Course Outline: Introduction to Oral Communication
2009 Fall Term
MWF 8:00am - 8:50am
Ketchum 106
Kenton Anderson
Email: kba2@buffalo.edu Telephone: (917)557-6182
Required textbook: Bruce G. Bryski and Timothy J. Brown, Public Speaking for Success:
Strategies for Diverse Audiences and Occasions (2nd edition), Hayden-McNeil, 2007.
Course Objectives:
1) Give students as much practical speaking experience as possible.
2) Help students gain speech confidence and/or reduce communication
apprehension.
3) Help students gain speech outlining, topic selection, and delivery skills for the
wide array of public speaking needs they may need in their careers or to meet
their personal life goals.
4) Help students better critically analyze and evaluate their own and others’
speeches.
5) Help sensitize students to the need for gaining listening skills and behaviors
which may help them reach life goals.
6) Help students better develop persuasion, group communication and interview
skills.
7) Introduce students to the integration of theoretical skills with public speaking
performance.
Grading Policies
% Equivalent
Grade
Achievement
Point
Value
Total Points: 400
Excellent
4
372 – 400
Very Good
3.67
360 – 371.6
Very Good
3.33
348 – 359.6
Good
3.0
332 – 347.6
Above Average
2.67
320 – 331.6
Above Average
2.33
308 – 319.6
Average (Lowest passing 2.0
292 – 307.6
grade for Comm Majors)
C70-72.9
Below Average*
1.67
280 – 291.6
D
60-69.9
Below Average*
1.0
240 – 279.6
E
0-59.9
Failing
0.0
0 – 239.6
Grading in this course follows the system laid out in the Buffalo State Handbook. “A” =
4.0, Excellent. “A-”=3.67, Very Good. “B+”=3.33, Very Good. “B”=3.0, Good. “B-”=2.67,
good. “C+”=2.33, Satisfactory. “C”=2.0, Satisfactory. “C-”=1.67, Passing (for all but
Communication Majors), but Unsatisfactory. “D”=1.0, Passing, but Unsatisfactory. E=0.0,
Failure.
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
93-100
90-92.9
87-89.9
83-86.9
80-82.9
77-79.9
73-76.9
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The following assignment points are added together to get your grade in the course.
Class Participation, Classmate Intro, Master Class, Journals, Oral Reports, RD Outline
Assignments, Handouts = 100 points.
Quizzes & Tests = 200 points.
Informative “How To” Speech = 100 points.
Informative #2 Full Research Speech = 200 points.
Persuasive #1 Speech = 200 points.
Group Project, Debate or Ceremonial Speech = 100 points.
Interview = 100 points
Evaluation sheets for each assignment itemize the points further to detail each requirement of the
assignment.
CAREFULLY NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
1) Public speaking is a very demanding performance course, even though I do not have a
midterm exam and/or final exam as long I see the class is keeping up to date on readings
by passing quizzes and incorporating the book information into their speeches and
outlines. Be sure to keep up on your readings, topics, outlines and quiz prep so you stay
on track.
2) This is a speaking course, so the grading is heavily weighted toward reflecting student’s
improvement in ability to SPEAK in public, in small groups, and intrapersonally as
demonstrated in formal classroom assignments. The majority of your grade is
determined by the skills you demonstrate in following instructions, organizing, carefully
preparing and delivering your speeches.
3) CAUTION: Most of the points in this course are awarded in the second half of the
semester. Be aware that your midterm average may NOT be realized in your final grade
unless you continue to improve your skills and demonstrate continued mastery over the
course material. Conversely, a low midterm grade CAN be improved by extra effort in
the second half of the semester.
Classroom Policies
This is a performance class, so the following is the protocol, which is a mutual contract
between all of us.
Rude or discourteous behavior is not acceptable.
Attendance is required at all class sessions, especially speech days. More than two
unexcused absences will result in a final course grade lowered by ½ letter for each additional
unexcused absence.
Students are not to leave the classroom once class has begun. Please take care of all
personal business before entering the room. If you leave the class before the class ending time,
you will be marked absent or late.
Please do not enter or leave the classroom during a classmate’s performance.
All students are required to be Information Systems Literate for this class. One specific
requirement is that all students must check their college email DAILY. If it is easier, you may
have your banner emails forwarded to your regular email. However, you are STILL responsible
for any emails sent. Examples of such emails will be updates for class changes, printouts
required for in-class participation, and other announcements.
No cell phone calls, texting or holding cell phones or other devices in your lap or under
the table during class. Cell phone calls are not considered by the Speech Department to be
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emergencies and are to be completed before or after class—not during it. (If your phone rings,
please quietly turn off the sound and remain focused on the class).
Laptops are only used for lecture note taking and speech visual aids. Students who abuse
this privilege will no longer be allowed to use laptops in class.
No Gum.
Late Policy
As part of their mutually understood contract with each other, students and teachers are
both required to be on time for classes. Students who are repeatedly late will, after the second
late, received a lowered final grade (1/2 letter). Each second late thereafter will result in a
further ½ letter lowering of the final grade.
Readings
Students MUST keep up with the readings ON TIME to pass this course. Most of the
specific speech requirements are described in detail in the textbook and are NOT gone into in
depth in lectures. Class time is largely reserved for performances, instruction in delivery
techniques and BRIEF lectures on book material.
In order to give students time to properly absorb the material and prepare their speeches,
book readings are assigned for dates comparatively early in the semester. Reading assignments
are to have been read BEFORE coming to class on the day they are listed (with the exception of
the first class day). Quizzes and exams will be given at beginning of class the day the readings
are due.
All students are required to read my blog daily to check for updates clarifying readings or
reserve materials. I also have some audio or video links and other examples you are occasionally
required to watch and respond to online. These are found at kba2.wordpress.com.
All students are also required to fill out a short online survey during the first week of
class. This is found at surveymonkey.com.
Class Assignments
Extemporaneous speaking means 5”x7”notecards are allowed for main points only—not
word-for-word reading or memorization. Practice your timing: Speeches that are 10% over or
under time limits receive “F.”
No late speeches, tests or assignments. No unexcused makeups. It is usually impractical
to schedule time for the class to listen to makeup speeches. It is not fair to penalize students
whose assignments are on time or reward those whose are not.
Research Bibliographies are required for Informative and Persuasive Speeches. The
format followed must be the American Psychological Association (APA) style or MLA, the
stylebooks for which can be found in the library or bookstore. All Outlines, Bibliographies, and
other assignments are to be TYPED. CAUTION: DO NOT WAIT until the morning of class to
do printing, since computer failure or non-last-minute-access is unpredictable and there are no
late assignments accepted.
Listening
Educated speakers are required to be audience-centered. Therefore, the educated
audience has its own responsibilities. Listening skills are a requirement of this course.
Interrupting a peer’s speech or the professor’s lecture is not appropriate adult, academic
behavior. If you are late for class, put your ear to the door, listen, and wait until the end of the
student speech or an appropriate break in the instructor’s lecture before entering the room.
Further, students are expected to respect the right of others to undistracted audience
attention during speeches or lectures. Remember to sit up straight, keep your eyes open and
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focused on the speaker, smile and nod encouragingly, and otherwise support the speaker, or you
are not giving full respect as a listener and your grade will reflect that choice.
Extra Credit
In general, there is no standard extra credit opportunity in this course.
AudioVisual Requirements
Since this is a practicum class, all students are responsible for the complete recording,
viewing, analysis, and self-critique of their in-class performances. Student speeches will be
recorded on DVD or VHS and available on reserve in the library, where all students are required
to view their own speeches and fill out evaluation forms for each speech. Each student is
responsible for inserting the disc or tape in the camera, turning the camera on and off, and
making sure it records his or her performance in full-view format. A volunteer or two may be
chosen to run the camera for the entire semester.
Each day of speeches will normally be on one tape, one-after-the-other, and will be
placed on reserve in the library for the entire semester. The disc is to be used by every student
after his or her speech to view the speech, analyze it and critique the performance by filling out
the appropriate form which will be posted online.
Alternately, students notifying me in writing at the beginning of the semester may opt to
bring their own recording devices and be responsible for saving the recordings thru the end of the
semester. Completed forms for each type of speech are usually due one week after the last
person gives that speech.
Statement Regarding Students with Disabilities
Any student who requires accommodations to complete the requirements and
expectations of this course is invited to immediately make his or her needs known to the
instructor and to the coordinator of services for students with disabilities, Twin Rise South Wing
120; 878-4500.
Course Schedule
Week & Date:
1. Mon (8/31)
Class Topic or Activity
Course Introduction.
Name Game.
Assignment & Readings Due
Handouts: Syllabus;
Journals; Inform Packets.
2. Wed (9/02)
Lecture: 3 Broad Speech
Types. Explain
Apprehension Survey.
3. Fri (9/04)
(break 9/7)
Partner Intros.
4. Wed (9/09)
Partnered Introductions.
Assign Partner Intro Speech
Assign: Student Surveys
(Blog & CA).
Handout: Partner
Interviews.
Hand in: Student CA
Questionnaires.
Blog Surveys Due.
Students check email or blog
for printouts. Assign
Newspaper Mini-Reports.
(For Master Class.)
Quiz Study Guide.
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5. Fri (9/11)
6. Mon (9/14)
7. Wed (9/16)
8. Fri (9/18)
Newspaper Mini-reports.
(Extemporaneous Master
Class.)
Newspaper Mini-reports,
Cont’d. (Extemporaneous
Master Class.) Review
Topic Exercises (In-class
activity.)
Newspaper Mini-reports,
Cont’d. (Extemporaneous
Master Class.)
Lecture: Inform #1 Prep.
(Lecture: “How To” Speeches
Using VAs, Outlining.) Chs. 1
9. Mon (9/21)
Nature of Communication, 2
Overcoming Speech Anxiety.
Sign up for Dates for ALL
speeches. (See sheet)
Lecture: Chs. 3 The Listening
Process, 4 Audience Analysis.
Assign Topic Exercise
Handout. Assign Projected
Topics for Semester.
Handouts: (Wkbk
Selections.)
Due: Topic Exercise
Worksheet and Projected
Topics Sheet.
Quiz: Chs. 1, 2, 3, 4.
Final Topics Due.
Assign Rough Draft Outline.
Group Work: Audience
Survey Questionnaire
Writing.
Assign Questionnaire.
Due: Finished
Questionnaire, 25 copies.
10. Wed (9/23)
In Class—Audience Survey
and Analysis.
11. Fri (9/25)
Lecture: Chs. 5 Disabilities and
Public Speaking, 6 Topic
Selection and Research.
Quiz: Chs. 5, 6, 7, 8.
12. Mon (9/28)
SPCI Exercises
Due:
Rough Draft Speaker Cards
and Typed Prep Outlines Due
(Formatted Properly).
Evaluate Student Outlines.
Lecture, Cont’d. Chs. 7 Using
Support Material, 8 Organizing
Your Message.
13. Wed (9/30)
14. Fri (10/02)
Lecture: 9 Introductions and
Conclusions, 12 Informative
Speaking
10 Delivery, 14 Presentational
Aids.
Assign: Intro and
Conclusion Worksheets
(print out from blog).
Due: Worksheets.
Quiz: 9, 10, 12, 14.
Handback Student Draft
Outlines.
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15. Mon (10/05)
16. Wed (10/07)
17. Fri (10/09)
(break on 10/12)
18. Wed (10/14)
Inform #1 “How To” Process
Speech with Visual Aids (3-5
min.)
Bring Videotape!
Inform #1.
Finished Speaker and Typed
Prep Outlines Due.
Finish Inform #1.
Lecture: Inform #2 Prep before
Library Visit.
Informative #2 Researched (6
sources), 6-7 min. Person,
Place, Event, or Concept
Speech. Incorporating Theory.
Time Permitting, View and
Evaluate Sample CDRom
Speeches.
Visit Library.
For Inform #2: Topics, Inclass Worksheets, Outline
Prep.
Activities.
Rough Draft Speaker and
Typed Prep Outlines Due.
Evaluate Earliest Students’
Outlines.
21. Wed (10/21)
Begin Inform #2 (6-7
Minutes; Researched: 6
Sources minimum).
Bring Videotape!
Finished Speaker and Typed
Prep Outlines Due.
Assign Persuade Final
Topics.
Handout: Student MidSemester Progress Reports.
22. Fri (10/23)
23. Mon (10/26)
24. Wed (10/28)
Inform #2
Inform #2
Inform #2
Persuade Final Topics Due.
25. Fri (10/30)
Lecture: Persuasion #1 Prep.
13 Persuasive Speaking,
cont’d, 15 Ceremonial
Speaking.
Quiz: Chs. 13, 15.
19. Fri (10/16)
20. Mon (10/19)
Look over Handwritten
Rough-rough Draft Outline
Due at end of period.
Self-Evals and Peer Evals
Due (Inf. 1).
Chs. 11 Language and
Quiz: Ch. 11, 13.
Communication, 13 Persuasive
Handout or Blog Printout:
Speaking (Brief Overview to prep Book Excerpt from Poetic
for topic selection). Class
Forms.
Handback Persuade Topics.
Assign Rough Draft Outlines
for Persuade #1.
Inf #2 Self-Evals and Peer
Evals Due.
Due: Persuasion Rough
Draft Outlines
(Preparation).
Evaluate Student Outlines.
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26. Mon (11/02)
View and Evaluate Sample
CDRom Speeches.
Persuasion Formats and
Avoiding Logical Fallacies.
Handback Student Outlines.
27. Wed (11/04)
Persuade #1 Speeches (7-8
Minutes, 10 Sources).
Bring Videotape!
Persuade #1 Speeches (7-8
Minutes, 10 Sources).
Persuade #1 Speeches
Finished Speaker and Typed
Prep Outlines Due.
28. Fri (11/06)
29. Mon (11/09)
(break on 11/11)
30. Fri (11/13)
31. Mon (11/16)
32. Wed (11/18)
33. Fri (11/20)
Persuade #1 Speeches
Persuade #1 Speeches
Finish Persuasion Speeches
Ch. 16 Group
Communication, 17 Group
Discussion and Problem
Solving.
Sign up for Group Projects
or Debate.
See blog for group
assignment outline
guidelines.
Quiz: Chs. 16, 17, 18.
Due: Ceremonial and Group
Project Typed Rough Draft
Outlines (Speaker and
Preparation)
Evaluate Student Outlines.
34. Mon (11/23)
(break runs 11/25-28)
Ch. 18 The Interview Process.
35. Mon (11/30)
Ceremonial or Group
Debate Speeches. (5 min per
person) One Person in Each
Group Bring Videotape!
Cont’d
36. Wed (12/02)
37. Fri (12/4)
38. Mon (12/07)
Cont’d
Interviews.
Videotape Optional.
39. Wed (12/09)
40. Fri (12/11)
41. Dec 14-17
Cont’d
Study Day
Critique/Eval Period
Evaluations Due: Persuasive
#1 Speeches.
Handback: C or GP
Outlines.
C or GD Final Outlines Due
(Note: NO Self Evals or
Peer Evals Due!)
Handout Topic Sheet for
Interview
Handin Topic for Interview
Handin Group Interview
Paperwork (Resumes and
Questionnaires)
Makeup Speeches/ Optional
Final.
HAVE A GREAT
BREAK!!!
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