The fundamental principles and practices of public speaking, including systematic library research, creative analysis and synthesis of topics, organization, language, delivery, audience adaptation, reasoning, arguments, and supporting materials.
Athena Title
Intro to Public Speaking
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in COMM 2150H
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall, spring and summer
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
1. Students will understand the need for effective public speaking skills in
contemporary society.
2. Students will develop research, organizational, and delivery skills for the
preparation and presentation of speeches.
3. Students will enlarge their ability to listen critically and analyze public
speeches.
4. Students will be able to articulate and practice an ethical approach to public
speaking.
5. Students will be able to analyze and articulate differing rhetorical situations
and create speeches that are appropriate to the situation.
6. Students will complete research assignments which will involve computer-based
research and paper preparation.
7. Students will consider the moral and ethical implications of a variety of
communication situations.
Topical Outline
1. Intro to Public Speaking
2. "My name" Speech
3. Selecting appropriate speech topics
4. Conducting research
5. Responding to speeches
6. Toasts
7. Speech Anxiety
8. Constructing oral stories
9. Outlining speeches
10. Audience Analysis
11. Ethics
12. Listening
13. Informative Speeches
14. Constructing Ceremonial Speeches
15. Speech delivery
16. Speaking on Special Occasions
17. Watching a Speech
18. Guidelines for Motivational Speeches
19. Speaking to Persuade
20. Methods of Persuasion
21. The use of language
22. Guidelines for a Policy Speech
23. Argumentation
24. Using Multi-Media
