Professor Ronda Bailey
Office Hours: By appointment
Because I am an adjunct professor I do not
have an office, but I am happy to schedule
a meeting time. I prefer to meet students in
the library during this time.
SPC 1608: Fundamentals of Speech
Monday, Wednesday 8:30-9:45, 10:00-11:15
Contact information:
Rbailey27@valenciacollege.edu
Catalog Description: Principles of oral communication common to speaking and listening. Emphasis on
listening techniques, preparation, and delivery techniques for extemporaneous speaking. (3 credit hours.)
Course Objectives: This course is designed to help you:
 organize and deliver informative and persuasive presentations
 research using library database sources
 listen and learn from others’ presentations
 understand and use ethics, audience awareness, effective language, and related skills
 work with others on a group presentation
 reflect on your own skills and development as a public speaker
Disclaimer: Information on this syllabus is subject to change and clarification at the discretion of the
professor.
Required Materials:
 Access to a computer with Internet access (to access research databases, Blackboard, and additional
textbook materials at http://www.abpublicspeaking.com).
 Activated Valencia student ID card / library card.
 Index cards (4x6 preferred).
 Stapler
 Flashdrive
Recommended Materials:
 MLA handbook
 College-level dictionary and thesaurus.
Summary of Important Policies:
 Attendance is mandatory. I will withdraw you upon your third absence, regardless of the reason(s)
for your absences, if your third absence occurs before the withdrawal deadline. I may or may not
withdraw you after the withdrawal deadline for excessive absences. You are allowed to have one
excused absence.
 Special note about attendance on days you’re scheduled to present: If you are absent or late to class
on a day you’re scheduled to present, you will get zeroes for the outline, presentation, and selfevaluation unless you qualify for one of my special exceptions for advance notice and/or
emergencies. See entire attendance and tardy policies on pages 3-4. Missing a speech usually means
you will be able to earn no more than a D in the course.
 I do not accept late*, e-mailed, or handwritten assignments, or unstapled papers. No exceptions (not
even for you!). (*Late means 60 seconds past the official class start time.)
 I don’t want to see or hear your cell phone. Turn it off (off does not mean “silent” or “vibrate”) and
leave it in your pocket or backpack. Texting, checking messages, and playing games are
inappropriate classroom activities. Points will be deducted from your final grade if your cell phone
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and/or your use of your phone distracts me, the class, and/or a speaker. You should note that cell
phone use in the classroom violates Valencia’s Student Code of Conduct; if I have to address your use
of a cell phone or other electronic device more than twice, I will refer you to the Dean of Students for
disciplinary action. You may use an electronic device only for appropriate classroom activities.
Speakers must wear appropriate attire on presentation days. Minimum requirements: no revealing
tops (good: a shirt with collar and sleeves; bad: strapless tops, tank tops, plunging necklines, etc.); no
exposed midriffs; no visible underwear; no shirts with words, slogans, pictures, or logos; no hats; and
no sunglasses. Think business casual.
I do not calculate grades for you. Feel free to keep up with your own progress using the assignment /
grading sheet provided on this syllabus.
I do not offer extra credit to individual students. You should focus on successfully completing the
work assigned throughout the session rather than waiting for a windfall at the end.
I use Atlas e-mail to contact students. You should check your account frequently and/or forward
your Atlas e-mail to the account you use regularly. If you send me an e-mail, write in Standard
English (don’t “text” me), use spell check, and create an appropriate subject line.
Learning Disabilities Policy: Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations must
provide a letter from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) and discuss specific needs with the
professor, preferably during the first week of class. The Office for Students with Disabilities determines
accommodations based on appropriate documentation of disabilities.
Academic Honesty: Each student must do his or her own work. Although collaboration is useful and
generally helpful, it is not designed to let you avoid completing an assignment yourself. Research is
required for most assignments, so we will cover the appropriate way to document a source on an outline
and in a presentation. In addition, all presentations and assignments must consist of original work
developed specifically for this class. If I suspect you have plagiarized, used a source without
acknowledgment, used sources that are inappropriate for a college-level class, or used previously
developed materials, I will address the matter appropriately. Consequences begin at a zero for the
assignment in question and could end with your suspension from the college. Multiple incidents of
academic dishonesty will be referred to the dean.
Assignments: I do not accept late* work, regardless of the excuse. (*Late is defined as 60 seconds past
the official class start time.) Any computer problems you may experience are not grounds for turning in
late work. You should always have extra ink cartridges, enough paper, a Valencia copy card with a
couple of dollars on it, and your work saved on a CD or flash drive in case you need to print elsewhere.
Assignments must be word-processed using the MLA-style guidelines that follow in this syllabus. Do not
e-mail assignments to me. I do not accept unstapled papers, which are a sign of last-minute work.
Furthermore, I do not carry a stapler for your use.
General Classroom Policies: I expect you to behave in a manner that is consistent with the Valencia
Code of Student Conduct at all times. You can access the specific details of the Code at
http://valenciacollege.edu/generalcounsel
No food is allowed in the classroom; you may drink from a container that has a lid. Arrive prepared for
class with the textbook and other appropriate materials. Do not deliver a speech with chewing gum in
your mouth or with a hat or sunglasses on your head. Turn off all cell phones when class begins. If
your phone rings, vibrates, and/or interrupts class, you will lose 25 points off your final grade. If
your phone distracts or interrupts a student speaker, you will lose points on your own presentation
(minimum 50 points.)
Attendance Policy: I expect you to be in class on time, period. Generally, I do not expect or accept
documentation for absences. An absence does not excuse you from turning in assignments on the day
they are due. You assume the responsibility for contacting a fellow student to reconstruct the topics,
handouts, and assignments covered. If you must be absent from class, please e-mail me to let me know.
Dates for the group presentation (final exam) are non-negotiable. Absences will affect your final
grade. Being absent on presentation days will result in points being taken off your own presentation
grade, even if you’ve already presented. Upon your third absence, I will withdraw you from the course if
that absence occurs before the withdrawal deadline. I may or may not withdraw you after the withdrawal
deadline for excessive absences.
Attendance Policy Addendum: I will allow students with genuine, verifiable excuses and emergencies
to be excused from presenting on an assigned day and scheduled for another. I reserve the right to
discontinue this section of the attendance policy at any time and to make judgment calls about one
student’s absence that may or may not apply to another’s. Additional details are as follows:
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If you have a genuine, verifiable emergency on the DAY OF a scheduled presentation, you
are to contact me as soon as possible. In order to be able to present at a future date, you
should send me, via e-mail or a messenger, a copy of your outline showing that it was
complete and any documentation you have about the emergency as soon as is reasonably
possible. I reserve the right to request additional documents and/or contact information.
o Examples of emergencies: a car accident on the way to school; an injury or
accident involving you or a close relative
o Examples of non-emergencies: having to take someone to the airport, having to be
at the hospital for the surgery of your mother’s sister’s boyfriend’s neighbor,
forgetting to print out your outline
If you have a non-emergency, verifiable, valid reason to miss a scheduled presentation day
and you are aware of this reason before the day of your scheduled presentation, you are to
contact me at least 48 hours in advance. In order to be able to present at a future date, you
should send me, via e-mail or a messenger, a copy of your outline showing that it was
complete and any documentation you have about the event. I reserve the right to request
additional documents and/or contact information.
o Examples of valid reasons: jury duty, military service, a one-time work-related
event that is mandatory
o Examples of non-valid reasons: your girlfriend wants you to go to the beach, your
aunt booked a cruise for you, you just don’t feel like presenting
Merely contacting me and providing documentation do not guarantee that you will be
allowed to present on a future date, although those steps are required for me to consider your
case.
If I decide to accept your documentation, I will reschedule your presentation at a time that is
convenient for me and for the schedule. You should note that having additional time to
prepare will increase my expectations.
You will not be allowed to make up a rescheduled presentation, and you will not be allowed
to reschedule more than one presentation.
Rules for the final exam (our group presentation session) are noted in the Final Exam Policy
section.
I will make my decisions based on the information you provide and on the credibility you
have earned with me. My decisions are final.
Tardy / Leaving Early Policy: Be on time to class—lateness is rude and disruptive. If you are late on a
presentation day, do not enter the classroom while another student or team is speaking. Wait until the
speaker has finished, then enter quietly. Take the nearest open seat and focus on the class activities. The
THIRD and following times you are late, you will be counted absent. If you are ever more than 20
minutes late, you will be counted absent. Similarly, the second and following times you leave class early,
you will be counted absent. If you ever leave class with more than 20 minutes remaining, you will be
counted absent. Multiple occurrences of your leaving class and returning (e.g., bathroom trips, answering
phone calls, etc.) will result in you and I having a conversation about the Student Code of Conduct and a
referral to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action.
Tardy / Leaving Early Policy Addendum: I will allow students who are tardy on a day they are
scheduled to present to be able to present in the case of an emergency. I reserve the right to discontinue
this policy at any time and to make judgment calls about one student’s tardy that may or may not apply to
another’s. Additional details are as follows:
 Speakers are expected to be on time (better yet, early!) on days they are scheduled to present.
 You will have a one-minute grace period before you are designated as tardy.
 If you are between one and 19 minutes late, you will be allowed to present but will lose 10% of
the possible points available for the presentation.
 If you are 20 or more minutes late, you are considered absent, and the criteria under addendum of
the attendance policy will apply.
Grade Ramifications of Absences and Tardiness: It is your responsibility to be aware of the number of
absences and occurrences of tardys you have. After your third absence, you are subject to being
withdrawn. Your third tardy will result in an Absence, and every tardy after will be the same. Being more
than 20 minutes late or leaving class more than 20 minutes early will result in an absence. Also, an
absence on any presentation day will result in an additional 10 points off your own presentation grade. In
other words, attendance is mandatory on speech days, even if you are not presenting.
Withdrawal Policy: A student who withdraws from class before the established deadline for a particular
term will receive a grade of W. A student is not permitted to withdraw after the withdrawal deadline. A
faculty member MAY withdraw a student up to the beginning of the final exam period for violation of the
class attendance policy. A student who is withdrawn by faculty for violation of the class attendance
policy will receive a grade of W. Any student who withdraws, or is withdrawn from a class during a third
or subsequent attempt in the same course will be assigned a grade of F. Please consult the most recent
Catalog for detailed information about how withdrawal from this or other classes may affect your
academic standing and financial aid.
Participation Policy: Participation points will made-up of various in-class and out-of-class assignments
and activities, as well as attendance and punctuality.
Final Exam Policy: It is your responsibility to know when and where the final examination is scheduled
and to be present and on time. Valencia College places the final examination schedule online at
http://valenciacollege.edu/calendar. You may be absent from a final examination or deviate from the
examination schedule only with approval of the professor. If you do not take the required final
examination and do not have an approved absence, you will receive a grade of F for the course. The final
exam in this course requires your participation in the group project.
General Presentation Information:
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Your speech topics must be approved by me and you must provide a word-processed sentence
outline and reference list in MLA format on the day you are scheduled to present in order to be
eligible to present the associated speech. I will give more specific information on topic choices at
the appropriate time.
 Firearms, other weapons, alcohol, and animals are not permitted on campus; therefore, they
cannot be used as visual aids. Consult me about the appropriateness of a particular visual aid.
 Time limits are designated for each presentation. You must stay within the assigned time limit; I
will deduct 1 point for each 10 seconds you are over or under the time limit.
 On presentation days, students are expected to attend class and to participate as audience
members. As audience members, you should refrain from distracting behavior, including
sleeping, doing homework for another class, texting and/or fiddling with your cell phone, or
talking with classmates. If I must address your behavior, you will receive a deduction on your
own presentation grade. Your cell phone’s ringing/vibrating/shimmying during a
presentation will result in a minimum 50-point deduction.
Evaluation Standards: The following criteria will be used for evaluating presentations: audience
adaptation, content, source material, understandability, transitions, language, posture, movement, eye
contact, enthusiasm, overall presence, and time. The descriptions below will serve as guidelines:
The A presentation is an excellent presentation. The speaker prepares an interesting,
thoughtful, and perhaps creative presentation. The speaker uses conventions such as an opening that
creates interest, visual aids that are appropriate, and an awareness of audience. The speaker
demonstrates full knowledge of the topic and cites the required number of credible sources. Verbal
fillers are rare, and the speaker meets the time requirements.
The B presentation is an above-average presentation. The speaker prepares a thoughtful and
original presentation. The speaker uses conventions such as an opening that creates interest, visual
aids that are appropriate, and an awareness of audience. The speaker is at ease with the content of
the presentation, but fails to elaborate or cite the required number of credible sources. Verbal fillers
(e.g., um, uh) occur, but they are not so frequent as to interfere with the communication process. The
presentation may be a bit long or a bit short.
The C presentation is an average presentation. The speaker prepares a presentation, but it is
not particularly insightful. The C presentation may also have some elements of rote memorization,
although that speaking pattern is accompanied by an attempt to speak extemporaneously. The
presentation itself may be disorganized and rambling. The speaker is uncomfortable with the content
of the presentation, although he or she is able to demonstrate basic concepts. Citations of credible
sources are incoherent or nonexistent. Verbal fillers occur with frequency and interfere with
comprehension. The presentation is more than one minute too long or too short.
The D or F presentation is one that consists primarily of a memorized or poorly rehearsed
speech. The speaker does not engage the audience; he or she merely reports on a topic. The speaker
cites no sources or only non-credible ones. The presentation quality is such that the audience can
assume the assignment was done at the last minute, late at night, or with total disregard.
Assignments and Grading: Assignments and values are listed below. To determine your grade
at any time, divide the points times the percentage and then add your percentage together for a
final score. The result is the percentage grade you have at that time. At the end of the semester,
points will be totaled and the sums will be equivalent to grades as shown:
Your final grade will be viewable in Atlas. Do not e-mail me before that date with a request to
know your grade.
Grading Scale for Fundamentals of Speech
Impromptu/Discussion and Class Participation
15%
Quizzes
15%
Special Occasion Speech
15%
Informative Speech with visual aid
20%
Persuasive Speech
20%
Group Presentation/Speech
15%
Your final grade will be viewable in Atlas. Do not e-mail me before that date with a request to
know your grade.
It is your responsibility to keep track of your grades.
Paper Format Guidelines
Use the following guidelines to format any typed assignment you submit for a grade in SPC
1608.
1. Set your margins at one inch on all sides.
2. Double-space your work. To set double spacing, click on Paragraph, Indents and Spacing,
and ensure that in the box under “Line spacing” the word reads “Double.” In Word 2007 and
later editions, be sure to remove the extra spacing [“Spacing After”] that occurs after a hard
return so you’re not triple spacing between paragraphs.
3. Indent new paragraphs by hitting the Tab key once; a tab equals approximately 10 spaces.
4. Use Times New Roman font, 12 point. Don’t use bold or italics, even for the title.
5. In the upper left-hand corner, using four lines, put your name, my name (spelled correctly,
please, Ronda Bailey), the course name and number (SPC 1608 _____, and the date the
assignment is due. Remember that MLA style uses the day-month-year format, which
requires no commas. See below for an example.
6. After the heading (described in number 5), hit Enter ONLY ONCE and type the name of the
assignment (e.g., “Self Introduction Self Evaluation”). Center this line using the centering
icon, not by using the space bar and eyeballing it.
7. Do not use full justification, which makes a straight line for the right-hand margin. Let your
lines wrap naturally, which will result in a ragged right margin.
8. Be sure to run the spell check, but also print out your assignment and PROOFREAD it
before you hand it in.
9. If your assignment is more than one page, staple it in the upper left-hand corner. I do not
accept unstapled papers.
Your syllabus is written out week by week. If you are person that needs dates, please write
them below you week. If you have questions please ask.
Week
1
Speeches, Lectures, and Exams
Syllabus
Becoming a Public Speaker
Listeners and Speakers
Ethical Public Speaking
Managing Speech Anxiety
2
Discuss Special Occasion Speech Assignment
Speaking on Special Occasions
From A to Z: Overview of a Speech
Analyzing the Audience
3
Selecting a Topic and Purpose
Organizing the Speech
Citing Sources in Your Speech
Exam 1 (Chapters 1-7, 11- 12, 25) Online in Blackboard
4
Speech 1: Special Occasion Speeches (Outlines Due)
Speech 1: Special Occasion Speeches
Developing Supporting Details
Locating Supporting Material
5
Finding Credible Sources on the Internet
Selecting an Organizational pattern
Outlining the Speech
Introduce Informative Speech/Paper Assignments
6
Informative Speaking
Developing the Introduction and Conclusion
Using language
Exam 2: Chapters 8-10, 13-16, 23 (Online in Blackboard)
7
Speech 2: Informative Speeches (Outlines Due)
Speech 2: Informative Speeches
8
Discuss Persuasive Speech Assignment
Persuasive Speaking
Speaking with Presentation Aids
Designing Presentation Aids
A brief introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint
9
Spring Break! --Enjoy—
10
Discuss Persuasive Speech Assignment
A brief Guide to Microsoft Power Point
Choosing Method of Delivery
11
Controlling the Voice
Using the Body
Exam 3: Chapters 17-22, 24 (Online in Blackboard)
12
Speech 3: Persuasive Speeches (Outlines Due)
Speech 3: Persuasive Speeches
13
Speech 3: Persuasive Speeches (Outlines Due)
Speech 3: Persuasive Speeches
14
Discuss Group Presentation Assignment
Communicating in Groups
Presenting in Teams
Social Science Courses
15
Discuss Group Presentation Assignment
Communicating in Groups
Speech 4: Group Presentation (outlines due)
16
Speech 4: Group Presentation (outlines due)
Speech 4: Group Presentation
Syllabus may change at the discretion of the Professor