It should be obvious that the goal of this class is to improve the student’s ability to present information or an opinion to an audience of one or a thousand. Any prepared speaker writes beforehand, whether in prose or outline format. Therefore this class will include a great deal of writing and editing, as well as presentation. Sometimes a person may be in a situation that requires speaking to an audience without preparation. As such, there will also be times when the student must deliver an impromptu speech. Finally, speakers may find that their presentations are being recorded for posterity; sometimes this will be auditory and not visual. This requires a consideration of how the voice must carry the intentions of the author’s words.
To these ends, students will be expected to engage in three types of speaking scenarios: prepared (with text or memorized), before an audience; unprepared before an audience; and prepared, into a microphone. In all instances, the student must perform when scheduled. Any disruption to the schedule will result in a twenty (20) point deduction for each day tardy.
Students can expect to learn about effective writing, persuasion, and performance techniques in order to achieve competence in delivering any form of public presentation.
Students enrolled in this class are not only speakers, but they are also audience members. Respect for any person standing in the front of the classroom is expected. There is no suitable time for distraction of a speaker.
Speeches will be given on primarily a weekly basis; lecture and preparation will occur Monday through Wednesday, presentations will be given Thursday and Friday. Order of student presentation will be rotated by means of random selection. Students will volunteer only themselves.
Pen, pencil, paper, and any assigned speech are all the materials necessary for this class, unless a speech requires otherwise. All assignments will be completed, otherwise credit for the class will be denied.
Grades will be determined by assignment completion and performance. Speeches will be evaluated by the teacher and peers. In general, two aspects of the speech will be graded: the content and the performance. Specific focus areas for content will vary for each assignment, but clarity, diction, and organization will always be assessed. Focus area for performance are for vocal expression, pacing, posture, eye contact, and gesturing.
Expect to be nervous, to be challenged, to improve, and ultimately to have fun.