SPEECH ONE: THE BASIC COURSE
Professor: Dr. Mark Crossman
Office: MU 132 (next to music patio)
Office Phone: 660-3728
Required Text: Sprague and Stuart: The Speaker’s Compact Handbook
Email: MCrossman@elcamino.edu
OBJECTIVES
This course attempts to help you to develop verbal presentation skills. We will work on
the invention and the delivery of prepared speeches, as well as other components of
the public speaking discipline. The goal is to make you more skilled and comfortable
with speaking in front of an audience.
RECOMMENDED SKILL PREREQUISITES
The course is probably the most helpful for individuals with little to moderate public
speaking experience. Advanced speakers may find the course remedial. No real
experience is, therefore, required. I will be evaluating your delivery in this course.
Consequently, I must be able to clearly understand you. Students who are having major
challenges with articulation are strongly encouraged to take Speech Seven (voice and
articulation) before attempting this course.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Assignments:
Impromptu Speeches-4 at 2.5 points each
Informative Speech-20 points possible
Persuasive Speech-20 points possible
Lincoln Douglas Debate-20 points possible
Speaker's Forum Attendance-10 points
Final-20 points possible
2. Attendance: You get one free class period without a point deduction. Subsequent
missed class periods result in a five point deduction per absence. If you are unable to
speak on your assigned day, you may perform on the next class period. Passing,
however, will cost you 5 points for each day you pass. No one may pass the last day
that a speech is assigned. If, therefore, you are scheduled on the last day and foresee
not being able to perform, volunteer to speak early. Once a speech is down to ten
possible points, or if you are simply not prepared by the time we have finished a
speech, you must do the speech on the make up day at the end of the semester for ten
points. You may only make up one of the three major speeches. The debate may not
be made up (if you cannot debate on the assigned night, you may still turn in your brief
for partial credit).
3. Bailing Out: If you choose to drop the course, you must do it yourself.
4. Special Needs: Students requiring accommodation under the ADA are responsible
for arranging those accommodations with the appropriate parties, prior to the event in
question.
5. Etiquette, Beepers/Cell phones: If for some reason you are late, wait until a speaker
has finished before entering. Avoid speaking, unzipping backpacks, etc., while others
are speaking. I know it is challenging to concentrate on multiple speeches, but the
subjective portion of your grade will be influenced by how well you have supported your
colleagues-try to pay attention to their speeches. If for some reason you must carry a
beeper/cell phone, turn it off while in class.
6. Plagiarism: All speeches must be the original work of the speaker. Do not purchase
your speech from an on-line site. All quoted material much be prefaced with a source
citation. Plagiarism is grounds for failing the course and possible suspension from the
college.
OVERVIEW OF OUR SEVERELY SHORTENED SUMMER
Chapter
Week One: Introduction to Class/Your Introductions
4, 34-37, 17-21,
Discuss: Structure, Delivery, Anxiety, Informative Speaking
27, 11, 30-33
Week Two: Informative Speeches
14-16, 23-26
Discuss: Persuasive Topics, Supporting Material, Persuasive Speaking
Week Three: Informative Speeches, Persuasive Speeches
Discuss: Persuasive Speaking
Week Four: Persuasive Speeches
Discuss: Extemporaneous Assignment
Week Five: Debates
Week Six: Debates, Make Ups, Final
THE ASSIGNMENTS:
Informative Speech-You get 5 minutes (I will time it and give you signals). Your goal is
to inform us about an innovation (something discovered within the last two years. You
must include three quoted sources in the speech. You may use one note card (front
and back). Visual aids are permitted but not mandatory. A typed outline and
bibliography are to be handed to me before you speak the day of the speech.
Persuasive-You get 6 minutes to persuade us to do something about a controversial
problem. You must avoid non controversial issues (drunken driving, smoking, seat
belts, etc). Five quoted sources are required. The structure for the speech is Monroe’s
motivated sequence. An outline and bibliography are required the day of the speech.
Following the speech, I will ask you a few questions.
Debates-You will be assigned to support one side of a topic. After presenting a
researched brief to support your side of the issue, you will clash directly with your
opponent’s arguments. There will be an opportunity for cross examination between
speeches. An outline and bibliography must accompany the speech.
Final-The test will be multiple choice/true false. Complete the test on a Scan Tron form
882.
Speaker's Forum Attendance-Attend the performance that will be held at the Marsee.
Impromptu Speeches-There will be four credit/no credit impromptu speeches. These
cannot be made up-so be sure to attend class each night.