Jeanne Mayers
Comm 211 – Southeastern Louisiana University/Department of Languages and Communication
Class Description:
Welcome to Public Speaking!
This class will train you in the organization of materials and the oral and physical aspects of delivery in various speaking situations. It is intended to give the beginning speech student an understanding of and practice in public speaking.
Class Objectives:
After completion of this course with a passing grade, the student should be able to:
-articulate the benefits of improving public speaking skills
-effectively use oral and physical aspects of delivery for extemporaneous speaking
-understand the need for effective and ethical oral communication in a democratic society
-analyze and construct an appeal appropriate to an audience
-critically evaluate source materials and oral presentations
-engage in critical and constructive listening
-conduct research for a speech using supporting materials and presentation aids
-outline a speech for presentation and make effective arguments
-give effective informative, persuasive, and ceremonial speeches
Grading:
Grades will be determined as follows (per Southeastern Louisiana University):
Introductory Speech 10%
Informative Speech 15%
Persuasive Speech 20%
Ceremonial Speech 5%
Midterm and Final Written Exam 20%
Daily Activities/outlines/rough drafts/etc. 30%
______
100%
College Grading Scale:
90 – 100 A
80 -89 B
70-79 C
60 -69 D
59 or below F
*NOTE* - you must make at least a 70C to get college credit for this course!
Syllabus/Calendar of Weeks/Assignments:
Week1: Welcome and course policies/class expectations
Week2: Overcoming Stage Fright and 1st Speech Assignment – video intro
Week3: Introductory Speech Assignment/ brainstorming and samples
Week4: Intros and Conclusions
Week5: Notecards and practice/gestures
Week6: Introductory Speech Presentations (*Dress Up*)
Week7: Informative Speech Assignment/brainstorming and samples
Week8: Topic Selection and Supporting Materials
Week9: Outlining/Structuring Your Speech
Week10: Introductions
Week11: Body and Conclusion
Week12: notecards and practice/gestures
Week13: Informative Speech Presentations (*Dress Up*)
Week14: Midterm Exam Study Guide/Testing
Week15: Persuasive Speech Assignment/brainstorming and samples
Week16: Research/Topic Choice
Week17: Intros and Body
Week18: Conclusions/gestures/note cards
Week19: practice
Week20: Persuasive Speech Presentations (*Dress Up*)
Week21: Ceremonial Speech Assignment/brainstorming and samples
Week22: intros /rough drafts
Week23: conclusions/note cards
Week24: Practice/gestures
Week25: Ceremonial Speech Presentations (*Dress Up*)
Week 26: Final Exam Study Guide/Review/ and Testing
*Because this is a Semester Class, we will move faster than the outline above b/c grades must be finalized the first week in December * (only 15 weeks in a semester)