Course Syllabus Communications 110
PUBLIC SPEAKING
(Mr. Harmon) (pamandoug@prodigy.net)
COURSE OBJECTIVES: This course is designed to introduce you to the basic principles
of effective public speaking. Emphasis is placed on preparation
for speeches (audience analysis, research, outlining, etc.). You
will be required to give five speeches – dependent on time
allowed.
TEXT: Public Speaking For College and Career, 8th edition, by
Hamilton Gregory (McGraw-Hill)
Student CD: SpeechMate CD-ROM 4.0
Online Learning Center: www.mhhe.com/gregory8
ATTENDANCE: Regular attendance is expected. See Ground Rules below.
TESTS: Tests will cover information from class lectures, videos, and the
textbook If you are absent, you should get notes from a fellow
student who was present during the class you missed.
GRADING POLICY: Speech I
Speech II
Speech III
Speech IV
Speech V
Midterm
Final exam
SPEECH 1. Introductory speech (2-4 minutes). This speech will not
ASSIGNMENTS: be graded. If you speak over 6 minutes, time will be called.
2. Speech I—Informative speech (about 6 minutes). An
outline must be submitted in advance. See Speech
Evaluation Sheet for an explanation of the possible
penalties. The minimum time is 4 minutes; the maximum
time is 8 minutes.
3. Speech II—
Informative speech
using visual aids
(about 6 minutes). An
outline must be
submitted in advance.
See Speech Evaluation
Sheet for an
explanation of the
possible penalties.
Minimum time: 4
minutes; maximum
time: 8 minutes.
4. Speech III—
1
Persuasive speech
using visual aids
(about 6 minutes). An
outline must be
submitted in advance.
See Speech Evaluation
Sheet for an
explanation of the
possible penalties. The
minimum time is 4
minutes; the maximum
time is 8 minutes.
5. Speech IV—
Entertaining speech
(about 5 minutes). An
outline must be
submitted in advance.
See Speech Evaluation
Sheet for an
explanation of the
possible penalties. The
minimum time is 3
minutes; the maximum
time is 7 minutes.
6. Speech V—Speech of
your choice (about 6
minutes). An outline
must be submitted in
advance. See Speech
Evaluation Sheet for an
explanation of the
possible penalties.
Minimum time: 4
minutes; maximum
time: 8 minutes
GROUND RULES: 1. Class attendance on speech days is mandatory, even
if you are not scheduled to speak. Part of the course is
learning to listen intelligently and to evaluate speeches.
When you skip your fellow students’ speeches, you are
being rude to them, saying, in effect, “Your speech is not
worth my time.”
2. Your outline should be legible—either typed or written
neatly.
3. You may not read any part of your speech (except for a
brief quotation). You should rely only on brief notes
contained on either a single piece of paper or on index
cards. (You will not be required to turn in your notes.)
4. You must provide a question-and-answer period at the end
of your speech. (If no one asks a question, don’t feel bad;
it doesn’t necessarily mean that you gave a poor speech.
Perhaps you covered all the points, and there’s nothing left
to ask about.)
5. If you are not prepared to speak on the day scheduled,
2
stand ready to speak at the next class period. You will not,
however, go first. The people scheduled for that day will
go first; then, if there is time, you will speak.
6. You must give all assigned speeches in order to get a
passing grade for this course.
