COMMUNICATION
CRASH COURSE
Speech Communication
Houston Community College Northwest
Professor Autumn Raynor 2013
Welcome to the Lectern!
Syllabi, Assignments,
Schedules & Resources
are on the Learning Web
Read assigned chapters
before the class
discussion
All assignments must be
submitted in hardcopy,
typed and stapled. A
typed full sentence
outline is required for
each speech.
We sign up for speech
order on the class
period before speech
day. If you are absent
on sign up day, your
name will be added to
the list. All students
should be prepared to
speak on the first day
of speeches.
No food is allowed in
class. You may bring a
beverage if you’d like.
Welcome to the Lectern!
If your name is called
and you are not prepared
to speak, you will receive
a zero. See syllabus for
make up policy
APA format is used in this
class. Visit our class’ LW
for an APA tutorial and
outline examples
You may email me drafts
of your work for
assistance. I’d be glad to
help you
You must arrive to class
within 15 minutes of its start
time
During speeches all
distractions should be
minimized; laptops, phones
and tablets must be put
away
One Speech Analysis can
provide 5 extra credit points
One successful 90 second
challenge can provide 10
extra credit points
NO
NO
NOMeans
Means NO
Do NOT walk into the classroom when one
of your classmates is at the lectern. Wait
outside until you hear applause and enter
quickly.
Do NOT chew gum or eat candy at the
lectern.
Do NOT use unkind or impolite language in
outlines, speeches or discussions.
Do NOT miss more than three classes.
PLAGIARISM:
NOT EVEN ONCE
You MUST acknowledge sources for any material
you use that is not your original work. This
includes quotes, paraphrased content, statistics,
facts and other material.
HCC Student Code of Conduct lists the following
penalties for plagiarism: a zero for the
assignment, a zero in the course, and/or
dismissal from the college.
I can help you with references and citations.
IF YOU WANT AN A . . .
 Do use index cards at the lectern. No other form of notes are allowed.
 Do ask questions. Do ask for help.
 Do keep up with your grades and absences.
 Do give respect to and expect respect from our classmates.
 Do your personal best. Do find your voice.
 Do practice by telling us something interesting.
HAVE FUN!!!!
Speech
communication
theories, principles
and key concepts
 Language and culture are




parallel.
We make words for things we
need; we don’t have extra
words sitting around.
Language is always evolving.
We put content in dictionaries,
dictionaries do not dictate our
words.
Words can have denotative
(dictionary), connotative
(emotional) and coded (secret)
meanings.
Y’all fixin’ to get a
coke?
Perception is Reality
Use Your Schema
(you don’t really have a choice).
Schema is the collection of everything you
know about your world; your entire
collection of knowledge. You use this
schema to interpret, measure and evaluate
all new information.
Theories
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Theories
 Uncertainty Reduction- Humans seek
information to make sense of our worlds.
We attempt to reduce uncertainty and may
create uncertainty.
 Social Identity- People view themselves
and others as members of groups.
 Speech Accommodation-Mirroring,
convergence and divergence can
influence in-group and out-group status.
Theories
 Discrepancy Arousal- People have
expectations about behaviors, feelings and
events. Violations of expectations are more
outstanding than confirmation of expectations.
 Schemata- People have scripts, knowledge
and expectations based on personality,
perception and frames of reference. We use
schema to fill information gaps with
assumptions and previous knowledge.
Theories
 Attribution- People perceived all behaviors
as being caused and actively seek the causal
agent.
 Coding- Verbal and nonverbal symbols and
signs are used to exchange meaning. These
concepts are demonstrated through codes
which certain groups of people can
understand and others cannot.
 Duality- Each communication episode is new
and unique, but is dependent upon previous
interactions and knowledge.
COMMUNICATION DEFINITION

The process of creating and exchanging meaning
through symbolic interaction.
As a process communication constantly changes.
 Meaning involves thoughts, ideas, and
understandings shared by communicators.
 Symbols include the words and nonverbal behaviors
to communicate meaning and feelings.

THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS
Context provides the people, the occasion and the
task of communication.
 Physical environment is the actual place or space
where communication occurs.
 Climate influences the emotional atmosphere.

Academic Discipline of
Speech
 Interpersonal communication includes the
study of symbolic behavior in dyadic, two
person, relationships.
 Group communication concentrates on the
small group of three to seven persons.
 Organizational communication examines
the effects that organizational structure and
membership have on human communication.
 Public speaking is the study of discourse
and its role in shaping public perceptions and
practices
Process Definitions
 Message- Verbal and/or nonverbal signs,
and symbols used to exchange meaning;
transmitted intentionally or unintentionally
by a communicator.
 Source/Communicator- Generator of an
original message
 Receiver/Communicator- Person who
receivers and interprets a message
Process Definitions
 Channel- The means through which a
message is transmitted. This involves all
five senses, media, film, voices, pictures,
etc.
 Feedback- The response of a receiver to
a message.
 Noise- Anything which interferes with the
communication process. Noise can be
external (real), psychological (internal) or
physiological (biological).
Communication Process
Modeling
Principles of
Communication
1. Communication is transactional. You
give something and you get something.
2.
Communication is complex for several
reasons.
 It is interactive because many processes are
involved.
 It is symbolic because symbols are open to
interpretation.
 It is personal & cultural because a person’s
culture can add a new or different meaning to a
phrase or gesture.
Principles of
Communication
 It is irreversible because once a message is
sent, it cannot be taken back.
 It is circular because it involves both original
messages and feedback which is necessary to
confirm communication.
 It is purposeful because there is always a
reason behind a message and it helps meet our
needs.
 It is impossible to duplicate because each
interaction is unique.
Principles of
Communication
3. Communication is unavoidable. It is
impossible to not communicate-with the
universe.
4. Communication is continuous. Future
interactions and relationships are
shaped by previous interactions. We pick
up where we leave off.
5. Communication skills can always be
learned and improved upon.
Levels of
Communication
1. Intrapersonal- communication that
occurs in your own mind. The ‘voice in
our head’: the inner speech or mental
conversations that we carry on with
ourselves. It is the basis of your feelings,
biases, prejudices, and beliefs
2. Interpersonal -communication between
two people.
Levels of
Communication
3. Small Group -communication within
formal or informal groups or teams. It is
group interaction that results in decision
making, problem solving and discussion
within an organization.
4. One-to-group-communication involves a
speaker who seeks to inform, persuade
or motivate an audience. Public
speaking.
Levels of
Communication
5. Mass communication is the electronic or
print transmission of messages to the
general public. This may include things
like radio, television, film, and printed
materials designed to reach large
audiences.
Competent
Communicators
 Understand perfection and excellence.
 Employ ethics and character.
 Consider the needs, feelings and rights of
others.
 Take turns.
 Keep confidences and avoid gossiping.
 Are honest and truthful (at least with
oneself).
 Are accessible and reliable.
Competent
Communicators
 Are responsible and accountable for their
communication actions.
 Are informed, or can admit ignorance.
 Are logical.
 Know the difference from a fact, a
statistical prediction and an opinion.
 Have demands.
 Put themselves first.