Week 1 – Introductions
Mon, Jan 9 – Discussion of course & syllabus
- Introductions and info about the course
- Speech etiquette and classroom decorum
- Submit list of goals for the semester: What goals do you wish to achieve? What problems do you wish to overcome? What one or several topics would you like to speak about in your formal presentations?
Wed, Jan 11 – Basic overview of Public Speaking
- Overview of speech components, delivery, and selection of topics.
- Notes: Introductory Speech.
- Introductory Speech Assignment – Due next week
Week 2 – Introductory Speeches
Mon, Jan 16 – NO CLASS FOR MLK JR. DAY
Wed, Jan 18 – Speech Day
- Group #1 will deliver speeches today (the list of speakers is on the Introductory Speech Assignment linked above).
Week 3 – Audiences, Topics, Support
Mon, Jan 23 – Speech Day
- Group #2 will deliver speeches today (the list of speakers is on the Introductory Speech Assignment linked above).
Wed, Jan 25 – CLASS CANCELLED DUE TO PROF EMERGENCY
Week 4 – Organization & Research
Mon, Jan 30 – Audience analysis & research
- Notes: Analyzing the Audience
- Notes: Selecting a Topic & Purpose
- Notes: Developing Supporting Material
- Suggested Reading: Chapters 6-8 in A Pocket Guide to Public Speaking, 6th Ed (Bedford/St. Martins, 2013).
Wed, Feb 1 – Doing Research
- In-class guide to using the Penn State Libraries websites.
- Suggested Reading: Chapter 9 & Chapter 10 in A Pocket Guide to Public Speaking, 6th Ed (Bedford/St. Martins, 2013).
Week 5 (Feb 6, 8) – Introducing Argument
Mon, Feb 6 – Introducing Argument
- Notes: Claims, Reasons, Warrants, Evidence
- Handout: Claims, Reasons, Warrants, Evidence
- Types of Arguments (included in the notes below “Speaking to Persuade, Part I”)
Web, Feb 8 – Persuasive Speaking
Week 6 (Feb 13, 15) – Argumentation & Arrangement
Mon, Feb 13 – Arrangement styles
- Notes: Avoiding Logical Fallacies.
- Notes: Selecting Topic and Purpose.
Web, Feb 15 – More on Support and Evidence
- Notes: Supporting Your Ideas.
- Handout: Guidelines for Evidence.
- Due: Midterm Speech Topic Approval
Week 7 (Feb 20, 22) – Language & Style
Mon, Feb 20 – Some advice about style
- Notes: Organizing your speech
- Notes: Style – Using Language Effectively
Wed, Feb 22 – Delivery & Review for Next Week
Today I will go over notes about delivery and review the midterm speech outline that’s posted below. After that, I will open up the remainder of class to use as an option workshop Q&A session in preparation for speeches next week. Students who would rather utilize the time to work on their speeches elsewhere can do so.
- Handout: Midterm Speech Outline
- Important: Use this as your template for the full outline that you’ll submit to your professor before your speech.
- Notes: Delivery
- Review Claims, Reasons, Warrants, Evidence handout (from Week 5)
- Review Guidelines for Evidence handout (from Week 6)
Week 8 (Feb 27, Mar 1) – No Class Meeting / Midterm Speeches Postponed
- We will not be meeting in-person for class this week and our scheduled Midterm Speeches will be postponed until the Mon & Wed after Spring Break. Please see this Canvas announcement for details.
Work to Complete Online This Week:
Since we will not be meeting for class, I am asking everyone to complete coursework asynchronously via the web. Everyone will be viewing and analyzing a persuasive TED Talk presentation with an eye toward dissecting the speech and paying close attention to how the speaker develops and delivers their arguments to the audience. The written portion of your assignment will be due by the end of Sunday, Mar 5.
Week 9 (Mar 6, 8) – SPRING BREAK / NO CLASS
Week 10 (Mar 13, 15) – Midterm Speeches
Mon, Mar 13 – Speech Day
- Group #1 will deliver speeches today. Click here to find out which day you are speaking.
Wed, Mar 15 – Speech Day
- Group #2 will deliver speeches today. Click here to find out which day you are speaking.
Week 11 (Mar 20, 22) – Intro to Ceremonial Speaking
Mon, Mar 20 – Intro to Ceremonial Speaking
- Discussion of ceremonial speaking, epideictic speeches, and the speech you’ll be giving in two weeks.
- Epideictic Speech Assignment – due in two weeks.
- Notes: Ceremonial Speaking – An Overview – I’ll pass out print copies in class.
- Link: Master list of virtues and vices
Wed, Mar 22 – More on Ceremonial Speeches
For further reading, research and viewing:
- Martin Luther King, Jr., “I Have a Dream,” 1963.
- Elie Wiesel, “The Perils of Indifference,” 1999.
- Essential American Epideictic Texts: Three Pillars of American Civic Rhetoric
Week 12 (Mar 27, 29) – Development & Delivery
Mon, Mar 27 – Epideictic Speech development
- Working in pairs to develop topic, scope, and specific virtues (or vices) and examples.
Wed, Mar 29 – Review on language, style & delivery
- Notes: Delivery
- Notes: Style – Using Language Effectively
Week 13 (Apr 3, 5) – Epideictic Speeches
Mon, Apr 3 – Speech Day
- Nicholas Leccia
- Isaac Bruner
- Alexander Legnine
- Sarah Kish
- Eduardo Jose Cruz Mantilla
- Adric Northam
- Andrew Raith
- Jacob Valentine
Wed, Apr 5 – Speech Day
- Jenna Giran
- Nicholas Formato
- Brandon Ross
- Ashley Caldarelli
- Yasmine Smith
- Frank Musumici
- Jacob Riggs
- Vin Russell Key
- Vanessa Luna
Week 14 (Apr 10, 12) – Presentation Materials & Review Assessment
Mon, Apr 10 – Designing Presentation Materials
- Garr Reynolds, “Design Tips.”
- Also useful text to consult: Garr Reynolds, Presentation Zen, 2nd Ed, 2012.
Wed, Apr 12 – Assessing Strengths & Weaknesses
- Review policy focus of final speech.
- Today we will begin by breaking into pairs and taking stock of what we think our strengths and weaknesses have been so far with our first three speeches.
- As a class, we will then review specific items together and figure out what we need to collectively focus on moving forward.
Week 15 (Apr 17, 19) – Polishing Arguments & Delivery
Mon, Apr 17 – Review for Final Speeches
- Make sure you have your topic selected by today’s class and are ready to discuss it.
- Review of key concepts and requirements for next week’s speech.
- Final Speech Assignment
Wed, Apr 19 – No Class Meeting
- No class meeting today due to your professor getting surgery.
- Use this time wisely to conduct research and develop the structure of both your arguments and your overall speech.
Week 16 (Apr 24, 26) – Final Speeches
Mon, Apr 24 – Speech Day
Final Speech Assignment
- Jacob Riggs
- Eduardo Jose Cruz Mantilla
- Ashley Caldarelli
- Brandon Ross
- Andrew Raith
- Alexander Legnine
- Nicholas Leccia
- Jacob Valentine
Wed, Apr 26 – Speech Day
Final Speech Assignment
- Nicholas Formato
- Yasmine Smith
- Isaac Bruner
- Adric Northam
- Sarah Kish
- Jenna Giran
- Vin Russell Key