Speech
Mr. Bertelsen
2008 -2009
Welcome to Speech I; in these next 18 weeks you will be presented with a general survey
of the various areas of verbal and nonverbal communication. You will be introduced to
speech theory, public speaking, research and organization, and speech evaluation.
The success of this course will depend on you. It is your class. My job is one of
initiation, encouragement, guidance, and evaluation. Your job is largely one of
participation in all of the above areas. The only way you will flunk this course is through
your lack of willingness to participate. The excuse, “I can’t do that,” will not be
accepted. I will ask nothing of you that you can’t do.
The course goals are as follows:
to communicate thought
to organize ideas clearly - to think more effectively
to develop and support your thoughts and ideas
to understand and recognize the characteristics of responsible and effective speech
to interpret and evaluate thought
to relieve some of your inhibitions and develop a wholesome feeling of self-worth
to achieve increased understanding into your own thought, ideas, values, and feeling
to gain self-confidence in speaking situations typical of the school and community
to increase your willingness to receive criticism and guidance for self-improvement
to increase your ability to give constructive criticism
You should add your own personal goals to these.
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TESTING: There will be written exams over the principles discussed in each
unit/chapter.
PAPERS: No formal papers are required; however, outlines, research notes,
evaluations, etc. will be handed in.
LATE WORK: Completing assignments on time is your responsibility. Late work is
troublesome, but more importantly, it is unfair to your classmates and to yourself and a
gross waste of time. All late work will be penalized 20% for each class day late. If
you have a good reason, such as illness, it is your responsibility to inform me. I shall
decide whether the reason is adequate.
PLAGIARISM: Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any speech or other work that
shows signs of plagiarism will under no circumstances be given a grade other than
“F.” Plagiarism covers not only direct copying of another’s work without
acknowledgment (quotation marks and footnotes) that the material is not one’s own work,
but also includes “close paraphrase.” A paraphrase is a statement of another’s thought in
one’s own words. It is frequently useful and even necessary. “Close paraphrase,” on the
other hand, presents the thought in words and sentences so close to those of the source
that the tone of the original carries over.
Assignments:
2-3 min. introduction speech
2 min. presentation of gift/award, 1 min. acceptance of gift/award
4-6 min. informative speech - place or thing
4-6 min. informative speech - person or process
4-6 min. video taped job interview
10-12 min. demonstration speech
8-10 min. presentation with computer generated transparencies
8-10 min. persuasion speech (if time allows)
(Any or all of these speeches may be video taped.)
In addition you will hand in written evaluations of classroom speeches.
Standards, Benchmarks, and Objectives:
G. Gathers and uses information for research purposes
1. Generates bibliographies
a. Explain the need to acknowledge sources used in speech preparation
b. Identify reference materials used in finding information on a topic
2. Demonstrates appropriate traditional and electronic searches
a. Explain the new types of technology that can be used to augment
public speaking presentations
H. Uses speaking and listening strategies for different purposes
1. Uses a variety of strategies to enhance listening comprehension (i.e.,
focuses attention on message, monitors message for clarity and
understanding, asks relevant questions, provides verbal and nonverbal
feedback, notes cues such as change of pace or particular words that indicate
a new point is about to be made, uses abbreviation system to record
information quickly, selects and organizes sectional information
2. Uses criteria to evaluate own and others’ effectiveness in formal
presentations (i.e., accuracy, relevance, and organization of information;
clarity of deliver; and relationships among purpose, audience and content)
a. Write evaluations of performances by self and others
3. Demonstrates organized and well-informed formal presentations
a. Identify the basic purposes of public speaking
b. Recognize the three parts of a speech and explain what should be accomplished
in each
c. Identify the characteristics of and construct good thesis statements
d. Recognize how situation, purpose, and audience are utilized in selecting
topics
and support materials
e. Identify and apply common methods of development to adequately support
thesis
f. Identify and apply the guidelines for organizing a speech
g. Apply the principles of outlining in preparing a speech outline
h. Identify and apply the guidelines for developing introductions and
conclusions
4. Makes explicit use of various techniques for effective presentations (i.e.,
modulation of voice, inflection, tempo, enunciation, physical gestures)
a. Identify the four steps of voice production
b. Identify and correctly use the elements of nonverbal delivery
c. Identify and correctly use the elements of effective vocal delivery
d. Identify and explain the four formats of speech delivery
e. Explain and use techniques for controlling communication apprehension
5. Demonstrates poise and self-confidence during performance
a. Explain and use techniques for controlling communication
apprehension