Course Description
This course is activity and performance based. The emphasis
is on the practical aspects of communication. The students gain confidence
in public speaking through varied speech exercises. Basic language skills
are reinforced.
Objectives
Students will be instructed in the basics of speech techniques.
Students will deliver varied speeches.
Students will be assessed on the quality of the speeches through
objective assessments.
Policies
Cheating--A student taking answers from another student
receives a "0" for that assignment/ test. The student allowing answers to
be "lifted" also gets a "0".
Late Assignments--All class work is due at the beginning of
the class period of the assigned day. 10% of the grades forfeited for each
class period that the assignment is not submitted.
Class Tardies--Three unexcused (no note) results in a demerit.
Taboo Words--Taboo words are not permitted in written assignments.
thing
(or any form----except nothing)
a lot
you
There
are/is/was/were/will be (THERE is never to begin a sentence)
It is/it
was/it were/it will be (unless each has a clear
antecedent)
contractions
Conditional words such as would, could, should are
also to be AVOIDED
The use of the future tense is not to be confused with the present tense
Cautionary words--Can/May are to be correctly used
Can suggests ability
May suggests permission
Avoid all contractions in formal writing
Supplemental Reading: One extra novel per quarter
Rubrics: see appropriate handouts throughout the year
Grading
All grades are equal.
Dropping/ Replacing a Grade-Drop one of the first six grades.
Replace one of of the next
six grades.
| A | 95-100% |
| A- | 93-94% |
| B+ | 91-92% |
| B | 87-90% |
| B- | 85-86% |
| C+ | 83-84% |
| C | 79-82% |
| C- | 77-78% |
| D+ | 75-76% |
| D | 72-74% |
| D- | 70-71% |
| F | Below 70% |
Communications I
The goal of this course is self-confidence. The student achieves
this self-confidence by practicing speaking skills before peers. Varied gene
of speech topics are assigned, prepped, and presented. An assessment for
each speaking experience is presented.
The nature of this course is eclectic. I draw from many texts. Enclosed is a sample from each of the units.
Units
(this is based on a 45 day semester)
COMMUNICATION THEORY
2 days
--video which explains the communication theory
Activities
take notes from the video
write a case study of a communication experience
role play various communication experiences
READ A LOUD EXERCISES
4 days
--phonics review
--hand out for oral reading
Activities:
prepared reading for a church service
sight reading for a meeting -- report
HOW TO TELL A STORY
2 days
--hand out for storytelling
Activities
tell a Reader's Digest humorous story i.e., Humor in Uniform (memory)
relate a story of personal life that has the element of ...never again.
INTERVIEW
4 days
--handout on interview basics
Activities
practice How to respond to the following interviews:
college
scholarship
job
winner
POSTER ART
3 days
--hand out of rules governing poster art
Activities
do a "selling" poster (free hand)
do an upcoming event poster (computer)
ADVERTISING
1 day
--handout on the techniques used in this field
Activities
view: "Killing Me Softly"
analysis of advertising techniques
PARAPHRASE! SUMMARY
2 days
--handout on rules governing paraphrase/summary
Activities
practice both skills in both a written and oral format
MUSIC
3 days
--study copyright laws
--study the message of the lyrics
Activities
write a poem
present a song and orally speak on its meaning to the student
SERMON
3 days
--collectively composed the criteria of a "good" sermon
Activity
using the criteria each student writes and delivers a 10-14 minute sermon
on a text from the New Testament to be given in a sacred setting
PUBLIC DISCUSSION
2 days
--handout of suggested practices for communicating in a larger
group.
Activity
practice public discussion on a mutually agreed upon topic
PARLIAMENT PROCEDURE
4 days
--handout which introduces students to the rules of parliamentary
procedure
Activity
Have a mock meeting where parliamentary procedure is followed
PRINT REFERENCE WORKS
2 days
--handout of material which presents criteria
Activity
test over the material
EXPERTS AND SURVEYS
2 days
--handout on contrasts and comparisons for "authorities"
Activity
from a variety of sources determine the authority
POWER POINT PRESENTATION
4 days
--review the how-to of power point
--select a topic readily available to the student (see list)
Activity
present a power point with audio (vocal and music)
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL
--students are responsible for mastering 60 suffix/prefix/root
identifiers
Activity
each week students are given a list of word identifies and will be tested
on these
--students keep a class journal
Activity
respond daily to: What did I learn?
How is this knowledge helpful?
--a quarter and semester test covering handouts is given
