SPC2600-Introduction to Public Speaking
University of Florida
Dial Center for Written & Oral Communication
Spring 2005
The purpose of this multi-sectioned course is to understand and apply (1)
the basic principles of effective public speaking, (2) the principles of
audience analysis and message preparation, and (3) critical listening skills
as they apply to public speaking.
Required Text: THE ART OF PUBLIC SPEAKING, 8th edition, 2003, by
Stephen Lucas. This text is available at most bookstores supplying the
university. Other reading packets may be required by individual
instructors (to be purchased at specified copy centers or bookstores).
Semester Schedule: Weekly or daily schedules will be printed in your
instructor's addendum to this syllabus. A schedule listing university
holidays, drop deadline and final exam week is given below:
January 17, Monday
Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday Observed--No Classes
January 21, Friday
S-U Application Deadline
Feb. 26-March 5, Sat.-Sat.
UF’s Spring Break --No Classes
April 8, Friday
Deadline to drop a course by college petition w/out receiving a WF
grade
April 21-22, Thurs.-Fri.
Examination Reading Days-No Classes
April 26th, TUESDAY, 5:30-7:30PM Exam #2--Location will be announced by your
instructor and via www.cwoc.ufl.edu when information is available.
There will be NO early exams--plan your exit from Gainesville accordingly!!
Course Assignments: Students will be required to present a minimum of
four extemporaneous style speeches and one impromptu speech during the
semester. Written critiques for each speech will consider, among other
things, the effectiveness of the message, delivery and organization. A
speech outline and bibliography are to be submitted to the instructor at the
time each speech is presented. The outline and bibliography, as well as the
speech itself, will provide the basis for the evaluation of each speech
assignment. It is expected that students will prepare and research their
speeches using and citing a variety of sources (including, but not limited to,
newspapers, magazines, journals, books, websites, etc.). Additionally,
speeches will be evaluated, in part, on the student's ability to present
within the designated time limits given by your instructor. Instructors will
provide a more complete explanation of each speech assignment in
advance of its preparation and presentation (the order of speeches may
vary in each section). Speaking schedules for the designated days of the
individual speech assignments will also be announced in advance; a
rotating system of scheduling will be used. Evaluations assigned to the
speeches will comprise a major percentage of the final course grade. The
remainder of points for the final grade is accumulated from participation
and two exams.
Clarifying a Single Point
The speaker will concentrate on a single idea (specific assignment will vary among
sections). See individual instructor's addendum re: failure to complete this assignment.
Informative Speech (or Demonstrative Speech at your instructor’s discretion)
The object of this speech is to give the audience a fuller, more functional understanding
of a specific purpose statement. Your instructor will require use of visual aids and/or
sources of support.
Persuasive Speech
A speech of advocacy where the speaker confronts neutral and/or opposing listeners,
inviting them to change their opinions to match that of his/her own using a variety of
motivational strategies.
Group Project A or B (at your instructor’s discretion): A) A Speech Presented within a
Symposium. A small group of speakers individually present speeches on different
facets of an encompassing topic significant to their audience. B) A Speech Presented
within a Debate Format. Speakers will individually present speeches on different facets
of an encompassing topic significant to a current issue in a debate format. Individuals
or groups will debate either one or both sides of an issue.
Impromptu Speech/es (max 50 points) A limited preparation speech designed to assist
students in improving their ability to devise a coherent organizational structure and
thesis and integrate knowledge into an effective presentation. Topics will vary by
classroom, but could include quotations, words, objects, and situations or even,
cartoons.
Public Speaking Students Forum: A speaking competition co-sponsored by McGrawHill Publishing and the Dial Center for Written & Oral Communication will be held
during the Spring semester. Students who have completed SPC2600 in past semesters
will be selected to participate. Your instructor will announce specific details regarding
your attendance and/or assignment for this event.
Course Evaluations:
Evaluations for individual assignments and components of the course will
be determined on the basis of the following point system:
Single Point Speech
worth
Informative/Demonstration Speech
Persuasive Speech
Group Project
Impromptu Speech/es
Participation* & Attendance
Exam #1
Exam #2
0 points
150 points
200
200
50
100
150
150
Total Points
1000
*(quizzes, exercises, discussions, homework...)
Scale for Final Grades:
A
B+
B
C+
C
D+
D
E
90-100%
88-89%
80-87%
78-79%
70-77%
68-69%
60-67%
0-59%
900-1000 points
880-899
800-879
780-799
700-779
680-699
600-679
0-599
Readings: Students are responsible for the entire text as well as other
assigned readings from individual instructors.
Attendance and Participation: Students are responsible for signing roll
sheets in order to receive credit for attending class meetings.
Public speaking is a performance course and differs from "pure" lecture
courses. A student learns from watching/ perceiving/critically listening to
others present their speeches and by presenting speeches himself/herself.
Much of the course is lost if the student does not attend class. Therefore, a
student is allowed to miss three hours (i.e. one week) of class material
without incurring a penalty (a 2 period class=2 hours; a 3 hour block=3
hours). These allowed absences DO NOT include days in which you are
scheduled to give a speech or group presentation (i.e. there are penalties
for missing assignment due dates, see below). For each hour missed
beyond the three allowed absences, a total of 20 points will be deducted
(i.e. 4 hours absent= -20pts; 6 hours absent= -60pts).
Makeup Speeches and Exams: No student will have the opportunity to
makeup more than one required assignment. However, once the
assignment has been completed and graded the following deductions will
be assessed: for a 50 point assignment-12 points will be deducted; for a 100
point assignment-24 points will be deducted; for a 150 point assignment-36
points will be deducted; and for a 200 point assignment-48 points will be
deducted. There is NO makeup for Exam #2.
Plagiarism: All submitted work during the course, written or oral, will be
the student's personal, original work, with credit being given to sources
used. If a student violates this understanding, evaluations of work must be
affected accordingly and if necessary, adjudication will be processed by
procedures approved by the University of Florida Honor Court.
Other policies regarding assignments, penalties, classroom rules and
regulations,... will be dealt with by the individual instructors of this course.
Their individual addenda to this syllabus can be accessed at www.cwoc.ufl.edu
by clicking on “faculty”.
Any questions regarding the planning, administering and teaching of
SPC2600 should be discussed with individual instructors. As needed,
questions can be discussed further with Frank Irizarry, Director of the
SPC2600 program, Dial Center for Written & Oral Communication.
SPC 2600 – Introduction to Public Speaking
*
University of Florida
Section 1034
Rolfs Hall
*Addendum to Syllabus for Section 1034, Spring 2005
Students are responsible for all information on both the department syllabus and this addendum.
Instructor: Dustin Davis
Office: Keys Complex Area Office
Phone: (352) 392-8107
Email: dad03@ufl.edu
Office Hours: TBA
Course Format and Objectives
The objective of this course is to provide you with the skills, knowledge and confidence to
present an organized and well researched speech on the topic of your choosing. The class will be
broken down into three primary areas: lecture, speeches and exams. Within this framework we
will discuss and practice the requisite skills of speech preparation and presentation. You will be
afforded the opportunity to ask questions about the assigned readings at the beginning of each
class.
Text
The Art of Public Speaking, 8th edition, 2004 by Stephen Lucas. The text is available at most
bookstores supplying the university.
Also Required
1) Blank VHS video tape to be brought with you on each of your assigned speech days.
2) Internet Access and an E-mail address you check DAILY. I will distribute important class
information and updates throughout the semester. You are responsible for checking your email
on a regular basis to receive class updates in a timely manor. In addition, the course packet and
lecture notes will be placed on the web for your use. To find this information go to
http://plaza.ufl.edu/dad03 . Lecture notes will be updated on a weekly basis. For questions
regarding this policy, please see the Computer Requirements as discussed under the General
Requirements (http://www.reg.ufl.edu/02-03-catalog/student/general-requirements.html) in the
University catalog or UF Computer and Software Requirements
(http://www.circa.ufl.edu/computers/) on the web.
Attendance Policy
This course is a highly performance oriented course. Your must attend class regularly if you are
to progress throughout the semester. Participation is of utmost importance in this class in order
to develop your public speaking, interpersonal, group and listening skills. You are allowed 3
hours for absences during the semester, and I advise that you save them for university approved
absences, illness, or personal emergencies. (See departmental general handout for further
departmental discussion)
NOTE: It is not necessary to discuss reasons for excuse absences. You are allowed 3 hours (or
3 – 50 minute sessions) for any reason (2 period blocks count as 2 hours). Every day that you
miss beyond those three hours, for any reason, is counted as an absence!
You are responsible for any materials missed, as well as the assignments of your day to speak. If
I assign speeches on Tuesday and you miss class, and your assigned day to speak is on Thursday,
you are still responsible for giving your speech on Thursday.
Attendance will be recorded during each class period. YOU are responsible for making sure you
sign the attendance sheet that is circulated 15 minutes after class has started. If you do not sign
the attendance sheet during the class period in which it is being circulated, you will be
counted as absent!!! The signature sheet is the only way to gain attendance credit. Remember,
signing your name is YOUR responsibility, not your classmates!
Arriving late or leaving early will result in a late mark. Three late marks = 1 absence!!! Refer
to the departmental syllabus for further explanation of additional consequences for absences
beyond 3 hours. If you arrive late and class has been dismissed, you will be counted absent for
the ENTIRE time that class normally meets.
BOTTOM LINE: For each absence after 3, you will be deducted 20 points. For each
combination of 3 tardies after three absences, you will be deducted 20 points.
Reading Assignments
It is the responsibility of each student to read each of the assigned readings as outlined in the
course schedule. The readings are to be completed before the class period they are assigned to.
The lecture material given in class will be supplemental to the Lucas text. Keeping up with the
reading will prove to be greatly beneficial when you are preparing for and delivering your
speeches.
Quizzes
There will be periodic quizzes, both announced and unannounced, on the text and lecture
material. There will be no make up quizzes. Quizzes will be worth 10 points each and will
count towards your participation grade.
Exams
There will be 2 exams. Questions will come from your textbook and lectures. A review will be
given in class prior to the exam. The final exam will be given on Tuesday, April 26th from
5:30 – 7:30 pm. The location will be announced prior to the exam.
NO EARLY OR MAKE UP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN. If you oversleep or get confused
about what day the exam is, YOU WILL EARN A ZERO!
Classroom Etiquette
1) Turn off or silence all cell phones and pagers during class
2) Be respectful of your classmates…do not sleep, read the Alligator or do other homework
during their speech
3) If you really need to sleep, please leave the classroom to do so. I will ask you to leave if
I see you sleeping during class
4) Each speaker deserves your attention and respect. Please arrive to class on time, as late
arrivals are distracting to other class members and speakers. If you cannot avoid being
late on a speech day, please wait quietly in the hallway, and enter the classroom in
between speeches.
Plagiarism
All submitted work during the course, written and oral, will be the student’s personal, original
work, with credit being given to sources used. If a student violates this understanding,
evaluations of work must be affected accordingly and adjudication will be referred to Judicial
Affairs in the Dean of Students Office.
Students Needing Accommodations
Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students
Office. The Dean of Students office will provide documentation to the student who must then
provide this documentation to the instructor when requesting accommodation.
Speeches
Responsibilities for Speeches:
You will present 5-6 speeches during the semester. You will be held to professional standards
in this class!!!
You are responsible for presenting your speech on the day it is assigned. See the Departmental
Syllabus for the point reduction scale for the first time you fail to deliver a speech on your
assigned day. For each speech after the first speech you miss, you cannot make it up. A grade of
zero will be recorded. If you are late to class on your assigned speech day and the class was
dismissed early, you have MISSED your speech! If you are unable to speak on your assigned
day, you may switch with a class member, providing you both notify me. If there is still a
conflict, please see me prior to your speaking date. If you miss one of the speeches that aren’t
graded, you will be DEDUCTED 20-50 points, unless you make up the speech you missed.
You will be required to submit your topic choices for approval prior to your speech
presentations. I will not accept insulting, sexist, racist, or extremely political or religious topics.
Speaking schedules for the designated days of the individual speech assignments will also be
announced at least one week in advance, with the exception of the first speech, which will be
given during the second week of the semester. On the day you present your speech, you are
required to turn in a TYPED outline and bibliography for your speech. Please do not turn in
your outlines late – you will not be permitted to perform your speech without an outline. If
you need your outline for your speech, bring TWO COPIES to class: one for you and one for me.
No alcohol, drugs, firearms, or any other dangerous weapon or model of a weapon may be used
in conjunction with any of your speeches. Any violation of this rule will result in a penalty of 50
points deducted from that speech grade. Please check with me for permission to bring in
questionable visual aids (including animals). We will discuss topic selections in class.
It is important to understand that levels of expectations elevate from class meeting to class
meeting, within each speaking assignment period, and from assignment to assignment. As
realistically and creatively as possible, the student should apply the theoretical precepts we
consider from the text and lectures within his/her speeches as the semester progresses. All
speeches will be discussed in detail, as they are assigned. It is important to pay special attention
to the time limitations on each speech.
Introductory Speech (2-3 minutes)
Speech #1: 3-Object Speech (3-4 minutes)
Speech #2: Informative Speech (4-6 minutes)
Speech #3: Persuasive Speech (6-8 minutes)
Speech #4: Impromptu Speech (1-2 minutes)
Speech #5: Occasion Speech (4-6 minutes)
VIDEOTAPING Speeches: You will be required to bring a blank VHS videotape to speeches
1, 2, 3, and 5. Failure to bring a tape will result in points being deducted from your SELF
EVALUATION points.
Extra Credit
A maximum of up to 10 points can be earned for extra credit. During the semester, you can
attend a function where someone is speaking and write a minimum one page (typed) critique on
the speaker as well as a summary of what the speech was about in order to earn 2 points. You
must attach a program and/or ticket stub with your paper. This assignment does not include a
teacher speaking in class, a religious sermon, etc. If you are in doubt, please ask. *See
instructions in course packet.
Personal Grading Sheet
SPC 2600 – Dustin Davis
Use this form to keep track of your points for each individual project. In this manner you can
determine the points needed to attain a particular grade for this class. Please refer to the syllabus
for points necessary for a particular grade.
PROJECT
Introductory
#1 3-Object
#2 Informative
#3 Persuasive
#4 Impromptu
#5 Occasion
Exam #1
Exam #2
Participation**
________________
TOTAL
Extra Credit
POSSIBLE POINTS
0
50
150
200
50
150
150
150
100
POINTS EARNED
0
1000
10
**Participation Points will be determined as follows:
Quiz 1
Quiz 2
Quiz 3
Quiz 4
Peer Evaluations
Self Evaluations
TOTAL
10
10
10
10
30
30
100
- Subtract points for Absences/Tardies
(for each absences after 3 hours missed, you will be deducted 20 points. For each combination
of 3 tardies after three absences, you will be deducted 20 points.)
Tentative Semester Schedule*
*Subject to Change
DATE
January 4th
January 6th
January 11th
January 13th
January 18th
January 20th
January 25th
January 27th
February 1st
February 3rd
February 8th
February 10th
February 15th
February 17th
February 22nd
February 24th
March 1st
March 3rd
March 8th
March 10th
March 15th
March 17th
March 22nd
March 24th
March 29th
March 31st
April 5th
April 7th
April 12th
CLASS
Introduction to Course
Introduction to Public Speaking
Ethics in Speaking
Prepare for Introductory Speech
Introductory Speech
Listening
Speech Topic Selection
Quiz Chapter 1-4
The Audience
Supporting and Gathering Materials
Speech Organization
Introductions and Conclusion
3-Object Speech
Informative Speech Topics Due
Outlines
Informative Speaking
Quiz Chapter 8, 9, 10, and 14
Using Visual Aids
Informative Speech
Informative Speech
Exam Review
Exam #1 (Ch. 1-10)
Independent Research for Speeches
Using Language
Speech Delivery
Persuasive Speech Topics Due
Persuasive Speaking
Spring Break
Spring Break
Persuasion
Independent Research for Speeches
Delivery and Language
Persuasive Speech
Persuasive Speech
Persuasive Speech
Persuasive Speech
Impromptu Speech
Impromptu Speech
Speaking on Occasions
Independent Research for Speech
Occasion Speech Due via Email
Occasion Speech
Occasion Speech
FOR NEXT CLASS
Read Ch. 1, 2 and Appendix 1
Prepare for Introductory Speech
Read Ch. 3 and 4
Read Ch. 5, 6 and 7
Read Ch. 8 and 9
Prepare for 3-Object Speech
Read Ch. 10 and 14
Read Ch. 13
Prepare for Informative Speech
Prepare for Exam
Read Ch. 11 and 12
Read Ch. 16, 15
Read Ch. 11 and 12
Read Ch. 17
April 14th
April 19th
April 21st
April 26th
Occasion Speech
Occasions Speech
Exam Review
Reading Days
Exam #2 (Ch. 11-17) – 5:30pm-7:30pm Location TBA