Rainier Jr/Sr High School Through Oregon Institute of Technology Course Syllabus for SPE

Rainier Jr/Sr High School through Oregon Institute of Technology Course Syllabus for SPE 111: Fundamentals of Speech

Instructor: Mrs. Warrington

Course Description: This course will help you develop into a confident and effective public speaker. We will be learning about five different types of speeches, the dynamics of the speaker-listener interaction, and the power of varying speech techniques from organizational choices, the pause, and use of language.

Course Outcomes: By the end of SPE 111, students should be able to do the following:

Content

Chose significant topics, conduct appropriate research, and reflect the complexity of issues

Support a focused thesis with a variety of credible and appropriately attributed sources

Organization

Use appropriate organizational patterns

Write speech outlines that follow a standard outline format

Prepare and deliver speeches in these categories: informative, demonstration, persuasive, introduction

Prepare and deliver speeches with effective introductions, conclusions, and transitions between main points

Apply strategies for audience analysis regarding topic and purpose

Demonstrate clear enthusiasm and passion for the topic

Deliver the speech within the time constraints

Delivery

Deliver the speech clearly, with adequate volume, voice range and in appropriate English

Use vivid language without oral fillers or over-reliance on notes

Appear poised with good posture and effective use of gestures, eye contact, and other non-verbal behavior

Visuals

Integrate well-designed and documented visuals into a speech to increase interest and clarify ideas Meta-communication

Evaluate the content, organization, style, delivery, and visuals of others’ speeches

Evaluate the content, organization, style, delivery, and visuals of one’s own speeches

Develop active listening skills and be a respectful, conscientious listener

Develop strategies to overcome communication apprehension

Required Materials: A Concise Public Speaking Handbook, Second Edition by Steven A. Beebe and Susan Beebe, 2009. , access to a computer, dictionary, OIT library and Blackboard.

Introduction: Welcome to Speech 111! This is a course taught at Rainier Jr/Sr High School through OIT that you will be completing at the same time as WRI 111. We will alternate between giving a speech and writing an essay. There will be five speeches throughout this course: introductory, process, informative, persuasive, and encomium. Some expectations will be required for all speeches (outlines, note cards) and some will vary (length of speech, props, focus etc). You may always use materials from your senior project and/or your essays from Writing 121 to write your speech.

How to succeed in this course: In addition to what is listed on your WRI 121 syllabus, dedicate the time required to write an effective speech and practice several times before you give a speech in class.

Grading Policy:

100-90% A 69-60% D

89-80% B <59% F

79-70% C

Assignments: Introduction speech, process speech, informative speech, persuasive speech, encomium speech, planning outlines for each speech, outline cards, self-evaluation, participation.

Plagiarism Policy: same as Writing 121. Do not plagiarize.

Speech Topics: As the teacher of this class, it is my responsibility to create a learning environment in which all people feel comfortable. As public speakers, it is your ethical responsibility to understand your audience well enough to know what is and is not a topic suitable for your audience. Be sensitive to the values of all members of the class in the selection of topics and the methods of presentation. Poor audience analysis may reflect on your grade for a given speech. Also, topics related to weapons of any kind, drugs, or alcohol are prohibited.

Research: You are expected to have the minimum number or sources for each speech. Minimum does not equal proficient (A). You must cite more sources both in your speech and outline than the minimum required in order to receive a proficient score. Likewise, you should find sources form credible sources. No sources acquired from general information cites (Wikipedia, About, etc.) will be counted as a source for any of the speeches. Find the best sources possible in order to receive a proficient score.

Creativity: It is encouraged! Over the course of the semester, I will read many outlines and hear many speeches. I hope you will take the opportunity to go beyond the status quo with your work. Set yourself apart by being creative, insightful, and thoughtful with the work you present.

Just think, by the end of this course you will be an expert in conquering the #1 fear of most Americans in the United States: Public Speaking!

Mrs. Warrington