Public Speaking
Mr. Chase
Course Description: The goal of public speaking is to teach you how to express yourself
before groups in a variety of ways. The course combines lecture, discussion, readings,
and, most importantly, public speaking.
Objectives:
1. To become confident, articulate, and ethical in your public speaking by gaining
both theoretical and practical knowledge related to the communication process.
2. To learn to analyze and adapt speech content and delivery for different rhetorical
situations.
3. To research, think critically, and organize ideas to create a clear, concise, and
engaging presentation.
4. To practice public speaking skills as both a speaker and observer.
Text: The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking by Dale Carnegie
Speeches: Students will give 4 major speeches throughout the quarter. The major
speeches will be a self-introduction speech, demonstration speech, and a homiletic
speech. Each student will also be a part of a persuasive debate team.
Each speech is evaluated for both oral and written presentation quality. The handouts
will provide one speech and one outline evaluation form with each speech requirement
sheet. A written outline of the speech is due to the teacher at the time of the speech.
Students should retain all work in case of any errors in grading. Grades recorded in
powerschool will not change unless documentation is presented to prove an error.
Speech Time Allotment: In public speaking, it is important to present within one’s
allotted time. Each speech specifies a minimum and maximum timeframe, and penalties
will be given if speeches run under or over this allotted timeframe. Practice at home is
essential.
Due Dates: All speeches and outlines are due in class on the scheduled day. If the speech
is not given, a “0” will be given for that assignment. No make-up provisions are made.
Written work submitted one day after the class will receive a 10% penalty. After one day,
a “0” is given. A written excuse to me of illness is the only exception. You must inform me
before your assigned speaking date if you know you will be out of class for another
commitment.
Papers and Outlines: All written work in this course is expected to adhere to academic
standards with correct construction, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. All work must
be typed or neatly written in black ink. References and citations should be in
accordance with MLA style. This course requires research for speech preparation. To
use any source without citation (both in outline text and works cited page) is to commit
plagiarism. Cite all sources, quotations, and expert claims. Plagiarism and cheating will
result in a “0” for that assignment.
Reading Assignments: Reading assignments from Dale Carnegie’s The Quick and Easy
Way to Effective Speaking will be assigned on a regular basis. Pop quizzes will be
administered to monitor progress. Participation in discussions is expected, and there will
be a 10% deduction on a class participation quiz for each day that students do not have
their books with them.
Classroom Tone: Public speaking provides students with a rare opportunity to take risks
and grow by testing new skills and trying new methods. A supportive classroom
environment is required to successfully learn public speaking skills. Critical, sarcastic,
and disparaging remarks will result in a 1% deduction on the fiendish offender’s grade
for that assignment. Remember Paul’s words in Ephesians 4:29: “Do not let any
unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others
up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Tardiness and Absences: According to the school policy, 6 absences will result in
failure of the class. If you know you will be absent, you must let me know 1 week in
advance. If you are ill, you must see me about missed assignments and see a classmate for
missed notes.
Dress Code: A detention will be given for every 3 dress code offenses. If you are out of
dress code during one of your speeches, 10 points will be deducted from your
assignment.
Grading: Speeches will be made up of the oral presentation (80%) and written outline
(20%). Full-sentence outlines will be required for the first 3 speeches, and the debate
outline will be more like a research paper. There is no final in this class.
Grading Scale
Speeches:
Reading Quizzes:
Assignments:
Participation:
50%
20%
20%
10%
Much of the material from this course was taken from Colorado State at Boulder course
website at Colorado.edu/Communication/comm1300.
Adaptions from Mrs. Keegan, 2010.
Adaptions from Mr. Chase, 2012.
Public Speaking
Mr. Chase
Syllabus for April 11 – April 27
Due Wednesday, April 11:
Introduce course expectations
Lecture on effective speaker
Due Thursday, April 12:
Read chapter 1 (available on Google Books) of Dale
Carnegie’s The Quick and Easy Way to Effective
Speaking. Buy or put in an order for the book today!
Due Friday, April 13:
Read chapter 2 (handout provided) of TQEWES.
Introduce self-introduction speech today.
Saturday, April 14 – Sunday, April 22: Have a Blessed Spring Break!
Due Monday, April 23:
Gathering information and formulating ideas
Sample self-introduction speech
Due Tuesday, April 24:
Read chapter 3 of TQEWES for today. You must bring a
copy of the book with you from now on or you will be
penalized.
Due Wednesday, April 25:
Read chapter 4 of TQEWES for today.
Due Thurs 4/26 – Fri 4/27:
Self-introduction speeches and discuss
demonstration speech.