MRS. GIAMONI
PUBLIC SPEAKING
CLASS EXPECTATIONS
Email: giamonip@warrenhills.org
Work Phone: (908) 689-3050 x3551
Cell Phone: (610) 216-0105
Prep Periods: Blocks C and H
I.
Course Overview:
The first part of Public Speaking culminates in the informative speech and focuses on such basic
matters as analyzing the audience, choosing a topic and specific purpose, and organizing the speech.
The second part culminates in the persuasive speech and focuses on more complex matters such as
the target audience, building credibility, and using evidence and reasoning. The third part culminates
in the commemorative speech and focuses on the effective use of language. By the fourth part, which
culminates in the final speech, students will have been exposed to all the major skills of
speechmaking discussed in the course.
II.
Successful Learning:
To insure success in this class, the student must:
 Report to class on time.
 Come prepared with the homework and all necessary materials, including books,
notebooks, and writing utensils.
 Maintain an organized note-taking system. Keep all work returned to study, correct,
or resubmit as needed. SAVE EVERYTHING!
 Take good notes in class- it is your choice as to how you take notes.
 Read all assignments carefully and on time.
 Actively participate in group and class discussions, ask questions, and be a risktaker.
 Be attentive, curious, and diligent.
 Give a dedicated effort – be concerned with learning before grading.
 Don’t be afraid to ask for help!!! Come for extra help when necessary.
 Be respectful and courteous to each other and the teacher.
 Show respect in the classroom for the sharing of diverse ideas.
 Strive for accuracy in reading to understand and develop insight. Close reading
requires self-discipline and good study habits.
III.
Student Learning Expectations:
By the completion of this course, successful students will be able to:
 Employ current technology to investigate, create, communicate, and produce
 Apply a variety of problem-solving strategies
 Write effectively
 Communicate orally
 Read critically
 Demonstrate self-control and respect for all individuals
 Pursue/participate in modes of artistic and creative expressions
 Acquire academic and social skills that foster lifelong learning and responsible
citizenship
IV. Expected Outcomes:
At the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
 Demonstrate independence and confidence.
 Build strong communication skills.
 Respond to the varying demands of audience, task, purpose, and discipline.
 Comprehend as well as critique.
 Value evidence.
 Use technology and digital media strategically and capably.
 Come to understand other perspectives and cultures.
V.
Topics/Content:
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VI.
Introductory Speech
Informative Speech
Persuasive Speech
Commemorative Speech
Small Group Discussion
Assessing Progress: A variety of testing and assessment procedures will take place during and
following each unit including: major speech assignments, tests, quizzes, group work, journal
writing, impromptu speeches, and class participation.
Term averages are calculated using the following:
Major Speech Assignments
Tests
Quizzes & Minor Projects
Classwork & Homework
Participation
100-200 points
100- 200 points
40 – 100 points
10 – 100 points
10 – 100 points
VII.
Classroom Expectations: The rules in the student handbook apply.
Cheating/Plagiarism: No form of cheating or plagiarism will be tolerated. For any infraction of
cheating or plagiarism (including the first), the student will receive a zero on the assignment or
assessment, and parents/guardians will be notified, as per the student handbook. The definition of
plagiarism is “to steal and pass off the ideas or words of another as one's own.” Please note that
plagiarism includes all forms of stealing words or ideas – no copying from books, web sites,
SparkNotes, or each other.
Class Participation & Collaboration: Class participation encompasses both the little things and the
big things. Attendance is crucial for success, and students are expected to arrive on time, fully
prepared for the day’s work. Students should be ready and willing to work both individually and in
groups. Deviation from these will result in a lowered class participation grade. All cell phones must
be off and put away during class.
All homework assignments, test/quiz dates and due dates of major speech assignments are listed on
the board for each class. Students are expected to take responsibility for keeping up with their
assignments when they are absent and completing makeup work promptly.
Our English classroom is a community. The rules of this community are simple:
 Respect yourself.
 Respect all others.
 Respect the work that we do.
VIII.
Homework:
Major Assignments: All speeches and other student works will have assigned due dates. The speech
assignment is due at the beginning of class on that due date unless otherwise specified. For all major
assignments, 10% credit will be deducted from the final grade for each class period that the
assignment is late. After five days, no credit will be given on the assignment. Students who are
absent the day that an assignment is due are required to perform their speeches at the beginning of
class on the first day that they return to school.
Daily Assignments: Keeping up with assignments is crucial to the student’s success. Homework or
Classwork (including, but not limited to impromptu speeches, journal assignments and outlines) is
due at the beginning of class on the assigned date. Students who are late by one day will lose 50% of
credit for that assignment. After two days, the student will lose all credit for the assignment.
However, for any missed assignment that is corrected in class, students will not be able to complete
the assignment for any credit.
IX.
Make-up Policy: Students who are absent the day that an assignment is due are required to pass in
that assignment or perform their speeches on the first day that they return to school.
Assignments: Students are responsible for completing any work that is assigned while they are
absent. All assignments will be listed on the board; students are encouraged to contact a classmate to
find out the assignment or contact me. It is the responsibility of the absent student to collect these
materials before or upon his or her return and complete the assignments in a timely fashion (within
one or two days). If a student is absent for a longer period of time, the student should see me upon
his or her return to discuss an appropriate timeline for completion of assignments. Again, it is the
responsibility of the absent student to come to me to set up a schedule to make up missing work,
or else he or she risks receiving zeros for all missing assignments.
Quizzes or Tests: Students who are absent on the day of a test or quiz are required to complete the
test or quiz as soon as possible after their return to school. Students will need to find the time to take
the make-up. Tests and quizzes can be made up before school, after school, during lunch, or during a
study period. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule the make-up. For any tests and quizzes
that are not made up within one week of the student’s return to school, the student will receive
a zero. Students who have been absent for a longer period of time should see me to set up a schedule
for missed tests and quizzes. Again, it is the responsibility of the absent student to come to me to set
up a schedule to make up missing work, or else he or she risks receiving zeros for all missing
assignments.
If an extended trip is planned where a student will be absent from class, I will be happy to provide
assignments ahead of time. However, requests for work must be in writing and must be received by
me at least a week prior to the absence. Otherwise, I cannot guarantee that I will have all the
assignments ready.
Students who are absent sometime between the date that an assignment is given and the due date of
that assignment do not receive extra time to complete the work.
X.
Course Materials: All students are required to have the following each day in class:
 Pen or pencil
 The Art of Public Speaking textbook
 Any homework due that day
XI.
Additional Information: I encourage students to see me for extra help or to discuss any concerns
that they may have. I am available every day before school, during lunch, and after school by
appointment in Room 303.