Beebe/Beebe/Ivy Communication: Principles for a Lifetime 6e
Instructor’s Manual
168
Activity 13.2: Using Figurative Language
Poetry is particularly helpful in illustrating figurative and dramatic language as
well as exploring the role of cadence. Bring in some poems and songs that
include excerpts from Shakespeare’s Venus and Adonis. This poem is fairly
explicit, so it may not be appropriate for all classes. Lead a discussion on the
use of figurative language and the other techniques. Put students into groups
and ask them to look at specific phrases in their presentations with the goal of
making them more artistic. After 20 minutes, ask students to share some of the
phrases.
Activity 13.3: Are You Talking to ME?
Ask students to watch a national broadcast of the news AND a local broadcast of
the news, taking notes the ways in which the various broadcasters (news,
weather, sports, etc.) speak (cadence, etc.), maintain “eye contact” with the
audience via the camera, use figurative language, and other concepts from this
chapter. During the class discussion, have students offer their insights into how
effectively or ineffectively the broadcasters presented the news, weather, sports,
etc. to their audience. Students should also be able to determine if what they saw
on the national and local news programs would work when delivering a speech to
a live audience in an auditorium.
ASSIGNMENTS
Assignment 13.1: Creating a Visual Aid
This assignment is designed to help students:
1. Prepare and design appropriate visual aids.
2. Present a visual aid.
3. Gain practical experience in delivering information.
Preparation: All students will need to do is design a visual aid for a potential
presentation. This is an exercise, so the visual aid does not need to be related to
the upcoming presentation in class. Rather, the visual aid can be on entirely
different subject. Students may use objects, models, charts, diagrams, pictures,
graphs, maps, or people. Due to the time limit of the assignment, students
should avoid audio or movie clips. Visual aids may be converted to overhead
transparencies as well. (If your college or university supports PowerPoint, you
may wish to include, or even require, this.)