The Charter School of Wilmington

 
 
 
 
 
  

 

Public Speaking/Speech

Course Description:

Communication is an art.  As members of society we spend over half of our waking hours speaking and listening to others speak.  However, in our studies we focus primarily on skills of reading, analyzing, and writing.  Not many hours are spent preparing for one of the most important of our communication methods - speech.  This is a semester course.

The primary purpose of this course is to prepare you to become a better speaker and listener.  The course will involve formal and informal speeches concerning a wide range of topics and demanding more effective skills as each student progresses.  As members of an audience, you will be asked to listen critically and analyze constructively each speaker who stands before you.

The following speeches will be included in our class:

  1. The Self Introduction (1 minute)
  2. Introduction of a Fellow Member of the Class (1 minute)
  3. The Demonstration Speech (1-2 minutes)
  4. The Amusing Anecdote (2 minutes)
  5. The Motivational Personal Experience Speech (2-3 minutes)
  6. The Eulogy (3 minutes)
  7. The Persuasive Speech (3 minutes)
  8. The Career Speech (3-4 minutes)
  9. The Excuse Speech (1-2 minutes; extemporaneous)
  10. The Hero Speech (2-3 minutes)
  11. The Speech to Inform (3 minutes)
  12. The Interview (3-4 minutes; taped)
  13. The Commercial (30 seconds; filmed)
  14. Teach a Class (10 minutes)

Students will be graded on each of their speeches by the instructor and other students who are asked to critically analyze the speech using a specific grading format designed by the class.  Criteria will be noted on the forms and averages will be used for grading purposes.

In between speeches, students will be taking part in round table discussions concerning a variety of topics - the difference between the sexes; double standards; what is success in life?; what makes a good teacher?; what is a hero?; what makes something funny?

Students will also be asked to make extemporaneous speeches which will last less than a minute (but students will be given very little time - less than a minute - to prepare).

 

Communication and Speech (.5 credit)

This course incorporates three of the four state standards for English Language Arts:

  • English Language Arts Standard One: Students will use written and oral English appropriate for various purposes and audiences.
  • English Language Arts Standard Two: Students will construct, examine, and extend the meaning of literary, informative, and technical tests through listening, reading, and viewing.
  • English Language Arts Standard Three: Students will access, organize, and evaluate information gained by listening, reading, and viewing.

Informal Speeches (Standard One and Two):

I.   Self Introduction; Introduction of Partner; The Demonstration Speech; The Amusing Anecdote; The Motivational Personal Experience Speech; The Excuse Speech.

II.   Informal presentation of self and others

  • Facts about self, experiences, abilities, flaws
  • Opinions of others and conclusion

III.  Evaluation by student(s)

  • Creation of evaluation form
  • Evaluations done by peers
  • Oral critiques done after speeches

IV. Objectives: Students will...

  • Present information using verbal and non-verbal messages
  • Use a variety of rhetorical forms
  • Use a logical order of presentation
  • Interpret information as appropriate
  • Engage in self-evaluation

Formal Speeches (Standard One, Two, and Three):

I.   The Eulogy; The Persuasive Speech; The Career Speech; The Interview; The Speech to Inform; The Hero Speech

II.   Formal presentation of material

  • Information of sufficient quantity
  • Appropriate for a specific purpose
  • Interpreted and formulated for logical conclusions

III.  Evaluation

  • Evaluation of self
  • Evaluation of speaker's messages
  • Formulation of opinions concerning speech

IV.  Objectives: Students will...

  • Present information in a logical order
  • Interpret as appropriate or inappropriate
  • Engage in self-evaluation and evaluation of others
  • Use a variety of rhetorical forms
  • Analyze and critically evaluate information
  • Conclude logically

The Final Project (Standard One, Two, and Three):

I.   Teach a Ten Minute Class

II.   Formal presentation to class of an academic subject

  • Gathering of information and materials with help of teacher/mentor
  • Presentation and Evaluation of class information gathering
  • Interpretation of material for specific purpose of instruction

III.   Evaluation by teacher

  • Form used
  • Criteria given beforehand
  • Used in lieu of final examination

IV.   Objectives: Students will...

  • Present information in a timely and logical manner
  • Interpret information gathered
  • Use a variety of rhetorical forms
  • Analyze and critically evaluate information
  • Analyze and critically evaluate audience/class