Public Speaking

May 14^th – May 18^th

We will take the first class periods this week to prepare for your speeches by going over some elements of delivery, specifically your choice of language and the kinesics, paralanguage, and proxemics of delivery. Again, remember that we will only be covering these in summary, extracting the information that is critical to preparing and delivering your speech. If you need a fuller explanation, you can refer to Chapters 8 and 9 in your text.

We will devote any time remaining in these periods to your research in the labs or in the library, in case you should still need to do that, as well as organizing your ideas in an outline form so that you can translate into presentation notes. Remember that you will NOT be permitted to read your speech, but you can and should use abbreviated notes to help you remember the main points and the flow of your ideas. [Just a reminder here for those who believe that they may need the grade: If you “messed up” on one of the participation assignments and wish to receive an extra credit grade in that category (That category of grades counts as 20% of your total average.), you are being given the opportunity to hand in an outline of your information, but it must be handed in no later than Monday.]

The final speeches will begin on Thursday, with three speeches per day. The seniors in the class will give their speeches first so that I will have ample time to calculate their possible exemptions from the final exam.

Your speeches will be evaluated according to the rubric which I gave you earlier, and which I have also posted on this page, just in case you lost the copy you were given. Remember that the delivery of your speech will be counted as a double test grade, so you MUST be sure to do adequate preparation for this presentation.

Remember that, to be exempt from the final, your 3^rd quarter grade and your current 4^th quarter grade together must average to an A for the course. In these final weeks of the semester, make sure that you are giving proper attention to the final elements of this course so that you can maintain your average to earn the exemption.