Course Description
Advanced study of public speaking, with an emphasis upon speaking from fully developed written manuscripts. The course focuses upon the topics of style, invention, argumentation, disposition, and oral delivery. Students also learn techniques of revision and how to develop a written style suitable for oral delivery.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will be required to execute the following
additional tasks: (1)Write a rationale/report of four to five
pages as part of the student’s preliminary research for each of
the major speaking assignments; (2)Give a lecture and exercise on
speech writing in class; (3)Read and summarize in written form
seven to ten scholarly essays on public speaking pedagogy.
Athena Title
Speech Composition
Prerequisite
COMM 1100 or COMM 1300 or COMM 2150H
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
1. To give students a deeper foundation in basic principles of rhetorical practice. 2. To equip students with advanced public speaking skills in line with the standards expected by persons working in various professions and public offices. 3. To put students on a path of life-long learning in the area of public speaking and writing. 4. Students will develop research, organizational, and delivery skills for the preparation and presentation of speeches. 5. Students will enlarge their ability to listen critically and analyze public speeches. 6. Students will be able to articulate and practice an ethical approach to public speaking. 7. Students will be able to analyze and articulate differing rhetorical situations and create speeches that are appropriate to the situation. 8. Students will complete writing and revision practica.
Topical Outline
1. Review of basic principles and topical areas in public speaking. 2. Topic selection, development, and research. Selecting and developing speech topics: Analyzing topics, audiences, and situations. 3. Composition and form: Writing speeches, audience analysis, ethics, listening. 4. Writing mechanics as they apply to public speaking. 5. Speaking to persuade: Methods of persuasion; argumentation, topical and audience analysis; the structure, analysis, and persuasive power of argumentation. 6. Speaking to inspire: Developing a more refined sense of style. Developing manuscript delivery skills. Understanding thematic considerations pertaining to epideictic speech.
Syllabus
Public CV