Mrs. Higginbotham’s Speech Syllabus

I. Curriculum Overview

Students in this class will become proficient in oral communication through multiple speaking opportunities. My goal is to prepare students for success in typical public speaking situations and to provide them with the basic principles of organization and research needed for effective speeches.

General Content Focus: Students will

  • Express their ideas clearly and persuasively
  • Participate in thoughtful, well-reasoned exchanges
  • Be considerate of divergent and creative perspectives
  • Work with peers to promote civil, democratic discussions

First 9 weeks: Basic communication principles; Becoming a public speaker

Second 9 weeks: Elements of effective speeches; Research and the informative speech

Third 9 weeks:Designing presentation aids; Persuasive speeches

Fourth 9 weeks: Putting it all together: Speech and the art of debate

II. Academics

  • All grades will be based on the parish grading scale:

A=100-93B=92-85 C=84-75D=74-67F=66 and below

  • Students will complete a variety of assignments:

bell ringersoutlinestests/quizzesgroup assignments

researchspeeches homeworkindependent seat work

  • Students will not have daily written homework. They will be expected to plan and prepare upcoming speeches.

III. To Pass This Class

  • Bring your materials to class everyday—binder, speech materials, journal, note cards, pen or pencil, planner, and I.D.
  • Do your best work. Follow directions for assignments.
  • Do your own work. Cheaters will get zeroes. If your phone is in class during a quiz or test, you will receive a “0.”
  • Turn in your work on time. You lose 10% per day for late or incomplete work. Late work will not be accepted for credit after 5 days. This is the same policy for not being prepared to speak on your assigned day.
  • Get make-up work when you are absent. See me before school. Turn in all make-up work within 5 school days for full credit.GETTING AND COMPLETINGMAKE-UP WORK IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!!!
  • If you are absent on your assigned speech day, you will give your speech the first day you return to school.
  • Plagiarism: the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own.

synonyms: copying, theft, stealing

ANYONE CAUGHT PLAGIARIZING ANOTHER STUDENT’S ASSIGNMENT OR A PUBLISHED WORK WILL RECEIVE A “0” FOR THE ASSIGNMENT.This includes copying someone else’s homework.