Syllabus

Course Description:

Welcome to Public Speaking! This course explores the fundamental principles of speaking in public situations and the preparation and delivery of informative and persuasive presentations. Subjects include: ethics in public speaking; audience analysis; selecting and researching speech topics; citing sources; constructing well-reasoned arguments; extemporaneous delivery; and peer evaluation. Students are expected to develop outlines and speaking notes, use visual aids, and improve on verbal and nonverbal delivery skills.

(3 credits; Core COMM; Flex Core Individual and Society)

Textbook:

Stand up, Speak out: The Practice and Ethics of Public Speaking (PDF also available on Blackboard)

This is a FREE online textbook (Open Educational Resource) available at https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/77

Assignments/Graded Activity:

 General Requirements for all speeches

• Prepare a typed, structured speaking outline for every
• Present a well-organized speech with a clear beginning, middle and
• Adapt your speech to the audience; gain and maintain their attention
• Always ask yourself what main message your speech will communicate to the
• Every speech must follow the instructions
• Every speech needs to be within time
• Every speech must be delivered extemporaneously, meaning, not read from a
• Support every claim with EVIDENCE (facts, examples, stories, )
• All information you get from an outside source must be properly cited in three places:
  • “In-text” on your outline right after you mention a fact;
  • In a “Works Cited” section at the end of your outline; AND
  • Out-loud during your oral presentation

Any speeches that do not fulfill these citation requirements, above, will receive a grade of F.

Impromptu Speeches

The Impromptu Speech is an ‘on-the-spot’ speech not planned in advance. This is a chance for the instructor to observe students’ speaking style and abilities and consider custom strategies for each student to improve. At least three students will be chosen to speak during each class about a topic of the Professor’s choice. Each student will be asked to do an impromptu speech at least three times during the semester. Speakers are selected at random, so it is important that you attend each class. If you are not present when the Professor selects you as a speaker you will receive an F on that impromptu speech. (2 to 4 minutes each)

Success, Informative, and Persuasive Speeches

The Success Speech is where you bring an item to class and explain how it represents your success in life. Think about an object that reminds you of some success in your life. It can be almost anything: A video game controller; a basketball, an item of clothing; a paper you got a good grade on; a souvenir from a trip; etc. This assignment requires an outline, but no outside sources or research is required other than your own experience and memories. (5- 6 minutes)

The Informative Speech is where you educate the audience about a topic of your choice. Here you are trying to present a balanced view and not trying to persuade the audience. However, you are still trying to convince your audience that the topic is worthy of their attention and that you are knowledgeable about the subject. Try to tell the audience how you think your speech will benefit them, and always choose the most amazing facts to make your speech exciting. The informative speech requires research from a variety of sources, including Google, the City Tech Library, books, newspapers, magazines or interviews. This speech requires an outline with 3-5 sources of information, cited correctly. (6-8 minutes)

The Persuasive Speech is where you try to influence the audience to take an action on some issue. Here you will employ some rhetorical tools that have been used for millennia to convince the audience to adopt your point of view and take an action. The Persuasive Speech also requires research from a variety of sources, including Google, the City Tech Library, books, newspapers, magazines or interviews. This speech requires an outline with 3-5 sources of information, cited correctly. (7-9 minutes)

For each speech, you will earn a letter grade according to specific instructions. Be certain to follow the format requirements. Model outlines are provided.

Peer Evaluations:

You are required to evaluate other students by filling out a form for each speaker. This assignment is designed to help both the speaker (by providing additional feedback) and observer, by encouraging audience members to pay close attention to speeches and to reflect on similarities with, and differences from, his or her own style. In addition, this assignment will familiarize you with the criteria the Professor uses to grade your speech. Your peer evaluations need to be substantial, thoughtful, supportive yet offering constructive criticism.

Participation:

Speech is something that we learn by doing. In this sense, this class will be different from other courses where you are expected to sit passively and absorb information. Attendance at each class meeting is crucial, and the instructor expects you to be attentive, engaged, curious, asking questions and actively participating during in-class discussions. The class will sometimes break into pairs or small groups to summarize the readings, brainstorm on topics and suggest arguments and supporting materials for one another’s speeches. Your participation grade is adversely affected by lateness, absences, rudeness or disruptions. See below on “Behavioral Requirements.”

Chapter Quizzes:

Chapter Quizzes are designed to test your knowledge of principles from the textbook that we will discuss in class. Questions will be multiple choice and T/F. Your grade will be averaged from all of the chapter quizzes. Please note the due dates for each quiz.

Grading Criteria

A 94-100 A- 90-93 B+ 87-89 B 84-86 B- 80-83 C+ 77-79 C 74-76 C- 70-73 D+ 67-69 D 60-66 F 0-59. Your final grade will be comprised of the following:

Impromptu Speeches (total of three) 10%
Success Speech 15%
Informative Speech 25%
Persuasive Speech 25%
Attendance and Participation 10%
Peer evaluations 5%
Chapter Quizzes 10%
TOTAL POSSIBLE 100%

Please note that the Informative and Persuasive Speech will account for 50% of your final grade. Each speech is graded on three main criteria (as they appear on the Evaluation Form): Content, Delivery and Outline. Content refers to your topic, research, choice of words, focus and organization. Delivery refers to your preparation, voice and gestures, etc. Outline refers to your Speaking Outline that you hand in right after giving your speech.

CLASS POLICIES

Behavioral Requirements

All students are expected to attend each class and act respectfully and politely. They should appear to be engaged; be willing to speak out-loud and respond to questions. Lateness is disruptive to the class, and the student who is late may miss important material being covered. Students are expected to be mentally (as well as physically) present during class. This means that headphones or earbuds need to be removed, and phones and other electronics should be put away. Students using their phones, appearing to be asleep, having side conversations, or otherwise acting rudely will be asked to leave the class, and their class participation grade will be negatively affected. Nobody should enter or exit the room during a speech. Please wait until the speaker is finished to enter or exit.

Order of Presentations

The order of presenters is chosen randomly before each speech. Those not present on their presentation date will receive an F on the speech. Sorry, no make-up speeches allowed (except for documented emergencies).

Literacy Requirement

This course requires strong, college-level English literacy skills. Students not meeting these basic literacy requirements will be asked to reconsider this course.

Learning Center:

The College Learning Centers provide a wide range of academic support to students across the College. Computer facilities, tutoring assistance and workshops are free to students with valid City Tech IDs. Schedules are regularly posted in the Learning Center.

Atrium Learning Center
Location: Atrium G18
Phone: 718-260-5874

Humanities Department Attendance Policy

It is the conviction of the Humanities department that a student who is not in a class for any reason is not receiving the benefit of the education being provided. Missed class time includes not just absences but also latenesses, early departures, and time outside the classroom taken by students during class meeting periods. Missed time impacts any portion of the final grade overtly allocated to participation and/or any grades awarded for activities that relate to presence in class. Note: Each professor will keep accurate, detailed records of students’ attendance.

Blackboard/Email Requirements

Your Professor uses Blackboard for grading, outline submission, exams, and other class activities and you are expected to complete all these assignments. In addition, ALL of the major course documents are available on Blackboard containing instructions for each assignment. Personal email accounts may not be connected to Blackboard, which means that you will not receive critical information. Please note: Not knowing how to use Blackboard, email or CONNECT is not a valid excuse for missed assignments. Failure to use them will result in a lower grade. Get Blackboard/ email help and other tech support at iTec,

Room G601 (718)254-8565 http://websupport1.citytech.cuny.edu/studentbb.html.

Academic Integrity at City Tech

“Students and all others who work with information, ideas, texts, images, music, inventions, and other intellectual property owe their audience and sources accuracy and honesty in using, crediting, and citing sources. As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the College recognizes its responsibility for providing instruction in information literacy and academic integrity, offering models of good practice, and responding vigilantly and appropriately to infractions of academic integrity. Accordingly, academic dishonesty is prohibited in The City University of New York and at New York City College of Technology and is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension, and expulsion” (NYCCT Academic Integrity Policy).

Strict Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism (including “unintentional”) will not be tolerated. Students found plagiarizing will be given one chance to fix. Further offences will result in an F on the assignment. The instructor may also give you an F in the course and report you to City Tech Office of Academic Integrity.

Reasonable Accommodation:

The Humanities Department is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities. Any student who has a disability that may prevent him or her from fully demonstrating his or her abilities should contact me personally so we can discuss accommodations necessary to ensure full participation and to maximize educational opportunities. For more information, contact the Center for Student Accessibility in N108, or call the Program Manager John Reid Currie at (718)260-5143

Humanities Department Commitment to Student Diversity:

The Humanities Department complies with the college wide nondiscrimination policy and seeks to foster a safe and inclusive learning environment that celebrates diversity in its many forms and enhances our students’ ability to be informed, global citizens. Through our example, we demonstrate an appreciation of the rich diversity of world cultures and the unique forms of expression that make us human.