SPC2600-Introduction to Public Speaking
University of Florida
DialCenter for Written & Oral Communication
Spring 2005
The purpose of this multi-sectioned course is to understand and apply (1) the basic principles of effective public speaking, (2) the principles of audience analysis and message preparation, and (3) critical listening skills as they apply to public speaking.
Required Text: THE ART OF PUBLIC SPEAKING, 8th edition, 2003, by Stephen Lucas. This text is available at most bookstores supplying the university. Other reading packets may be required by individual instructors (to be purchased at specified copy centers or bookstores).
Semester Schedule: Weekly or daily schedules will be printed in your instructor's addendum to this syllabus. A schedule listing university holidays, drop deadline and final exam week is given below:
January 17, MondayMartin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday Observed--No Classes
January 21, FridayS-U Application Deadline
Feb. 26-March 5, Sat.-Sat.UF’s Spring Break --No Classes
April 8, Friday Deadline to drop a course by college petition w/out receiving a WF grade
April 21-22, Thurs.-Fri. Examination Reading Days-No Classes
April 26th, TUESDAY,5:30-7:30PM Exam #2--Location will be announced by your instructor and via when information is available.
There will be NO early exams--plan your exit from Gainesville accordingly!!
Course Assignments: Students will be required to present a minimum of four extemporaneous style speeches and one impromptu speech during the semester. Written critiques for each speech will consider, among other things, the effectiveness of the message, delivery and organization. A speech outline and bibliography are to be submitted to the instructor at the time each speech is presented. The outline and bibliography, as well as the speech itself, will provide the basis for the evaluation of each speech assignment. It is expected that students will prepare and research their speeches using and citing a variety of sources (including, but not limited to, newspapers, magazines, journals, books, websites, etc.). Additionally, speeches will be evaluated, in part, on the student's ability to present within the designated time limits given by your instructor. Instructors will provide a more complete explanation of each speech assignment in advance of its preparation and presentation (the order of speeches may vary in each section). Speaking schedules for the designated days of the individual speech assignments will also be announced in advance; a rotating system of scheduling will be used. Evaluations assigned to the speeches will comprise a major percentage of the final course grade. The remainder of points for the final grade is accumulated from participation and two exams.
Clarifying a Single Point
The speaker will concentrate on a single idea (specific assignment will vary among sections). See individual instructor's addendum re: failure to complete this assignment.
Informative Speech (or Demonstrative Speech at your instructor’s discretion)
The object of this speech is to give the audience a fuller, more functional understanding of a specific purpose statement. Your instructor will require use of visual aids and/or sources of support.
Persuasive Speech
A speech of advocacy where the speaker confronts neutral and/or opposing listeners, inviting them to change their opinions to match that of his/her own using a variety of motivational strategies.
Group Project A or B (at your instructor’s discretion): A) A Speech Presented within a Symposium. A small group of speakers individually present speeches on different facets of an encompassing topic significant to their audience. B) A Speech Presented within a Debate Format. Speakers will individually present speeches on different facets of an encompassing topic significant to a current issue in a debate format. Individuals or groups will debate either one or both sides of an issue.
Impromptu Speech/es (max 50 points) A limited preparation speech designed to assist students in improving their ability to devise a coherent organizational structure and thesis and integrate knowledge into an effective presentation. Topics will vary by classroom, but could include quotations, words, objects, and situations or even, cartoons.
Public Speaking Students Forum: A speaking competition co-sponsored by McGraw-Hill Publishing and the Dial Center for Written & Oral Communication will be held during the Spring semester. Students who have completed SPC2600 in past semesters will be selected to participate. Your instructor will announce specific details regarding your attendance and/or assignment for this event.
Course Evaluations:
Evaluations for individual assignments and components of the course will be determined on the basis of the following point system:
Single Point Speech worth 0 points
Informative/Demonstration Speech 150 points
Persuasive Speech 200
Group Project 200
Impromptu Speech/es 50
Participation* & Attendance 100
Exam #1 150
Exam #2 150
Total Points 1000
*(quizzes, exercises, discussions, homework...)
Readings: Students are responsible for the entire text as well as other assigned readings from individual instructors.
Attendance and Participation: Students are responsible for signing roll sheets in order to receive credit for attending class meetings.
Public speaking is a performance course and differs from "pure" lecture courses. A student learns from watching/ perceiving/critically listening to others present their speeches and by presenting speeches himself/herself. Much of the course is lost if the student does not attend class. Therefore, a student is allowed to miss three hours (i.e. one week) of class material without incurring a penalty (a 2 period class=2 hours; a 3 hour block=3 hours). These allowed absences DO NOT include days in which you are scheduled to give a speech or group presentation (i.e. there are penalties for missing assignment due dates, see below). For each hour missed beyond the three allowed absences, a total of 20 points will be deducted (i.e. 4 hours absent= -20pts; 6 hours absent= -60pts).
Makeup Speeches and Exams: No student will have the opportunity to makeup more than one required assignment. However, once the assignment has been completed and graded the following deductions will be assessed: for a 50 point assignment-12 points will be deducted; for a 100 point assignment-24 points will be deducted; for a 150 point assignment-36 points will be deducted; and for a 200 point assignment-48 points will be deducted. There is NO makeup for Exam #2.
Plagiarism: All submitted work during the course, written or oral, will be the student's personal, original work, with credit being given to sources used. If a student violates this understanding, evaluations of work must be affected accordingly and if necessary, adjudication will be processed by procedures approved by the University of Florida Honor Court.
Other policies regarding assignments, penalties, classroom rules and regulations,... will be dealt with by the individual instructors of this course. Their individual addenda to this syllabus can be accessed at by clicking on “faculty”.
Any questions regarding the planning, administering and teaching of SPC2600 should be discussed with individual instructors. As needed, questions can be discussed further with Frank Irizarry, Director of the SPC2600 program, DialCenter for Written & Oral Communication.
*Addendum to Syllabus for Section 1034, Spring 2005
Students are responsible for all information on both the department syllabus and this addendum.
Instructor: Dustin Davis
Office: Keys Complex Area Office
Phone: (352) 392-8107
Email:
Office Hours: TBA
Course Format and Objectives
The objective of this course is to provide you with the skills, knowledge and confidence to present an organized and well researched speech on the topic of your choosing. The class will be broken down into three primary areas: lecture, speeches and exams. Within this framework we will discuss and practice the requisite skills of speech preparation and presentation. You will be afforded the opportunity to ask questions about the assigned readings at the beginning of each class.
Text
The Art of Public Speaking, 8th edition, 2004 by Stephen Lucas. The text is available at most bookstores supplying the university.
Also Required
1) Blank VHS video tape to be brought with you on each of your assigned speech days.
2) Internet Access and an E-mail address you check DAILY. I will distribute important class information and updates throughout the semester. You are responsible for checking your email on a regular basis to receive class updates in a timely manor. In addition, the course packet and lecture notes will be placed on the web for your use. To find this information go to . Lecture notes will be updated on a weekly basis. For questions regarding this policy, please see the Computer Requirements as discussed under the General Requirements ( in the University catalog or UF Computer and Software Requirements ( on the web.
Attendance Policy
This course is a highly performance oriented course. Your must attend class regularly if you are to progress throughout the semester. Participation is of utmost importance in this class in order to develop your public speaking, interpersonal, group and listening skills. You are allowed 3 hours for absences during the semester, and I advise that you save them for university approved absences, illness, or personal emergencies. (See departmental general handout for further departmental discussion)
NOTE: It is not necessary to discuss reasons for excuse absences. You are allowed 3 hours (or 3 – 50 minute sessions) for any reason (2 period blocks count as 2 hours). Every day that you miss beyond those three hours, for any reason, is counted as an absence!
You are responsible for any materials missed, as well as the assignments of your day to speak. If I assign speeches on Tuesday and you miss class, and your assigned day to speak is on Thursday, you are still responsible for giving your speech on Thursday.
Attendance will be recorded during each class period. YOU are responsible for making sure you sign the attendance sheet that is circulated 15 minutes after class has started. If you do not sign the attendance sheet during the class period in which it is being circulated, you will be counted as absent!!! The signature sheet is the only way to gain attendance credit. Remember, signing your name is YOUR responsibility, not your classmates!
Arriving late or leaving early will result in a late mark. Three late marks = 1 absence!!! Refer to the departmental syllabus for further explanation of additional consequences for absences beyond 3 hours. If you arrive late and class has been dismissed, you will be counted absent for the ENTIRE time that class normally meets.
BOTTOM LINE: For each absence after 3, you will be deducted 20 points. For each combination of 3 tardies after three absences, you will be deducted 20 points.
Reading Assignments
It is the responsibility of each student to read each of the assigned readings as outlined in the course schedule. The readings are to be completed before the class period they are assigned to. The lecture material given in class will be supplemental to the Lucas text. Keeping up with the reading will prove to be greatly beneficial when you are preparing for and delivering your speeches.
Quizzes
There will be periodic quizzes, both announced and unannounced, on the text and lecture material. There will be no make up quizzes. Quizzes will be worth 10 points each and will count towards your participation grade.
Exams
There will be 2 exams. Questions will come from your textbook and lectures. A review will be given in class prior to the exam. The final exam will be given on Tuesday, April 26th from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. The location will be announced prior to the exam.
NO EARLY OR MAKE UP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN. If you oversleep or get confused about what day the exam is, YOU WILL EARN A ZERO!
Classroom Etiquette
1)Turn off or silence all cell phones and pagers during class
2)Be respectful of your classmates…do not sleep, read the Alligator or do other homework during their speech
3)If you really need to sleep, please leave the classroom to do so. I will ask you to leave if I see you sleeping during class
4)Each speaker deserves your attention and respect. Please arrive to class on time, as late arrivals are distracting to other class members and speakers. If you cannot avoid being late on a speech day, please wait quietly in the hallway, and enter the classroom in between speeches.
Plagiarism
All submitted work during the course, written and oral, will be the student’s personal, original work, with credit being given to sources used. If a student violates this understanding, evaluations of work must be affected accordingly and adjudication will be referred to Judicial Affairs in the Dean of Students Office.
Students Needing Accommodations
Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students office will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the instructor when requesting accommodation.
Responsibilities for Speeches:
You will present 5-6 speeches during the semester. You will be held to professional standards in this class!!!
You are responsible for presenting your speech on the day it is assigned. See the Departmental Syllabus for the point reduction scale for the first time you fail to deliver a speech on your assigned day. For each speech after the first speech you miss, you cannot make it up. A grade of zero will be recorded. If you are late to class on your assigned speech day and the class was dismissed early, you have MISSED your speech! If you are unable to speak on your assigned day, you may switch with a class member, providing you both notify me. If there is still a conflict, please see me prior to your speaking date. If you miss one of the speeches that aren’t graded, you will be DEDUCTED 20-50 points, unless you make up the speech you missed.
You will be required to submit your topic choices for approval prior to your speech presentations. I will not accept insulting, sexist, racist, or extremely political or religious topics.
Speaking schedules for the designated days of the individual speech assignments will also be announced at least one week in advance, with the exception of the first speech, which will be given during the second week of the semester. On the day you present your speech, you are required to turn in a TYPED outline and bibliography for your speech. Please do not turn in your outlines late – you will not be permitted to perform your speech without an outline. If you need your outline for your speech, bring TWO COPIES to class: one for you and one for me.
No alcohol, drugs, firearms, or any other dangerous weapon or model of a weapon may be used in conjunction with any of your speeches. Any violation of this rule will result in a penalty of 50 points deducted from that speech grade. Please check with me for permission to bring in questionable visual aids (including animals). We will discuss topic selections in class.
It is important to understand that levels of expectations elevate from class meeting to class meeting, within each speaking assignment period, and from assignment to assignment. As realistically and creatively as possible, the student should apply the theoretical precepts we consider from the text and lectures within his/her speeches as the semester progresses. All speeches will be discussed in detail, as they are assigned. It is important to pay special attention to the time limitations on each speech.
Introductory Speech (2-3 minutes)
Speech #1: 3-Object Speech (3-4 minutes)
Speech #2: Informative Speech (4-6 minutes)
Speech #3: Persuasive Speech (6-8 minutes)
Speech #4: Impromptu Speech (1-2 minutes)
Speech #5: Occasion Speech (4-6 minutes)
VIDEOTAPING Speeches: You will be required to bring a blank VHS videotape to speeches 1, 2, 3, and 5. Failure to bring a tape will result in points being deducted from your SELF EVALUATION points.
Extra Credit
A maximum of up to 10 points can be earned for extra credit. During the semester, you can attend a function where someone is speaking and write a minimum one page (typed) critique on the speaker as well as a summary of what the speech was about in order to earn 2 points. You must attach a program and/or ticket stub with your paper. This assignment does not include a teacher speaking in class, a religious sermon, etc. If you are in doubt, please ask. *See instructions in course packet.
SPC 2600 – Dustin Davis
Use this form to keep track of your points for each individual project. In this manner you can determine the points needed to attain a particular grade for this class. Please refer to the syllabus for points necessary for a particular grade.
PROJECTPOSSIBLE POINTSPOINTS EARNED
Introductory00
#1 3-Object50
#2 Informative150
#3 Persuasive200
#4 Impromptu50
#5 Occasion150
Exam #1150
Exam #2150
Participation**100
______
TOTAL1000
Extra Credit 10
**Participation Points will be determined as follows:
Quiz 110
Quiz 210
Quiz 310
Quiz 410
Peer Evaluations30
Self Evaluations30
TOTAL100
- Subtract points for Absences/Tardies
(for each absences after 3 hours missed, you will be deducted 20 points. For each combination of 3 tardies after three absences, you will be deducted 20 points.)
*Subject to Change
DATE / CLASS / FOR NEXT CLASSJanuary 4th / Introduction to Course / Read Ch. 1, 2 and Appendix 1
January 6th / Introduction to Public Speaking