PUBLIC SPEAKING
COM111-9 CRN 7962 TC 213
COM 111-10 CRN 7096 TC 213
COM 111-1 CRN 7095 C311
FALL 2013
Instructor:
Office:
Office Hrs:
Phone:
E-MAIL:
Linda A. Desjardins
Spurk C317G
MW @ 11 AM, online 4-5 PM Tuesdays, 11-12 AM Saturday and by appointment
(978) 556-3384
ldesjardins@necc.mass.edu and via Blackboard course web companion
TEXT
Hamilton, Gregory. Public Speaking for College and Career. 10th Edition.
New York: McGraw-Hill Co. Inc., 2013. Print ISBN-13: 978-0078036828 The text is available at
the college bookstore, can be bought new or used through ANY source, and can be
downloaded to a Kindle.
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
COM111 is designed to familiarize students with rhetorical theory, critical thinking and the effective
construction and delivery of various types of speeches. The course will concentrate on informative,
persuasive, and impromptu speeches, with other types included at the instructor’s discretion.
One-semester course; 3 credit hours; 3 class hours/week.
Course Satisfies:
Communications, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Open/Free
This course satisfies the Oral Communication Intensive graduation requirement.
Prerequisites/General Requirements:
( Basic Reading proficiency )and( Basic Writing proficiency )
COURSE DESCRIPTION, PHILOSOPHY, AND TEACHING PROCEDURES
When people think of public speaking, the image of one person speaking to or at an audience is conjured
up. While this may be an accurate picture, it represents only a small part of the communication process.
If the speaker’s goal is to speak to rather than at, or communicate effectively with the audience, many
considerations must be made before the speaking process even begins. A desire to speak, a limited topic,
a clear purpose, an assessment of audience and their expectations, a strategy and an awareness of the
limitations of time and location must all be taken into account before a speaker begins. And still, we have
only examined half of the communication process. The other half, listening, is just as important to
effective communication. In order to listen well, the listener, too, must actively examine his or her habits.
Listening goals which align with listening purposes must be set before a person can maximize his or her
listening ability. But to separate speaking and listening into two halves, as we have done here, does not
do the communication process justice either. A speaker’s delivery or the time or location of the speech
may affect the audience’s ability to listen; similarly, the audience’s listening behavior is likely to affect the
speaker. Speaking and listening are interdependent, and their roles overlap.
Our goal in this course is to communicate effectively, whether it be with a large group, a small group or
one-on-one. We will closely examine both the speaking and listening processes, dealing with theory as
well as practice to reach this goal. We will have many opportunities to discuss, practice, and eventually
master the skills involved in oral communication. We will take part in a variety of speaking experiences,
each requiring us to assess purpose and audience, plan strategies, and customize our material. Each
assignment will increase in difficulty and therefore will provide many opportunities to build confidence.
Our speaking assignments will parallel the most likely real-life speaking situations.
We will track your progress. We will use audio and videotape recordings to help monitor selfimprovement, and conduct comment sessions following speeches. In addition, each speech will receive a
written evaluation by the instructor, noting both strengths and areas which need improvement.
SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES
 To delineate the identifiable components of the communication process.
 To identify the many aspects of nonverbal communication and examine their impact on
communication.
 To determine specific purpose in composing a speech.
 To conduct an audience analysis and customize a speech to meet audience needs.
 To analyze the listening process and plan specific strategies for active listening.
 To understand the causes and effects of nervousness and plan coping strategies.
 To prepare a pre-speech plan and post-speech analysis based on audio and videotape recordings.
 To compose and deliver a speech with an effective introduction, appropriate support and conclusion
while using visual aids, and conduct a question and answer session.
 To chair and conduct a meeting efficiently.
 To learn in a collaborative framework.
 To participate effectively in a group presentation.
 To use PowerPoint and the Lumens Digital Camera as part of a presentation.
 To understand and incorporate the use of credibility, logic and emotion in composing a persuasive
argument.
 To be ethical in persuasive strategies and material choice.
 To build confidence in the ability to communicate orally in an effective manner.
 To develop and apply communications skills in a real-life, real-time college or community service
setting.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Reading:
All chapters in Public Speaking for College and Career will be assigned, and most will be discussed in
class. Supplementary material will be presented in a lecture format. There will be a written, objective
final examination based on both these readings and class lecture material. In addition, you are
responsible for delivering each assigned speech on the assigned date. Speeches made up at a later date
on an if-time-is-available-basis will have a maximum potential of earning a “C” grade. You may
only make up one speech. You will also chair one meeting, prepare short projects for discussion, and
provide helpful commentary for your classmates. The Persuasion Speeches MUST be delivered on the
assigned date. No make-ups will be allowed.
Speaking Procedures:
Each speaking assignment will have three components: a pre-speech plan, the delivery of the speech,
and a self-evaluation. You will submit a plan before you speak, record the speech itself, and submit a
written self-evaluation after hearing playback. You will receive the instructor’s evaluation only after these
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three requirements are met. Sample evaluation forms and guidelines will be provided. You must supply
the cassette tape for each speech. Criteria used for evaluating speeches follows, as does the tentative
schedule for classes. Whenever possible, course materials, forms and handouts will be posted to and can
be downloaded from my web site.
Plagiarism:
Though you alone are responsible for developing the content of your speeches, should your information
rely on outside sources, you must give credit to your source in your presentation. Failure to do so is
plagiarism, as is using anyone’s work without proper documentation. Any incident of plagiarism will
result in failure.
College/Community Service:
This course has a college or community service requirement. Students will complete ten hours of
college or community service at the college, at an appropriate agency in the Merrimack Valley, or at
another agency or organization pre-approved by me. Ask. Information on the volunteer service, including
guidelines, required paperwork, and a list of possible organizations is available on the NECC website by
clicking on Academics on the NECC home page, then under Experiential Learning Opportunities, on the
right hand column, clicking on Community Service. There are also college-wide opportunities available.
The required forms which MUST be submitted for community service (four of them) are also housed on
the Community Service web page. More information will be provided in class. Students MUST complete
the required pre-approval and liability forms and submit them to the instructor no later than Friday,
September 27, 2013. Completion of volunteer work will be due NO LATER THAN the beginning of
class on Friday, November 22. You will be required to keep a reflection journal begun before, and
immediately after each community service learning experience. Journals must be submitted
immediately upon completion of community service.
The Student Engagement center offers opportunities to contribute to the community, such as day-long
volunteer efforts, serving meals at Core Unum, and various other assignments. The best community
service is something that is of interest to YOU, some place where you’d like to volunteer some time, some
effort that you would like to advance.
The community service you perform will be the springboard and basis for your persuasion speech, also
called an advocacy speech, and is worth 20% of your final grade. Should you not perform community
or college service, your final persuasion speech grade and your class participation grade will each
be lowered one letter grade. Should you perform community service but not submit a complete
reflection journal, your final persuasion speech grade will be lowered by five points. The community
service must be performed during this semester.
ATTENDANCE POLICY AND GRADING
Your attendance and participation, and appropriate behavior are crucial to the success of this course.
Class participation accounts for 10% of the course grade. Everyone will begin with the maximum of
100% for participation. This grade will be lowered five points for each class hour of unexcused
absence and for each failure to complete assigned projects, lowered three points for each instance of
tardiness, lowered three points for unsatisfactory completion of assigned projects. After four hours
of absence, you will be designated as non-participating (NP) and dropped from the class. Please note:
there are no excused absences. You are allowed to miss a maximum of four times to accommodate any
illness. A doctor’s note does not excuse you. If you will be absent from class, a courtesy phone call or
email is requested. (This action is recommended for all your classes.) Please use your school email
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account as home emails are frequently screened out. If a personal problem exists, please notify me as
soon as possible to see if accommodations can be arranged.
ASSIGNMENT
GRADE WEIGHT
Introduction Speech
Speech Using a Visual Aid
Listening and Nervousness Projects
Demonstration Speech
News
Informative Project-Self
Informative Project-Group
Persuasive Speech (10 point reduction w/o community service)
Final Examination
Pre and Post Speech Analysis
Participation (10 point reduction w/o community service)
Ungraded
10%
5%
10%
10%
5%
10%
20%
10%
10%
10%
NECC GRADE SCALE
Letter
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
F
I
W
Numerical
93-100
90-92
87-89
83-86
80-82
77-79
73-76
70-72
67-69
60-66
00-59
Incomplete
Withdrawn
Points
4.00
3.67
3.33
3.00
2.67
2.33
2.00
1.67
1.33
1.00
0.00
BEHAVIOR POLICY
Any students engaging in disruptive or inappropriate behavior will first be warned; if the behavior is
repeated, the student will be dismissed from class. A third disruption will result in dismissal from the
course. Eating in class is not permitted. Please turn off cell phones. Texting is not allowed during
class nor is working with electronic devices. Please do not leave class unless absolutely necessary as
leaving causes disruption. The classroom atmosphere will be one of mutual respect and proper decorum
is expected and required at all times.
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PLAGIARISM POLICY
Though you alone are responsible for developing the content of your speeches, should your information
rely on outside sources, you must give credit to your source in your presentation. Failure to do so is
plagiarism, as is using anyone’s work without proper documentation. Any incident of plagiarism will
result in failure and may also result in removal from the course.
SNOW EMERGENCY
Decisions are made by 5:30AM. When school is delayed till 10AM, there are no 8 or 9 o’clock classes.
Classes will begin at 10 with normal 10AM classes. All cancellations and delays can be heard on your
local radio station, viewed on local TV stations, heard by calling the school’s snow phone, 978-556-3002,
or seen on the college’s web site: www.necc.mass.edu. If school is cancelled, stay with the syllabus and
we’ll try to double up if we can. If you have any questions or doubts about what work should be done,
PLEASE email me through our Blackboard companion web site or, using only your NECC student
email account, at ldesjardins@necc.mass.edu.
Information/Services for Students with Documented Disabilities
Please feel free to discuss this resource with me or contact the appropriate office below.
Learning Accommodations Center:
Visit us in the Student Center SC111, call (978) 556-3654
or email lacenter@necc.mass.edu
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services:
Visit us in the Student Center SC110, call 978-241-7045 (VP/Voice)
or email deafservices@necc.mass.edu
 Students please note: if you have been approved for testing accommodations through the Learning
Accommodations Center, remember to discuss with instructor in advance.
NECC OUTCOMES ASSESSMENTS STATEMENT
Northern Essex Community College’s commitment to student success involves the evaluation of student
work to help ensure that students are achieving the learning outcomes identified by our programs and the
college. This process may involve the collection of student classroom products for evaluation at the
program, department, and/or college levels. When collected for this purpose, students’ names will be
removed from the products so that the assessing is done anonymously. Evaluations carried out at the
program, department, and/or college levels will not impact students’ course grades. The process of
assigning grades will continue to be the responsibility of the course instructor.
Students Rights and Responsibilities, Plagiarism Policy
Please click on this link (control + click) to review your rights as a student and your responsibilities as a
student.
http://www.necc.mass.edu/student-services/current/policies-conduct/student-code-of-conduct-grievanceprocedure/student-code-of-conduct/student-responsibilities-rights/
CRITERIA USED FOR EVALUATION SPEECHES
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The average speech (Grade C) should meet the following criteria:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Conform to the kind of speech assigned (informative, persuasive, etc.)
Be ready for presentation on the assigned date
Conform to the time limit
Fulfill any special requirements of the assignment-such as preparing an outline, using visual aids,
conducting an interview, etc.
Have a clear specific purpose and central idea
Have an identifiable introduction, body and conclusion
Show reasonable directness and competence in delivery
Be free of serious errors in grammar, pronunciation and work usage
The above average speech (Grade B) should meet the preceding criteria and also:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Deal with a challenging topic
Fulfill all major functions of a speech introduction and conclusion
Display clear organization of main points
Support main points with evidence that meets the tests of accuracy, relevance, objectivity, and
sufficiency
5. Exhibit proficient use of connectives-transitions, internal previews, internal summaries, and signposts
6. Be delivered skillfully enough so as not to distract attention from the speaker’s message
The superior speech (Grade A) should meet all the preceding criteria and also:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Constitute a genuine contribution by the speaker to the knowledge or beliefs of the audience
Sustain positive interest, feeling, and/or commitment among the audience
Contain elements of vividness and special interest in the use of language
Be delivered in a fluent, polished manner that strengthens the impact of the speaker’s message
The below average speech (Grade D or F) is seriously deficient in the criteria required for the C
speech.
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