CO 1003: Introduction to Public Speaking

Spring 2009

Instructor: Cheryl Chambers Email:

Office: McComas 212
Office Hours: By appointment OR:
Monday – 9:00 – 10:30 a.m., 12:30 –
1:30 p.m.
Tuesday – 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
CherylChambers83@gmail.com
(include your section number in the
title line of ALL emails)
Phone: 662-325-9161
Facebook Group: Cheryl’s CO
1003

CO 1003.06 MWF 8:00-8:50 a.m. McComas 214

REQUIRED TEXT: Invitation of Public Speaking for CO 1003 at Mississippi

State University, by Cindy Griffin

OVERVIEW OF THE COURSE

This course is somewhat different from most courses you will take. You
will be required to study textual and lecture materials as required in most
courses, but in this class you will have two additional roles - those of public
speaker and of evaluator. You will get to know the other class members as
you fulfill the roles of speaker and listener/evaluator. The interaction of
speaker and audience can add to your learning experience as well as to your
enjoyment of the class.
This is an application-oriented course. The basic principles of public
speaking will be covered through assigned textbook readings, lectures,
speeches, and class activities. Your ability to apply these principles will be
evaluated through written examinations, oral presentations, and various
other activities.

BASIC COMPLETION OF THE COURSE

Basic completion of this course requires that you (1) attend class
meetings (on time); (2) complete each speaking or writing assignment,
conforming to all requirements, on the date assigned; (3) receive satisfactory
scores on speaking assignments; (4) earn satisfactory scores on
examinations; and (5) participate actively in class discussions or activities.
The course is also different in that it deals with a situation that is
greatly feared by many, that of public speaking. I am aware of this and will
try to help you deal with the natural anxiety that you experience. If you are
particularly worried about speaking in public, don’t worry alone. Tell me so
that we can work on ways to minimize the stress you experience. Many
students are happily surprised at what they learn and how much fun they
have in this course.

ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY

 It is my goal to create a supportive and encouraging atmosphere in this
class. Delivering public speeches is a new and scary experience for many
students. Distracting behaviors by audience members can make this
experience even more difficult. Even for a more experienced speaker,
distractions in the audience may weaken the effectiveness of the speaker’s
delivery and thus may put the student’s grade in jeopardy. For this reason,
no distractions will be tolerated. If it becomes apparent that you are not fully
attentive and respectful while listening to a fellow speaker, you will lose a
letter grade on your own speaking assignment. See page iii in your book for
a list of distracting behaviors that you should avoid.

ATTENDENCE POLICY
The attendance policy in this course is somewhat different than other
courses you have had. To take role, you will sign an attendance sheet
everyday. The role will be passed out at the beginning of class. If you are
tardy, you must see me after class to sign the role! Everyday you come to
class you will receive points, except for speech days and exam days. You can
earn 50 attendance points in this class.
On speech days (yours or someone else), you will lose points off of
your speech if you do not attend class. If you miss your own speech day,
you will lose one letter grade off of your speech. One of the most important
aspects of public speaking is the audience, and you are the audience for your
fellow classmates. If you miss a classmate’s speech day, you will lose points
off of your speech based on the chart on page 3.
You will be able to make up a speech or exam if you have an excused
absence. Absences are only excused in cases of an emergency. These
absences are very rare. If you have to miss class for an emergency, you
must contact me as soon as possible via email or telephone. If you are
unable to contact me, make sure a friend, roommate, parent, professor, or
coach contacts me for you! Also, you must bring documentation of your
absence the day you return to class.
Tardiness is unacceptable in this course. If you are tardy three times, it
will count as an absence. If you have circumstances that cause you to be
tardy often, you need to see me as soon as possible.

GRADING & ASSIGNMENTS

Assignments:
Speech #1: Speech #5: 150
Icebreaker 10 points Persuasive points
Speech #2: Syllabus Quiz 10 points
Introduction 25 points Movie Paper 10 points
Speech #3: Teach Distraction Paper 10 points
Speech 50 points Observation Paper 10 points
Speech #4: 120 Special Occasion 15 points
Informative points
Speech
Peer Evaluations 10 points
100
Exam #1 points
100
Exam #2 points
100
Exam #3 points
Attendance 50 points
770
Total points
 Grading Scale: C = 536-612 points
A = 690-770 points D= 459-535 points
B = 613-689 points F = 458 & lower

OTHER POLICIES
Extra Credit: There are no extra credit opportunities in this course. Sorry, it’s the
department’s policy!

24 Hour Rule: You will need to wait 24 hours after receiving a grade on an
assignment before discussing it with me.

See page in your book (p.iii) for all course-wide policies!

MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS
See Daily Calendar (p.6) for all due dates

TOPICS DUE
Before your informative and persuasive speech, you must turn in your topic
(see Daily Calendar). I must approve your topic. Your topic sheet should be typed
and should include the topic, the specific purpose and the preview (which
includes your main points). Failure to turn this topic in will result in a deduction on
your speech grade. Please see the terminal topic list (p. MSU-5) for subjects that
you are NOT allowed to give speeches on.

SPEECH DAYS
If you do not attend class on speech days (indicated with a * on the Daily
Calendar), you will lose points off of your speech. The following chart shows how
many points you will lose for not attending a speech day. If your absence is
excused, please see the attendance policy section! You must contact me and
bring documentation in order to excuse the absence.

Speech #3 Speech
#2 2 points Speech #5 4 points
Speech 2 points #4 4 points

PEER EVALUATIONS
You will have a class group with 5 members, including yourself. For the last
3 speeches, you will evaluate your group member’s speeches. You will provide
constructive criticism for the speaker. This evaluation will not affect the speaker’s
grade, but it will affect yours! You must bring a peer evaluation form (See p. MSU-
17 in book) on every speech day (see Daily Calendar). I will not provide extra
copies, so do not forget your forms. These evaluations will be due at the end of
the semester.

MOVIE PAPER
For this assignment, you will need to find a speech from a movie. Watch the
speech and write up a short analysis of this speech. Your paper should include:
the name of the movie, a brief description of the context of the speech (when,
where, and why was the speech given), what you thought was good and bad
about the speaker and the speech, an analysis of the audience (who was the
audience and why are they present), and whether the speech was successful. This
paper should be 250 – 300 words and should be typed double-spaced.

DISTRACTION PAPER
During one class period, we will do an activity on distractions during
speeches. In this paper, you will need to discuss what you found distracting
during your speech, why it is distracting, what feelings (physical and emotional)
you experience, and how you can combat these distractions and feelings. We will
discuss this assignment in greater detail in class, however completion of this
assignment requires your attendance for the class that we have the Distraction
Activity (see Daily Calendar). This paper should be 300 – 350 words and should be
typed double-spaced.

OBSERVATION PAPER
You should select a speaker to observe outside of the classroom. This
speaker might be a preacher, a politician, a seminar speaker or anyone speaking
to a live audience. During the speech, you should take notes on the speaker’s
ability to conform to proper speechmaking guidelines. Using your notes, you
should write a one-page, double-spaced critique of the speech. See p. MSU-25 in
book for more detail.

SPECIAL OCCASION SPEECH

This speech is impromptu, which means you will not be able to prepare
beforehand. The specifics of this assignment will be explained in class, but it does
require your attendance for the class that we have the Special Occasion Speech
(see Daily Calendar).

OUTLINES
For your Informative and Persuasive Speeches, you will need to turn in an
outline of your speech along with a bibliography. The requirements for this
assignment are in your book (p. MSU-8) and we will discuss them in detail in
class.
Your outline is your full speech written out in outline form. You must submit
this outline electronically via Turnitin. Your outline is due the day you give your
speech. If you do not turn in your outline or the outline is complete, you will lose
points off your speech (see p. 5-6).
 You have the option to turn in your outline anytime before your speech, and
I will give you feedback. Please take advantage of this opportunity!

SPEECH #1: ICEBREAKER

This assignment is designed to give you initial speaking experience in a low
risk situation. I will provide feedback about your performance that should be
useful in future graded assignments.
In this speech, you will present a brief speech of self-introduction based on
a personal object. This speech should be delivered extemporaneously from brief
notes. You should NOT read your speech and should use as much eye contact as
possible.
In preparation for this speech, you should select an object that represents a
significant aspect of your background personality, values, ambitions, etc. Using
the chosen object as a point of departure, you should explain how it relates to
your own life. The purpose of the speech is not to explain the object in detail, but
to use it as a vehicle for you to introduce yourself to the class.
You should bring the object to class. The object cannot be a weapon, involve
drug use, or be dangerous in other way. The object also cannot be something that
you normally carry with you, like a cell phone or planner. If you want to present
an object that you normally carry with you, approve it with me first!
This speech is 1 minute long. If you follow the basic requirements and
speak for at least one minute, you will receive full points. For further information,
see p. MSU-26 in your book.

SPEECH #2: INTRODUCTION

The introduction to a speech is one of the most important aspects of your
speech. In this speech, you should present an introduction to a speech that
contains all five components of a good introduction: an attention getter,
statement of topic, motivation for audience, establishment of credibility, and a
thesis statement/preview statement. You may present an introduction that you
will use later in one of your speeches or you may create an introduction for a
hypothetical speech.
You will automatically lose 10 points if you begin your speech with any
version of the following: "My speech today is on..." or “My name is…” You should
also end this speech with your preview, not a conclusion or “thank you.”
Remember you introduction should be about 20% of your speech. This
speech is 1.5 to 2 minutes long. You will be deducted 10 points if you go under
or over.

SPEECH #3: TEACH SPEECH

This speech is designed to help you learn how to present information to
your audience, and to help you grasp the material from the chapters. You will be
given a topic from the book and you will present the material to the class as a
teacher. This is informative speaking, so you must adhere to the purposes we
discuss for informative speeches.
 You will be assigned a concept from either Chapter 3: Effective Listening,
Chapter 5: Your Audience, Chapter 6: Supporting Material, or Exam Review from a
previously covered chapter. You will present the material from the book to the
class, as well as provide a real world application of the concept. You may also
incorporate a simple activity or examples from the media, but the majority of
your presentation must be speaking. Do not forget to include a complete
Introduction and Conclusion for this speech!
This speech is 3.5 to 4.5 minutes long. You will lose 1 point for every 10
seconds you go over or under.

SPEECH #4: INFORMATIVE

Using an extemporaneous delivery style, you will communicate information
and knowledge to your audience in a clear, interesting, unbiased manner. Do not
try to persuade the audience! Highly controversial topics or topics that you have
strong personal feelings about are not best suited to this assignment – save those
for the persuasive speech. However, if you do choose a multi-sided topic, present
all sides equally. It is of utmost importance that you are able to speak as an
expert on your topic; you must introduce NEW information to the class rather than
relying on information that is commonly known. A topic about which most people
are already informed is not appropriate, interesting, or relevant. BE CREATIVE IN
TOPIC SELECTION!
See p. MSU-1 in your book more specific instructions!
You must have your topic approved by me in class. Please review the
terminal topic list before you submit a topic! Your speech must include 4 sources
which you cite aloud during the speech. Also you must bring the evaluation
form from the book on the day of your speech! You will lose 10 points off of
your speech if you do not provide the evaluation form! You will lose 24 points for
not turning in your outline.
This speech is 5 -7 minutes long. The time deductions are stated on your
evaluation sheet. See p. MSU-1 in your book.

SPEECH #5: PERSUASIVE

Using an extemporaneous delivery style, you should attempt to change the
attitudes, beliefs, values, or behaviors of your audience members. Remember
that if your audience already agrees with you, there is no need for persuasion.
Disagreement MUST exist for your topic to be a relevant choice for persuasion.
Also, remember that your arguments should be based largely on logical appeals.
Many topics are difficult to argue logically because those who are in disagreement
already choose to overlook logic. (i.e., prejudice, voting, smoking)
See p. MSU-3 in your book more specific instructions!
You must have your topic approved by me in class. Please review the
terminal topic list before you submit a topic! Your speech must include 4 sources
which you cite aloud during the speech. Also you must bring the evaluation
form from the book on the day of your speech! You will lose 10 points off of
your speech if you do not provide the evaluation form! You will lose 30 points for
not turning in your outline. There is a dress code for this speech, which we will
discuss in class.
This speech is 5 -7 minutes long. The time deductions are stated on your
evaluation sheet. See p. MSU-3 in your book.

DAILY CALENDAR

1/7 2 W Orientation & Syllabus

1/9 2 F Chapter 1: Why Speak in Public?
1
/12 2 M Chapter 2: Your First Speech; Syllabus Quiz!
1
/14 * W Speech #1: Icebreaker; Movie Paper Due!
1
/16 4 F Chapter 4: Developing a Topic and Purpose
1
/19 M NO CLASS
1
/21 2 W Chapter 9: Organization
1
/23 2 F Chapter 10: Introductions and Conclusions
1
/26 * M Speech #2: Introduction Speech
1
/28 * W Speech #2: Introduction Speech
1
/30 2 F Chapter 7: Developing and Supporting Ideas
2/2 2 M Chapter 14: Informative Speaking
Speech #3: Teach Speech - Chapter 3: Effective
2/4 * W Listening
2/6 * F Speech #3: Teach Speech - Chapter 5: Your Audience
 Speech #3: Teach Speech - Chapter 6: Supporting
2/9 * M Material
2
/11 * W Speech #3: Teach Speech - Exam Review
2
/13  F NO CLASS
2
/16 ! M First Exam – Chapters 1, 2, 4, 7, 9, 10
2
/18 2 W Chapter 9: Outlining; Informative Topics Due!
2
/20 4 F Chapter 8: Reasoning; Determine Speech Order
2
/23 2 M Distraction Activity (paper based on activity)
2
/25 * W Speech #4: Informative Speech
2
/27 * F Speech #4: Informative Speech
Speech #4: Informative Speech; Distraction Paper
3/2 * M Due!
3/4 * W Speech #4: Informative Speech
3/6 * F Speech #4: Informative Speech
3/9 2 M Determine Speech Order; Exam Review
3
/11 ! W Second Exam – Chapters 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 14
3
/13 4 F Chapter 11: Language
3
/16  M SPRING BREAK!
3
/18  W SPRING BREAK!
3
/20  F SPRING BREAK!
3
/23 2 M Chapter 12: Delivering your Speech
3 Chapter 16: Persuasive Speaking; Persuasive Topics
/25 2 W Due!
3
/27 2 F Chapter 16: Persuasive Speaking
 3
/30 2 M Chapter 17: Persuasion and Reasoning
4/1 2 W Chapter 19: Special Occasion Speaking
4/3 2 F Special Occasion Impromptu Activity
4/6 * M Speech #5: Persuasive Speech; Observation Due!
4/8 * W Speech #5: Persuasive Speech
4
/10 * F Speech #5: Persuasive Speech
4
/13 * M Speech #5: Persuasive Speech
4
/15 * W Speech #5: Persuasive Speech
4
/17 * F Speech #5: Persuasive Speech
4 Exam Review; Course Evaluations; Peer Evaluations
/20 4 M Due!
4
/22 ! W Final Exam – Chapters 11, 12, 16, 17, 19
4
/24  F NO CLASS!

Dates and activities are subject to change.

The second column of this calendar indicates how many points you will receive for
attending class and participating on discussion and activities. A star indicates that
is a speech day and you will lose points off of your own speech for missing these
days (see p.3)!