Introduction to Public Speaking
SPCH 1101
Spring 2016
Instructor: Stacy Dahl
Room: 205
Class Meets: M-F 1:45-3:06
Office Hours: 12:20-2:24
Phone: 218-782-2232 ex 216 Email: sdahl@greenbush.k12.mn.us
Text: Mastering Public Speaking 8 th Edition by Grice and Skinner
Materials: Notebook/writing utensil, folder, 3x5 or 4x6 index cards, nerve, and imagination
Course Description: This course increases students’ skills in oral communication of thoughts to an audience. It includes the selection and evaluation of topics and source materials for public speaking, the composition and organization of speech, and effective presentation techniques.
Learner Outcomes:
 Demonstrate the writing and speaking processes through invention, organization, drafting, revision, editing, and presentation.
 Select appropriate communication choices for specific audiences.
 Locate, evaluate, and synthesize material from diverse sources and points of view.
 Identify types of persuasive messages and demonstrate methods of persuasion and identify Aristotle’s three modes of proof.
 Conduct research and verbally cite sources during oral presentations to support ideas in speeches to inform and to persuade.
 Participate effectively in groups with emphasis on listening, critical and reflective thinking, and responding .
Attendance: Attendance is a critical part of this class as activities are done in almost every class period. Failure to be present and to contribute to class discussion and activities will hinder your completion of course objectives. It is in your best interest to attend class and present speeches/assignments as they are due. If you anticipate an absence, you will need to make arrangements with the instructor to complete assignments early. Emergency situations fall to the instructor’s discretion. It is YOUR responsibility to collect missing assignments/schedule changes/get notes, etc…
Late Speeches: Throughout the semester, you will be assigned speaking days. If you are not able to speak on your assigned day, it is your responsibility to switch days with a classmate or make arrangements with me prior to your speaking day. Students who fail to contact me in advance and who do not speak on their assigned day will not get credit for that speech.
Plagiarism: Portraying someone else’s words/ideas as your own will not be tolerated.
Plagiarism will result in a zero on the assignment.

Required Speeches:
Introduction Speech—In this 3-5 minute speech, you will interview a classmate and introduce him/her to the class.
Demonstration Speech—In this 5-7 minute speech, you will show the class how to do something. You will take us through the process step by step by using examples and a presentation aid.
Informative Speech—In this 5-7 minute speech, you will inform the audience
Persuasive Research Speech—This 7-10 minute speech will require research, strong organization, and a works cited page. You will speak on a topic about which you feel inspired, and your goal is to convince the class to believe as you do. You will need to use a presentational aid in this speech and deliver oral citations as well as a written works cited page.
Speech to Entertain: This 4-6 minute speech is meant to entertain the audience. You will pick a topic of your choice
Special Occasion Speech: At times, we are called upon to share a word or two at a special event.
This 2-4 minute speech will be more personalized and thoughtful.
Impromptu Speeches: you will give 3-5 impromptu speeches. You will have 30 seconds to prepare for a 1 minute speech on a random topic.
Outlines are required for each speech and are due the day your speech is scheduled.
Grading:
Grades will be comprised of in-class activities/participation and speeches. All assignments and quarter grades are based on the following scale. (College transcripts will only show A, B, C, D, or F).
96-100
93-95
90-92
86-89
83-85
80-82
76-79
73-75
70-72 D
Below 70 F
C+
C
C-
A
A-
B+
B
B-

Tentative Class Schedule
(All plans are subject to change)
Week 1: Policies and Procedures. Why study public speaking? Building confidence, heightening credibility, reducing nervousness and stress, common mistakes, introductory speech info, impromptus
Week 2: Storytelling, expression, tone, listening skills and evaluating and interviews
Week 3: Delivery and nonverbal communication, introductory speeches, and peer/teacher review and feedback
Week 4: Structure and outlining, intros and conclusions, ethics, impromptus
Week 5: Topic selection, audience analysis, demonstration speech info
Week 6: Visual aids, demonstration speeches and peer/teacher review and feedback
Week 7: Citing sources, using sources effectively, impromptus
Week 8: Informative speeches and peer/teacher review and feedback
Week 9: persuasion speech work
Week 10: research and persuasion speech work
Week 11: persuasion speeches and peer/teacher review and feedback
Week 12: Debate
Week 13: Speech to entertain intro
Week 14: speech to entertain speeches and peer/teacher review and feedback
Week 15: Radio broadcast, dramatic duos, extemporaneous storytelling
Week 16: Impromptus, Special occasion intro
Week 17: Special occasion speeches and peer/teacher review and feedback
Week 18: Final impromptu speeches