Introduction to Speech - 1st year
Basic course in speech communication, which emphasizes the fundamentals of extemporaneous speaking. Research, organization, reasoning, style and delivery of presentations; the role of the listener in oral communication; and understanding the audience-speaker relationship are stressed.
Objectives:
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Define and identify elements of interpersonal communication and public speaking;
2. Demonstrate improvement in listening and oral communication skills;
3. Improve listening, delivery, and critical assessment and analytical skills;
4. Increase his/her poise and confidence in various speaking situations;
5. Research and organization of information;
6. Demonstrate knowledge and application of informative, argumentative and persuasive speaking including explaining, reasoning, justification, and analytical skills;
7. Recognize and appreciate cultural pluralism in topic selection and interaction with members of different cultures.
Topics:
Course topics will include the following:
1. Fundamentals of Speech Communication and Public Speaking: The Communication Process; Communication Sensitivity; Speech Confidence
2. Cultural Diversity and Public Speaking
3. Listening Process: The Process Model; Listening Skills; Critical Thinking and Listening
4. Audience Consideration: Demographics; Values; Topic Orientation; Patterns of Audience Interactions
5. Ethics and Public Speaking: Ethical Speaking; Ethical Listening
6. Selecting and Researching Topics: General and Specific Purpose Statements and Central Idea Statements; Material Gathering Process; Forms of Support
7. Organizing Speech: Introduction; Body; Conclusion
8. Outlining Speech: Complete Outlining; Speech Outlining
9. Delivering Speech: Effective Delivery; Styles of Delivery; Nonverbal Communication; Voice Articulation; Visual Aids
10. Speeches: To Inform; To Persuade
11. Logical Reasoning and Argument
12. Speaking in Group Settings: Group Dynamics; Problem Solving and Decision Making
Method of Instruction:
1. Lecture
2. Class Discussion
3. Small Group Activities
4. Student Presentations
5. Role Playing
6. Use of Library for Research Projects
Types of Assignments:
1. Students will read approximately one chapter-length per week
2. Students must be able to take notes from their textbook and supplementary readings and from lectures
3. Student will be researching and outlining speech presentations.
4. Students will be presenting tow major presentations as well as several shorter presentations
5. Students will be participating in class activities
6. Students will be viewing and critiquing audio-visual programs
Sample Text:
1. The Art of Public Speaking. 5th ed. (Stephen E. Lucas; McGraw-Hill, 1995)
2. The Complete Book of Speech Communication: A Workbook of Ideas and Activities for Students of Speech and Theatre. (Carol Marrs; Meriwether, 1992)
