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University of Louisville

Department of Communication

COM 111-Public Speaking
Fall 2014
Tues/Thurs 11:00am - 12:15pm
Strickler Hall (SK) 306
Instructor: Regina Cook-Pfeiffer
Office SK 308F
E-mail: racook05@louisville.edu
Office Hours: Tues/Thurs 12:30 - 1:30pm

Nature of the Course:
In this course, you will prepare and deliver the required speeches. Since this is an oral
communication (speaking) course, most of your grade will be based on these speeches. The
classes will also include various activities, impromptu speeches, and applications/extensions of
the lecture materials covered in class.
Your performance in this course is improved by your active participation. Examples of
participation include: regular attendance, reading the assignments, participating in classroom
discussions and activities, being present for tests/quizzes, and of course, presenting your
speeches. You will be provided basic informational material on public speaking and examples of
basic concepts which are necessary for becoming competent speakers
University General Education Requirements
1. Speak publicly, in both formal and informal contexts, demonstrating skills such as
appropriate selection of topic and supporting evidence and materials, clear organization,
effective presentation skills, and the ability to analyze and adapt to various audience,
setting, and occasion factors;
2. Participate effectively in classroom discussions.
3. Analyze and critique the oral communication of others and oneself.

Organization of the Course:
The course will be divided into 40% student-led discussion (group discussion), 20% lecture, and
40% in-class communication activities and speeches. Students will be assigned chapters to read
in the text and are expected to be prepared to discuss the content the following class in group
discussions. Communication is something people do, so we will engage in various activities in
the class that will provide the experiential component of the course.
Department of Communication Mission Statement, adopted 4/18/95:
to develop oral, written, and computer mediated communication competency

Outcomes: In Basic Public Speaking, the student will have:
Persuasive and informative strategies
Appropriate Audience Analysis and adaptation strategies
Appropriate verbal and non-verbal delivery skills
A complete sentence preparation outline, speaking notes, and bibliography page
Appropriate and effective supporting material choice and use
Effective Visual aids (both development and use)
Appropriate organizational pattern choice and use
Appropriate transitions and summaries
Effective introductions and conclusions

The assignments in this course are designed to achieve these outcomes. Textbook readings,
class lectures, class activities, tests/quizzes, and presentations will provide you with information
about major concepts of oral presentational communication and the opportunity to experience
and practice these concepts.
Evaluation:
Oral Presentations/Group Discussions: You will receive group/class participation points for
informed talking you do in the facilitated discussions.
Speeches: You will deliver 4 speeches: two informative speeches and two persuasive
speeches. These speeches are graded oral assignments. All speeches must be delivered
extemporaneously (in other words they are to be practiced, rehearsed, and delivered
from a brief set of notes). The grading for these speeches can be found in your course
pack. You are responsible for providing me with the instructor copy of the grade sheets
for each speech with your full-sentence preparation outlines. Failure to have a grade
sheet with you will result in a 5 point deduction. You will also be asked to do
"impromptu" speeches from time to time at the instructor's discretion.
Written Assignments: Full sentence outlines with a completed work cited page are
required for all graded speeches. In addition, you are required to complete self-
evaluations, peer evaluations, and one outside speaker critique. You will be given
guidelines for each of these during the semester.
Exam/Quizzes: There are three quizzes and one midterm exam. The format for both the
quizzes and the exam is short answer with short essays.

Grading Scale

A+ 990-1000+
A 950-989
A- 900-949
B+ 870-899
B 830-869
B- 800-829
C+ 770-799
C 730-769
C- 700-729
D+ 670-699
D 630-669
D- 600-629
F below 600

Grading System: Points Possible: Your Points
Informative Speech 50
Preparation Outline 15
Speaking Outline 10
Self-Evaluation 10
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Informative Speech with Visual Aid 125
Preparation Outline 15
Speaking Outline 10
Self-Evaluation 10

Persuasive Speech 150
Preparation Outline 15
Speaking Outline 10
Peer-Evaluation 30

Persuasive Speech (2) 175
Preparation Outline 15
Speaking Outline 10
Self-Evaluation 10

Quizzes 100
Activity points (participation) 115
Exam 100
Outside speaker critique 25
TOTAL 1000
Extra Credit: You may earn up to 10 points extra credit; options are:
10 pts. For visiting with the Speaking Mentors (they email me your activity); SK basement
10 pts. For writing a speech critique from a speech on www.americanrhetoric.com or ted.com
(cannot be a movie speech- must be a speech with video to critique delivery).

Policies:
Attendance: Departmental policy states that you are allowed 2 absences (this applies to all
students). The third absence will result in your final grade being lowered by one letter grade, or 10%
of the possible points for the course. The fourth day will result in your final grade being lowered by
two letter grades, or 20% of the total points for the course. On your fifth day of absence you will fail
the course. Students with perfect attendance will receive 5 points extra credit. If you are absent on
the day of speeches, you will lose 10% off the total amount of points available for your speech.
Please note that speech order does not always mean you will go on a specific day plan for others to
be unprepared. If you are absent on a day when your name is called for you to speak, you will
receive a 0 for that speech.
Speeches: You are expected to speak on your scheduled day. Speeches cannot be rescheduled
for those who are absent, except in cases of severe illness or a death in the family (Doctors note and
funeral notes required). If you know that you will be late or absent, email me to let me know. Those
types of gestures can go a long way.
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Late Assignments: I simply do not accept late assignments. Be prepared to hand your work in on
time! Get to campus early and utilize one of the several computer labs to get your work printed. If
you are absent, you may turn the assignment in the next day you are in class at a 10% reduction in
points.
Emailed assignments: I do not accept work through email.
Technology: Use of cellular telephones and laptop computers ARE NOT permitted in my
classroom. If you anticipate an important call, please inform me of this before class
Plagiarism: Plagiarism on any assignment will get you an automatic 0 on that assignment and
failure of the course. It can also get you expelled from school. Be sure that you cite your sources
with the information in your speech so we know that it is from a source. Be sure that your sources
are credible and up-to-date. The internet is a wonderful tool, but if the source is not educationally
approved, its unacceptable to be used as a source (for example, Wikipedia, TMZ, etc.)
Inclement weather: If the campus is closed, obviously we will not have class. If the campus is on
a delayed schedule, it is possible we will meet. Please check your email for information about
whether or not the class is meeting/assignments/notes. Please alert me if you are unable to get to
campus because of inclement weather, but dont make it an excuse to miss class.
Class cancellations/changes: If class is canceled, I will put notes, assignments, change to
schedule, etc. on Blackboard. I try to communicate cancellations as soon as I can. If there will be a
change to class schedule, I'll let you know by BB or email.
Speech time limits: Time limits are set because it is an important aspect of speech giving.
Students who are over/under by 30 seconds will have 10% of the speech total deducted from their
grade. For example, if a 150 point speech is 4-6 minutes and you end at 6:31, you will lose 15 points
automatically. I will literally stop you if you go one minute over and you will lose 25 points.
Dress code: In addition to time requirements, dressing the part is also a major part of speech
giving. Please dress business casual (jeans are okay as long as they are neat) for your speeches. I will
have a speech order provided before speech day so you can better prepare your attire. Hats are not
allowed on speech day; I will make you take it off no matter what your hair looks like!
Ethical speaking guidelines: You may speak on most any topic of your choice; however I will give
you a list of topics that you may not speak about. Your topics must be ethical in nature (do not
persuade us to steal, cheat, or put others in danger). Keep your audience in mind and know that
every view point is not equally acceptable and may be inappropriate or offensive. If there is any
doubt in your mind if a topic is appropriate, chances are it's not.
Ethical listening guidelines: On the flip side, as audience members, remember that everyone is
entitled to their own opinions. Ethical audience members respect the speakers, listen with open
minds, and avoid prejudging. Please turn off all distractions both mental and physical. I will call you
out if you have your phone out or you sleep during a speech, and you will lose participation points.
Please just be respectful and treat others the way you would like to be treated.
Student Counseling Center: The center specializes in assisting students in acquiring academic
skills, learning how to better communicate, or strengthening an existing relationship. Do not hesitate
to go see them if you feel they can help you.
Disabilities: Students with disabilities or need special accommodations should notify me at the
beginning of the course. They should also contact the Disabilities Resource Center at 852-6938.
Personal Counseling: Students with personal or family problems may receive personal
counseling through the University of Louisville Counseling Center at 852-6585.
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Academic Dean: This office provides a variety of support for students. You can contact them at
Dean of Students Office, SAC W301, dos@louisville.edu, Phone: 502.852.5787.
Grading: I use Blackboard for all my grading. Please keep up with your grades in this class and let
me know ASAP if there is a difference with the grade on BB and what you have recorded. Do not
throw anything I have graded away until the semester is over. BB has been known to change grades
or not save input.

Requirements:
1. You will research and deliver four extemporaneous speeches with full-sentence preparation
outlines, including your Specific Purpose Statement and Central Idea (due the first day of speeches).
A speaking outline is also required. You may use note cards when you speak, but a one page
speaking outline must be submitted at the time you give your speech. And in addition to the
preparation outline, please submit your work cited page. MLA or APA required.
2. A self-evaluation is required after every speech. Please take time to really watch your recorded
speech before writing the review. Self-evaluations are 1 page minimum! This is a great way to learn
what areas need improvement.
3. Participate in group discussions and class activities by adding ideas, thoughts, and opinions
appropriately to our discussions.
4. Be respectful of each other and of me as your instructor. We all need to understand that we have a
freedom to speak our minds and are entitled to our own opinions. That also goes with the
understanding that we are to be respectful of each others beliefs and views. In addition to keeping
an open-mind and putting all judgments on hold, please be respectful of each other in regards to
time limits, being prepared the day of speeches, and not entering the room while someone is giving
a speech.
5. You will be required to record your speeches so you can do a self-evaluation. You can use your
smart phone, or ask a friend in class to record you with their smart phone. If you do not have a
device that records, please let me know and we will make arrangements. If you are going to use
your phone, make sure that you have enough room on your flash drive for the video.

Class Schedule (This is tentative. If anything changes, I'll send you an email and an
updated syllabus as soon as the changes are made!):
Week 1
August 26
Introduction to the course, procedures, and schedules.
Introductions to each other

August 28
What is public speaking?
7 steps to communication process; general purposes of speaking
Ethics and Public Speaking; plagiarism


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Week 2
September 2
Listening to Speeches
Informative speaking types
September 4
Topic selection; Central Idea and Specific Purpose Statements; speech organization

Week 3
September 9
Quiz 1
Writing Introduction, Connectives, and Conclusion
Outlining, speaking notes, work cited
September 11
Methods of Delivery; Effective use of Visual Aids
Week 4
September 16 & September 18
In-class workshop/meet with instructor to review outline.
If you do not have an outline, you will be counted absent for the day!

Week 5
September 23 & 25
Introduction Speeches (3-5 minutes)

Week 6
September 30
Quiz 2
Audience Analysis
Gathering materials; determining credibility of source
October 2
Assignment to be determined
Week 7
October 7
Fall Break
October 9
Supporting speech with Stats/Facts, examples, and testimony

Week 8
October 14 & 16
Informative Speeches 2 (4-6 minutes)

Week 9
October 21
Discuss Persuasive Speaking (Fact, Value, or Policy)
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Look at sample speeches (outline and written form)
Discussion of final speeches, look at various samples
October 23
Discussion of enhancing credibility
Methods of Persuasion/ Making logical Arguments

Week 10
October 28
Quiz 3
Exam review
October 30
EXAM

Week 11
November 4 & 6
Persuasive Speeches (5-7 minutes) Value/Fact

Week 12
November 11
Persuasive Speeches (5-7 minutes) Value/Fact
November 13
Discuss Motivated Sequence; review outlining format

Week 13
November 18 & 20 Outline Workshop for FINAL SPEECH
If you do not have an outline, you will be counted absent for the day!

Week 14
November 25
Persuasive Speeches (6-8 Minutes) Policy
December 2
Persuasive Speeches (6-8 Minutes) Policy

Week 15
December 4
Persuasive Speeches (6-8 Minutes) Policy
December 9
Persuasive Speeches (6-8 Minutes) Policy

*This syllabus is tentative and can change at the discretion of the instructor. A copy can be found on
Blackboard. Updates will be posted only on Blackboard.

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