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Part 2
Organizing and Structuring a Public Speaking Course
This section provides the following resources to help instructors structure and organize
the introduction to a public speaking course:
sample syllabi
student’s record of grades
information sheet for instructor
SAMPLE SYLLABI
The following syllabi are grouped for use in three types of class schedules: a semester
(fifteen weeks), a quarter (twelve weeks), and a summer session (four weeks). For each
models can be adapted to fit the expectations of the individual instructor and the policies
and requirements of the school where the course is offered.
Public Speaking Syllabus
Course Description: Students will learn the skills and strategies needed to prepare and
deliver special occasion, informative, and persuasive speeches. Special consideration is
given to adapting communication styles and content to diverse speakers and audiences.
This course emphasizes how to compose meaningful and coherent messages; how to
Course Objective/Rationale: During the course, you will be asked to stand before a
group and deliver information, argue a position, present an award, introduce a guest
speaker, speak with a group, or honor a special event. It is important that you command
the audience’s attention and present yourself as a competent and credible speaker. In this
Instructor:
Voice mail: ext.: E-mail address:
Office room no.: Office hours:
Student Learning Objectives
1. Students will learn how to construct (research, outline, and organize) public speeches
for delivery to audiences.
2. Students will be able to deliver special occasion, informative, and persuasive
speeches.
The following is the Department of Communication’s absenteeism policy:
a maximum of three absences for Monday/Wednesday/Friday classes
Absences beyond the allotted amount will result in a 10-point reduction from your final
grade for each occurrence.
Text: Dan O’Hair, Rob Stewart, and Hannah Rubenstein’s A Speaker’s Guidebook (6th
ed.) is the text for this course. It is available at the campus bookstore. Daily reading
assignments from the text are listed on the course schedule. You will be expected to have
read the material before you come to class.
selecting and researching a topic, organizing and delivering your speeches, and following
Note: On each day that you are scheduled to perform a speech, you must turn in two
typed copies of your outline and your grading sheet. One outline will be graded and
returned to you; the other copy will be kept in the course administration file. If you fail to
turn in the required copies, you will receive a 0 for the entire assignment. In addition,
You must prepare an outline for each speech. All written assignments are to be neatly
typed and double-spaced on 8 1/2-by-11-inch white paper with 1-inch margins. Follow
To gain a better understanding of the similarities, differences, and connections between
oral and written communication, you will also submit a four- to six-page research paper
Speech Critiques: You will critique two speeches either inside the classroom setting
(e.g., guest speaker, competition video) or outside it (e.g., speakers on campus, in the city
council, in a place of worship, at a special occasion). If the instructor does not provide
this opportunity during class time, you are responsible for critiquing a speaker at an out-
Grades: You will be graded in this class based on (1) the number of points you earn for
each exam, speech, and written assignment and (2) your class participation. The total
number of points available for the semester is 1000. Keep track of your scores on the
Special Notes
Academic Misconduct: The guidelines in the Student Code of Responsibility and
Conduct will be upheld in this course. According to the Academic Misconduct Code:
Academic misconduct includes (a) cheating (using unauthorized materials,
information, or study aids in any academic exercise, plagiarism, falsification of
records, unauthorized possession of examinations, intimidation, any and all other
Academic misconduct will not be tolerated and will be severely penalized, resulting in a
failing grade for the class. The appropriate dean will be notified of academic misconduct
and complaints will be handled according to university policy.
Reasonable Accommodation: Any students who have a disability that may prevent them
from fully demonstrating their abilities should contact the instructor or the course director
as soon as possible so that accommodations can be made to ensure their full participation
STUDENT’S RECORD OF GRADES
(To accompany syllabi for class including a group presentation)
Speeches
Special Occasion Speech _____/75
Informative Speech _____/150
Persuasive Speech _____/200
Group Presentation _____/125
Exams
First Exam _____/75
Second Exam _____/75
Instructor points _____/100
Other required assignments
Informative Communication Research Paper _____/100
Self-Evaluation _____/25
Peer Evaluation _____/25
Speech Critiques (2 @ 25 points) _____/50
Subtotal _____/1000
Less _____ absences — 10 points each _____
TOTAL _____
NOTE: It is your responsibility to record your grades for this class.
INFORMATION SHEET FOR INSTRUCTOR
Name
Phone
Class Level
Major and Concentration
1. What are some other communication classes you have taken?
2. Where were they taken?
3. What are your career objectives?
4. What do you hope to gain from this course to meet those objectives?
5. Do you have any concerns about completing this course?
Signature
Date
Note: Complete this form and give it to your instructor during the first two weeks of
classes.
SAMPLE COURSE SCHEDULES
Syllabus Following the Order of A Speaker’s Guidebook (6th Ed.)
Semester Schedule
15 weeks
WEEK Speeches, Lectures, and Exams Readings
1 Becoming a Public Speaker Ch. 1
Speech 1: Speeches of Introduction
Managing Speech Anxiety Ch. 3
3 Listeners and Speakers Ch. 4
Ethical Public Speaking Ch. 5
Analyzing the Audience Ch. 6
4 Analyzing the Audience Ch. 6
Selecting a Topic and Purpose Ch. 7
Speech practice in small groups
Outlining the Speech Ch. 13
Midterm Exam
8 Developing the Introduction and Conclusion Ch. 14 and 15
Using Language to Style the Speech Ch. 16
The Informative Speech Ch. 23
9 Speech 3: Informative Speeches
Speech 3: Informative Speeches
Speech 3: Informative Speeches
11 Speaking with Presentation Aids Ch. 20
Designing Presentation Aids Ch. 21
Using Presentation Software Ch. 22
Organizing the Persuasive Speech Ch. 26
13 Speech 4: Persuasive Speeches
Speech 4: Persuasive Speeches
Speech 4: Persuasive Speeches
15 Final Exam
Syllabus with Two Persuasive Speeches
Semester Schedule
15 weeks
WEEK Speeches, Lectures, and Exams Readings
1 Course Structure, Grading, Introductions
2 Preparing Your First Speech Ch. 2
3 Self-Introduction Speeches
Self-Introduction Speeches
The Informative Speech Ch. 23
5 Informative Speeches
Informative Speeches
Informative Speeches
7 Analyzing the Audience Ch. 6
8 Persuasive/Attitude Speeches
Persuasive/Attitude Speeches
Persuasive/Attitude Speeches
9 Persuasive/Attitude Speeches
Persuasive/Attitude Speeches
Persuasive/Attitude Speeches
11 Persuasive/Action Speeches
Persuasive/Action Speeches
Persuasive/Action Speeches
12 Persuasive/Action Speeches
Persuasive/Action Speeches
Persuasive/Action Speeches
View and critique sample speeches on video
14 Special Occasion Speeches
Special Occasion Speeches
Special Occasion Speeches
Syllabus with a Group Presentation
Semester Schedule
15 weeks
WEEK Speeches, Lectures, and Exams Readings
1 Syllabus, Introductions, Becoming a Public Speaker Ch. 1
Listeners and Speakers Ch. 4
Ethical Public Speaking Ch. 5
5 Organizational Arrangements, Outlining the Speech Ch. 12 and 13
Developing the Introduction Ch. 14
Developing the Conclusion Ch. 15
6 Introduce Informative Speech/Paper Assignments Ch. 23
Developing Supporting Material Ch. 8
10 Discuss Persuasive Speech Assignment Ch. 24
Developing Arguments, Organizing Persuasive Speeches Ch. 25 and 26
Speaking with and Designing Presentation Aids Ch. 20 and 21
11 Using Presentation Software Ch. 22
Methods of Delivery, the Voice and the Body in Delivery Ch. 17 to 19
Business and Professional Speaking,
Speaking in Other Courses
15 Speech 4: Group Presentation
Speech 4: Group Presentation
Speech 4: Group Presentation
Civic Engagement Syllabus
Semester Schedule
15 weeks
3 Analyzing the Audience Ch. 6
Selecting a Topic and Purpose Ch. 7
Developing Supporting Material Ch. 8
4 Finding Credible Online and Print Sources Ch. 9
Orally Citing Sources Ch. 10
Organizing the Speech Body Ch. 11
Organizational Arrangements and Outlining Ch. 12 and 13
6 Informative Speeches
Informative Speeches
Informative Speeches
7 Midterm Exam
