements (central claims).  This is your attempt to change an audience’s attitudes, beliefs, or actions.  It’s about letting audiences know they have choices and presenting your offering in the best possible light. You are required to develop and use a visual aid to support your arguments.

Third Party Speech – Write a 5 minute speech and identify the General and Specific Purposes, Central Idea/Thesis Statement, Organizational Pattern, Concluding Remarks and Clinching Statement. This speech is then assigned to another member of your class for presentation.

Impromptu Speech – As time permits.

Debates – In-class (2 minutes), University Community (5, 3 and 2 minutes accordingly)

Note: Speeches and written work are graded in accordance with the non-negotiable criteria outlined in your course material.

Speech requirements

1. Time Limits on Speeches:

Because of the nature of the course and the limited time available, prepare your presentations carefully to adhere to the time limits indicated on each assignment. Your grade will be penalized if your speech is too long or too short.

2. Citing Sources in your speeches:

Because it is important to establish credibility, you must always cite sources.  The informative and persuasive speech assignments require that you do research (i.e. rely on sources outside yourself- books, internet, magazines, journals, interviews, etc.), you must cite at least two sources.  Cite all sources using the APA format (your own style will not suffice). Check the references librarian or the internet for help in finding these style manuals.  Failure to cite sources in a typed bibliography (outline) and verbally (during presentation) will result in a grade penalty.

3. Deliver speeches extemporaneously.

Reading of any speech (focusing on paper…not establishing eye contact with your audience) reflects lack of preparation and will result in a significant grade penalty.

II. Outlines of Speeches:

A Speaking Outline uses key words or phrases to jog your memory while delivering your speech. This is a brief outline of ideas prepared in advance rather than from a fully written manuscript.  These notes (note cards) are to jog your memory, help you stay on track, and better develop ideas and delivery.

A Rough Outline is required (APA reference style is to be used) and must be submitted as you approach the podium prior to delivering your speech.  This material establishes the topic of your speech, clarifies your purpose, and identifies a reasonable number of ideas. It also helps you better organize your speech. Failure to submit typed content/sentence outlines on the due date of each speech assignment will result in a grade penalty.

In addition, you will be required to conduct research for required speech assignments.

3. Quizzes:

Quizzes on reading material (assigned in the book but not necessarily discussed in class) will be given throughout the term.   A one week notice will be given for all quizzes, which will be given in class. There is no excuse for missing a quiz.  Quizzes cannot be made up unless you have a medical/acceptable excuse or had made arrangements with the instructor.

4. Listening Exercises and Peer Feedback:

As a means to promote better listening and to provide feedback to improve your peers’ public speaking skills, you will provide brief responses each speech assignment.  This peer feedback will be done during class time.  These responses are not graded.

In addition, this portion of your grade will reflect the degree to which you meet three non- negotiable expectations of you.

1. Come to class prepared to contribute to the class discussion in a positive manner.
2. Listen attentively and do not engage in side conversation or other distractions.
3. Provide sincere reactions to the comments of other people in the class, but do not engage in negative attacks or put-downs of any person in the class (verbally or nonverbally).