SPEECH 101: FUNDAMENTALS OF PUBLIC SPEAKING
Instructor: Anna Broussard
Email: anna.broussard@nicholls.edu
Office phone: (985) 493-2673
Spring 2012
Office: 101-B Talbot Hall
Office hours: 2:00pm - 4:30pm MW
T, TH - NOT ON CAMPUS
Teaching Schedule, Spring 2012:
1M: 7:30am - 8:25am MWF, 105 Talbot
2M: 8:35am - 9:30am MWF, 219 Powell
3M: 9:40am - 10:35am MWF, 220 Powell
5M: 11:50am - 12:45pm MWF, 208 White
6M: 12:55pm - 1:50pm MWF, 105 Talbot
Required Text:
Fraleigh, Douglas M. and Joseph S. Tuman. Speak Up! An Illustrated Guide to Public Speaking, 2nd ed.
Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2011.
Course Objectives:
The purpose of this course is to expand your knowledge about human communication processes
and, more specifically, to cultivate skills essential for an effective presentation of ideas. This class is
designed to improve your ability to research and analyze issues, engage in critical thinking, build and
support arguments, then present your ideas clearly and eloquently to a target audience. Central to these
objectives is incremental improvement in public speaking skills, voice, articulation, pronunciation, and
body activity, regardless of your skill level when entering the class.
Course Perquisites: Eligibility for English 101 or higher.
Course Breakdown:
Self-introduction speech
Informative speech
Persuasive speech
Impromptu speech workshop
Self-evaluation paper
Final exam
Quizzes (5 at 5 points each)
Attendance
Bonus (total possible points)
50 points
125 points
125 points
25 points
50 points
50 points
25 points
50 points
20 points
10%
25%
25%
5%
10%
10%
5%
10%
Total
500 points
100%
Grading scale, in points:
A = 500-450, B = 449-400, C = 399-350, D = 349-300, F = 299-0
Grading scale, by percentage:
A = 100-90%, B = 89-80%, C = 79-70%, D = 69-60%, F = 59-0%
65% = speeches
20% = writing
15% = participation
CLASS POLICES
Participation:
Because this is a collaborative environment, your participation is vital to collective learning.
Regular attendance is necessary for participation in classroom activities that are an essential element of
this class. Role will be taken every class period. Lectures, quizzes, and in-class activities are vital to your
learning and your grade in the class. I do not post lectures to Moodle; you have to be present in my
class. You are allowed THREE ABSENCES that will cover ALL contingencies, and each absence exceeding
that will cost you five points from your attendance grade. The only exceptions are for students attending
University functions. Paperwork regarding these functions is required early on in the semester.
In addition to the attendance policy, there are five quizzes worth five points each scheduled
throughout the semester. Each quiz will address readings from the textbook. Both the readings and the
quizzes are on the schedule, so please make a note of when each quiz is scheduled. Quizzes cannot be
made up unless you are attending a University function and provide me with documentation.
Late work:
A late speech will cost you TWO LETTER GRADES. NO EXCEPTIONS. The late policy for speeches
is severe because it throws everyone’s schedule off. You will know well in advance what day you are
speaking, and you will be given multiple opportunities in class to work on your speech. There is no
excuse for being unprepared. The last day of class is set aside for make-up speeches.
Late papers will receive one letter grade deduction. Do not take these late penalties lightly; if you fail to
do an assignment, it is extremely unlikely, mathematically speaking, that you will pass the class.
Tardiness:
If you are late to my class, you are required to give an impromptu 30 second speech telling me
why you were late. Now this speech should not be about how you woke up late or got stuck in traffic;
instead your speech should include things such as an alien invasion, mimes, or a squirrel with a gun.
Why, you ask? Mainly for my entertainment. If you're going to interrupt me, be prepared to entertain
me. Also, this is a speech class! I am very aware that many people are terrified of speaking in public;
these impromptu consequence speeches are my way of helping build a comfortable, fun atmosphere in
the class and make you feel better about speaking in front of your peers.
DO NOT BE LATE FOR SPEAKING DAYS! My cute little late policy does NOT apply on days that
speeches are given. If by some strange occurrence in the universe you are late on a speaking day, stand
outside the door and wait until you hear applause and sneak in. If you do barge in on another student’s
speech, I reserve the right to take points off of YOUR speech for rudeness.
Bonus:
There will be ample opportunities for bonus throughout the semester by attending the
Speech Forums and Relate. Five points will be awarded for attending each of the two Speech Forums
and two points will be awarded for attending each of the five Relate open mic nights. Additional points
are available for anyone who chooses to present at one of these events.
Email & Moodle:
You must have access to the Nicholls University Student Email and the Moodle Learning System
Most of the material for this class will be posted on Moodle. In addition, I need direct communication
with you through the Student email, not your personal email. CHECK YOUR EMAIL REGULARLY.
Supplies for the Class:
- One packet of note cards to use for your speeches.
- One blue book for the final exam.
- You will need some way to record your first speech, either a cell phone or a digital camera.
- Staples! All papers and outlines should be stapled.
Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty:
The unacknowledged use of someone else’s ideas, words, or work by passing it off as one’s own
is very unethical. The penalty for plagiarism may include failing the assignment, failing the course,
and/or a petition for expulsion from the University, in accordance with the student code of conduct.
ADA Statement: The American with Disabilities Act & the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
If you have a disability that may have some impact on your work in this class and for which you
may require special accommodations, please see a coordinator in the Office of Disability Services at
158-A Shaver Gym, (985) 448-4430. After you receive your accommodation letters, please meet with
me to discuss the provisions of those accommodations as soon as possible.
Academic Grievances:
The proper procedure for filing grade appeals or grievances related to academic matters is listed
in Section 5 of the Code of Student Conduct and at the following link:
http://www.nicholls.edu/documents/student_life/code_of_conduct.pdf.
The Federal Buckley Amendment:
Faculty Members are responsible for maintaining the privacy of students’ grades for any activity
that is part of a course. Disclosure of a student’s grades by a faculty member may be made only in a
manner that makes the grades identifiable only to the faculty member and the student. Thus, I cannot
return graded material that is openly viewable to other students, post grades publicly, talk about your
grades with anyone other than you, or return graded material to anyone other than you.
General Politeness in the Classroom:
This class is to be a comfortable speaking environment. I will NOT tolerate any sort of rudeness,
talking, heckling, reading the paper, texting, or cell phones ringing while another student is giving his or
her speech. Extend me the same courtesy I will extend you. I will not do any of the before mentioned
activities while you are speaking; please do not do any of it while I am speaking in front of the class.
Lastly, this class should remain free of all offensive and oppressive language.
TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE
Spring 2012
Week 1
W (1/18) → Course introduction & speech/hearing screenings
F (1/20) → Syllabus Q&A
Week 2
M (1/23) → Communication and public speaking (Ch. 1)
W (1/25) → Ethics and communication (Ch. 3)
F (1/27) → Listening and audience analysis (Ch. 4 & 5)
Week 3
M (1/30) → Ceremonial speaking (Ch. 18) – Quiz #1
W (2/1) → Outline workshop (Ch. 2)
F (2/3) → Self-introduction speech due (video)
Week 4
M (2/6) → Self-introduction speech due (video)
W (2/8) → Language & style (Ch. 12) – Self-evaluation paper due
F (2/10) → Delivery & nonverbal communication (Ch. 13) – Quiz #2
Week 5
MWF (2/13, 2/15, 2/17) → Impromptu speech workshop
Week 6
MW (2/20, 2/22) → Mardi Gras break
F (2/24) → Informative speaking (Ch. 15)
Week 7
M (2/27) → Topic selection/workshop (Ch. 6)
W (2/29) → Research & evaluating research (Ch. 7)
F (3/2) → Introductions and conclusions (Ch. 10) – Thesis statement/topic due
Week 8
M (3/5) → Body of a speech (Ch. 9) – Quiz #3
W (3/7) → Supporting materials (Ch. 8)
F (3/9) → Using presentation aids (Ch. 14)
Week 9
M (3/12) → Outline workshop (Ch. 11) – Quiz #4
WF (3/14, 3/16) → Informative speech due
Week 10
MWF (3/19, 3/21, 3/23) → Informative speech due
Week 11
M (3/26) → Persuasive speaking (Ch. 16)
W (3/38) → Topic selection/workshop (Review Ch. 6 & 7)
F (3/30) → Methods of persuasion (Ch. 17)
Week 12
M (4/2) → Building arguments – Thesis statement/topic due
W (4/4) → Supporting materials (Review Ch. 8, 9, & 10) – Quiz #5
F (4/6) → Spring Break
Week 13
MWF (4/9, 4/11, 4/13) → Spring Break
Week 14
M (4/16) → Outline workshop (Review Ch. 11)
WF (4/18, 4/20) → Persuasive speech due
Week 15
MW (4/23, 4/25) → Persuasive speech due
F (4/27) → No class; conference
Week 16
M (4/30) → Persuasive speech due
W (5/2) → Make up speeches
Week 16/17
Final exam
1M: Fri, May 4th, 10:30am - 12:30pm 5M: Wed, May 9th, 8:00am - 10:00am
2M: Mon, May 7th, 8:00am - 10:00am 6M: Fri, May 4th, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
3M: Thurs, May 3rd, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
ASSIGNMENTS
Self-introduction speech: 50 points (3-5 minutes)
The main purpose for this speech is to introduce yourself to the class. This speech is about who
you are, and how you view yourself. In order to give you an easy way to start thinking about this, you
will "make a playlist" and use that as the outline for the body of your speech. Think of five songs that
speak to the various aspects of your personality, tell your life story, remind you of very important people
or events in your life, or represent the "greatest hits" of your life so far. Also, think up a name for your
playlist. You will not play these songs for the class, instead use these songs as a creative way to tell us
stories about your life or just tell us something about you.
You are required to present an outline of the speech, which includes a bibliography of the songs,
at the time you deliver your speech.
This speech should be delivered extemporaneously which means carefully prepared and
practiced but not memorized word for word. DO NOT READ YOUR SPEECH. You may use note cards that
only have the key-word outline and transitions on them. Be expressive and use vocal variety. Please
remember to bring a way to record this speech!
* Late penalty is 10 points off the final grade, equal to two letter grades.
Self-evaluation paper: 50 points
Your first paper is directly related to your first speech. You will be using a digital recording
device to record your first speech. From there, you will use this recording to evaluate yourself in a
thoughtful two-page paper. There is no other purpose for the recording. The point of this paper is for
you to see your strengths and weaknesses for yourself. If you can see your own ticks for yourself, and
really evaluate them without relying on merely my opinion of you, you will become more aware of what
you need to improve upon in order to become a better presenter.
* Late penalty is 5 points off, equal to one letter grade.
Impromptu speech workshop: 25 points
The speech workshop will take place over the course of one week of class. I will be asking you to
deliver a one-minute impromptu speech that should include a brief introduction, a body, and a brief
conclusion. The impromptu topics will be chosen at random and the speech you deliver will be given on
the spot. There will be very little time for preparation. You will be thinking on your feet.
This assignment is not graded in terms of how well you did. Rather, I will be looking at the effort
you put forth and if you followed the directions. These speeches will be rough so do not expect
perfection. Also note that I will be interrupting you as you go, noting specific aspects of your delivery
that need work. This is not meant to freak you out, this is meant as a way to help you before we move
into the more heavily graded speeches. Everyone will be required to participate. The point of this
activity is for me to help you correct any bad habits you might have.
The speech workshop takes place over one week. It cannot be made up.
Informative speech: 125 points (5-8 minutes)
The main purpose of this speech is to inform, or teach, your audience about a specific topic. The
topic should be something you are already familiar with, or something that you are interested in
researching. This is your opportunity to teach us something. The speech must include an introduction
that catches the audience’s attention, reveals the topic of the speech, establishes your credibility, and
previews the main ideas. The body of the speech should have three or four main points, transitions
between the main points and THREE different sources of information that you verbally cite during your
speech. Your conclusion should prepare the audience for the ending of the speech, reinforce the central
idea/argument and leave the audience with a lasting impression. The informative speech will also
include a visual aid that you must incorporate and use within the speech.
You are required to turn in your topic and a thesis statement beforehand as noted on the
schedule. You are also required to turn in a completed outline and bibliography with all sources
properly cited in MLA style at the time you deliver your speech.
This speech should be delivered extemporaneously which means carefully prepared and
practiced but not memorized word for word. DO NOT READ YOUR SPEECH. You may use note cards that
only have the key-word outline and transitions on them. Be expressive and use vocal variety.
* Late penalty is 25 points off the final grade, equal to two letter grades.
Persuasive speech: 125 points (5-8 minutes)
The main purpose of this speech is to persuade your audience by arguing a position. The topic
should be something you care about or feel strongly about. The information you give should be made
meaningful and help give credibility to your argument. The speech must include an introduction that
catches the audience’s attention, reveals the topic of the speech, establishes your credibility, and
previews the main ideas. The body of the speech should have three or four main points, transitions
between the main points and THREE different sources of information that you verbally cite during your
speech. Your conclusion should prepare the audience for the ending of the speech, reinforce the central
idea/argument and leave the audience with a lasting impression. The persuasive speech should NOT
include a visual aid.
You are required to turn in your topic and a thesis statement beforehand as noted on the
schedule. You are also required to turn in a completed outline and bibliography with all sources
properly cited in MLA style at the time you deliver your speech.
This speech should be delivered extemporaneously which means carefully prepared and
practiced but not memorized word for word. DO NOT READ YOUR SPEECH. You may use note cards that
only have the key-word outline and transitions on them. Be expressive and use vocal variety.
* Late penalty is 25 points off the final grade, equal to two letter grades.
Final Exam: 50 points
Your final exam will consist of an in-class essay that will determine how well you have
synthesized the concepts we discussed in class.