NAPA VALLEY COLLEGE
Speech 132- Oral Interpretation
“We grow, and as we grow we must find new and better ways to express ourselves.” HLP
Department: Language & Developmental Studies
Instructor: Tia Madison
Telephone: 256-7495
Email: tmadison@napavalley.edu
Office: Room 865, building, 800
Office Hours: M/W 2-3:30;
M/W 4:15-5:15 (online office
hour)
Required Text:
Oral Interpretation by Charlotte Lee & Timothy Gura. 12 ed.
Description: This course covers a range of delivery concepts and skills for spoken and literary
interpretations of text. Topics include literary analysis, vocal and physical delivery, group
presentation, intellectual and emotional interpretations, and effective presentations. In addition,
the course develops skills in articulation, reading, audience analysis, and presentation evaluation.
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1. Utilize critical thinking skills and an understanding of literary works to effectively communicate
verbally and nonverbally in oral presentations.
2. Successfully select and deliver literature in the appropriate thematic context
3. Create, deliver, and demonstrate emotional levels in presentations.
4. Demonstrate a variety of vocal and physical interpretations of literature.
You Need:
 The Textbook
 Two (2) Scantron Forms & #2 Pencils for exams (Form # 882-E)
 3x5 index cards
 An Open Mind
 Composition notebook
Attendance & Participation: Attendance, promptness, and positive participation are absolutely
crucial in any class. You must attend every class and arrive on time. Your classmates depend
and need your feedback. A safe and supportive atmosphere is mandatory to craft an exciting and
productive semester. To get the most out of this course, show up on time with a positive attitude,
and ready to work. All performance assessments depend upon the students’ achievement, rather
than effort. It is the responsibility of the student to come to class prepared. You should read your
text, complete your assignments, and read your syllabus.
Course Standards: Napa Valley College is committed to providing access to education for
students with disabilities. If you have a disability or medical condition that requires
accommodation, please see me as soon as possible so arrangements can be made.
If you have a disability that requires accommodations, please let me know as soon as possible
and I will provide you with the information you need to receive services. You may also contact the
Office of Special Services (DSPS), Bldg. 1100, at (707) 253-3080, or make an appointment in the
Counseling Center (Bldg. 1300) to meet with a DSPS Counselor, (707) 253-3040.
Classroom Conduct
 Turn off all pagers, cell phones, and any other gadgets that ring or buzz before entering
the classroom.
 If you are tardy to class on a presentation day, and someone is giving a presentation,
please wait outside the classroom until the speech is completed.
 Plagiarism/Cheating: Napa Valley College trusts each student to maintain high standards
of honesty and ethical behavior. All assignments submitted are required to be the
student’s own work.
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Assignments:
 All reading assignments are listed in the syllabus and must be read prior to class.
 No late assignments are accepted.
In this course your writing, organization, and grammar are skills that are very important. If you
need assistance in improving your skill Napa Valley College’s Writing Center can help.
The Writing Center can:
 Help you with all stages of the writing process
 Individually tailor assignments to meet your specific writing needs
 Help you improve your grammar
 Help you generate, develop, and organize your ideas
 Let you know if you are communicating your ideas clearly
 Help you develop editing skills so you can correct your own papers
In the Writing Center you can sign up for a half-hour appointment. Appointments must be made or
changed in person, Room 832, Building 800. Be sure to come on time; if you are ten minutes late
(or more), the appointment will be cancelled.
Policy for grades/assignment return: I will not post grades. All of your assignments will be
returned to you. So keep track of your progress.
Extra Credit: Opportunities for extra credit will become available throughout the semester.
Exams: Exams cannot be taken late without a valid reason approved by the instructor. There
will be two (2) exams.
Assignment # 1- Narrative Interpretation
The student will prepare a short (less than 10 minutes) reading of a children’s story. Must be
presented as if you were reading to a group of children---but it must be a performance piece, no
showing of pictures.
Assignment #2- Prose Interpretation
The student will present a (less than10 minutes) interpretation from three sources centered by a
unifying theme. This may include novels, short stories, essays, etc.
Assignment #3- Dramatic Monologue
The student will present a (less than15 minutes) one character monologue from a play, screen
play, radio or television drama.
Assignment # 4- Poetry Interpretation
The student will present an (less than10 minutes) interpretation utilizing a combination of two or
more genres centered by a unifying theme.
Assignment # 5- Duo Interpretation
Two students will present an (less than 15 minutes) performance from a play, screen play, or
television drama.
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ASSIGNMENT POINTS
Participation
100
Introduction
100
Cultural Cuisine
100
Cutting Assignment 50
Narrative
100
Interpretation
Prose Interpretation 100
Poetry
100
Interpretation
Dramatic
150
Monologue
DUO Interpretation
200
Total
1000
TOTAL POINTS PERCENTAGE
900 to 1000
90%-100%
800 to 899
80%-89%
700 to 799
70%-79%
600 to 699
60%-69%
Below 600
Below 60%
GRADE
A
B
C
D
F
My Group: GROUP ____
Contact Number
Email Address
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Tia Madison’s Pet Peeves: Showing up late to class; Letting the classroom door slam;
Reading a different textbook during class or Doing homework from another class; Taking a
nap in class; Not calling or emailing when absent; Trying to submit late work; Showing up late
on exam days or presentation days; Having personal conversations during a lecture or
speech; Coming to class unprepared; Not reading your syllabus; Giving Excuses “Excuses
are tools that build monuments to nothing”; Mistaking my kindness for weakness; Asking for a
grade you did not earn; Hand written papers; Papers with no name.
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Tentative SPCOM 132 Calendar
Monday
Wednesday
Week
1
Assignments
1/22/2014
Syllabus review
& Teacher
Introductions
Week
2
1/27/2014
Chapters 1-2:
Introduction &
History
1/29/2014
Chapters 1-2:
Introduction &
History
Week
3
2/3/2014
Student
Introductions
2/5/2014
Cultural Cuisine
Week
4
2/10/2014
Chapters 3-4:
Understanding &
Analyzing Poetry
2/12/2014
Chapters 3-4:
Understanding &
Analyzing Poetry
Week
5
Week
6
2/17/2014
Washington's
Day/NO School
Chapter 5: Verbal &
Nonverbal
2/19/2014
Week
7
Week
8
3/3/2014
Chapter 6: Cutting
& Narration
Chapter 7:
Interpretation of
Prose
3/5/2014
Chapter 5: Verbal
& Nonverbal
Chapter 6:
Cutting &
Narration
Cutting
Assignment
Chapter 7:
Interpretation of
Prose
Week
9
3/17/2014
3/19/2014
3/24/2014
Further Analysis of
Prose
Spring break
Week
10
Week
11
3/31/2014
Prose Interpretation
4/2/2014
4/7/2014
Chapter 8:
Interpretation of
Drama
4/9/2014
Week
12
Week
13
Week
14
4/14/2014
Further Analysis of
Drama
Drama
Interpretation
Chapter 9:
Performing Poetry
4/16/2014
Week
15
Week
16
5/5/2014
Poetry
interpretation
Chapter 10: Group
Interpretation
5/7/2014
Week
17
Week
18
5/19/2014
Duo Interpretation
5/21/2014
5/26/2014
Memorial Day/ NO
School
5/28/2014
2/24/2014
3/10/2014
4/21/2014
4/28/2014
5/12/2014
2/26/2014
3/12/2014
3/26/2014
4/23/2014
4/30/2014
5/14/2014
Children's
Story
Further Analysis
of Prose
Spring break
Prose
Interpretation
Chapter 8:
Interpretation of
Drama
Further Analysis
of Drama
Drama
Interpretation
Chapter 9:
Performing
Poetry
Poetry
interpretation
Chapter 10:
Group
Interpretation
Duo
Interpretation
Final (10:3012:30)
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