Public Speaking Hermeneutic

What's In This Class?

This class is lecture, performance, and discussion-based, with an emphasis on being able to effectively
communicate observations and thoughts

Classwork & Homework (25% of total grade)

This category might include all work begun and/or completed in class, warm-ups, class discussions,
group activities, Socratic Seminar sessions, student journals, participation and other assigned
tasks. Class notes also serve as Classwork assignment – students are expected to take notes in Cornell
format. In order to encourage this method’s widespread use, extra credit will be awarded to students
who use this method in other classes as well.

Assessments (35% of total grade)

This category might include tests, quizzes, presentations, projects and quarterly or unit assessments.
These may include written analyses, expository papers, research assignments, public speaking tasks, or
formalized debates.

Final Project or Exam (40% of total grade)

This category deals with the final comprehensive project or exam, including any performance, written,
or other project-specific tasks throughout the class, such as benchmark assessments.

Class Goals:

 I don’t expect you to walk in without stage fright. That’s why you’re here. I do want willingness
to try to speak. Without that, we can’t get anywhere.
 This class is about giving speeches. You’ll never overcome stage fright, fear of public speaking or
learn what a bad presentation will teach you if you skip instead of trying. You cannot fail a
speech if you get up there and try. Don’t skip because you’re afraid or not very well
prepared. You’ll reduce your grade significantly by skipping a presentation. It’s better to come
and do badly than to not come at all.
 Introduce great speeches and rhetoric to students. Speakers and speeches from the past have
much to teach us, but only when we listen and evaluate what is said and how.
 To learn to tailor a speech to the event and audience.
 To understand the circumstances of a speech: the event, venue, audience, and speaker’s
credentials.
 To gain a practical understanding of the use of rhetorical devices.
Course Texts

There is no written text for this class; missing a class means you’re missing notes. You may have to ask
a classmate for notes. Help someone else out, please, if you’re asked.

Policy on Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the use of the words, facts, ideas, or opinions of someone else without specific
acknowledgement of their source. It is the attempt-deliberate or unintentional-to pass off as one’s own
what in fact has been borrowed. To fail to indicate sources of information and/or to fail to identify them
constitutes plagiarism. Any work which has been plagiarized will receive a 0 and the student will forfeit
the right to re-do the assignment for credit. Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated.

Class Presentation Schedule

You will be giving a minimum of 4 prepared speeches over the course of the class. Your final exam is a 5-
7 minute speech on a topic chosen by the instructor.

Ice Breaker: An introduction to yourself.

Tell us about yourself. You can talk about your favorite hobbies, your family, your pets, whatever you
want. Your choice.
Speech time: 3-5 minutes.

Informational Speech: What to Do with a Plastic Knife

You will demonstrate how to build or create a project with a plastic knife. This speech must include
some visual aid.
Speech time: 4-7 minutes.
Purpose: to teach organization of speech and use of visual aids.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.2
Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse
formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) in order to
make informed decisions and solve problems, evaluating the
credibility and accuracy of each source and noting any discrepancies
among the data.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.4
Present information, findings, and supporting evidence, conveying a
clear and distinct perspective, such that listeners can follow the line
of reasoning, alternative or opposing perspectives are addressed, and
the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate
to purpose, audience, and a range of formal and informal tasks.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1.A
Come to discussions prepared, having read and researched material
under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to
evidence from texts and other research on the topic or issue to
stimulate a thoughtful, well-reasoned exchange of ideas.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.5
Make strategic use of digital media (e.g., textual, graphical, audio,
visual, and interactive elements) in presentations to enhance
understanding of findings, reasoning, and evidence and to add
interest.

Storytelling
You will tell a story in a speech. It may be a personal story, one you’ve written, or one you’ve found from
another source. Be sure to cite your source. You may use up to 3 props.
Speech time: 4-7 minutes
Purpose: emotional engagement, body language and vocal variety development.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.6
Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating a command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.
Persuasive Speaking
You will pick a particular topic that you want to persuade us to agree with you. If you want to practice
convincing your parents about a particular issue, this may be the place to practice.
Speech time: 4-7 minutes
Purpose: development of speech content, rhetorical devices (logos, pathos, ethos).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1.A
Come to discussions prepared, having read and researched material
under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to
evidence from texts and other research on the topic or issue to
stimulate a thoughtful, well-reasoned exchange of ideas
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1.D
Respond thoughtfully to diverse perspectives; synthesize comments,
claims, and evidence made on all sides of an issue; resolve
contradictions when possible; and determine what additional
information or research is required to deepen the investigation or
complete the task.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.3
Evaluate a speaker's point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and
rhetoric, assessing the stance, premises, links among ideas, word
choice, points of emphasis, and tone used.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.4
Present information, findings, and supporting evidence, conveying a
clear and distinct perspective, such that listeners can follow the line
of reasoning, alternative or opposing perspectives are addressed, and
the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate
to purpose, audience, and a range of formal and informal tasks.

Oral Interpretation
Take a story or poem and interpret it for us. This piece may require memorization.
Speech time: 5-10 minutes.
Purpose: Vocal variety, body language, emotional engagement.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1.A
Come to discussions prepared, having read and researched material
under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to
evidence from texts and other research on the topic or issue to
stimulate a thoughtful, well-reasoned exchange of ideas.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.6
Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating a
command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.