Introduction to Speech Course Syllabus
Mr. Ward
2011-12
Course Overview: The goal of this course is to help the student gain experience and
confidence as a speaker. Students will learn how to prepare speeches, to present them
appropriately, and to participate in a variety of planned and unplanned speaking
occasions. Although there will be some reading, written assignments and tests, the focus
of this class is to increase the students’ familiarity and ease with public speaking. The
semester will conclude with a formal debate which will also be considered the student’s
semester final exam.
Course Materials:
 Diane Hacker, A Pocket Style Manual
 Notebook or folder for handouts
 Pen and/or pencil
 Blank ruled paper for notes
 St. Mary’s Academy Student Planner 2010-20011
 Highlighter(s) and “sticky” notes
 1 package of 3”x5” lined note cards
First Quarter: Students will begin by getting accustomed and comfortable with speaking
in front of the class. The first level of speeches will be based on little or no preparation
(impromptu, short scripts, charades, etc.). Over time, more structure will be introduced
and the requirements for each speech will be increasingly specific. Students are always
evaluated on these class speech presentations but also on written work (scripts, research,
outlines and note cards).
Second Quarter: The primary goal of the second quarter of speech class is adequate
preparation and performance of: 1) informative speeches, 2) persuasive speeches and 3)
debates. These formal speeches will require the student to manage time and resources
independently in order to meet deadlines. Many speech class days will be devoted to
research and preparation. Most of these study days will have a daily goal worth points.
Students should also be prepared to formally evaluate and analyze their own speeches as
well as their peer’s speeches.
Speeches, Written Assignments, Quizzes, Tests and Homework is all part of the
grading in this class. Students who want to excel in this class will show a positive
attitude, a willingness to speak, attentive and active listening, adequate preparation and
rehearsal for speeches and mastery of the information requested on tests and handouts.
 Assignments/speeches are due at the beginning of class on the due date.
Assignments handed in after school or at lunch or at break will be counted
½ day late.
 All assignments/speeches are weighted by points according to difficulty
and length.
 For each day late, grading drops one full grade. Weekends count as one
day late. If you are ill on a due date, make sure the assignment/speech is
handed to me personally or presented on the day you return.
 Grading scale: 100% =A+ , 92 – 99%=A, 90 – 91%=A-, 88 – 89%=B+,
83 – 87%=B, 80 – 82=B-, 78 – 79%=C+, 73 – 77%=C, 70 – 72=C-, 68
– 69%=D+, 61 – 67%=D, Below 60%=F
 Additional information on grades can be found in the St. Mary’s Academy
2010-20011 Student- Parent Handbook
Instructional Methods: Various in-class activities will introduce the student to the
physical tools for effective speaking: posture, gestures, eye contact, vocals (tone, pace,
inflection, volume, enunciation). After the student gains confidence in these areas, the
focus moves to structure, research, and rhetoric. Formal outline skills will be stressed
during the formal speech unit. Computer labs and homework will be the methods of
gathering information and resources for speeches.
Individual Coaching and One-on-One Assistance: Students can take advantage of
personal and private help with assignments, homework, tests and speeches by meeting
with the teacher before school (7:30 a.m. – 7:55 a.m.) or after-school (2:55 p.m. – 3:30
p.m.) or during activity blocks. Students can drop-in or sign-up if they want to be
assured a specific meeting time.
Communication and Contact: The best way to improve your progress in this class (and
all classes) is to communicate one-on-one, in-person with the teacher. Please do not call
me or e-mail me at home but schedule an appointment to talk about whatever you find
challenging or rewarding. I am usually always available after school until 3:30 p.m.
PASS and is a good way to keep informed about your progress. Please be patient and
reasonable concerning grades inquiries. The grade of A is only earned by a few students
who produce excellent work of the highest quality. Scoring of speeches requires careful
evaluation. I will return evaluations when I finish assessing all the speeches.