Communication Syllabus
2016-2017
Krissy Vick
Phone: (434) 392-4131
Email:
Welcome to Communication class! This class is designed to give you an opportunity to practice oral and written communication skills with a particular emphasis on public speaking (extemporaneous speaking) instruction. Throughout the semester, you will master basic public speaking skills through a variety of speech assignments and group activities.
In addition, you will sharpen your business communication skills by learning cover letter and resume strategies, and you will participate in a mock job interview with a local employer of your choice.
I am looking forward to a great semester with you in my class. I encourage you to communicate with me if you have any questions or concerns throughout the semester. I have high expectations and will work with each of you to reach your potential. Please feel free to see me in person, email, or call me when you need to do so.
Required Materials
1 pack of 4x6 lined index cards
Spiral notebook with pockets
Flash drive (optional)
Required Text DK Guide to Public Speaking, Lisa A. Ford-Brown
Attendance and Tardies
Attendance and punctuality are required as noted in the Fuqua School Handbook.
If you have a planned absence, it is your responsibility to contact me about missed work either prior to your absence or immediately upon return. It is always YOUR responsibility to follow-up with me regarding an absence. If you are going to be absent on a day a major assignment is due, please let me know via email that you will not be there.
Assignments
All work should be submitted on time for full credit. Late assignments will be accepted one day late with a 10-point penalty. Regarding Absences: As stated in the Fuqua Handbook, students should determine the work they have missed and “are required to complete and turn in all make-up work within the number of days they have been absent from class. In cases of work that was assigned prior to the absence, students should be prepared to complete the work on the day they return to class.”
Class Rules
1. Have a positive attitude every day.
2. Be courteous to your classmates and teacher.
3. Be on time and on task.
4. Please no food or drinks in the classroom (water bottle is okay).
5. Please leave all bags and belongings on the sidewalk outside of the classroom. Only bring in the materials necessary for class.
6. Abide by all policies outlined in the Fuqua School Handbook and the General Classroom Practices.
Grading
Classwork/homework: 15%
Tests: 20%
Formal Speeches: 50%
Informative (10%)
Problem-Solution (15%)
How To (15%)
Special Occasion (10%)
Job Search Portfolio: 15%
Resume
Cover letter
Job Interview
Thank-you note
Classwork/Homework: Be prepared to take notes daily. Learning to take notes is vital for success in any class and is excellent preparation for college success.
School Email: Plan to use your Microsoft 365 account (school email) regularly. Make sure you have a working log in and password. See Mr. Ellington if you need to re-set. You will be sharing assignments with me and collaborating on shared documents with your peers via OneDrive.
Tests: You will have tests throughout the semester to demonstrate mastery of concepts. Tests will be discussion questions as well as some objective questions.
Formal Speeches: You will prepare and deliver 4 formal speeches and several impromptu speeches during the semester. Sign-up sheets will be posted in the classroom for speech days. It is your responsibility to sign up on a day that does not conflict with any other engagements you have scheduled (i.e. athletic events or college visits which would cause you to be absent from class).
Job Search Portfolio: You are required to participate in a real or mock interview with a local employer in a field that interests you. We will spend plenty of time in class learning oral and written communication skills to prepare you. Your finished portfolio will include your professional personal resume, a cover letter, an employer critique of your interview performance, a self-critique of your experience, and a well-written thank you note to the employer. We will work on this long-term assignment incrementally and the final portfolio will be due at the end of the semester.
Extra Credit Opportunities: You have opportunities to earn extra credit several ways:
1) Participate in competitive speech tournaments (see Mr. Huggard-debate team coach-for details on tournaments available this semester). There are a variety of speech events in which you may compete. Participation will likely require some out of class meetings for practice. Students who compete will have the opportunity to become members of the National Forensic League Honor Society.
2) Attend a formal speaking engagement/presentation at Longwood U or Hampden-Sydney College and write a one page analysis of the event including observations about the speaker(s).
3) Prepare and deliver a speech at a local community event (i.e. Rotary Club, church function, MGA, etc.). Submit a copy of the speech and one page self-critique.
Tentative Course Schedule (Subject to change)
Week / Topic / Reading / Exercises /1 / General Classroom Information and Textbook Issue
Job Portfolio Semester Project explained
Note-taking tips
Delivery Basics Lecture / Distributed and posted online
Chapter 9 / Introduction speech
2 / The Creative Process of Public Speaking-Overview
Getting to know your Audience and Situation
Selecting a Topic and Purpose / Overview
Chapter 1
Chapter 2 / Brainstorming speech topics
Informative Speech assignment
3 / Locating Supporting Materials
Selecting and Testing Materials
The Informative Speech / Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 13 / On-going preparation of Informative Speech
4 / Outlining your Speech
Introductions and Conclusions / Chapter 5
Chapter 7 / Finalizing speech research and outline
5 / Informative Speech Week / Deliver first formal speeches
Peer Critique and Self Critique of presentations
6 / Using Presentation Aids
Power of the Visual Image
Problem-Solution Speech Assigned / Chapter 10 / Practice delivering using a PowerPoint
7 / Presentation Aids (cont) / Create Sway presentation
Create Prezi presentation
8 / Self-Analysis
Resume Workshops
Problem-Solution Speech Preparation / Personality Tests
Create personal resume
Speech prep on-going
9 / Cover Letters
Using Language Successfully / Chapter 8 / Cover letter practice
Video Cover letters
10 / Listening Effectively
Problem-Solution Speech Presentations / Chapter 11 / Deliver formal speech #2 with aids, peer critique and self-critique
11 / How To Speech assigned / Practice identifying and using ethos/pathos/mythos/logos
12 / Speech Workshops
Interview Skills / Mock interviews
13 / Deliver How to Speeches / Peer critique and self-critique
14 / Thank-you notes / Practice writing business and personal thank you notes
15 / Speeches for Special Events / Chapter 16 / Practice Toasts, Award Presentation, Award Acceptance
16 / Special Occasion Tribute Presentations / Deliver formal speech #4
17 / Job Portfolios Due / Prepare and submit final folder of work
18 / Exam Preparation
First Semester Exam TBA
Second Semester Exam TBA
Graduation 5/26/2017
(see next page for parent note)
Students:
Please have your parents sign this form and return tomorrow for your first homework assignment.
Parents:
I am looking forward to working with your student this semester in Communications class. I hope this syllabus will help you gain a better understanding of what your child will be learning in the next 90 days.
After the grading of any major assignment (test or formal speech), I will email a progress report to your email on file. The purpose of this requirement is to increase communication between teacher, student, and parent. I am always available to speak with you about your child's performance and experience in my class. The best way to contact me to set up an appointment to conferenceis by email at or by phone at (434)392-4131. My goal is always to help your child grow and learn as a student and as a person.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to teach your child and for your support.
Sincerely,
Krissy Vick
Parent Signature: ______
Parent Name (please print): ______
Contact email for progress reports: ______
Preferred telephone number: ______