GENERAL EDUCATION OUTCOME ASSESSMENT PLAN “COMMON ASSIGNMENT”

This is the assignment that all professors teaching a section of SPCH 1315 in the San Jacinto College Core Curriculum will agree upon, teach, assign, assess and document in Blackboard. To review this common assignment, the LEAP VALUE rubric for Critical Thinking, the San Jac modified LEAP VALUE rubric for Personal Responsibility, AND the accompanying assignment design worksheets (ONE FOR EACH OUTCOME) were used to generate these notes and suggestions (in red).

Course & Plan Information
Course Rubric/Number / SPCH 1315
Course Title / Public Speaking
Component Area
Outcomes assessed
(per district-wide syllabus) / Critical Thinking, Personal Responsibility, and Communication
Effective Date / 05/09/16
Summary(for faculty, expository explanation of assignment)
Students will deliver a persuasive speech and create an outline to accompany that speech.
Parameters/Logistics(for faculty, specific parameters or logistics when implementing)
  • (Do not remove, standard for all courses) The assignment must be collected through an “Assignment” content item in Blackboard. Faculty electing to use Turnitin may do so, but students will need to submit the document twice: first to the Bb “Assignment” content item and second to Turnitin.
  • (Do not remove, standard for all courses) The assignment assesses an outcome included in the syllabus for the course; thus, all assignments should be included as a regular grade in the course. The assignment should not be considered optional, extra-credit, or a bonus activity.

Part 1(for students, to be copy and pasted into the Blackboard Assignment item)
Assignment Title / Persuasive Speech Outline
Aligned Outcomes / Critical Thinking and Personal Responsibility
Description / Prepare and deliver a persuasive speech that is a minimum of 5 minutes in length. A persuasive speech is designed to reinforce or to change the beliefs or actions of your audience members. Persuasive speaking is more challenging than informative speaking (which is designed to convey knowledge and understanding).The speech must be organized using the Problem-Solution or the Problem-Cause-Solution organizational patterns. You must present alternatives to your proposed solution, make the audience aware of your solution’s potential consequences, and articulate your reasons for this solution. This will also entail stating and responding to any objections to and assumptions and implications of your position.
Select a topic that is appropriate for your audience but also a topic on which you feel very strongly. Some audience members may agree with your position and others may disagree. Your goal is to either reinforce the position of those who agree with you or to change the minds of those who do not.To be an effective speaker, you will need to acknowledge both types of audiences. You will also need to include other points of view.It is important to be aware of your own (and others’) assumptions as they relate to your topic. You will need to address relevant contexts when presenting your position on the topic. Audience members must be made aware of the consequences and implications of accepting or rejecting your position on the topic.
Your central idea should consist of three to five main points. What are three to five key reasons that you can give your audience members that will persuade them? These three to five reasons will serve as the main arguments in the body of your speech. It is imperative that the topic/issue/problem is clearly stated and described for the audience. You not only want to persuade the audience; you also want to make sure they understand the topic. It is also essential to include any ethical issues and/or cross-relationships associated with your topic.
Research is required for this speech. Your ideas and opinions are great, but research is needed to find experts or peers to assist with the analysis of your topic. You need to have at least 5 sources and they should be orally cited within the speech. Be sure to thoroughly engage with these sources. In persuasive speaking it is essential to question experts and their view points.Use a variety of sources to find the best information including books, periodicals, daily publications, electronic media and the web, and do not plagiarize them.
Ethos, pathos, and logos are required. Ethos expects a speaker to be trustworthy, to have some common ground with the audience, and to have some sort of authority or expertise on the topic. Pathosis the ability to tap into an audience’s emotions. Emotions can be very persuasive. Consider including stories, using descriptive language, and working on your verbal delivery of these elements. Some reflection and self-assessment should also be included. What is your emotional connection to this topic? How has your view point changed over time? How will you behave differently in the future?
Your outline must be typed, double-spaced, and in a proper outline format. The outline must also include a complete Works Cited/References page in either MLA or APA format. The outline is due at the time of your presentation. You may use a limited number of notecards (3-5) while delivering your speech.
The extemporaneous mode of delivery is required.In order for an extemporaneous delivery to be effective, most public speakers rehearse their speeches several times. It is suggested that you keep rehearsing your speech until you are comfortable with the information.
A brief power point presentation is also required.
Notes (for faculty, do not include in Bb) / The speech will occur in class (or online)but it is not the common assignment.
The speech preparation worksheet will be used for the common assignment as documentation of the event.

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