Speech Communication
COM 1010 04
Fall 2011
Instructor: Lena Hegi Welch, Ed.D.
Office: Tidwell 105
E-Mail: lwelch@trevecca.edu
Office Phone: 615.248.1393
Class Time: Tues., 4:25-7:25 p.m.
Classroom: Mackey 101
Welcome to one of the most exciting courses of study you can take here at Trevecca. Besides giving you access to vital
information that can improve your academic and professional standing, this course allows you to engage in activities that
can immediately enhance your self-esteem and self-confidence. The work is challenging, but the rewards are great.
Because this study has such potential, it is required of virtually everyone obtaining an undergraduate degree from
Trevecca Nazarene University.
Required:
Ross, R. S., & Leonard, D. K. (2009). Introduction to the speechmaking process. Redding, CA: Best Value
Textbooks. (ISBN #978-1-60229-550-6)
Class Wiki Page: http://course.wiki.trevecca.edu/ (You must be a student in this class in order to
view this website.)
Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, a successful student will be able to:
 analyze various kinds of speeches according to context, speaker, and audience.
 research, write, and extemporaneously deliver an informative speech
 research, write , and extemporaneously deliver a persuasive speech.
 research, write, and extemporaneously deliver a ceremonial speech.
Grading and Assignments: Point values indicate the maximum score for each assignment. Minimum score for each
assignment is zero.
Personal Narrative Speech
Informative Speech
Persuasive Speech
Ceremonial Speech
Outlines & Bibliographies for
Informative Speech
Persuasive Speech
50
100
100
50
50
50
Self Evaluation of Your Speeches
Evaluation of Outside Speech
8 Peer Critiques on Wiki Page
Three Exams
In-Class Activities
Final Examination
Class Participation
100
100
50 (total)
100 (each)
100 (Best 5 of 7)
150
100
1300
Total:
Grading Scale:
A+
A
AB+
B
B-
1261-1300
1209-1260
1170-1208
1131-1169
1079-1130
1040-1078
C+
C
CD+
D
D-
1001-1039
949-1000
910- 948
871- 909
819- 870
780- 818
F
779 or below
Course Assignments:
The following is a short explanation of each of the major assignments. More detailed instructions will be given for each
assignment throughout the course. You also will receive more specific guidelines for the selection of speech topics. The
professor may need to modify the number and length of assignments, depending upon course enrollment. Any changes will
be announced both in class and via campus e-mail.
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Personal Narrative Speech (Your first speech!): Create and deliver a 2-3 minute extemporaneous speech in which you
share with the class about an aspect of your life (i.e., an interesting hobby, a memorable experience, a philosophy of life,
etc.).
Informative Speech: Create and deliver a 4-6 minute extemporaneous speech designed to engage listeners in
understanding and remembering a set of facts or procedures. You must use a presentational aid in your speech.
Persuasive Speech: Create and deliver a 4-6 minute extemporaneous speech designed to cause listeners to change their
attitudes, beliefs, and/or behaviors.
Ceremonial Speech: Create and deliver a 3-5 minute extemporaneous speech designed to fulfill the requirements of a
specific type of ceremonial or special occasional speech (i.e., a tribute, an after-dinner speech, a commencement speech,
etc.).
 All speeches in this class are delivered extemporaneously, that is, you may use limited notes while
speaking. As a “rule of thumb,” you should plan to use no more than three 3x5 or 4x6 note cards for
each speech. No lectern is allowed.
Outlines and Bibliographies: A typed, full-sentence speech outline containing main arguments and research sources must
be submitted before any student may give the informative and the persuasive speech. The text calls this type of outline
a “complete outline” (explained on pp. 217-218; see sample outline beginning on p. 219. The due dates for these outlines
are stated on the class schedule. The outline must be turned in (at the latest) the day before the class in which you
speak—no later or you forfeit your opportunity to speak.
Self-Evaluation of Your Speeches: Study the videotape of your personal narrative, informative, and persuasive speeches
and write a two-three page, typed, double-spaced (500 word minimum) analysis and evaluation. Look for “patterns” in
your speaking, i.e., strengths and weaknesses that surface in more than one speech. Also address goals for future public
speaking.
Evaluation of Outside Speech: Each student is expected to write an evaluation of one non-fiction speech that takes place
outside of our classroom. A guidance sheet will be provided for this analysis. The evaluation should be in the form of a
two-page, typed, double-spaced (500 word minimum) paper. The critique may be of a speech found in one of the “Great
Speeches” videos held on two-hour reserve in the Instructional Resources Collection (basement of the Waggoner Library)
or it may be a speech you have heard “live” in another public speaking setting this semester, i.e., a guest speaker in
another class, a chapel speaker, a campaign speech, sermon, etc. You may also watch a speech on television (CSPAN, etc.)
or the internet (YouTube, etc.). The speaker should not be a member of the class. Please do not evaluate another
professor’s classroom teaching.
Peer Critiques on Wiki Page: Student speeches will be posted for viewing on the class Wiki page. For each speech assignment,
you are asked to critique the speeches of two classmates and post your thoughts onto the Wiki discussion boards. (In other
words, you will post at least 8 peer critiques throughout the semester; two personal narrative speeches; two informative
speeches, two persuasive speeches, two ceremonial speeches). More detailed instruction will be given in class.
Examinations: There will be three exams covering the textbook, class discussions, and any assigned viewing/reading. The
format will be approximately 25-30 multiple choice and several (4-8) short answer questions. A study guide for each exam
will be posted on the Wiki page at least one week before the exam. Exams will be returned to you in class so you can
review your score, then the professor will collect the exams and keep them for her files. If you wish to review the test
further, contact the professor.
Seven In-class Activities: These will either be activities designed to establish your understanding of the reading material
assigned that day. Only your five best scores will be counted. No activity or quiz may be made up for any reason.
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Final Examination: The final examination will be cumulative and will consist primarily of multiple choice questions and one
or two short answer questions. Students should keep their study guides from the three previous exams to review for the
final exam.
Other Course Policies:
Missed Speeches and Late Work: Public speaking is a privilege, and in keeping with “real-world” expectations, if you miss
the opportunity to speak, you risk forfeiting that opportunity entirely. You should be present and prepared to give a
speech on the day and time to which you are assigned. Speeches and examinations may be made up only in rare and
extreme emergencies, such as serious illness or a death in the immediate family. Documentation of the illness such as a
note from a parent, RD, or nurse will be required. If making up a test is approved, examinations must be taken within one
week of the original test date.
Written work will be accepted late, however, 10% of the total possible grade will be deducted for each day that the
assignment is overdue, unless there is an acceptable excuse such as serious illness or death in the immediate family.
Submitting Work: In order for your work to be considered on-time, you may turn in written work one of three ways: (1)
Submit a “hard copy” to your instructor during class time on the day the paper is due; (2) Place a “hard copy” of your
paper in the professor’s mailbox in Tidwell by 4:30 p.m. on the day the paper is due; (3) e-mail your paper to your
instructor’s account (lwelch@trevecca.edu). Save your “sent” message until your instructor confirms she has received
your paper to document that you did, in fact, send it.
Cell Phones: Please turn off cell phones during class. If you are expecting an important telephone call, notify your
instructor, set your cell phone on “vibrate,” and leave class when you receive the call.
Laptop Computers: During lectures and class discussion, laptop computers are permitted as long as their use relates to
material being covered in class. Surfing the net, sending e-mails, or doing work unrelated to COM 1010 detracts from
your involvement in the class and impedes the learning experience of everyone. During student speeches, laptops are to
be closed and put away. Do not post your peer critiques during class time.
Attendance: Because this course meets for three hours, class attendance will be taken two times during each class
session; at the beginning of the class and immediately after the class break. You will be allowed one absence (i.e., two
halves of class) without penalty. With each successive absence, thirty points will be deducted from your cumulative score.
Trevecca’s attendance policy states that no student may receive credit for a course in which he or she misses
more than three weeks of class (in either excused or unexcused absences). If you know in advance that you will be absent
from class, notify the instructor as early as possible. If you are tardy, notify the instructor immediately after class.
Activities missed because of tardiness cannot be made up. Repeated tardiness will be considered when assigning the Class
Participation grade.
Please note the following University grading policy: Any student who disenrolls (or is disenrolled) from the class on or
before November 19 will receive “W” as a grade. A student will receive an “F” if he or she disenrolls (or is disenrolled)
after November 19.
Academic Honesty: This class operates under the assumption that students are academically honest, or in other words,
that you do your own work. Unless the assignment asks you to work with others, you should complete each assignment to
the best of your own ability. Papers, outlines, and speeches must be your original work. Anything else constitutes
dishonesty in that you attempt to take credit for or benefit from someone else’s work. In the event that such dishonesty is
discovered, you may receive an “F” for the course.
Academic Support: Students who have a disability and who would like to receive accommodations must register with the
Coordinator of Disability Services in the Center for Leadership, Calling, & Service.
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Daily Course Schedule:
Please note: You are expected to have read the chapters in parentheses before arriving in class each day.
8/30
Introduction to the Course
Public Speaking and Communication (Ch. 1)
9/6
Dealing with Speech Fright
Preparing for your Personal Narrative Speech
Audience Considerations (Ch. 4)
9/13
Personal Narrative Speeches Presented
Organizing the Speech (Ch. 6)
Outlining the Speech (Ch. 7)
9/20
Exam I (Chapters 1, 4, 6, & 7)
9/27
Preparing and Researching the Speech (Ch. 5)
Critical Listening (Ch. 3)
10/4
Speeches to Inform (Ch. 10)
Using Audiovisual Aids (Ch. 9)
Evaluation of Outside Speech Due
10/11  Mid-Semester Break 
10/18 Delivering the Speech (Ch. 8)
Informative Speech Outline Due
10/25 Informative Speeches Presented
11/1
Examination II (Chapters 3, 5, 8, 9, & 10)
Speeches to Persuade (Ch. 11)
11/8
Language Habits (Ch. 2)
Logical Reasoning and Argument (Ch. 12)
Persuasive Speech Outline Due
11/15 Persuasive Speeches Presented
Unique Formats and Occasions (Ch. 13)
11/22 Critiquing Great Speeches: Sample Ceremonial Speeches
Speaking in Group Settings (Ch. 14)
Self Evaluation of Your Speeches Due
11/29 Examination III (Chapters 2, 11, 12, 13, & 14)
Impromptu Speeches Presented
12/6
Ceremonial Speeches Presented
Final Examination: Tuesday, December 13, at 6:00 p.m. Notice: University policy states that no final exam may be taken early.
No exceptions!
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