CMM 302

Professional Presentations

Fall 2008

 

INSTRUCTOR:               Dr. Barbara J. Tarter (tarterb@marshall.edu)

             

Main Office:                     Smith Hall 257        Main Office #: (304) 696-6786   

Personal Office:                Smith Hall 271        Office Phone:  (304) 696-2700

 

Office Hours:                    M (1:00-2:30; 5:30-6:30)

                                      T (3:30-4:30)

                                      W (1:00-2:30; 3:30-4:30)

TH (3:30-4:30)*     Or by Appointment

*Fourth Thursday of Every Month is Faculty Senate

 

Class Section:                   Section 101 MW (2:00-3:15)  CRN - 1910

Classroom:                      Smith Hall 261

 

PREREQUISITES:          One of the following or permission:  CMM 103,

CMM 104H, CMM 207, CMM 305, YGS 161, IST 101, COM 112

 

Public Speaking             Speaking for Impact by Shirley E. Nice

Series – Five Books:      Writing Great Speeches by Alan M. Perlman

                                      Motivating Your Audience by Hanoch McCarty

                                      Speaking Your Way to the Top by Marjorie Brody

                                      Using Stories and Humor by Joanna Slan

 

The informative and persuasive speeches will be taped for your personal analysis, so you will need to bring a tape to class on speech days.  Ceremonial speeches may also be taped.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

 

  1. To build speaker confidence and credibility.
  2. To apply public speaking theory to actual opportunities for public speaking in class and in the public sector.
  3. To explore opportunities for enhancing public speaking skills
  4. To create an appreciation for a variety of public speaking tools that can enhance presentational style.
  5. To increase sensitivity to nonverbal cues as they affect the public speaking situation.
  6. To create visual aids including PowerPoint presentations to increase the effectiveness of the public speech.
  7. To examine the speeches of successful and unsuccessful speakers to determine those variables that increase retention, comprehension and persuasion
  8. To increase critical thinking as it applies to formatting a public speech to meet the needs of a specific audience.
  9. To effectively develop both preparation and speaking outlines.
  10. To enhance verbal and written communication skills.

 

 

CLASS ASSIGNMENTS

 

DUE DATES:  Assignments are due by midnight of the due date.  If you choose to e-mail the assignment, please make sure that you receive a response indicating that the assignment has been received.

 

LATE ASSIGNMENTS:  The semester will move very fast and it is difficult to stay on track unless you follow the syllabus closely.  Assignments not received by the due date will be subject to a reduced grading scale.  Assignments will not be accepted more than one class period late, without special permission from the instructor.

 

COPIES OF ASSIGNMENTS:  It is a good college practice to always keep copies of your work, both before and after grading, in case the assignment is accidentally misplaced by the instructor.  Sorry, we make mistakes too!L

 

ATTENDANCE:  Attendance is required for the course.  A student that has more than two unexcused absences* during the semester (1 week of class) will lose a percentage of their final grade according to the following scale:

 

3 Unexcused Absences will result in ˝ of a final grade reduction

4 Unexcused Absences will result in one entire final grade reduction

5 Unexcused Absences will result in two entire final grade reductions

A student that acquires 6 unexcused absences or that misses the equivalent of three weeks of class will receive a failing grade for the class.

 

*Please see the university catalog for the definition of excused and unexcused absences.

 

CLASSROOM RESPECT

 

Late Arrivals:  Given the nature of the class, it is important that you arrive to class on time.  Late arrivals can significantly distract the speaker resulting in an unfair grade for their performance.  If you must arrive late during a speech day, please wait until the speaker has sat down before entering the classroom.

 

Cell Phones:  Please make sure that all cell phones are turned off before class starts.  If you have an emergency call that you are expecting, please let the instructor  know prior to the start of class.

 

Text Messaging:  Please refrain from texting others during class time.  This is extremely distracting and disrespectful to the instructor and to other speakers who expect your attention.

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

 

Plagiarism:  Copying another’s work without proper citation of the source constitutes plagiarism.  Plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated.  A student that is found plagiarizing another’s work will automatically receive an “F” in the course and may be subject to further university discipline.

 

Cheating:  According to university policy, cheating is defined as the use of any unauthorized materials during an academic exercise to include notes, study aids etc.  Cheating also includes the viewing of another person’s work or securing any part of an assignment or examination in advance of distribution by the instructor.  Cheating will not be tolerated in this class and will result in an automatic “F” for the class and the possible recommendation of suspension or expulsion from the university.

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

 

Informative Preparation Outline – 50 points

Informative Class Presentation – 75 points

Informative High School Presentation – 50 points

Informative Presentations Self-Analysis – 25 points

Introduction of Panel/Speaker – 25 points

Impromptu Speeches – 25 points

Persuasive Preparation Outline – 50 points

Persuasive Speech – 100 points

Persuasive Speech Self-Analysis – 25 points

Exam #1 -- 75 points

Exam #2 – 75 points

Ceremonial Speech – 50 points

 

TOTAL:       625 points                                                  A = 563-625

B = 500-562

C = 438-499

D = 375-437

 

Final Examination – Optional to replace either Exam #1 or #2 Grade   

 

COURSE EVALUATION

 

Informative and Persuasive Preparation Outlines – 2 @ 50 points The informative preparation outline includes an extensive audience analysis; identification of opportunities and constraints of the speaker, topic, and speaking occasion; complete introductions, conclusions and transitions;  complete sentences of all major points and support with appropriate citations; expected audience questions and answers; and a complete bibliography of sources utilized.  A preparation handout distributed in class will further explain this assignment.

 

Informative Class Presentation – 75 points – Students will have an opportunity to present their informative speech to the class before presenting it in the high schools.  These speeches will be 8-10 minutes long and will include a visual aid.  The informative evaluation form is attached. 

 

Informative High School Presentation – 50 points – Students will participate as part of a Speaker’s Bureau to present speeches to high school students about the college experience.  Each student will present an 8-10 minute speech as part of a 3-4 member panel.  These speeches will have been previously presented in class as the Informative Class Presentation.  Speakers should anticipate questions from the audience.

 

Informative and Persuasive Presentation Self-Analyses – 2 @ 25 points Students will be asked to respond to self-analysis questions based on their performance in class, at the high school (informative speech only), from peer reviews, and from viewing their own speech tape.  Peer reviews are due the class period following the particular speech.  Your grade will be based on your personal insight into your speech process.  In approximately 2-3 typed pages, please consider the following questions:

 

1.          How did your preparation outline facilitate or hinder your final speech?

            2.         How could you have improved your introduction and conclusion?

            3.         Were your transitions effective?

            4.         Did your visual aid enhance or detract from your speech?

            5.         Did you effectively use oral footnotes?

6.         Which areas of delivery do you believe needed the most improvement?

            7.         What will you focus on in improving in your next speech?

            8.         Which part of your speech were you the most proud of?

9.         Is there anything that you would do differently for your next speech?

10.        Did you feel adequately prepared for this speech?

11.         Did the feedback you receive mirror your own perceptions of your speech?

 

Introduction of Panel/Speaker – 25 points – Since most students will eventually have to present a speaker or a panel at some time in their career, this presentation will focus on a 2-3 minute introduction of a panel or another speaker.

 

Impromptu Speeches – 25 points – The impromptu speeches are randomly assigned topics in which you will have a minimal amount of time to prepare.  No outline will be required.  Speakers will have 2-3 minutes to speak.

 

Persuasive Speech – Speaker’s Choice– 100 points – Speakers will have the opportunity to choose a topic related to their career or interest.  If your focus is the ministry, you might wish to do a “mini sermon”; if you are headed to the legal arena, perhaps a moving opening statement will work; if you are focused on business and industry, your speech might focus on the sale of a particular product line; or if you are politically involved, you may want to convince the audience to support a particular candidate.  All persuasive speech topics must be approved at least two weeks prior to the presentation.  Persuasive speeches will be 12-15 minutes in length and must include a visual aid.

 

Exams #1 & #2 – 2 @ 75 points - The exams will consist of twenty questions that will be given to the students approximately a week prior to the exam day.  On the day of the exam, twelve questions will be randomly drawn and students will each answer ten of the twelve.  The questions will focus on the application of theory to different public speaking situations. Students will be graded on the following criteria for each question:  1) understanding the breathe and depth of the question, 2) appropriate application of communication theory, 3) thoroughness and completeness of the answer to each question, 4) ability to relate outside material to each question where appropriate, and 5) the overall quality of the answer to each question.

 

Ceremonial Speech – 50 points – The ceremonial speech is a farewell speech to the class.  Every attempt should be made to include a proper audience analysis with references to class activities, speeches and experiences that this audience has shared.  The farewell speeches should be 5-7 minutes in length.

 

TOTAL:       625 points

 

Final Examination – Optional to replace either Exam #1 or #2 Grade

 

 

 

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE*

 

Week 1                 August 25, 2008

Introduction to the course and to the goals of the course

Introduction of class members by class partners

Introduction of possible Informative Topics

 

August 27, 2008

Preparing the Informative Preparation Outline

Jeopardy Public Speaking Review

 

Week 2                 September 1, 2008

                             Labor Day (No Classes)

 

September 3, 2008

Speaking for Impact – (Shirley E. Nice)

 

Week 3                 September 8, 2008

                             Speaking for Impact – (Shirley E. Nice)

                            

                             September 10, 2008

                             Writing Great Speeches – (Alan M. Perlman)

 

Week 4                 September 15,  2008

                             Writing Great Speeches – (Alan M. Perlman)

Assignment:

Informative Outline to Peers

 

                             September 17, 2008

                             Writing Great Speeches – (Alan M. Perlman)

 

Week 5                 September 22, 2008

                             Motivating Your Audience -  (Hanoch McCarty)                    

Assignment:

Informative Outlines Returned to Speakers

 

                             September 24, 2008

Motivating Your Audience -  (Hanoch McCarty)

 

Week 6                 September 29, 2008

                                                                                       Assignment:

EXAM # 1

                             October 1, 2008

Assignment:

 Informative Preparation Outlines – ALL

                                                                             Informative Speeches                 

Week 7                 October 6, 2008  

Assignment:

                   Informative Speeches

                  

                             October 8, 2008                                Assignment:

                   Informative Speeches

 

Week 8                 October 13, 2008

                             Speaking Your Way to the Top – (Marjorie Brody)

 

                             October 15, 2008

                             Speaking Your Way to the Top – (Marjorie Brody)

 

                                                                                      Assignment:

          Panel/Speaker Introductions

 

Week 9                 October 20, 2008

                                                                                       Assignment: 

                                      High School Presentations

                             October 22, 2008

                                                          Assignment: 

                                      High School Presentations

                                                                   Persuasive Outline to Peers

Week 10               October 27, 2008

                                                          Assignment: 

                                      High School Presentations

 

October 29, 2008

                                                          Assignment: 

                                      High School Presentations

Persuasive Outlines Returned to Speakers

 

Week 11               November 3, 2008

                             Using Stories and Humor – (Joanna Slan)

 

                             November 5, 2008

                             Using Stories and Humor – (Joanna Slan)                          

 

Week 12               November 10, 2008

Assignment:

 Persuasive Preparation Outlines – ALL

                                                Persuasive Speeches                             November 12, 2008

Assignment:

                   Persuasive Speeches

 

Week 13               November 17, 2008                

                                                                                        Assignment:

                   Persuasive Speeches

                            

                             November 19, 2008

Assignment:

                   Persuasive Speeches

 

November 24- 29, 2008    Thanksgiving Holiday - University Closed

         

Week 14               December 1, 2008

Assignment:

                                                                                      EXAM #2

                             December 3, 2008                  

Assignment: Ceremonial Speeches

Week 15               December 8, 2008                                              

                             (Last Class Day)

                             Make-Up & Final Review

                             Final Grade Analysis                   

                                     

Final Examination:  December 15, 2008  (Monday) 12:45-2:45 p.m.

 

*Syllabus subject to change based on the needs of the class and the instructor.