COMM 1301
Public Speaking
Sherry Lewis, M.A.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course seeks to develop six factors in your understanding of Public Speaking: (1) Some
theories, methods, technical terms and principles; (2) to comprehend that information; (3) to apply it
in speaking situations; (4) to analyze it; (5) to synthesize it, and (6) to evaluate it in terms of external
or internal criteria.
Public Speaking is an essential element of life; the application of the skills you learn in this
course will serve you throughout your lifetime.
REGULATIONS
1. The textbook for this course is the UTEP custom edition of Joseph A. DeVito’s The
Essentials of Public Speaking. You will need to purchase the textbook. The techniques
you learn will help you become a better speaker, and will benefit the fearful speaker. You
may also purchase Karen Kangas Dwyer’s book, Conquer Your Speech Anxiety, published
by Wadsworth, online at www.wadsworth.com. From the list on the left, choose
Disciplines, then Communication, then Public Speaking. See the top left book. The ISBN
number is 0534636187 and the list price is $29.66; you get a discount if you buy it online.
2. You should also purchase: either 3x5 or 4x6 index cards. You may also want to purchase
poster boards, markers, glue, tape and a LARGE Paper Clip for use in making visual aids.
3. You are responsible to speak when scheduled; failure to do so will result in a grade of
ZERO.
4. Outlines must be turned in on the day that you speak. An appropriate bibliography or
works cited page must be attached. The formats will be explained in class. Failure to
turn in an outline or sources cited page will affect your grade.
5. Speeches should reflect the original thoughts of the speaker. The speaker should fuse
his own ideas with his background knowledge and the results of research. PLAGIARISM
is defined for this course as, “a speech in which the speaker depends on a source other
than himself fro the structure of the speech, or where he uses the structure or the
wording of a speech, or where he uses the phrasing or research without
acknowledgement. In cases where plagiarism is detected or suspected, I will prosecute
to the full extent of the law.
6. You have free choice of topic as long as the topic meets the requirements as to type of
speech, time limit, and the appropriate language.
7. Your final grade will be determined as follows:
Speech 1: 3 object, 3 minutes (no research)………………………………………….…50 points
Speech 2: Presentation Aid speech (personal experience counts!)…….150 points
Speech 3: Persuasive (Presentation aids suggested).…………………………..300 points
CARE’s (various point values—5-75 stay tuned!)……….…………………………..200 points
Tests (2) worth 150 points each……………………………………………………………….300 points
TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE =
1000 POINTS
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Office: Quinn 104
Hours: MWF 7-7:30, 10:30-11:30 and TR by appointment.
Phones:(w)747-5914 (h) 585-8852 (c) 433-0770. Respect my home phone; please call 6:30 AM and
10:00 PM.
Email: shelewis@utep.edu or slewis20@cp.epcc.edu
COURSE CALENDAR
Fall 2004
AUGUST
Week one
Introduction to the course; 3 obj. Speech, 50 points
Week two
“9 truths and 9 Lies”; “Bad” Speech; discussion.
SEPTEMBER
Week three
allows.
Labor Day! Ch 1-3; “Onions for Breakfast”, and Rumor Clinic, if time
Week four
Ch 4-6; Discussion and CARE’s Pick DATES for speeches!!
Week five
Ch. 7, Structure; Introduction exercise, 75 points: Bring a magazine
article to class, prepared to read the introduction in groups.
Week six
Ch 8, Outline your 5-7 min Informative with visual aids, 150 points
OCTOBER
Week seven
Ch 8, Outline exercises. Ch 9, visual aids. Discussion.
Week eight
SPEECHES, with critique.
Week nine
SPEECHES conclude. Test one, ch 1-9
Week ten
Ch 10, Language; Ch 11, Presentation skills. CARE’s “Come Outside
and Play,” and “Babble, babble” exercises.
NOVEMBER
Week eleven
Ch 12 Informative speaking; Ch 13, Persuasive Speaking—what’s the
Difference?
Week twelve
Ch 13, 14: Methods of Persuasion; Ch 15, Ceremonial Speaking
Week thirteen
Test two, Ch 10-15; Prepare for Persuasive speech, 7-10 min.
Week fourteen
SPEECHES; Thanksgiving Holiday Thursday and Friday! Enjoy!
DECEMBER
Week fifteen
SPEECHES; Dead Day: Friday, December 3rd. Study hard!
ON THE DAY OF THE FINAL WE WILL FINISH PERSUASIVE SPEECHES.
YOUR FINAL IS:
7:30AM- Friday, Dec. 10 @7AM; 8:30AM- Monday, Dec. 6 @ 10AM; 9:30AM- Wednesday,
Dec. 8 @10AM; 11:30AM- Wednesday, Dec. 8 @ 1PM; 12:30PM- Friday, Dec. 10 @ 1PM
HAVE A GOOD SEMESTER!