Central Texas College
CLASS SYLLABUS Term 1 Fall – 2014/2015
6002 Colorado Ave., Bldg 733E
Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473 ● (573) 329-5550
www.ctcd.edu
Course Number: SPCH 1315
Course Title:
Public Speaking
Day/Time:
Credit Hours:
3
Tuesdays/5:00 - 10:40
Instructor: Ms. G. Alvarez-Gutierrez
Contact: (Cell) 573-528-4571
Prerequisites:
Textbook(s):
(E-mail):galvarez-gutierrez@ctcd.edu
(CTC Office) 573-329-5550
None
The Art of Public Speaking
Author(s): Lucas, Stephen E.
Edition:
(CTC Fax) 573-329-6174
11th
ISBN:
Publisher:
9780077804657
McGraw Hill
Catalog Description: Course encompasses both theory and practice of communicating with
others and includes research, composition, organization, and delivery of speeches for
various purposes and occasions.
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of the Public Speaking course, the student will:
A. Conduct research, synthesize, organize, and document materials for presentation in both
written and oral formats.
B. Analyze and adapt to audience by tailoring your presentation to their interests,
experience and preferences.
C. Compose speech outlines in a variety of formats.
D. Deliver speeches in a variety of formats.
E. Demonstrate mastery of concepts on exams and participation in class discussions.
**Extemporaneous definition: know the content of your speech well enough so you need not
read it: “speech given from notes or an outline:” an extemporaneous speech
(Lucas, S. 2011, p68).
Weekly Topical Outline:
Week One:
Course Overview: Discuss syllabus, grading and attendance policy.
Choose your topic, organizing and outlining your speech.
Readings:
Chapters 1, 4, 5, 11, 15
Activities:
Student introduction questionnaires
Assignment:
Conduct Introductory Speech (tell me about yourself)
Week Two:
Informative Speaking
Readings
Chapters 2, 9, 12, 13, 14
Activities:
View student speeches on DVD, class discussion on securing yourself online,
and applying the power of public speaking
Assignment:
Conduct Informative Speech 1 (no media) (5 - 6) minute speech
Week Three: Review for Mid-Term/Analyze Audience for Persuasive Speech
Readings
Chapters 6 - 8, 10
Activities:
View student speeches on DVD, class discussion on securing yourself online,
and applying the power of public speaking
Assignment:
Conduct Informative Speech 2 (use an aid and/or PPT) (5 – 6) minute speech
Demonstrate steps of a process (cook, bake or tie a knot, etc.)
Week Four: Mid-Term Exam/Methods of Persuasion
Readings:
Chapters 16 - 17
Activities:
Conduct Surveys for Persuasive Speech in class
Assignment:
Mid-Term Exam 1900 - 2145
Week Five: Materials, Listening and Commemorative Speaking
Readings:
Chapters 3, 18
Activities:
View Commemorative speech
Assignment:
Conduct Persuasive Speech (7-8) minute speech
Week Six:
Small group discussion/Review for Final Exam
Readings:
Chapter 19
Activities:
View Commemorative Speeches
Assignment:
Conduct Commemorative Speech (4 - 5) minute speech
(Honor a person, place, or event)
Week Seven: View a Speech on Current Event (e.g. Boston Bombing Press Conference)
Activities: Evaluate a Speech on Current Event in Class/Discuss evaluations
Assignment: Discussion/Final Exam 19:00 - 2145
Week Eight: Final Speeches (8 – 10) minutes
Assignment:
Final Speeches
Description of Graded Activities and Methods of Evaluation:
Method of Evaluation
Points
Informative Speech (1)
75
450 - 500
A
Informative Speech (2)
75
400 - 449
B
Persuasive Speech (1)
75
350 - 399
C
Commemorative Speech
75
300 - 349
D
Persuasive Speech(2)
75
0
F
Mid-Term Exam
50
Final Exam
50
Participation/Attendance
25
Grading Scale
- 299
Additional Course Information:
Public Speaking enables students to develop effective oral communication skills.

This course is occupationally related and serves as preparation for careers in a
variety of fields since most occupations require professional communication skills.

Arrive in class prepared, motivated and ready to interact in the class discussions.

Speak openly yet, be considerate of your class members, do not interrupt when others
are speaking.

Please turn your cell phones off or silence them prior to walking in class.

Speeches will be given in front of the class and some will be recorded as a learning
device.
Academic Honesty:
Assisting your fellow class members is encouraged in order for you to master the concepts and skills
covered in this class. Collaboration of a graded assignment or exam is prohibited; it is the
individual’s responsibility to put full effort in submitted assignments, such as your written
outlines for presentations, conducting your speeches and participation during class session. Please
review the school’s student code of conduct in the Student Handbook.
Cell phone policy: As a member of the learning community, each student has a responsibility to other
students who are members of the community.
When cell phones ring/vibrate and students respond in
class or leave class to respond, it disrupts the class. All such devices must be turned off or put
in a silent mode and ordinarily should not be taken out during class.
Graded Activities:
Informative Speech 1: (5-6) minute speech informing the audience about an object, concept or event.
Select a topic that is useful and interesting. A speaking outline must be turned in, deliver your
speech extemporaneously from a brief outline or note cards.
Informative Speech 2: (5–6) minute speech demonstrating the steps of a process or how to perform the
steps of a process. Use of a visual aid is required. A speaking outline must be turned in, deliver
your speech extemporaneously from a brief speaking outline. Ensure that you present the steps of the
process clearly and systematically, leaving out none of the essential steps.
Persuasive Speech: (7-8) minute speech designed to persuade the audience for or against a question of
policy, value or fact. Speaker may seek either passive agreement or immediate action from the
audience. Students should deal with three basic issues of policy speeches – need, plan and
practicality. A speaking outline must be submitted, speech delivery must be extemporaneously.
Considerable research must be conducted using skillful use of persuasive methods. Special emphasis
must be given to evidence and reasoning.
Commemorative Speech: (4-5) minute paying tribute to a person, group, institution or an idea. This may
attribute to a historical, contemporary, famous or obscure subject. An outline is not required. This
speech should be written and delivered from a manuscript. Students must hand in the manuscript after
the speech. This speech focuses on the use of language and gives the student the experience of
speaking from a manuscript. Students must rehearse speeches thoroughly, and present them with eye
contact and dynamic vocal variety.
Final Speech: (8–10) minute Persuasive Speech, media is required. A speaking outline is required.
Speech delivery is to be extemporaneously. Speaker may seek either passive agreement or immediate
action from the audience. Students should deal with three basic issues of policy speeches – need, plan
and practicality. Evaluation includes all major aspects of speech preparation and delivery covered
since the first day of class.
Mid Term Exam: Multiple choice written examinations that consist of the material covered in the first
half of the semester. (Chapters 1,2,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15)
Final Exam: Multiple choice written examination of the material covered after the Mid-Term Exam.
(Chapters 3,16,17,18,19)
Participation/Attendance:
Analyzing audience plays an important role in public speaking, if the
audience is not in attendance how may the speaker present the information? Each unexcused absence
will consist of a 5 point deduction to your grade. Plan accordingly, this is a resident course!
* If you are absent on the day you are scheduled to present a speech, you must present the next time you are in class. Be
prepared, any more delay will result in points deducted from your speech evaluation.