Public Speaking
Course Overview
2014-2015
Ms. Jens
Course Description: Students will explore the process of generating, transmitting, receiving, and evaluating ideas and feelings
through intrapersonal and interpersonal communication, oral interpretation, group discussion, and public speaking.
Supplies Needed
 Spiral bound notebook, which must be full-sized (8 ½ X 11) paper of at least 70 sheets. Mead 5Star works well.
 Variety of pens, colored pencils, highlighters
 3 X 5 notecards
 Note: Glue sticks and scissors will be provided in class but you are encouraged to bring your own supplies as well.
General Information
1. You are expected to be attentive and courteous at all times. When another person is speaking, you are graded as a
listener. You may not do other work or sleep during someone else’s presentation.
2. You are required to memorize many of your speeches. Be prepared to spend time at home working on memorization
and delivery techniques.
3. You must dress appropriately for speeches. See the back of this page for details.
4. You will be given a rubric that I will use to grade all of your speeches. When we learn a new technique, that technique
will be added to the rubric.
5. Quizzes are rare, but when we have a quiz, there will be retake opportunities.
6. Make-up work is your responsibility. Many assignments in this class are nearly impossible to make up, so make every
effort to be present.
7. If you are absent or unprepared on the day your speech is due and you have not made prior arrangements with me,
your speech will be fit in whenever possible, and your “on-time” grade will be lowered.
8. You will keep an interactive notebook for this class. We will do some of the notebook together as a class, but some of
it will need to be completed at home.
9. We will use edmodo.com for this class, and you will receive notifications and reminders through this site.
Course Content
 Self Concept and Stage Fright
 Non-verbal Communication and Body Language
 Voice production & Breath Control
 Listening Skills
 Interpersonal Communication
 Interview Skills
 Impromptu Speaking
 Rhetorical Devices
 Persuasive Speech Techniques
Contact Information and Office Hours
You can find me in the English Workroom (Room 232) during 3rd and 5th periods. I also encourage you to make an
appointment to meet with me before or after school or during FLEX as needed. You may also send me an edmodo
message or email me at any time with questions: JJENS@LCPS.ORG
Speeches/Presentations
1. Influential Person (short)
2. Likes and Dislikes (short)
3. Interview a classmate (medium; mostly memorized)
4. Impromptu Speaking (speaking with little or no preparation)
5. Famous Speech (medium; memorized)