SYLLABUS - PUBLIC SPEAKING - COMM 310

Professor: Andrew D. Wolvin, Ph.D.
Phone: 301-405-6521
E-mail: awolvin@umd.edu

OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE

Upon completion of this course, you should be:

  1. A more effective public speaker
  2. A more effective public listener

NATURE OF THE COURSE

The purpose of this course is (1) to develop the student’s awareness of the choices which must be made among communication strategies in addressing audiences; (2) to provide practical speaking experiences in a variety of platform situations; and (3) to develop skills in effective public speaking and public listening. We will follow a “building block” approach, beginning with simpler assignments and a review of principles of speech effectiveness before moving to each new and more complex assignment. The student will prepare and present to the class five formal speeches. In addition, the student will participate in class discussions of assigned readings covering public communication principles and the application of these principles in the analysis of sample speeches. Further, the student will incorporate the principles and the instructor/classmate feedback into a series of self-analysis papers. And each student will be expected to play an active role as a listener to the speeches of his/her classmates.

TEXTBOOK

Wolvin, Andrew D.; Berko, Roy M.; and Wolvin, Darlyn R. The Public Speaker/The Public Listener. Los Angeles: Roxbury Press, 1999.

½" VHS Videotape.

COURSE POLICIES

Attendance: Attendance in this course is mandatory. Speaking dates will be scheduled in advance. Because of the strict time schedule, it will not be possible to deviate from the schedule. Consequently, we cannot provide any opportunity whatsoever to make up missed work.

Standards: Quality class participation and individual work are expected, appropriate to a 300-level course. All speech topics must be of substance, from the student’s expertise, thoroughly documented, and relevant to the class audience

Classroom Procedures: When you are not scheduled to speak, you will be asked to serve in a critical listening capacity, providing critiques for your fellow classmates. On speech nights, please leave your laptops closed so you can concentrate on the speakers

Grading: Three-fourths of the final grade in this course will be computed from your speech grades; one-fourth of the final grade will derive from the written work. Grading in this course is based on your ability technically to apply the principles of speech content and delivery to your presentations, not on the point of view you express in speeches. NOTE: This is NOT a course in manuscript speaking. You are asked to prepare and present extemporaneous (prepared speaking from an outline) speeches from minimal notes. Since manuscript delivery is not an effective style, any attempt to present speeches from written script will result in a significantly lower delivery grade. Your presentations will be videotaped, so please do not wear a cap or a distracting t-shirt/sweatshirt when you present.

Academic Integrity: Standards of academic conduct are set forth in the university’s Academic Integrity Code. By registering, you have acknowledged your awareness of the Academic Integrity Code, and you are obliged to become familiar with your rights and responsibilities as defined by the Code, especially concerning plagiarism. Violations of the Academic Integrity Code will not be treated lightly, and disciplinary action will be taken should such violations occur.

Note: This course assumes fluency in American English.

COMMUNICATION PORTFOLIO

In a binder, keep the outline, bibliography, and critiques for each of your speeches along with your listening projects, papers, etc. This portfolio must be submitted to your instructor for each presentation. We also will create a video portfolio of your work in this class. You will need to acquire a new, blank ½ inch VHS videotape that can be used to record each of your presentations.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

(Assignments are listed on the date due)

  1. Introduction to the Course. The Process of Public Communication. (Read, after the class discussion, Chapter 1.)
  2. Listening. The Audience. (Read Chapters 2 and 5.)
  3. The Speaker. (Read Chapters 10 and 11. Using the PEP formula, prepare to tell a short story that makes a point for your listeners. The presentation should be no more than two minutes in length; it will be videotaped for analysis. Bring your new videotape to class.)
  4. The Speech: Structure, Support, and Style. Presenting Information. (Read Chapters 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 12. Bring to class materials for putting together your informative speech.)
  5. Informative Speeches. (Prepare to present a 5-minute speech to inform. The speech should be extemporaneous, partitioned, utilizing at least three forms of support, and presentation graphics. Find a topic of significance and interest to your classroom audience, on which you have some expertise, and build in a variety of interest devices throughout your presentation. Don’t forget to demonstrate your speaker credibility and to engage your listeners with your presentation style. The presentation will be followed by a short Q-A with your listeners. Bring your portfolio which should include an outline and bibliography for your instructor along with the critique sheet from your previous presentation. Please provide your portfolio for your instructor to have as you give your speech.)
  6. Informative Speeches, continued.
  7. Persuasive Speaking. (Read Chapter 13. Bring one or two of the motivational appeals to which you have been assigned to class for discussion. In addition, prepare opinion ballots on the thesis of your persuasive speech. Results of the balloting should be recorded on your persuasive speech outline. An example of a ballot:
    American University should increase tuition.
    1   2   3   4   5   6   7
    Write a paper in which you do a self-assessment of your speaking and listening abilities at this mid-point. Establish criteria–benchmarks of excellence–for effective informative speaking and effective listening. Evaluate yourself according to those criteria. Incorporate the principles we have covered, your observations of your tape, and your instructor’s and classmates’ critiques in your analysis.)
  8. Persuasive Speeches. (Prepare to present a 5-minute speech to persuade. Choose a policy topic of significance–not something like TDR should serve better food or AU should have a football team!--on which you can demonstrate credibility and which can be adapted to your classroom audience. Depending upon the results of your opinion balloting, you should choose your rhetorical strategies carefully in order to achieve your persuasive goal. Work to emphasize the persuasive utilization of evidence and motivational appeals in the presentation. Thoroughly rehearse your extemporaneous presentation in order to have a strong persuasive impact. The speech will be followed by a short Q-A with your listeners. Bring a second set of opinion ballots in order to do a post-analysis of the effects of your speech. Also bring your portfolio with outlines, bibliographies and critique sheets from your previous work and an outline and bibliography of your persuasive speech for your instructor to follow as you speak.)
  9. Persuasive Speeches, continued.
  10. Rhetorical Choices. (Read Chapter 3. Prepare a paper in which you establish criteria for effective persuasive speaking and listening and evaluate yourself according to those criteria. Also explain the results of the balloting of your persuasive speech. Were you persuasive? Why or why not?)
  11. Rhetorical Analysis Briefing. (Prepare a presentation in which you analyze the speech/speaking of a present-day speaker. Select a point of view for your analysis–for example, his/her use of ethos, logos, pathos–and organize your presentation accordingly. Use video clips of the speaker speaking to illustrate your points. Bring your portfolio with your previous work and with an outline for your rhetorical analysis briefing.)
  12. Rhetorical Analysis Briefing, continued.
  13. Ceremonial Speeches. (Read Chapter 14. Prepare a 2-minute ceremonial speech utilizing rhetorical devices appropriate to your goal. Polished extemporaneous delivery with NO notes, eloquent style, and one-issue structure are expected for this project. Bring your portfolio with your previous work and with an outline for your ceremonial speech.)
  14. Final Briefing. (Prepare a 2-minute final briefing in which you discuss your criteria–standards of excellence–for effective public and effective public listening. Assess yourself as a speaker and as a listener. Be creative and be eloquent in this last presentation.)