Speech Communication Course:

Speech Communication Course:

Assignments:

1. Write a Journal every day that you are assigned this class until you receive a grade.
2. You will be given a series of writing and research assignments.
3. You must keep all of the work that you do for this class in a portfolio notebook.
4. You will be required to give a series of speeches.
5. Use the vocabulary section for additional information and define them.
6. When these items are graded and the final notebook is turned in, you will receive a
grade.

Grades:

10% Notebook
10 % Vocabulary
20% Journals
10% Notes and research (including how to deliver a speech) on Speeches
50% Speeches
Keep to the times and do not go under
Use notes and props, and do not just wing it. These are required to be pre-written.
Do not just stand up and read the script or kill time; do your homework on how to
deliver a speech.

Speeches:

The Introduction:
Prepare a 5 minute speech in which you introduce yourself to the class. Include information that relates to what is important to you such that others have a sense of who you are, what your values, dreams, and plans in life are. What are 25 things you never want to happen in your life time? What are 25 things you want to see happen to you in your life? Prepare a map showing your life line and when these things will occur.
Information:
Prepare a 5 minute presentation showing others how to do something like how to break down a motor, build a house, or put on make up. You must use visual aids like PowerPoint or items from home. Include all the steps and costs of the process. Pay attention to the organization of your speech and make sure that the process works as shown.
Report :
on something in the world news, showing how people use words to present their own point of view. Show how there are different points of view about this topic and take a position for or against. Be rigorous and be prepared to back up your thesis. This speech is 10 minutes minimum. Use notes and charts as needed.
Have a discussion group:
where you ask questions and take a statistical survey of the students at our school. This should include 10 related questions which center around a single subject and bring out thoughts and emotions. Appropriate areas include education, the economy, Katrina/Rita, and topics of national and international interest. Do not use this survey to put forth an agenda.
Teach a lesson from an academic class:
Imagine that you are the teacher and must give a lesson of about 15 minutes. You may teach on any subject that would be included in a high school curriculum. Think of the students in our class as students in your own class: educate, entertain, and instruct. Remember what the word “educate” really means, “to bring out that which is within.
Entertain:
Tell a series of stories or jokes in which you entertain the students. You may not make them laugh, but at least they can enjoy your stories. Think of this as comedy, but moreover thing of this as being light hearted and without stress. Take about 5 minutes, but if you are doing well, take more time.
Prepare an Argument:
This is a speech about something which you believe with your whole heart and soul. Don’t be angry or throw punches, but let us know exactly how you feel about this topic. Don’t hold back from proving your point with examples and be as accurate as possible. If you define the subject, you have a great chance of winning people over in this 8 minute speech.
What are all the things that you never want to see happen in your life?
Allow people to hear your complete laundry list of everything you hope never happens to you. Include phrases like, “You know people who do XY and Z, well I am never going to go there!” Complain as much as you want for 5 whole minutes and if people tell you to continue, feel free!
What are the steps in preparing to move out of your present situation and then
going on with your life? Will you go to college, get a job, or simply hit the beach? In a 5 minute prepared speech, make sure that you lay out your plans and exactly what you will need to do to accomplish those plans.


In every case, I will need a copy of your speech before you begin. Make sure you have clearly met the goals of the exercise and prepared ahead of time. Do not merely stand up in front of the group and make up things. Also, several handouts and work sheets will be given out during the course; include these in your notebook and make sure they are graded before you hand in your final portfolio.


Vocabulary:

Induction
Deduction
Representation
Comprehend
Analyze
Context
Subtext
Refer
Imply
Infer
Compel
Induce
Conclusion
Evaluate
Synthesis
*Connotation
*Denotation
Deconstruction
Constructivist theory
Fallacy
Construct (philosophical)
Appreciate
Aesthetic
Patterns
Terminology
Etymology
Demonstrate
Thesis
Theme
Conflict
***Logic
Distinguish
Generalities
Contrast
Contrast
Comparison
Symbol
Link
Speculation
Purpose
Cause/effect
Affect
Defend
Clarify
Syntax
Negotiate
**Historical context
Setting
**Motivation
Organization
Relationships
Culture
Symbolism
Allusion
Metaphor
Allusion
Contemporary
Modern
Recent
Similes
Foreshadowing
Chronological
Resources
Ideas/ideals
*****Authentic
Triplet (see TAKS)
*****Critical thinking
Technique
Conventions
Effective
Objectives
Subjective
Equitable
Accurate
Essential
Mastery
Relevant
Statistics
Evidence
Holistic
Rhetoric
Rhetorical
Perspective
*****Culturally diverse
Aspects
Integral
Rubric
Rely
Strategy
Memoranda
Data
Exhaustive
Exclusive
Such as
Including
Assessment
Appropriate
Epistemology
Try to use these words in context in class as often as possible.

These questions are for you to answer and conference with; come see me when you have answered them, and let's do this before really getting started on the class.

1. What are the rules for giving a speech?
2. What part does breath play in giving a speech?
3. How can you stop being so nervous when you give a speech?
4. You are going to have to give these speeches in front of the classroom and so the same people you are in class with will need to pay attention to you when you give your speeches; if you give them a difficult time in class, won't they give you a difficult time when it is your turn to speak in front of them? Explain.
5. You will be asked what you have learned from this experience so make sure that you take the process of learning to speak in front of others seriously; how well do you expect to do given how you feel right now?