Fundamentals of Speech
GSCO
201 (3 credit hours)
General
Information
Instructor: Scott Tucker, B.A.
(Kentucky Christian College)
M.A. (Morehead State University)
Ph.D. (in progress, Regent University)
Phone: 474-3135, leave a
voice mail message if there is no answer.
Web Site: http://www.angelfire.com/ky/pstucker
Email: stucker@email.kcc.edu
Campus Address: Box 2009
Office: My little corner of campus is in the former guest house behind the library. I will be available to you most any time during the week that I am not in class. You are always encouraged to drop by and I welcome you to talk with me about anything. If you want to make sure I’m in, you should call first.
Required
Course Resources
There are several resources that you will be responsible for acquiring and using during the semester:
1. Textbook: Ulloth, Dana and Richard Alderfer. Public Speaking: An Experiential Approach. Belmont: Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1998.
2. Infotrac: Packaged with your textbook is a means of access to Infotrac. This is an online research utility. This will help you do research on the Internet.
3. Internet Access: You will be expected to become proficient in Internet research and in forwarding assignments through email. You will need to have access to the Internet, either through the public terminals on campus or through a personal account with the school. As part of your Internet access, you need to have an email account that is capable of sending and receiving file attachments.
4. Microsoft PowerPoint access: You will be using this presentation software in assignments and in your speeches. You must have access to the software either through a computer account you have paid for on campus or you may use your personal copy of the software, should you own it.
5. Booklet: To assist you in using PowerPoint software, a booklet outlining the features and how to use them is part of your class resources.
6. VHS cassette: In an effort to enable better self-evaluation, some of your speeches will be taped for you to review and critique on your own.
Course
Description and Direction
The 1998-2000 catalog states, “This course equips students to prepare and present short informative and persuasive speeches. The selection and organization of material, methods of securing interest and attention, and elements of delivery will be emphasized.”
The framing objectives for this course are rooted in the “canons” of classical rhetoric. Rhetoric is the study of communication and persuasion through the artful use of language that dates back to Ancient Greece and Rome. These canons include five areas of presenting public speeches:
1. Invention: This refers to the process of choosing an appropriate topic and identifying the range of relevant ideas and available evidence. Our goal here will be to gather and organize information to provide logical, sound and well-documented support for the ideas you present.
2. Disposition: This refers to the process of analyzing your audience and properly arranging your ideas in a clear and memorable sequence. Our goal here will be to clearly organize a speech in and through a written speaking outline for our particular class audience.
3. Elocution: This refers to the style of language used to clothe and convey the speaker’s ideas. Our goal here will be to present speeches with appropriate and engaging language, which may differ between varying types of speeches.
4. Memory: This process of mental recall of learned information was very useful for speechmaking in ancient days. Our goal will be to present speeches with less reliance on note material and more attention on the audience.
5. Pronunciation: This word classically refers to the process of delivery. Our goal here will be to effectively deliver a speech with proper use of voice, gestures and audio-visual aids.
Additional goals that fit within these framing objectives, but offer a more contemporary application, will be to communicate well with whatever means are at our disposal. In addition to speaking, you will be expected to become proficient in using the Internet for research and email for conveying written material. An accompanying goal for this course will be to assist you in becoming better consumers of the messages you are exposed to every day and to be better critical listeners and thinkers, discerning good from bad arguments and presentation. These goals will be accomplished through public speaking opportunities, written assignments, critiquing the speeches of others and through discussion of textbook information in class and on paper.
Course Policies
ATTENDANCE: Your attendance is expected at each class meeting. The schedule of assignments and readings have been arranged in a cumulative fashion, so your regular attendance and participation is necessary. The college policy on absences in a course of this length is that your absences are not to exceed nine in number. This number includes absences for any reason, including school-sponsored trips and illnesses. There are no excused or unexcused absences in this course. An attendance sheet will be passed around each class period. It will be your responsibility to sign it. The only proof of your attendance will be your signature on the attendance sheet.
LATE WORK: All assignments including tests, quizzes, papers, speeches, outlines, etc. are expected at the beginning of the class period in which they are due. If you do not have the assignment ready at that time and intend to turn it in late, you must let me know immediately in order to receive partial credit. Other than speeches, all late work will be penalized 10 points for each class period it is late past the due date.
Speaking rounds will be scheduled before each round begins. Each new speech will have a new schedule. Every effort will be made to accommodate your schedule in the event of a conflict. If you must change dates after the schedule has been set, it is your responsibility to exchange speaking dates with another student. If you cannot find someone willing to swap dates, you may reschedule your speech later in the round with an automatic 25 point deduction. I will only allow you to do this if you notify me at least sometime the day before you speak. Failure to get your work done on time will not be accepted as a reason to reschedule your speech and may result in additional penalties. For the most part, view your speaking date as an unbreakable commitment.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE: This course is intrinsically about adopting and developing good communication skills and habits. Whenever anyone is speaking, either as the featured speaker or commenting from their seat, they have the floor and should have your full attention. When someone is delivering a speech, please do not enter or leave the room until they are done. This shows consideration for them and keeps them from undue distraction. Food and drink are welcomed in this class as long as you faithfully clean up your mess.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: The
Office of Academic Affairs assists students with documented disabilities in
securing reasonable supportive assistance and accommodations. Students with documented disabilities have
the right to request appropriate academic accommodations and access to
appropriate auxiliary aids in the classroom.
Students with disabilities who will be requesting academic
accommodations or access to auxiliary aids are responsible to identify
themselves to the appropriate instructor and to the Office for Academic
Affairs. A student may have a
documented disability in any one of the following six areas: physical disability, communication
disability, acquired brain injury, developmental disability, psychological
disability, or learning disability.
(from the office of Dr. Blanche Jackson Glimps, 1998).
SCHOLASTIC
DISHONESTY: All scholastic dishonesty, especially within the context of a
Christian college, is unacceptable.
Scholastic dishonesty includes cheating on exams, turning in reports and
term papers as one’s own when they are not, lying, stealing exams and other
work, allowing other students to copy one’s work in order to meet a grade
requirement for a course and plagiarism.
Plagiarism is defined as passing off as one’s own the ideas of
another. Copying or summarizing
another’s ideas in written or oral report must be correctly attributed to the
source. Any of these aforementioned
offenses warrant academic discipline.
First offenders are subject to the discipline of the individual
professor and are reported to the Vice President of Student Life. Offenses may be subject to review by the
student appeals committee and may be subject to severe penalties. Disciplinary measures may include: re-doing
the work, automatic failure of the course, probation, suspension, and/or
expulsion. (from pp. 16-17 of the 97-98 student handbook)
Assignment Descriptions
All at once, these assignments can seem
like a lot, but eaten bite by bite, they can be easily swallowed.
SPEECHES:
1.
Introductory
Speech - This speech is designed to be short (1-2 minutes) and require minimal
preparation. This speech is an effort for you to feel more comfortable speaking
before the class as well as a vehicle for us to learn a little more about each
other. This speech is worth 25 points,
which you will receive as long as you get up before the class and give it your
best shot.
2. One
Minute Speech – This speech is another early exercise in exposing you to
arranging your ideas and presenting them before the class. This will not be an impromptu speech. You will choose your own topic and speak on
that topic for 1 minute, just like the U.S. Representatives do every day during
morning business in the House. And just
like rice, it’ll be done in 1 minute. This speech will be graded on a pass or
fail basis and is worth 25 points.
3. Speech
of Demonstration – This type of informative speech has a goal of informing the
audience about some process so that they can repeat it on their own. It is, in essence, a show and tell speech. Some examples might be, “how to paint using
watercolors,” or “how to bake the best chocolate chip cookies.” Just watch Martha Stewart if you need some
ideas. A visual aid will be required
for this 2 to 5 minutes speech. Worth 100 points.
4. Speech
of Deliberation – This type of informative speech has a goal of informing your
audience about two sides of an issue.
This speech will serve as a bridge between informing and
persuading. Your goal will be to serve
as a non-partisan, outside observer.
You will attempt to inform us while you present the primary arguments
for two major sides of a currently debated issue. This will serve to help you identify how arguments are used and
set up the persuasive speech in which you will advance arguments of your own. 3 to 5 minutes, worth 100 points.
5. Speech
of Persuasion – This speech has a goal of influencing the audience’s thoughts,
attitudes or actions on a particular area of interest. The speech should address either a fact or
value claim (what we believe) and an additional policy claim (how we behave). We will have a complete discussion of
persuasive claims before the round begins.
4 to 6 minutes, worth 100 points.
6. Speech
of Entertainment – This speech will be unique in that you will have a greater
range of creative expression. Your goal
can be to inform or persuade, but you should also be mindful to entertain in
some way. This can be done through
narrative, humor, novelty or artistry.
This is considered on the major speeches, so take the assignment
seriously while having fun. Special
attention will be given to your creative use of language to communicate. Worth 100 points.
PAPERS:
1. Self
Critique Papers – On two occasions, your speech will be videotaped for you to
privately watch and critique. This
paper will focus on your self-perceived strengths and weaknesses in the areas
of delivery, organization, support, language and development. These papers are worth 50 points each and
should be 2 to 3 full pages, typed and double spaced with a 12 point font or
less on a page with one inch margins on all sides.
2. Midterm
Paper and Presentation – Your midterm paper will be a unique opportunity to
combine your study of speech communication with your study of Scripture. Out of a desire to view Christ as a model
communicator, the midterm paper will be your effort to identify strengths and
any perceived weaknesses in the communication styles and strategies of Jesus as
presented in the gospels. Your paper
may focus on Jesus’ ability to persuade, confront, teach, converse, and/or
pray. This paper should be at least 2
full pages and no more than 5 pages with the same guidelines as the paper
above. This paper will be worth 100 points. The paper itself will be worth 75
points. Your participation in the
discussion of the paper will be worth 25 points. The discussion will take the form of small group panel
discussions.
OTHER WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Outline
of a Famous Speech – To prepare for our class session on outlining, you will
research and find a famous speech.
Using the guidelines from the textbook, your task will be to create an
outline of the speech’s content. Worth 25 points.
2. Peer
Critiques – During two of the speech rounds, each class member will be
responsible for completing a speech critique form on one other speaker. While you will turn this critique in for a
grade, it should also serve as a launching pad for your verbal feedback given
in class. These critiques are worth 15
points each.
3. Bibliography
– Before the deliberative speaking round, you will need to compile a
bibliography of sources pertinent to a clear and singular topic. This topic should be arranged according to
the MLA style manual. A brief guide sheet will be provided in class. The bibliography should primarily consist of
non-website sources discovered through Internet research. Worth 25 points.
4. PowerPoint
Presentations – You will prepare a short PowerPoint presentation on two
occasions. The first occasion will be
in-class and can be on any subject for the purposes of orientation to the
software. This will be worth 20
points. The other presentation will be
when you use PowerPoint as a visual aid to enhance the delivery of one of your
speeches. This will be worth 35 points.
5. Written
Exercises – These will be written assignments based largely on your textbook
reading. These will be brief exercises
and will always be announced in advance.
Combined, these exercises will be worth 75 points.
6. Speaking
Outlines – You will be expected to prepare an outline for every speech you
deliver according to guidelines given in class. These outlines are worth 10 points each.
7. Final Exam – This final exam will be
scheduled for finals week and will be written.
The questions may be based on any information presented in class or the
textbook, so in this sense it is a cumulative exam. A study guide will be provided in advance. Worth 100 points.
Speech Evaluations
The four
major speeches will each be worth 100 points.
The overall grade for the speech will be obtained by totaling your
performance in each of three major categories: delivery, organization and
development/support. Your speeches will
be graded on their own merits. You will
not be graded in a fashion that compares you to your classmates. I will record comments on a copy of your
outline, which you shall receive in your box after each of your speeches. In addition, I, along with your classmates,
will offer brief oral feedback immediately following each speech
performance. Oral feedback will be used
as a time for constructive criticism and encouragement.
The average
speech (Grade C) should meet the following criteria:
1. Conform to
the kind of speech assigned (informative, persuasive, etc.)
2. Be ready
for presentation on the assigned date.
3. Conform to
the time limit.
4. Fulfill
any special requirements of the assignment - such as preparing an outline,
using
visual aids, number of sources, etc.
5. Have a
clear, specific purpose and central idea.
6. Have an
identifiable introduction, body and conclusion.
7. Show
reasonable directness and competence in delivery.
8. Be free of
serious errors in grammar, pronunciation and word usage.
The above
average speech (Grade B) should meet all the above and the following:
1. Deal with
a challenging topic.
2. Fulfill
any major functions of a speech introduction and conclusion.
3. Display
clear organization of main points and supporting materials.
4. Support
main points with evidence that meets the tests of accuracy, relevance,
objectivity and sufficiency.
5. Exhibit
proficient use of connectives - transitions, internal previews, internal
summaries, etc.
6. Be
delivered skillfully enough so as not to distract attention from the content of
the
speaker’s message.
The superior
speech (Grade A) should meet all the above and the following:
1. Constitute
a genuine contribution by the speaker to the knowledge or beliefs of the
audience.
2. Sustain
positive interest, feeling, and/or commitment among the audience.
3. Contain
elements of vividness and special interest in the use of language.
4. Be
delivered in a fluent, polished manner that strengthens the impact of the
message.
The below
average speech (Grade D or E) is seriously deficient in the criteria required
for the “C” speech.
Grading
Procedure
Your
final grade will be based on total points divided for each assignment as
follows:
Assignment Points
Introductory
Speech 25
One
Minute Speech 25
Demonstration
Speech 100
Deliberative
Speech 100
Persuasive
Speech 100
Entertainment
Speech 100
Self
Critiques 100
Midterm
Paper and Presentation 100
Famous
Speech Outline 25
Peer
Critique Sheets 30
PowerPoint
Presentations 55
Written
Exercises 75
Speaking
Outlines 40
Bibliography 25
Final
Exam 100
TOTAL
POINTS: 1000
A = 900 to 1000 points B+ = 850 to 899 points B = 800 to
849 points
C+ = 750 to 799 points C = 700 to 749 points
D+ = 650 to 699 points
D = 600 to 649 points E = 0 to 599 points
This grading system essentially operates on a
ten-point scale. Please note that good
attendance has the potential to help you.
If you have faithfully attended class (4 or less noted absences) and
your total points are just on the verge of a higher letter grade (i.e., you
have 897 points, an 89.7% average), I will round up to provide you with the
next highest letter grade. (i.e., your “B+” would become an “A”). Notice there are no “minus” grades. Because this is a total point system, it is
important that you complete all work, as even small assignments can ultimately
have an adverse effect on your final grade.
Course
Schedule (subject to change at the instructor’s discretion)
August
25th W – Introduction to class
27th F – Introductory speeches
30th M – Introduction to the study of
speech communication (ch. 1)
September
1st W – Communication apprehension
(ch. 2)
3rd F – Audience analysis (ch. 4)
6th M – Choosing a topic (ch. 5)
8th W – One minute speeches
10th F – No class, go enjoy yourself,
however famous speech outlines are due
13th M – Outlining the speech (ch. 11
& 12)
15th W – Introduction to demonstrative
speaking
17th F – Visual aids and PowerPoint
(ch. 13)
20th M – Speech delivery (ch. 6)
22nd W – Deliver speeches of
demonstration
24th F – Deliver speeches of
demonstration
27th M – Listening and Introduction to
midterm assignment (ch. 3)
29th W – Deliver speeches of
demonstration
October
1st F – Deliver speeches of
demonstration
4th M – The role of language in
communicating (ch. 15)
6th W – Support materials and
investigating the topic (ch. 9)
8th F – To be announced
11th M – Introduction to
informative/deliberative speaking (ch. 7)
13th W – Discussion of the rhetoric of
Jesus Christ (paper presentations)
15th F – Discussion of the rhetoric of
Jesus Christ (paper presentations)
18th M – Investigating the topic, Internet
bibliography due (ch. 10)
20th W – Deliver speeches of
deliberation
22nd F – Deliver speeches of
deliberation
25th M – No class, a Monday Sabbath –
work on your Halloween costume
27th W – Deliver speeches of
deliberation
29th F – Deliver speeches of deliberation
November
1st M – Introduction to persuasive
speaking (ch. 16)
3rd W – Arguments and fallacies
5th F – Structuring persuasive
speeches (ch. 17)
8th M – The role of metaphor in
communication
10th W – Deliver speeches of
persuasion
12th F – Deliver speeches of
persuasion
15th M – Introduction to
entertaining/narrative/ceremonial speeches (ch. 14)
17th W – Deliver speeches of
persuasion
19th F – Deliver speeches of
persuasion
22nd – 26th – Fall Break,
be thankful
29th M – Rhetorical analysis of narrative
and ceremonial speeches
December
1st W – Deliver speeches of
entertainment
3rd F – Deliver speeches of
entertainment
6th M – Course evaluations
8th W – Deliver speeches of
entertainment
10th F – Deliver speeches of
entertainment
13th – 17th – Finals week;
the final will be held during the Monday 10:00 finals slot.
References
for Further Study
Although this
list is in no way inclusive, these texts are worth a closer look to enhance and
broaden your understanding of the principles of speech communication and/or to
see critical thinking and argumentation at work. These books will be helpful in your continued study of
communication.
Aristotle. On Rhetoric: A Theory of Civic Discourse. Trans. George A. Kennedy. New York:
Oxford University Press, 1991.
Clark, Ruth
Anne. Persuasive Messages. New York:
Harper and Row, 1984.
Deere,
Jack. Surprised by the Power of the
Spirit. Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Publishing , 1993.
Freeley, Austin J. Argumentation and Debate: Critical Thinking for Reasoned Decision
Making. 9th ed. Belmont:
Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1996.
Golden, James L., Goodwin F. Berquist, and
William E. Coleman. The Rhetoric of
Western Thought. 5th ed. Dubuque:
Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 1993.
Griffin, Em. A First Look at Communication Theory. 3rd ed.
New York: McGraw-Hill, 1997.
Herrick,
James A. The History and Theory of
Rhetoric. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1998.
McCroskey, James C. An Introduction to Rhetorical
Communication. 7th ed. Boston:
Allyn and Bacon, 1997.
Miller,
Calvin. The Empowered Communicator. Nashville:
Broadman and Holman Publishers, 1994.
Noonan,
Peggy. Simply Speaking. New York:
Regan Books, 1998.
Powers, John
H. Public Speaking: The Lively Art. New York: Harper Collins, 1994.
Spence,
Gerry. How to Argue and Win Every
Time. New York: Saint Martin’s
Press, 1995.