13
HOW DO I EARN MY GRADE? Over the course of the semester, you will have a variety of
course work and speeches to prepare and deliver. A summary of the major assignments and
their point values is below. Grades will be available on the course website after assignments
are turned in and graded.
• Telling a Story (2–3 minutes)
• Speech / 20 points
• Script / 10 points
• Self-Introduction Speech (2–3 minutes)
• Demonstration Speech (3–5 minutes)
• Speech / 50 points
• Speech Packet / 20 points
• Group Informative Speech (15–17 minutes)
• Persuasive Speech (5–7 minutes)
• Speech /100 points
• Speech Packet / 25 points
• Self-Critique Blog / 15 points
• Speech Group Blog Comments / 5 points
• Quizzes (12 @ 10 points each) /120 points
• Total _____/850 points
Keep in Mind
• Tell students how much each assignment is worth. If you lay it out like this, students
can use their syllabus to keep track of their grades throughout the course.
HOW DO I EARN EXTRA CREDIT? Extra credit is available; more information will be
provided when opportunities are made available. You can earn no more than 40 points total
in extra credit.
Keep in Mind
• Do you offer extra credit? If so, be sure to tell students how they might be able
to get it and how much they can get.
14
© 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved.
HOW IS MY FINAL GRADE FIGURED OUT? Final grades are calculated according to
the total number of points you earned during the semester compared to how many points were
available. Points are converted to percentages.
Grade
A A
minus
B
plus B B
minus
C
plus C C
minus
D
plus
D
F
Keep in Mind
• Be sure you tell students how you are calculating their grade—is 90 percent an A, or is
93 percent? Let them know up front to eliminate problems later.
Keep in Mind
• It helps to remind the students that simply meeting basic criteria does not equal an A in
the course or on an assignment. Instructors may see that as common sense—students
often do not.
DO I REALLY HAVE TO COME TO CLASS AND DO THE WORK? Attendance is one
of the keys to success in this course. Many of our classroom activities cannot be duplicated or
made up. Please be aware I will be taking attendance every day, even on Fridays and before
breaks, so plan on being in class.
Keep in Mind
• Do you take attendance? Does it count for points? Let students know ahead of time.
Keep in Mind
• Check to see if there are specific requirements for your department with regard to
absences, completion of assignments, or other rules that should go into the syllabus.
15
would mean you lose 50 points, and missing 4 days would mean you lose 100 points.
Excessive absences will quickly reduce your grade!
If you’re not in the classroom by the time I call your name for attendance, you’re tardy.
Being tardy to class four times will count as an absence; in other words, 4 tardies = 1 absence.
Walking in late to a class is better than not attending at all, but it is a disruptive action and
shows a lack of respect for your classmates and for me. Please be on time.
Keep in Mind
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WRITING PAPERS? Assignments must be
room 225. For more information, see http://www.your.u.edu/english/WritingCenter.html
I take infringements of these policies very seriously, as does the university. If you are
caught participating in an academically dishonest practice (for example, using someone else’s
work as your own, copying another’s homework or exam, presenting a speech you didn’t
write, using unapproved notes on an exam, and so on), expect to at least fail the assignment,
16
unit, or exam and be prepared to face potentially harsher repercussions as well. You are
cheating yourself out of an educational experience if you choose to cheat on an assignment or
exam.
Keep in Mind
• Check your school’s faculty handbook and the student handbook for your school’s
policies on plagiarism. Be sure to make yourself aware of any university, district, or
system policies before you need them.
Keep in Mind
• Let students know the best way to contact you. Is it at home or at work? On the office
phone, cell phone, or email? Letting them know ahead of time will save you from
having to correct them later.
Keep in Mind
• It is important that we let students know what appropriate behavior is in the
classroom. While we may think such things are common sense, not all students may see
it that way. Spelling it out can make sure everyone is on the same page.
Keep in Mind
• Know your school’s policy on religious holidays or university-sponsored activities.
These may be deemed excused absences, so it is important that you tell students how to
handle these situations to save yourself the frustration of being caught off guard.
WHAT’S THE DISABILITY POLICY? “The University welcomes students with
disabilities into its educational programs, activities, residential halls, and everything else it
offers. Those who will need academic adjustments or accommodations for a disability should
17
contact the Disability Services Office (Room 105; 123-456-7890). Decisions to allow
adjustments and accommodations are made on the basis of clinical documentation the
students provide to sufficiently indicate the nature of their situation. Additional information is
at: http://www.your.u.edu/disabilityservices/ADA.html.”
If you have specific needs for participation please contact me right away at the beginning of
the semester; I am more than willing to do whatever it takes to help you succeed in this course.
Nonetheless, I am not a mind reader, so the only way I can help you is if you talk to me.
CAN I USE MY PHONE/LAPTOP/OTHER TECHNOLOGY IN CLASS? Please keep
your cell phones on silent mode or off and refrain from using any of the phone features
(including text messaging) during class unless I say otherwise. A random burst of phone
ringing, no matter how cool your ringtone, is disruptive and disrespectful to your fellow
students and to me, and using your phone’s features distracts you from the day’s topic. It’s
especially important for you to NOT have your cell phone out on speech or exam days—if I
current playlist.
Our class will utilize the “yellow card” penalty system for technology in the classroom. If
you commit a “foul” (as determined by me) with a cell phone, laptop, iPod, or other
technological gadget, I reserve the right to give you a yellow card. If you continue to misuse
the item, or if the original foul is offensive enough, you’ll get a red card (iPods are almost
always an automatic red) and will no longer be allowed to use the offending gadget in the
classroom.
ANYTHING ELSE? If you are having any problems with the class, you need to speak up and
ask questions or see me before or after class. Making an appointment will ensure I can make
your needs and concerns a priority.
GUM NEEDS TO BE SPIT OUT AND HATS NEED TO BE REMOVED BEFORE
YOU GIVE A SPEECH!
Keep in Mind
• Do you have specific attire requirements that go for all speeches? If so, put those in
here as well.
18
SAMPLE FIFTEEN-WEEK TERM—FOUR SPEAKING EVENTS, ONLINE QUIZZES
Week 1 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Course Overview/Introductions
• Chapter 1: Communication: Essential Human Behavior
• Chapter 14: Delivering Presentations
Chapter 1 Quiz*
Chapter 14 Quiz*
Week 2 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Explain Self-Introduction Speeches
• Chapter 7: Developing and Maintaining Relationships
• Chapter 8: Managing Conflict in Relationships
Chapter 7 Quiz*
Chapter 8 Quiz*
Week 3 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Chapter 12: Preparing and Researching Presentations
• Explain Demonstration Speeches
Chapter 12 Quiz*
Week 4 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Self-Introduction Speeches
• Chapter 13: Organizing, Writing, and Outlining Presentations
Chapter 13 Quiz*
Week 5 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Chapter 6: Listening
• Chapter 4: Nonverbal Communication
• Chapter 15: Informative Speaking
Chapter 6 Quiz*
Chapter 4 Quiz*
Chapter 15 Quiz*
Week 6 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Chapter 9: Communicating in Groups
• Chapter 10: Leadership and Decision Making in Groups
• Explain Informative Group Speeches
Chapter 9 Quiz*
Chapter 10 Quiz*
Week 7 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Midterm Review
• Midterm Examination—Chapters 1, 4, 6–8, 12–15
Week 8 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Chapter 11: Communicating in Organizations
• Demonstration Speeches
Chapter 11 Quiz*
19
SAMPLE FIFTEEN-WEEK TERM—FOUR SPEAKING EVENTS, ONLINE QUIZZES
(continued)
Week 9 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Demonstration Speeches
• Chapter 16: Persuasive Speaking
• Explain Persuasive Speeches
Chapter 16 Quiz*
Week 10 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Informative Group Speeches
Week 11 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Chapter 2: Perceiving the Self and Others
• Chapter 5: Communication and Culture
Chapter 2 Quiz*
Chapter 5 Quiz*
Week 12 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Chapter 3: Verbal Communication Chapter 3 Quiz*
Week 13 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Persuasive Speeches
Week 14 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Persuasive Speeches
• Final Exam Review Time
Week 15 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Final Exam
* All quizzes due by the beginning of class
20
SAMPLE FIFTEEN-WEEK TERM—FIVE SPEAKING EVENTS
Week 1 Discussion Topic/Reading
• Course Overview/Introductions
• Chapter 1: Communication: Essential Human Behavior
• Chapter 14: Delivering Presentations
Week 2 Discussion Topic/Reading
• Explain Self-Introduction Speeches
• Chapter 7: Developing and Maintaining Relationships
• Chapter 8: Managing Conflict in Relationships
Week 3 Discussion Topic/Reading
• Chapter 12: Preparing and Researching Presentations
• Explain Demonstration Speeches
Week 4 Discussion Topic/Reading
• Self-Introduction Speeches
• Chapter 13: Organizing, Writing, and Outlining Presentations
Week 5 Discussion Topic/Reading
• Chapter 6: Listening
• Chapter 4: Nonverbal Communication
• Chapter 15: Informative Speaking
Week 6 Discussion Topic/Reading
• Chapter 9: Communicating in Groups
• Chapter 10: Leadership and Decision Making in Groups
• Explain Informative Group Speeches
• Explain Impromptu Speeches
Week 7 Discussion Topic/Reading
• Midterm Review
• Midterm Examination—Chapters 1, 4, 6–8, 12–15
Week 8 Discussion Topic/Reading
• Impromptu Speeches
• Chapter 16: Persuasive Speaking
• Explain Persuasive Speeches
21
SAMPLE FIFTEEN-WEEK TERM—FIVE SPEAKING EVENTS (continued)
Week 9 Discussion Topic/Reading
• Demonstration Speeches
Week 10 Discussion Topic/Reading
• Informative Group Speeches
Week 11 Discussion Topic/Reading
• Chapter 2: Perceiving the Self and Others
• Chapter 5: Communication and Culture
Week 12 Discussion Topic/Reading
• Chapter 3: Verbal Communication
Week 13 Discussion Topic/Reading
• Persuasive Speeches
Week 14 Discussion Topic/Reading
• Persuasive Speeches
• Final Exam Review Time
Week 15 Discussion Topic/Reading
• Final Exam
22
SAMPLE TEN-WEEK TERM—FOUR SPEAKING EVENTS, ONLINE QUIZZES
Week 1 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Course Overview/Introductions
• Chapter 1: Communication: Essential Human Behavior
• Chapter 14: Delivering Presentations
• Explain Self-Introduction Speeches
Chapter 1 Quiz*
Chapter 14 Quiz*
Week 2 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Chapter 7: Developing and Maintaining Relationships
• Chapter 8: Managing Conflict in Relationships
• Chapter 12: Preparing and Researching Presentations
• Explain Demonstration Speeches
Chapter 7 Quiz*
Chapter 8 Quiz*
Chapter 12 Quiz*
Week 3 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Self-Introduction Speeches
• Chapter 13: Organizing, Writing, and Outlining Presentations
• Chapter 6: Listening
• Chapter 4: Nonverbal Communication
Chapter 13 Quiz*
Chapter 6 Quiz*
Chapter 4 Quiz*
Week 4 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Chapter 15: Informative Speaking
• Chapter 9: Communicating in Groups
• Chapter 10: Leadership and Decision Making in Groups
• Explain Informative Group Speeches
Chapter 15 Quiz*
Chapter 9 Quiz*
Chapter 10 Quiz*
Week 5 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Midterm Review
• Midterm Examination—Chapters 1, 4, 6–8, 12–15
• Chapter 11: Communicating in Organizations
Chapter 11 Quiz*
Week 6 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Demonstration Speeches
Week 7 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Chapter 16: Persuasive Speaking
• Explain Persuasive Speeches
• Informative Group Speeches
Chapter 16 Quiz*
23
SAMPLE TEN-WEEK TERM—FOUR SPEAKING EVENTS, ONLINE QUIZZES (continued)
Week 8 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Chapter 2: Perceiving the Self and Others
• Chapter 5: Communication and Culture
• Chapter 3: Verbal Communication
• Persuasive Speeches
Chapter 2 Quiz*
Chapter 5 Quiz*
Chapter 3 Quiz*
Week 9 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Persuasive Speeches
• Final Exam Review Time
Week 10 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Final Exam
* All quizzes due by the beginning of class
24
SAMPLE SUMMER SESSION—EIGHT WEEKS/FOUR SPEAKING EVENTS
Week 1 Discussion Topic/Reading
• Course Overview/Introductions
• Chapter 1: Communication: Essential Human Behavior
• Chapter 14: Delivering Presentations
• Chapter 7: Developing and Maintaining Relationships
• Chapter 8: Managing Conflict in Relationships
• Explain Self-Introduction Speeches
• Explain Demonstration Speeches
Week 2 Discussion Topic/Reading
• Chapter 12: Preparing and Researching Presentations
• Self-Introduction Speeches
• Chapter 13: Organizing, Writing, and Outlining Presentations
• Chapter 6: Listening
• Chapter 4: Nonverbal Communication
Week 3 Discussion Topic/Reading
• Chapter 15: Informative Speaking
• Chapter 9: Communicating in Groups
• Chapter 10: Leadership and Decision Making in Groups
• Explain Informative Group Speeches
• Midterm Review
Week 4 Discussion Topic/Reading
• Midterm Examination—Chapters 1, 4, 6–8, 12–15
• Chapter 11: Communicating in Organizations
• Demonstration Speeches
Week 5 Discussion Topic/Reading
• Chapter 16: Persuasive Speaking
• Explain Persuasive Speeches
• Informative Group Speeches
Week 6 Discussion Topic/Reading
• Chapter 2: Perceiving the Self and Others
• Chapter 5: Communication and Culture
• Chapter 3: Verbal Communication
• Persuasive Speeches
25
SAMPLE SUMMER SESSION—EIGHT WEEKS/FOUR SPEAKING EVENTS (continued)
Week 7 Discussion Topic/Reading
• Persuasive Speeches
• Final Exam Review Time
Week 8 Discussion Topic/Reading
• Final Exam
26
SAMPLE SUMMER SESSION—FIVE WEEKS/FOUR SPEAKING EVENTS
Week 1 Discussion Topic/Reading
• Course Overview/Introductions
• Chapter 1: Communication: Essential Human Behavior
• Chapter 14: Delivering Presentations
• Chapter 7: Developing and Maintaining Relationships
• Chapter 8: Managing Conflict in Relationships
• Chapter 12: Preparing and Researching Presentations
• Explain Self-Introduction Speeches
• Explain Demonstration Speeches
Week 2 Discussion Topic/Reading
• Self-Introduction Speeches
• Chapter 13: Organizing, Writing, and Outlining Presentations
• Chapter 6: Listening
• Chapter 4: Nonverbal Communication
• Demonstration Speeches
• Midterm Review
Week 3 Discussion Topic/Reading
Week 4 Discussion Topic/Reading
• Chapter 11: Communicating in Organizations
• Chapter 2: Perceiving the Self and Others
• Chapter 5: Communication and Culture
• Chapter 3: Verbal Communication
• Informative Group Speeches
Week 5 Discussion Topic/Reading
• Persuasive Speeches
• Final Exam
27
SAMPLE HYBRID COURSE—15 WEEKS
F2F = Face-to-Face (in class); OL = Online
For more information on blog assignments, see page 35.
Week 1 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
Week 2 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
8
Week 3 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Chapter 12: Preparing and Researching Presentations (F2F)
• Explain Demonstration Speeches (OL)
Chapter 12 Quiz* Blog
Assignment— Preparing
Speeches!
Week 4 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Self-Introduction Speeches (F2F)
• Chapter 13: Organizing, Writing, and Outlining Presentations
(OL)
Chapter 13 Quiz* Blog
Assignment— Chapter 13
Week 5 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Chapter 6: Listening (F2F)
• Chapter 4: Nonverbal Communication (F2F)
• Chapter 15: Informative Speaking (OL)
Chapter 6 Quiz*
Chapter 4 Quiz*
Chapter 15 Quiz* Blog
Assignment— Chapter 15
Week 6 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
Preparation!
Week 7 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Midterm Review (OL)
• Midterm Examination—Chapters 1, 4, 6–8, 12–15 (F2F)
28
Week 8 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Chapter 11: Communicating in Organizations (OL)
• Demonstration Speeches (F2F)
Chapter 11 Quiz* Blog
Assignment— Chapter 11
Week 9 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Explain Persuasive Speeches (OL)
Week 10 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Informative Group Speeches (F2F)
Week 11 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Chapter 2: Perceiving the Self and Others (OL)
• Chapter 5: Communication and Culture (OL)
Chapter 2 Quiz*
Chapter 5 Quiz* Blog
Assignments— Chapters
2 and 5
Week 12 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Chapter 3: Verbal Communication (OL) Chapter 3 Quiz* Blog
Assignment— Chapter 3
Blog Assignment—
Preparing for your
Speech!
Week 13 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Persuasive Speeches (F2F)
Week 14 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Persuasive Speeches (F2F)
• Final Exam Review Time (OL)
Blog Assignment—
The Big Wrap-Up
Week 15 Discussion Topic/Reading Assignments Due
• Final Exam (F2F)
* All quizzes and blog assignments are due on Friday at 11:59 p.m.
29
SAMPLE ONLINE COURSE
Section 1: Introduction to the Course
Assigned Chapters
Chapter 1: Communication: Essential Human Behavior
What Is Due?
Chapter 1 Quiz, Online Scavenger Hunt Activity, Small-Group
Discussion on Blogs
Speech Due
Self-Introduction Speech
Section 2: Putting Together an Effective Public Presentation
Speech Due
Demonstration Speech
Section 3: Special Types of Communication & Speaking
Assigned Chapters
Chapter 9: Communicating in Groups; Chapter 10: Leadership and
Decision Making in Groups; Chapter 11: Communicating in
Organizations; Chapter 15: Informative Speaking; Chapter 16:
Persuasive Speaking
What Is Due?
Chapter 9 Quiz, Chapter 10 Quiz, Chapter 11 Quiz, Chapter 15
Quiz, Chapter 16 Quiz, Group Problem-Solving Activity, Small-
Group Discussion on Blogs
Speech Due
Informative Speech
Section 4: Understanding Human Communication
What Is Due?
Chapter 2 Quiz, Chapter 3 Quiz, Chapter 4 Quiz, Chapter 5 Quiz,
Chapter 6 Quiz, Chapter 7 Quiz, Chapter 8 Quiz, Choose Your
Own Nonverbal Adventure Activity, Small-Group Discussion on
Blogs
Speech Due
Persuasive Speech
You can see that the online class isn’t structured in weeks, but in sections. That way, the content
can be adapted to whatever time you have available. If the class is a “work on your own” class,
where students can start or finish at any time throughout the term, eliminate blogging assignments
and the group activity.
USING REAL COMMUNICATION IN THE CLASSROOM
Real Communication contains numerous pedagogical features that can be used to enhance your
course and to provide a learning experience for students that they can apply to their own lives.
Below are some tips for how to use each of these features.
THE CHAPTER BOXES
following ways.
• Place students in small groups to discuss the chapter boxes and answer the Think About This
questions.
• Have students find and interview individuals similar to the Real Communicators.
In addition to the general suggestions above, you will find more detailed activities related to each
There are a few, more detailed CONNECT exercises in the chapters section of this Instructor’s
EVALUATING YOUR STUDENTS
EXAMINATIONS
• When you think about constructing examinations, the first question is: What are you trying to
test? Think back to the goals that you set out in the syllabus. How do you plan to assess student
achievement of those goals?
• How much time do you have? Do your students have one hour to complete the exam? Ninety
minutes? Fifty minutes? Any student who is well prepared for the exam should be able to finish
the exam in slightly less time than you give them for the exam. The extra time allows them to
double-check their answers or give a more fleshed out answer for essays.
QUIZZES
• Again, the first question you need to ask yourself is: What am I testing here? The quizzes in the
syllabi listed above have “reading the text” as their goal. In other words, the quizzes are a way
to ensure that the students have at least opened and perused the textbook before coming to
class. Quizzes that test the ability of students to synthesize information from the text and
information given in class should be given after the class period, not before.
MIDTERMS/FINAL EXAMS
• Once you have determined the goal for your evaluation, the time you have available, and the
format of your test, you will need to decide what information needs to be covered on the exam.
How many chapters will you be covering? Will you use a study guide? If so, will you provide
sample questions or give students the format of the test?
• What about cheating? Will you use multiple formats of your exam so that students sitting next
to each other can’t cheat off their neighbors? Will you give your exam back to students, or will
you give out only the scores and collect the exams for safekeeping? (If you give back exams