Public Speaking

Rosedale Bible College

Term 1,  2008

Instructor: Reuben Sairs

 

Goal: Students will learn standard methods used in formal speaking in various situations, and practice for evaluation in 7 areas of public speaking.

 

Text: The Elements of Speechwriting and Public Speaking by Jeff Scott Cook.   

 

Expectations/Evaluation:

There are 8 elements to the class.  Your grade will be based on your cumulative performance in each area.  See percentages below.

 

·         A Mid-Term examination on the Book.  (probably Monday, Oct. 29) 20%

 

·         Introducing others. 10 % 

 

·         Praying formally, publicly. 5%

 

·         Proposal Presentation. 20%

 

·         Chairing Meetings.  10%

 

·         Oral Interpretation/Public Reading. 15%

 

·         Formal Speech. 20%

 

·         A small amount of credit will be available  through an impromptu speaking exercise on December 13 or 14—finals day.  1% participation, 1% for success.

 

·         There are written assignments that accompany some of the projects.  These are designed to help you plan and organize your presentations.  They will count for 15 percent of the project grade.

 

·         Students will listen to 45 minutes of famous speeches in the library and hand in a short report of which speeches, and what knowledge of techniques or insights into the process of public speaking they gained by listening critically. 5 %    

 

Reading Schedule.  The book is 225 pages long.  Reading will be completed before the mid-term.  The best way to complete the reading will be to precede or follow the class presentations chapter by chapter.  Your instructor will let you know ahead of time.  Alternatively, by reading 9 pages each school day,  starting September 19th .* and excluding weekends, you will have finished the book and have time to study and review for the mid-term examination. 

 

* Students will read Chapter 7 (140-153) before the second class meeting.

 

 

 

 Class Schedule and information: (This schedule is general, flexible, and subject to last minute changes.)  There are roughly 33 classes over roughly 11 weeks.

 

Weeks 1 & 2. General principles and working with introductions.   Students will introduce another person—a classmate, friend, family member in a 2 minute presentation.

 

Weeks 3 & 4. How to chair a meeting.  Students will learn basic parliamentary procedure and each chair a meeting, make and act on motions using formal rules.   

 

Week 5 & 6. Oral Interpretation.  Reading Scripture and other literature out loud in public.  Students will learn about oral interpretation and prepare readings to present to the class. 

 

Weeks 7 & 8. Presentations.  How to sell ideas, and present project proposals.  Choose a proposal topic from the list on this syllabus.  Students may use PowerPoint or any appropriate visual-aide materials or props to present their ideas.

 

Weeks 9 & 10. The formal speech.  Students will prepare a 10 minute speech.  Although religious subjects are acceptable and encouraged, this is not to be a sermon or a testimony.  The speech may be of the five major types covered in the book: to stimulate, inform, persuade, activate or entertain.  A so-called demonstration speech is not acceptable for the formal speech.

 

Students will be assigned days to open the class with formal prayer.  A copy of the prayer will be handed in.  Scripture reading and formal prayer assignments can be completed  by participating in 16 available slots in our Friday chapel services: 10/05,10/12,10/19,11/02,11/09,11/30,12/07, 12/12--to be scheduled by the end of September.

 

Proposals (choose one for weeks 7 & 8) You may use the examples below or make any appropriate substitution and request approval.  Unapproved topics will automatically be given a C as the highest possible grade.  No comedy or parody is acceptable.

 

·         Selling things: For example,  your company sells t-shirts, hats, pens, chocolate and other promotional materials to clubs and organization. Your job is sell the idea of promotion to the club. 

 

·         Convincing people:  Example: Your church is out of room and needs a bigger building.  You represent the building committee and try to sell a modest building project to the congregation.

 

·         Informing people:  Example: Most people simply don’t understand how important it is to wash their hands regularly.  Your job is to inform them about the health benefits of regular hand-washing.

 

·         Promotion

        Examples:

    1. Why should a company relocate to your hometown?  You work for the city counsel, selling your town to a hotel chain that is considering locating a hotel there, but isn’t sure.
    2. Promote Rosedale Bible College to your church.  Create a program to present to a congregation that would be suitable for recruiting.
    3. Are you an aspiring missionary?  You may promote your mission.