“Why doesn’t the fellow who says, “I’m no speechmaker,”
let it go at that instead of giving a demonstration?”
~ Kin Hubbard
Northwest University
COMM 1212:
Fundamentals of Speech Communication
Fall 2012
Time: T/Th 11- 11:50 AM
Class Location: Rice 02
Instructor: Chrystal Helmcke, M.A.
Office: Fee Hall, F21
Office hours: T/Th 10 – 10:50 AM; or by appt.
Email: chrystal.helmcke@northwestu.edu
Phone: (425) 889-3804 (office)
Syllabus
Possessing exemplary public speaking skills is a priceless, practical resource for people
in all vocations and avocations. Most college graduates at one time or another in their
future will encounter opportunities and expectations to speak publically on topics of
importance. Furthermore, Christian college graduates have the additional
responsibility to speak thoughtfully, intentionally, and respectfully in any given
situation as they represent Jesus Christ. COMM 1212 is a course designed to introduce
students to the basics of public speaking, provide students with opportunities to study
and cultivate topical research, speech writing and delivery skills, and further develop
students’ ability to intelligently, honestly and courteously critique both self and peers.
Goals of this course:
 To develop a basic understanding of the art and skill of Public Speaking
 To acquire and expand skills of research for the purpose of speech writing
 To learn and apply technique in the development and delivery of different
speech genres
 To assess, evaluate and improve each student’s own unique style of public
speaking
 To create a safe and favorable environment for all students to experiment and
grow in public speaking
Required Text
Lucas, Stephen. The Art of Public Speaking, 11th edition.
ISBN: 0073406732.
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Classroom Expectations and Attendance
Public Speaking is an endeavor that requires skill in research, organizational thought,
voice production, poise and presence. In addition to learning and practicing these skills
in class, students should expect to spend a minimum of 2-3 hours each week in
research, preparation and rehearsal time outside of class.
Furthermore, this class is by design a participation class. Each student’s active,
intelligent and bold participation in class activities, as well as his or her participation in
peer critique is essential to personal and academic success. Regular, consistent
attendance is vital to a student’s achievement of minimum proficiency in Fundamentals
of Speech. Attendance is graded by 1) physical presence, 2) punctuality, and 3)
observable preparation for and engagement in class discussion and activities. Our
individual and collective time is valuable. Please demonstrate your respect for it by
arriving on time and well-prepared, intelligently engaging with the instructor and your
peers, remaining in class for the entire period, and repeating this pattern throughout the
semester. If you miss a lecture, it is YOUR responsibility to get notes from a classmate.
Please note: any unexcused absence on a performance day will result in the lowering of
your final grade by one FULL letter, and missing MORE than 6 class periods will result
in an automatic failing final grade.
 On regular class days, please wear comfortable clothes which provide comfort
and flexibility of movement. NO flip-flops.
 On performance days, please wear comfortable, yet professional attire. Your
clothing has the ability to inhibit or enhance your performance and always
makes a statement about you.
 A presentation schedule will be generated for each genre of speech. If you are
unable to present on your scheduled day, it is your responsibility to 1)
reschedule with another classmate, and 2) inform the instructor of the change in
advance of class start time. Please email Chrystal Helmcke at
chrystal.helmcke@northwestu.edu a minimum of 30 minutes prior to 11 AM.
 Textbook readings as identified for each class session should be completed
before class begins. You are encouraged to take notes on the readings and bring
the notes to class. You will be allowed one 3x5 note card with hand-written notes
for reading quizzes. Bring your textbook to class EVERY DAY – you are
expected to have the textbook out and immediately accessible for reference
during class discussion and activities.
 Index Cards (4x6 inches) - You will need to provide several index cards for
yourself for each speech. You are encouraged to purchase a pack with a partner.
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Classroom Expectations and Attendance, continued…
 All written assignments are due before or at the beginning of class. Late work
will be accepted only 48 hours after the original due date and time. Additionally, late
work will be valued for only 50% of the original point total. After 48 hours late
work will not be accepted and a “0” will be entered as the grade for the
assignment. In the event of a SERIOUS and WRITTEN DOCUMENTED illness or
family emergency, exceptions may be made, and will be assessed on a case-bycase basis. If such a situation arises, you MUST make a face-to-face appointment
with me to discuss consequences and/or possible make-up work or extra credit.
 Every written assignment turned in must include the following information on
the title page:
o “Student’s Name”
o Professor Chrystal Helmcke
o COMM 1212
o “Due Date”
 Electronic Device Policy: Use of all electronic devices (ex. mobile phones, tablet
computers, and laptops, etc.) will be restricted to specialized class activities on
particular days. At these prearranged times, express permission will be given for
the use of electronic devices. Whenever possible, students will be given advance
notice for when electronic devices will be allowed. At all other times and during
ALL student speeches all electronic devices are to be closed/off/”silent” and
most especially, out-of-sight. No exceptions!
 Communicating with the Instructor: My preferred mode of communication is via
email. I make every effort to respond promptly to questions and concerns
respectfully addressed in emails sent to my NU address
(chrystal.helmcke@northwestu.edu) during normal work hours (generally 9 AM
– 5:30 PM). However, there are situations where email is inadequate for
satisfactory communication – such as emergencies, complex questions or
concerns, or personal and sensitive issues. In such cases, a phone or face-to-face
conversation may be a better choice. I have office hours (noted in the heading of
the syllabus) and usually will be available before or after class for brief
consultation. In addition, I do not work on Friday because it is my Sabbath day.
Therefore, I do not read or respond to emails nor do I listen or respond to voice
mail. I will check emails and voice mail on Saturdays.
 Always do your own work! Plagiarism is illegal and unacceptable. Plagiarism is
taking credit for someone else’s work. The consequences are severe and may
include failing an assignment, failing the course and even immediate dismissal
from the University. Please refer to NU’s online Academic Catalogue in the
section on Academic Honesty under Academic Policies for a full definition of
what constitutes plagiarism and NU’s academic expectations and disciplinary
procedure.
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Assignments
Reading
Our primary reading source is Stephen Lucas’ text, The Art of Public Speaking (11th
edition). Reading assignments from this text are arranged and listed in the attached
weekly schedule. Students are expected to have completed each reading assignment
before class begins. Students are strongly encouraged to take notes and/or highlight
key information in your text. Occasionally other reading may be assigned and the
materials will be made available to you electronically (usually via Discovery) or on
reserve in the campus library.
Reading Quizzes
Unannounced quizzes will be given periodically to encourage students to stay current
with the reading assignments. These quizzes will be given during the first 10 minutes of
any given class period. Students will be allowed one 3x5 note card with hand-written
notes for reading quizzes. If a quiz is missed because of tardiness or an unexcused
absence, it CANNOT be made up.
Speeches
Students will select and research topics for four (4) speeches which will be given in and
for this class. Each speech will require outside class preparation and rehearsal time.
Although each speech is worth the same amount of points, the expectations of
preparation, delivery and content quality, and creativity will increase with each
subsequent speech. In other words, a progressively higher quality of work will be
expected with each successive performance. A performance rubric will be posted on
Discovery within the first three weeks of class. The speech genres are as follows:
 Introductory or “All About Me” (2-3 minutes)
 Informative or Demonstrative (5-7 minutes)
 Persuasive (5-7 minutes)
 Commemorative (8-10) minutes)
A complete description of each speech genre will be made available on the class
Discovery page.
Speech Outlines
For each speech presented students will first write a content outline. Outlines should
include specific details about the introduction, the body of main points and the
conclusion of each speech. Each outline must also include a bibliography or Works
Cited page using MLA or APA format. This assignment is one important key to
developing and delivering a strong speech – it is worth your time! Each outline will be
reviewed for content or structural concerns. Although these outlines will not be graded
by specific criteria, they are worth 25 points each if complete and turned in on time.
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Peer Evaluations
Each student will complete a minimum of four (4) peer evaluations on every speech
performance day. Students will be assigned to critique specific peers and will be given a
critique template to use as a guide. As with the Speech Outline Assignment, these peer
reviews will not be graded for specific content. However, each set of Peer Evaluations, if
written thoughtfully and turned in on time will be worth 20 points.
Self Evaluations
Each student will complete a critique of his/her own performance for every speech
assignment. Students will be provided a self-evaluation template to use as a guide. Self
Evaluations will be graded on their thoughtful and attentive insights on each speech.
Especially well-written Self Evaluations will consider and apply information from
recent textbook readings, class discussions and class activities.
Final Exam
There will be a comprehensive final exam given during the class exam period on
December 11, 2012. The exam will cover all textbook readings, additional information
given during lectures and speech evaluation discussions, additional reading material,
and any and all video or audio materials presented in class or assigned as homework.
The exam will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions.
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Grading
Please understand, I do not give you a grade. You earn your grade. Your final grade will
be determined as follows:
Attendance and Participation
400 points
Every student begins with a full 400 points. Deductions are
as follows:


-30 unexcused absence
-10 lack of preparation or 5+ minutes tardy for any class session
Reading Quizzes
Speech Outlines
Speeches
Peer Evaluations
Self Evaluation
Final Exam
200 points (5 x 40 points each)
100 points (4 x 25 points each)
400 points (4 x 100 points each)
400 points (100 points for each set per speech genre)
200 points (4 x 50 points each)
300 points
TOTAL
2000 points
Letter equivalents are determined by the following percentage system:
1800 - 2000 points = +90%
1600 - 1799 points = +80%
1400 - 1599 points = +70%
1320 to 1399 points = +66%
1319 and below
=A
=B
=C
=D
= Fail
EXTRA CREDIT
Throughout the semester, there may be opportunities for extra credit. If such
opportunities are offered and you undertake them successfully, you may earn up to a
maximum of 50 points extra credit.
Please note: Extra Credit opportunities are available only to students who demonstrate
1) consistent attendance, 2) prompt turn-in of complete assignments, and 3) active
engagement in class discussion and activities. Extra Credit is NOT offered as a
replacement for expected work assigned in the syllabus.
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Weekly Class Schedule
DATE
8/28
8/30
9/4
CLASS FOCUS
 Introductions
 Syllabus and course overview
What is Public Speaking, really?
The Fundamentals
Ethics and Public Speaking
Homework/Reading Due
Lucas Chpt. 1
Lucas Chpt.2
Due: Introductory Speech Outline
9/6
9/11
9/13
9/18
9/20
9/25
9/27
10/2
Listening to and Evaluating Speeches
Introductory Speeches
Introductory Speeches
Introductory Speeches
Choosing Topics and Purposes
Speaking to Inform
Organizing and Outlining the Speech
Analyzing the Audience
Lucas Chpt. 3
Lucas Chpts. 4
Lucas Chpt. 14
Lucas Chpt. 8, 9 and 10
Lucas Chpt. 5
DUE: Inform/Demo Speech Outline
10/4
10/9
10/11
10/16
10/18
10/23
10/25
Delivering the Speech and
Using Visual Aids
Informative/Demonstrative Speeches
Informative/Demonstrative Speeches
Informative/Demonstrative Speeches
Informative/Demonstrative Speeches
Introducing Persuasive Speaking and
Methods of Persuasion
Gathering and Using Supporting Materials
Lucas Chpt. 12-13
Lucas Chpt. 15 and 16
Lucas Chpt. 6 and 7
DUE: Persuasive Speech Outline
10/30
11/1
11/1, 2,
3, & 8, 9,
10
Persuasive Speeches
Persuasive Speeches
NU’s Production of
The Learned Ladies of Park Avenue
11/15
Persuasive Speeches
Persuasive Speeches
Commemorative Speaking and
Using Language Effectively
Individual Meetings
11/20
11/22
Commemorative Speeches
NO Class – Thanksgiving Holiday
11/6
11/8
11/13
Lucas Chpt. 17 and 11
DUE: Commemorative Speech
Outline
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11/27
11/29
12/4
12/6
12/11
Commemorative Speeches
Commemorative Speeches
Commemorative Speeches
Commemorative Speeches
Final Exam
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