Dr. Debra Bruch
Associate Professor of Theatre
Office: 209E Walker
Office Phone: 487-3281

FA2090 Speech Communication

General Syllabus

GOALS & OBJECTIVES:

(1) To better students' presentational skills by developing verbal and physical expressive skills.

(2) To help those students who have difficulty speaking in front of a group of people by offering several modes of up-front experience.

Day 1: Orientation

Day 2: Extemporaneous Performance #1

Day 3: Extemporaneous Performance #1

Day 4: Lecture: Oral Delivery

Day 5: Film of Speeches #1

Day 6: Performance: Monologue or Poem

Day 7: Performance: Monologue or Poem

Day 8: Performance: Monologue or Poem

Day 9: Performance: Monologue or Poem

Day 10: Performance: Monologue or Poem

Day 11: Lecture: Physical Delivery

Day 12: Topics Discussion: Speech to Inform

Day 13: Film of Speeches #2

Day 14: Performance: Speech to Inform

Day 15: Performance: Speech to Inform

Day 16: Performance: Speech to Inform

Day 17: Performance: Speech to Inform

Day 18:Performance: Speech to Inform

Day 19: Performance: Speech to Inform

Day 20: Performance: Speech to Inform

Day 21: Performance: Speech to Inform

Day 22: Topics Discussion: Speech to Persuade

Day 23: Get ready for Speech to Persuade

• Due: Outlines for Speech to Persuade

Day 24: Performance: Speech to Persuade

Day 25: Performance: Speech to Persuade

Day 26: Performance: Speech to Persuade

Day 27: Performance: Speech to Persuade

Day 28: Performance: Speech to Persuade

Day 29: Performance: Speech to Persuade

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GRADING:

Class Attendance -- 14 points possible

To learn effectively, you must attend class. Attendance begins from the time I take roll and ends at the end of the class period. I will deduct the number of absences from 19. Documentation is required for excused absenses.

Meeting Due Dates -- 4 points possible

Each student will be expected to turn in assignments by class time the day due. No points will be given after that day or time. Outlines are expected to be detailed. Each assignment due is worth from 0 to 1 point.

Extemporaneous Performance -- 2 points possible

Each person will stand and be given a topic upon which to speak during the term. Periodically, students may be requested to suggest topics. Points will be taken for chewing gum. Have fun!

MC -- 6 points possible

Each person will MC one class period. The MC will either volunteer or be assigned. The MC is expected to know what is going on in the class the day of his/her assignment. The MC will be expected to conduct a game during the hour and to integrate speeches with the game. The student will also be graded according to the smoothness of the presentation, his or her ability to extemporaneous speak, work as a team if applicable, project energy and enthusiasm, and relax other students. Points will be taken for chewing gum and not taking the entire class period. Have fun!

Poem or Monologue Performance -- 6 points possible

Each student will perform a poem or monologue. Poems or monologues will be selected by the student and approved by me. Each must be 15 lines or longer, but may not exceed five minutes in performance length. Points will be determined by preparation, voice volume, speaking rate, vocal pitch, vocal vitality, and articulation. Points will be taken for chewing gum.

Speech to Inform Performance -- 18 points possible

Each student will perform a speech to inform. Points will be determined by preparation, voice volume, speaking rate, vocal pitch, vocal vitality, and articulation. The time limitations for this speech is from 5 to 7 minutes. Also for this speech, audio and/or visual aides must be presented. No outlines may be presented as AV aides. Points will be taken for over/under time limit, inadequate or no AV aides, using sheets of paper instead of index cards, using the blackboard, chewing gum, and if a student reads a speech or any part of a speech.

Speech to Persuade Performance -- 20 points possible

Each student will perform a speech to persuade. Points will be determined by preparation, voice volume, speaking rate, vocal pitch, vocal vitality, articulation, manner, gestures, body movement, and eye contact. The time limitations for this speech is from 5 to 7 minutes. Audio and/or visual aides are not mandatory but are encouraged. No outlines may be presented as AV aides. Points will be taken for over/under time limit, using sheets of paper instead of index cards, using the blackboard, chewing gum, and if a student reads a speech or any part of a speech.

Speech to Inform or Persuade Performance -- 30 points possible

Each student will perform either a speech to inform or a speech to persuade. Points will be determined by preparation, voice volume, speaking rate, vocal pitch, vocal vitality, articulation, manner, gestures, body movement, and eye contact. The time limitations for this speech is from 5 to 7 minutes. Audio and/or visual aides are mandatory. No outlines may be presented as AV aides. Points will be taken for over/under time limit, inadequate or no audio/visual aides, using sheets of paper instead of index cards, using the blackboard, chewing gum, and if a student reads a speech or any part of a speech.

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FINAL GRADE:

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MTU complies with all federal and state laws and regulations regarding discrimination, including the Americans with Disability Act of 1990 (ADA). If you have a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for equal access to education or services at MTU, please call Dr. Gloria Melton, Associate Dean of Students (2212). For other concerns about discrimination, you may contact your advisor, department head, or the Affirmative Action Office (3310).