Public Speaking 101

1. COURSE CONTENT

In this course we will go over the basics of  the structuring, writing and delivery of a speech, including how to ask research questions, how to formulate a thesis, and how to present an argument verbally with a beginning, middle, and end.

2. GOALS

The primary goal of this course is to teach students how to write, structure, and deliver a speech. The secondary goals of this course include:
    • learning to ask critical questions
    • learning to form advanced logical connections
    • to become more confident (especially when speaking in large groups)
    • to have fun!

3. METHOD 

While this course is largely discussion-based, it will follow an outline and will include times in which I lecture. As such, learners are encouraged to come to class prepared to contribute. We will engage in ice-breaker games in order to facilitate these discussions when necessary. In addition to the in-class discussions that happen during the class, there will be two major opportunities for the student to exercise their ability to speak publicly. Everyone who participates in this class will at some point engage in public speaking. 

4. ASSIGNMENTS

There will be three speeches assigned over the course of this semester. The first speech that the students complete will be accompanied by a manuscript and will be sent to me in a recording. The second speech will either be given live or, optionally, be pre-recorded in the form of a video. Once students have warmed up to public speaking, all third speeches at the end of the term will be given live in front of the class. In addition to this, class participation will be mandatory. Every student who joins this class will eventually engage in public speaking. But, don’t worry. We’ll make it easy.

4a. Manuscript Delivery Assignment

While not every speaker is best suited to the use of a manuscript, the process of learning how to prepare a manuscript is beneficial to nearly all speakers. Preparing a manuscript forces one to learn how to write in ones own voice in a way that normal essay writing does not.

Think about a movie that you have seen recently and imagine that you are the director of that movie. The press has asked you to give a speech regarding what you enjoyed about your movie. Write a five paragraph manuscript persuading people to go buy tickets then record it and send it to me. Your speech should have a clear thesis statement as well as a beginning, a middle, and an end. We will not be performing these speeches out loud to the class. Your manuscripts should be turned in to me along with an audio or video recording of you delivering it.

4b. First In-Class Presentation

Because multiple students will be presenting, some students will give their speeches on the tenth lesson, while others will give their speeches on the eleventh. We will schedule the exact day that each student will present on the first day of class. If, for any reason, this day is missed (perhaps due to sickness or late registration) please message me so that I can be sure that you are included.

You will have a selection of topics provided to you on a google form which will be linked to you later in the class. It will then be your responsibility to go in to that google form and select which topic you wish to deliver a speech on. 

After this, you will craft a five minute speech on the topic that you have selected. You may do as much or as little writing as you wish to prepare for this assignment. Some learners may prefer to write out their entire presentation in advance, while others may prefer to speak entirely off the cuff. You are free to choose how detailed you wish for your notes to be in this regard. However, choosing to speak “off the cuff” does not exempt you from having a clear structure in the presentation of your speech. All speeches must have a clear thesis, a beginning, a middle, and an end.

If you want you may record a video of yourself giving the speech, instead of giving the speech live. However, if you do this, your video will be due on the start of week five on lesson nine. After each student presents, we will engage in a period of encouraging and constructive peer review before moving on. 

4c. Second In-Class Presentation

The second presentation is much like the first, with the only difference being that the second presentation must be given live. Topics will be linked on a google form, you will select the one that you wish to present on, you will give your speech, then, after presenting, we will try to learn from one another by listening and analyzing each-others speeches.

Both speeches should be approximately five minutes, however this is just an approximation and if your speech is a little longer or shorter, that’s nothing to worry about. As long as you keep it above two minutes and under nine minutes, there should not be a problem.

5. CLASSROOM POLICIES

    • No cell phones or electronics other than the one you are using to access Outschool during class.
    • While there will be lots of discussion in this class, only one conversation at a time.
    • Do not interrupt.
    • Ensure that everything that you submit is entirely your own work and that you have not copied it from somewhere else. Plagiarism will not be tolerated.
    • Be respectful of other students when engaging in peer review.