CST 100 PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

COURSE SYLLABUS
Tidewater Community College—Chesapeake Naaman K. Wood, Ph.D.
Fall 2009 Email: nkwood@tcc.edu; Phone: 822-5146
Website: Google—Naaman K. Wood
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Course Descriptions (1)
Course Procedures (1-3)
Grading and Student Responsibilities (4)

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Principles of Public Speaking (SPD 100) applies theory and principles of public address with emphasis on
preparation and delivery. This course will provide you with instruction and practical experiences.

Optional Text
Lucas, Steven. The Art of Public Speaking. 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005.

Course Objectives
At the end of the course, you should be able to demonstrate the ability to effectively research, write, and
deliver various types of speeches.

Instructor Goals
Although the class will focus on skills to improve your public speaking, my overall aim is to enable you to
engage the world in which you live with critical thinking.

Revision of the Course

I reserve the right to modify assignments, reading, schedule, or any other aspect of the course as I perceive the
need. These changes will always benefit your overall grade.

COURSE PROCEDURES
Grading
During the course, I assign your grade based on your attendance, participation, and assignments.
For assignments, attendance, and participations, you will receive one of three grades: incomplete, pass, or
excellent. Although you can request a grade update at any time, keep track of your grades.

Resubmissions
For assignments, you are free to submit or perform them as many times as the semester will allow in order for
you to earn the grade you desire. Resubmissions of written assignments can occur at any time via email.
Speeches must occur during speech days during which we have extra time, or scheduled with me during my
office hours.

Late Work
In order to be eligible for resubmissions, you must turn the assignment in on time. I will not accept late work
unless you convince me you were prohibited by an extreme circumstance. Since attendance and participation
are non-repeatable, they are not open for resubmission. I will work with students in extreme circumstances.

Attendance
I determine your grade for attendance based on absences and tardies. Because I count three (3) tardies as one
(1) absence, tardies can have a big impact on your overall grade. Contact a classmate for missed lectures,
before you contact me. This means that you will need to contact others and treat them with respect.

Incomplete A minimum of six (6) absences and one (1) tardy for the course.
Pass Six (6) absences or less for the course.
Excellent A minimum of three (3) absences for the course.
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Participation
This portion of class assessment is both objective and subjective. Objectively, you need to participate in the
mini-speeches, workshops, and speech screenings. Subjectively, you need to show everyone in class—
professor and students alike—dignity and respect. You fail to show respect and dignity when you use verbal or
physical hostility or aggression, complain in a more or less public manner, disrupt what the professor wants to
accomplish, sleep during class, talking or using electronic devices while others are talking, instructing, or
delivering speeches, or any other behavior as indicated in the Student Handbook on page 17.

Incomplete Fails to show respect to others or completes less than five (5) mini speeches, workshops, and/or
speech screenings
Pass Regularly show respect to others and complete a minimum of five (5) mini speeches, workshops,
and/or speech screenings
Excellent Always show respect to others and complete at least seven (7) mini speeches, workshops, and
speech screenings

Mini-speeches.
These assignments are speeches in response to your readings. A complete mini-speech includes all of the
following.

Time One (1) minute, more or less

Structure An Introduction that
I. Catches our attention and
II. Reveals the topic,
A Body that answers these critical thinking questions
I. With what do you agree? Why
II. With what do you disagree? Why?
A Conclusion that
I. Signals the end and
II. Makes reference to the catchy beginning.
Delivery Extemporaneous: in a professional, conversational, and fluid manner using minimal notes.
Card Use one (1) handwritten or typed, single-sided, 4x6 note card. Put the outline on one side. On the
other, write your name; my name; class number, day, time; assignment; date.

Workshops
These are times when you practice delivering part of your speech in a non graded environment. A complete
workshop includes all of the following.
1. Deliver 1.5 minutes of your speech,
2. Listen to the professor’s written and/or verbal feedback,
3. Sign up for speech days.

Speech Screenings
During these classes, we will screen speeches and discuss how we can apply the speaker’s delivery to our own
speeches. A complete speech screening includes all of the following.
1. Screen the speech.
2. Discuss strengths and weaknesses.
3. Describe how to apply speaker’s strengths to your delivery.

Assignments
In this class, you will submit seven (7) assignments: 1) Global Ethics Speech, 2) Global Problem Sentence
Outline, 3) Global Problem Speech, 4) Global Solution Sentence Outline, 5) Global Solution Speech, 6)
Commemorative Sentence Outline, and 7) Commemorative Speech. Each assignment has its own rubric that
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details the speech requirements for a passing and excellent grade. Here are simple descriptions of each
assignment.

Global Ethics Speech

In this speech you will demonstrate that you can use critical thinking questions to apply your ethical beliefs to
the world in which you live. To do this, you need to understand and discuss basic critical thinking questions,
ethics, and the world in which you live.

Global Problem Sentence Outline

In this sentence outline, you will demonstrate that you can use critical thinking to not only identify a problem
facing the world in which you live, but you will also explain what causes the problem or what the causes and
effects of the problem are. You will research the problem, organize these causes and/or effects clearly, and cite
your sources in a detailed sentence outline (written word for word).

Global Problem Speech

In this speech, you will demonstrate that you understand the problem you are talking about, can speak credibly,
and can think critically. You will accomplish this when you will deliver your Global Problem Sentence Outline
extemporaneously, using minimal notes on three to five (3-5), typed, 4×6 index cards.

Global Solution Sentence Outline

In this sentence outline, you will demonstrate that you can use critical thinking to not only identify the causes
or the causes and effects of the global problem from your previous speech, but you will also offer a practical
solution to the problem. You will research the problem and solution, organize these ideas clearly, and cite your
sources in a detailed sentence outline.

Global Solution Speech

In this speech, you will demonstrate that you understand the problem and solution you are talking about, can
speak credibly, and can think critically. You will accomplish this when you will deliver your Global Solution
Sentence Outline extemporaneously, using minimal notes on six to eight (6-8), typed, 4×6 index cards.

Commemorative Manuscript
In this manuscript, you will demonstrate that you can write a complete story with a recognizable exposition,
inciting action, low point, turning point, and resolution. You will not only evoke emotion with the sensory
detail and concrete action of your story, you will also use figurative and rhythmic language where appropriate.

Commemorative Speech
In this speech, you will demonstrate that you can deliver a story effectively, capturing the drama and emotion
with your presentation of it. You will accomplish this when you deliver your Commemorative Manuscript
from 8½×11 paper.

Extemporaneous and Manuscript Speaking

For the Global Ethics, Problem, and Solution Speeches, you will be expected to speak extemporaneously. This
means that you will deliver the speech in a conversational, professional, and fluid manner using minimal notes
typed on 4×6 note cards. Although your wording can vary, the information you deliver is the same as the
outlines. If you are reading your speech, I reserve the right to stop your speech. On the Commemorative
Speech, you will be required to speak from a manuscript. This means that you will completely write out your
speech an deliver it “word for word.” If you are improvising or speaking extemporaneously, I reserve the right
to stop your speech.

Time Regulations
I reserve the right to stop your speech if you go over your time limit.
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GRADING SCALE
There are nine items I grade: I determine your over all grade in this way:

Participation A = a minimum of 7 Excellences and 2 Passes

Attendance B = a minimum of 5 Excellences and 4 Passes
Global Ethics Speech C = a minimum 9 Passes
Global Problem Sentence Outline D = a minimum of 1 Incomplete
Global Problem Speech F = 2 or more Incompletes
Global Solution Sentence Outline
Global Solution Speech
Commemorative Manuscript
Commemorative Speech

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND SERVICES

Academic Honesty and Integrity
All work must be your own and must be created for this course. No form of cheating is permitted. Recycling
work from another class is unacceptable. Very close similarities to the content and arrangement of someone
else’s work will be regarded as plagiarism. On any assignment, cheating, recycling, or plagiarizing will result
in a grade of incomplete. Repeated incidents may result in expulsion.

Cell Phones, MP3 Players, and other Electronic Devices

I will not tolerate the use of electronic devices in the classroom unless you have indicated to me a good reason
otherwise (potential emergency, academic accommodation, etc). If you use an electronic device, expect that I
will ask you to leave the class for the day.

Withdrawal
You will be awarded a “no credit” W if you withdraw after the add/drop period (27 August) but prior to the
completion of 60% of the course (29 October). After this time, you will receive an F, unless circumstances
allow otherwise.

Emergency Procedures
In the event of a bomb threat, tornado, or fire, students and staff may be asked to evacuate the building or
move to a secure location within the building. Evacuation routes for movement to an external location or to a
shelter within the building are posted at the front of the room. Students should review the maps and make sure
that the exit route and assembly location for the building are clearly understood. If you have any disability that
may require assistance during an evacuation, please let your faculty know at the end of the first class.

Disability Services
All students will be treated with respect to their individual needs. If you are receiving services related to a
disability or medical condition from disability services, please make an appointment to talk to me privately to
review your Request for Accommodation form. Any information about your disability or medical condition
we discuss is confidential and will not be shared with anyone. If you feel you need accommodations for a
disabling condition, please contact the Chesapeake Campus disability services counselor, Constance Lawson,
at 822-5127, or the District Coordinator at 822-1213, and/or visit the college web page at www.tcc.edu.

Tutorial Services
These services exist to help you earn the best grade possible. If you are struggling with a course, it is in your
best interest to avail yourself of these services. Tutorial Learning Center: Rm 196, Pass Building (822-5233).
The Grammar Hotline: 822-7170 or www.tc.cc.va.us/writcent/.