Communications 220 - Public Speaking
Walla Walla Community College
Winter Quarter 2012
Winter Quarter 2012 - Credits: 5
Classroom: D 107
Class Time: M-F – 12:30- 1:20 PM
Instructor: Bart Preecs
Office: Rm. 110 - Office Hrs. Mon or Wed, 11:30 to 12:30 PM or by appointment
Email Address: Barton.Preecs@wwcc.edu.
Phone (509) 200-4409
Messages: n/a
Required Text: Fraleigh & Tuman, Speak Up! An Illustrated Guide to Public Speaking,
2nd Edition Bedford / St. Martin's, 2011
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Developing competency in planning, preparing, presenting, and evaluating basic speeches
(including impromptus, extemporaneous, informative, persuasive, special occasion and
group presentations) with emphasis on critical and orderly thinking; using appropriate
language, support and motivational appeals; handling speech anxiety; and assessing
audiences.
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
This class is intended to prepare students to be effective speakers and communicators in
business, professional, civic, cultural, and personal settings. By the end of the quarter
students will or should:
 Understand the importance and value of public speaking skills.
 Be more comfortable speaking in public.
 Understand some of the causes of speech anxiety, and gain tools and strategies to
overcome apprehension.
 Learn the research skills necessary to prepare, outline, and deliver informative,
persuasive, formal, and informal speeches.
 Appreciate the role of a supportive audience.
 Be more thoughtful, critical listener of other people's speeches and oral
communication.
 Understand communication ethics and public speaking, including plagiarism,
proper attribution, fair use, and respecting the boundaries of copyrighted
intellectual property.
 Know the value—and limits—of visual aids, including computer-aided slide
presentations.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Participation is mandatory. Students are required to work in group settings and
contribute to class discussion and evaluations.
Students are to be prepared for class daily.
Students will be given multiple opportunities to deliver informal or extemporaneous
presentations in class.
Students will be assigned three formal presentations.
1) Special occasion: A speech based on first-hand knowledge of an event or a
personal experience (for example, a graduation, wedding, childbirth, or funeral
or memorial service).
2) An informative, descriptive, or demonstration presentation.
3) A speech aimed at persuading an audience to accept a position or agree on a
course of action.
For formal presentations, students are responsible for selecting their own topics,
researching, and organizing their own content.
COURSE POLICIES:
The following course policies are intended to mirror the stringent requirements students
will encounter when applying these skills in real-life settings:
NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS ACCEPTED – a deadline is a deadline. Exceptions may -repeat may -- be granted for serious emergencies, provided that PRIOR notice is given to
the instructor.
NO INCOMPLETES WILL BE GIVEN IN THIS COURSE.
RESPECT AND ATTENTION: Because effective public speaking depends in part on
a supportive, respectful audience, laptops, cell phones, and music devices will be
powered off during class. Eating, drinking, and homework from other classes will not be
permitted. Class participation and feedback is encouraged but must always remain
respectful. Side conversations and other distractions will not be permitted. (Water in
covered containers may be used during formal presentations.)
ATTENDANCE: If you miss more than three (3) class sessions, for any reason, your
grade will lowered one complete letter grade, unless you have prepared additional extra
credit or make-up work. Notifying me of an absence in advance is a courtesy that I
appreciate, but will not eliminate the need for make-up work. The class will start on
time, and students arriving may not be admitted if the late arrival disrupts a class in
progress.
EXTRA CREDIT: 50 extra points will be assigned to your points at the end of the
quarter, if all of your speeches and exams have been completed on time, and you have
missed NO class sessions, you will be awarded with 50 extra credit points.
GRADING
Grading will be as follows:
600 points based on formal presentations, 200 points per presentation
200 points on informal speaking assignments
200 points on class participation and discussion
Students will be given opportunities to earn an additional 100 points for extra credit
activities inside and outside the classroom.
Course Outline
Week
1) Jan 3
(Tuesday)
2) Jan 9
In Class
Class overview
Activities
Self-Introductions
Assignments
Chapter 1, Introduction
Syllabus Review
Chapter 2, Preparation
“Speech Anxiety”
Chapter 3, Ethics
Speeches to learn from
Chapter 4 Listening
Speech preparation
Audience Analysis
Informal Presentation:
Reading from Text
Evaluation criteria
Chapter 5, Audience
Chapter 6, Topics
Chapter 18 Special Occasions
Speeches to learn from
3) Jan 17
(Martin Luther
Lecture and discussion;
speeches to learn from
King holiday
Organizing / Outlining
Jan 16)
Introductions
Conclusions
Informal Presentation:
Giving Instructions
Chapter 9, Organizing
Chapter 10, Intro/Conclusion
Chapter 11, Outlining
Submit outline for “Special
Occasion Speech”
4) Jan 23
Deliver “Special Occasion
Speeches”
Chapter 12, Language
Chapter 13, Delivery
Review and discussion
5) Jan 30
Lecture and discussion;
preparing for informative
speeches
Chapter 15, Informative
Chapter 7, Research
Chapter 8. Support Materials
Speeches to learn from
Submit written outline for
“Informative Speech”
6) Feb 6
Deliver “Informative
Speeches”
Review Ch. 9,10, & 11
Review and discussion
7) Feb 13
Lecture and discussion
Communication in groups,
and at work
8) Feb 21
(President’s
Day Feb 20)
Lecture and discussion:
Principles and methods of
persuasion; calls to action
Informal presentation:
Workplace situation
Chapter 14, Presentation Aids
Chapter 19, Group
Communication
Chapter 16, 17 Persuasion
Speeches to learn from
9) Feb 27
(Advising Day
Feb 29)
10) Mar 5
Review and discussion:
preparing for persuasive
speeches
Deliver “Persuasive
Speeches”
Review and discussion
11) Mar 12
Review & Final Exercises
Review Ch. 12, 13, 16, 17
Submit written outline of
“Persuasive Speech”