Fall 2015
Intro to Public Speaking – COMM P-101 (3 units)
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Instructor: Mrs. Anzoleaga
Email: clare.anzoleaga@fresnocitycollege.edu
Office Hours: By appointment
Course: The emphasis of this course is upon the principles of effective communication. We will study
various communication strategies from both a practitioner's perspective as well as from the viewpoint of
a recipient.
Textbook:
• Fraleigh, D. and Turman. (2014). Speak Up!
• Additional articles and texts TBA
Student Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this course the learner should be able to:
1. Utilize the skills of research and organization to construct effective informative, demonstrative,
and persuasive speeches.
2. Analyze diverse audiences and situations in order to communicate effectively and ethically.
3. Demonstrate effective speech delivery skills used formally and informally.
4. Critically evaluate public speeches for effective content and delivery and provide constructive
feedback.
5. Discuss, create and effectively communicate within a variety of speech forms, including
informative, demonstrative, and persuasive.
Course Assignments*:
 Self Concept Speech: The first presentation is a short self-introduction focusing on one aspect of
yourself that you wish to highlight for the class as an ice-breaker. You will receive full credit
simply for presenting this 1-2 minute speech. I will assign you to a day to present your speech
within the speech block. If you are not ready or present on that particular day, you will forfeit
your points. An exemplary speech outline will be provided at the speech class website:
http://speechclassdocs.weebly.com
 Name Your Topic (Informative speech): A typed, one-page essay explaining the topic and
background of your informative speech. (50 points)
 Name Your Topic (Autoethnography Journal #1): A typed, one-page paper explaining the
personal concept/s you wish to explore this semester. (50 points)
 JOURNAL ENTRIES: Done in class as time permits. (50 points – 200 points total)
 3 sources/3 main points: A typed outline explaining the three points of your speech with
properly formatted APA in-text citations. (50 points)
 Reference Page: A typed reference page. (50 points)
 Introduction and Conclusion: A typed outline with all of the necessary components for
introduction and conclusion. (50 points)
 Peer Edit Workshop(s): During the class meeting before the informative and persuasive
speeches, as well as before the autoethnography paper is turned in, students will conduct a
workshop to receive feedback from their peers on formatting concerns within their speech or
autoethnography outline/essay. This is very important; corrections MUST be made on the
outline/essay by the time you turn in your outline on speech day for full credit. Please staple your
original outline/essay (with the peer feedback) to your final, corrected outline/essay. Both
outlines/essays must be printed out and brought to class that day in order for credit to be received.
I will not accept any assignment via email. This also applies when the printer doesn’t work.
Attendance on this day is mandatory and no make-ups will be allowed due to the nature of the
assignment. (50 points)
Fall 2015
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Informative Speech: This speech will apply concepts learned in the course to present an address
about a topic involving processes, events, places, people, objects, or concepts. This speech will be
7-8 minutes long and is worth 150 points. Adherence to the 7-8 minute timeframe of the speech
will be strictly kept. I will take volunteers first and then call names according to the class roster.
If you are not ready or have an unexcused absence, your final grade will be deducted by 20%. No
make-ups will be made. If you do not bring a print-out of your corrected outline stapled to your
final outline, you will receive a grade reduction of 20%. Proper APA format MUST be used for a
passing grade including proper in-text citations and reference page. An exemplary speech outline
will be provided at the speech class website: http://speechclassdocs.weebly.com/
Name Your Topic (Persuasive Speech): A typed, one-page paper explaining the topic and
background of your informative speech. (50 points)
3 sources/3 main points: A typed outline explaining the three points of your speech with
properly formatted APA in-text citations. (50 points)
Satisfaction, opposing viewpoint, visualization, call to action: A typed outline explaining these
elements with properly formatted APA in-text citations. (50 points)
Reference Page: A typed reference page. (50 points)
Introduction and Conclusion: A typed outline with all of the necessary components for
introduction and conclusion. (50 points)
Peer Edit Workshop(s): This is where you put all of the assignments together. During the class
meeting before the persuasive speech block, students will conduct a workshop to receive
feedback from their peers on formatting concerns. This is very important; corrections MUST be
made on the outline/essay by the time you turn in your outline on speech day for full credit.
Please staple your original outline/essay (with the peer feedback) to your final, corrected
outline/essay. Both outlines/essays must be printed out and brought to class that day in order for
credit to be received. I will not accept any assignment via email. This also applies when the
printer doesn’t work. Attendance on this day is mandatory and no make-ups will be allowed due
to the nature of the assignment. (50 points)
Persuasive Speech: Representing a culmination of the components of public speaking that have
been examined in this course, this speech (7-8 minutes) will seek to adjust listener
attitudes/beliefs/values, urge action, or answer opposing views through careful reasoning and
argument. Adherence to the 7-8 minute timeframe of the speech will be strictly kept. I will assign
you to a day to present your speech within the speech block. If you are not ready or have an
unexcused absence, your final grade will be deducted by 20%. If you do not bring a print-out of
your corrected outline stapled to your final outline, you will receive a grade reduction of 20%.
Proper APA format MUST be used for a passing grade including proper in-text citations and
reference page. An exemplary speech outline will be provided at the speech class website:
http://speechclassdocs.weebly.com This assignment is worth 150 points.
Tests: There are two tests that will consist of essay questions based on the material from lectures,
readings, and class discussions; material from required readings will be included whether or not
discussed in class. Tests are worth 100 points.
Autoethnography Presentation: All good things come to an end. With this final speech, mark
the end of the semester and present your autoethnography. Include some closing thoughts. This
speech will be 2-4 minutes – 50 points total.
Autoethnography Paper: This essay is a semester-long project based on how well you track and
interpret your chosen theory. A notebook is required for this assignment. The student will create
journal entries in class and out of class (as they see fit) based on prompts from the textbook and
lecture content. The student will then reflexively go through this collection of data at the end of
the semester and write a story/analysis discussing how they witnessed their theory develop over
time – 100 points total.
SAVE ALL YOUR WORK.
Fall 2015
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Course Grade Distribution:
Assignment
Score
Total
Self Concept Speech
/50
Name your topic (Informative)
/50
Name your topic (Autoethnography )
/50
Journal entries (4 @ 50 pts. ea.)
/200
3 sources/3 main points
/50
Reference page
/50
Introduction/conclusion
/50
Peer Edit Workshop (Informative)
/50
Informative Speech
/150
Name your topic (persuasive)
/50
3 sources/3 main points (persuasive)
/50
Satisfaction, opposing viewpoint, visualization, call to action
/50
Reference page (persuasive)
/50
Introduction/conclusion (persuasive)
/50
Peer Edit Workshop (Persuasive)
/50
Persuasive Speech
/150
Peer Edit Workshop (Autoethnography)
/50
Autoethnography Presentation
/50
Autoethnography Paper
/150
Tests (2 @ 100 pts. ea)
/200
Total
/1600
**The grading rubrics for speeches and papers will be provided in class
General Assignment Guidelines:
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If a student is absent on the first day of class or is absent during the first week of class,
they will be dropped. Also, if the student has four or more unexcused absences before the
final date to drop (March 27, 2015), they will be dropped from class.
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Attendance will be taken at each class session. Students who have four or more
unexcused absences after the final date to drop will receive a grade reduction of 5%.
More than eight unexcused absences will result in a grade reduction of 15%. Arriving late
to class and leaving early are unacceptable and will result in a grade reduction: Two
tardies or early departures are considered the equivalent of one absence. It is the student’s
responsibility to keep track of their absences. Excused absences are verifiable,
documented, and only occur under unavoidable circumstances. Exceptions are only made
for school-sponsored functions (e.g. forensics tournaments, school sports, specific school
field trips).
Both the informative and persuasive speech must be passed with a “C” or better in order
to pass this class. Skipping one of the major speeches will receive an automatic “F” for
the class.
While lively conversations will take place in a Communication class, talking during lectures is
strictly prohibited. I do not tolerate side conversations during lecture. After the request for
attention has been made, if side conversations persist, the following steps will be taken for
student deportment:
o 1st offense: Verbal warning
o 2nd offense: Deportment
o If second deportment occurs, student will be asked to drop the class.
Readings should be completed in their entirety by the first class for which they are assigned.
Activity points may be reserved for pop quizzes at any time.
Late speeches receive a 20% grade reduction. The instructor must be informed in writing prior to
missing class for religious holidays or university-sponsored activities, and excuses for illness or
emergencies require appropriate written documentation within one week of the absence. Make-up
work is conducted at the convenience of the instructor and the class. All speeches must be given
on assigned date. All doctor’s notes must be in photo format and emailed to me within one week
of absence.
It is your responsibility to monitor your progress in this class. I do not search out students to
inform them of their grades. I expect you to keep track of your score as the semester progresses.
I would strongly suggest you keep every assignment/work that you do in this class as proof of
your status at least until the end of the semester.
All assignments must be typed, double-spaced, single-sided, 12pt font, standard size, and stapled.
The minimum page length on written assignments is a minimum; below the minimum,
assignments will receive a corresponding deduction in credit (e.g., 2 pages of a 3 page paper =
original grade x 67% [2/3]). Keep a copy of all of your work.
Stylistic form and bibliographies are to be consistent with APA style manuals. Spell-check and
proofread your work.
Study Expectations: It is usually expected that students will spend approximately 2 hours of study
time outside of class for every one hour in class (6 hours per week outside of class lectures in this
case).
Your presence in class (both physical and mental) is expected. I take roll promptly at the
beginning of class. If you arrive late, it is your responsibility to email me that day to let me know
you were actually in class. You are allowed three free absences (even though participation points
will be deducted). It is your responsibility to get any missed notes or assignments from fellow
classmates unless you have an excused absence. It is also your responsibility to provide
documentation of an excused absence (in the form of an electronic copy such as a photo) – I will
not ask.
Please address all email correspondence using the following format:
Dear Mrs. Anzoleaga,
(Insert message here…)
Fall 2015
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Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
(Your name here)
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For greatest efficiency, please refer to the syllabus, ask a study buddy, or ask your question
during class. Do not send emails asking when an assignment is due, for last-minute assistance on
assignments, or to know what your grade is. This class is fast-paced and waiting until the day
before the assignment is due to get started is not recommended because I might not get the email
requesting help in time. These strategies will ensure that a better learning experience is had by all.
Tentative Course Schedule*:
Introductions
Overview of the course and the syllabus
ASSIGN: Self Concept speech assignment (due next Thursday)
ASSIGN: Name Your Topic -- Autoethnography
ASSIGN: Name Your Topic -- Informative Speech
Week 1 LECTURE: Public Speaking and Public Listening
JOURNAL #1
LECTURE: Speech Purpose and Topic Selection
DUE: Autoethnography “Name your topic”
Week 2 DUE: “Name your topic” Informative Speech
LECTURE: Outlining, APA format, in-text citations, and reference page
DUE: Self Concept Speech block
LECTURE: Informative Speeches, Introductions, Conclusions, Transitions
ASSIGN: “Three main points and sources”
Week 3 ASSIGN: Autoethnography
DUE: Three main points and sources
ASSIGN: Reference page (on Thursday)
TOPIC: Visual support/Supporting ideas
TOPIC: Intros and Conclusions
Week 4 ASSIGN: Intro and Conclusion
DUE: Reference page
DUE: Intro and Conclusion
Week 5 DUE: Peer Edit Workshop
Week 6 DUE: Informative Speech Block
Informative Speech Block (cont.)
LECTURE: Developing/Organizing Persuasive arguments
LECTURE: Selecting the persuasive speech topic
ACTIVITY: Group work – make a list of 10 persuasive speech topics
ASSIGN: Persuasive speech
Week 7 ASSIGN: Persuasive speech “Name your topic”
DUE: Persuasive speech “Name your topic”
LECTURE: Analyzing Your Audience
ASSIGN: Persuasive speech “Three main points and sources”
LECTURE: Speaking Freely and Ethically
DUE: Three main points and sources
Week 8 ASSIGN: Reference page
DUE: Reference page
JOURNAL #2
Week 9 LECTURE: Methods of Delivery
LECTURE: Language, Voice, and Body
ASSIGN: Intros and Conclusions
Week 10 DUE: Intro and Conclusion
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ASSIGN: Satisfaction, opposing viewpoint, visualization, call to action
Week 11 DUE: Satisfaction, opposing viewpoint, visualization, call to action
JOURNAL #3
Week 12 DUE: Peer Edit Workshop
Week 13 DUE: Persuasive Speech block
DUE: Persuasive Speech block
TOPIC: Special Occasion Speech
JOURNAL #4
Week 14 ASSIGN: Autoethnography Presentation
Week 15 DUE: Speech analysis week
DUE: Autoethnography Peer Edit Workshop
DUE: Autoethnography paper
Week 16 DUE: Autoethnography presentation
Week 17 Final – check the PC website for date and time
Disability Resource Statement
Students with disabilities that may require assistance are reminded that it is your responsibility to identify
yourself to the Disability Resource Center at (559) 791-2215 and to your instructor so reasonable
accommodations for learning and evaluation within the course can be made.
*This syllabus and schedule are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances. If you are
absent, it is your responsibility to check for any announcements made during your absence from a fellow
student.