Syllabus for Com 345 Speech Writing
Professor Lloyd Rohler, Leutze Hall 235.
. Office Hours: MWF 9:30-10:00 and MW
1:30-2:00; F 1:30-2:30; TTh 10:30-11:30 and by apt
any day. Phone: 962-3093
This class will utilize computer assisted instruction to introduce you to
the principles of speech writing and to provide numerous opportunities for
practicing them. We will focus on:
1. Developing a good oral style by learning to write for the ear and not
the eye.
2. Learning to write in a style that is appropriate for the person
delivering the speech.
3. Adapting messages to the multiple audiences created by the mass media.
4. Cooperative writing as part of a team working for an organization.
5. The importance of revising and critical analysis in the preparation of
effective speeches.
6. Using the internet to discover and utilize resources for preparing
speech texts.
In this class, you will role play the part of a speech writer or public
relations person for a corporation, organization, or public advocacy group.
You will need to research the part to make certain that your speeches are
consistent with the organization's purpose and image. Some times you will
write speeches for yourself in the role of organizational spokesperson;
other times you will write speeches for another person in the organization
to present.
An important goal of the class is to encourage revision and cooperative
writing. For most of the assignments, you will also be asked to read and
critique a draft by one of your classmates.
Speeches will be graded on a "plus" or "minus" basis. Longer
assignments such as the final speech will have more weight than shorter
ones. . Grading Scale by percentage: A = 100-93; A- = 92-90; B+ = 89-87; B = 86-83; B-=82-80; C+ = 79-77; C = 76-73; C- = 72-70; D+ = 69-67; D = 66-63; D-= 62-60;
59 & below = F =59 & below
Course Policies:
PORTFOLIO ARTIFACTS
One of the culminating experiences of a communication studies degree is the completion of COM 490 Discipline Capstone, a course that may include the preparation of a personal portfolio to organize and showcase your abilities. I encourage you to retain items from this class, whether produced independently or in groups, for inclusion as portfolio artifacts. Beyond the Capstone class, your portfolio may prove a valuable tool as you seek entry into a graduate program or employment in your areas of specialization.
COURSE COMPLETION AND GATEWAY REQUIREMENTS
Classes typically coded “COM Majors ONLY” may occasionally be opened to PCOM
majors or all students. This may most commonly occur during Summer terms. Please be aware, however, that to become a full-status COM major, you MUST complete the gateway courses (COM 105 and COM 200) SUCCESSFULLY, i.e., with a grade of “B” or higher in each. If you do NOT successfully complete those two courses, you cannot
earn full COM major status, even if you complete one or more COM classes apart from the gateway courses.
University Statement on Academic Expectation
"In choosing UNCW, you have become part of our community of scholars. We
recognize that the UNCW learning experience is challenging and requires
hard work. It also requires a commitment to make time available to do that
hard work. The University expects you to make academics your highest
priority by dedicating your time and energy to training your mind and
acquiring knowledge. Academic success in critical thinking and problem
solving prepares you for the changes and challenges you will encounter in
the future. Our faculty and academic support resources are readily
available as partners in this effort, but the primary responsibility for
learning is yours." http://www.uncwil.edu/gc/academicexpectations.htm
Academic Honor Code.
“The
Attendance:
You are expected to be present for each class meeting and for the small group meetings and for the individual conferences with the instructor. There is no separate grade for attendance, but since speech writers must write to deadline, there will be a penalty of one grade off for each day an assignment is late.
Department of Communication Studies
Policy on Student Use of Electronic Devices in Classrooms
Faculty members in the Department of Communication Studies highly value technology, including various devices such as cell phones, iphones, IPODS, MP3 players, and others. We believe, however, that these devices should not be turned on during class time. This is because their use in class distracts users and others around them, including the professor who is teaching the course. In short, these devices hinder the processes of learning and instruction. Further, using them in class reveals a student to be deficient in one of the core skills promoted by our department: civility (defined as “Showing regard for the dignity of other people and the importance of social expectations.”) Therefore, we expect that all students will turn off all electronic devices prior to the start of class. The only exception is laptop computers, and these may be used solely for taking notes. Laptops may not be used to log on to the internet during class time. If you are expecting an important call during class and believe you absolutely need to have your phone on, please let your professor know before class begins , and you will be instructed how to proceed.
Calendar of Assignments:
First Assignment: Welcoming Speech
A visiting delegation from
establishing an exchange program. They will be welcomed at an official
ceremony by the Chancellor. The Chancellor wants a student representative
to speak at the occasion. You have been selected to represent the student
body and give a brief speech welcoming the delegation.
A welcoming speech does for a public occasion what a genuine and informal
greeting does for a private guest. It should pay tribute to the delegation,
refer to the significance of the occasion, and express a genuine feeling
that the guests are indeed welcome. You will need to do some research on
about the university and its mission in your welcome. This should be a
short speech not exceeding 700 words. Weight of one.
Second Assignment: Presentation Speech
The organization you work for is having a ceremony to recognize an employee
for an exceptional accomplishment.
You need to provide a rationale for the award: employee of the year; life
time achievement award; most valuable employee, etc. This is a ceremonial
speech that should focus on the values of the organization and praise the
individual for demonstrating how important those values are. In your
speech, you should be specific about the nature of the achievement.
Describe the accomplishment so that the audience will see how important it
is. This should be a short speech with an effective introduction, graceful
transitions and a rousing conclusion as the award is presented. Weight of
one.
Third Assignment: Orientation Speech
The organization you work for is about to begin training a new group of
employees or volunteers. You are to write an informative speech that tells
them what their training will consist of. You are not doing the actual
training. Your speech will be an overview of the process designed to
acquaint them with the organization, its goals, and its functional
organization. You must be clear about the expectations for new
members/volunteers. This is not a motivational speech but a speech to
reduce the anxiety all new comers to an organization experience. This
should be longer than the first two speeches. Weight of one.
Fourth Assignment: Motivational Speech
The organization you work for or a unit within the organization is not
meeting the goals set for the organization in the comprehensive plan adopted
at the start of the year. It is your job to write a speech to motivate the
people in the organization to work harder to achieve the goals. You will
need to think clearly about how to motivate better behavior. What kinds of
appeals will work? How can you get the people to work together more
effectively as a team? This should be a short speech that clearly specifies
goals, and ways to meet them for the people involved. Weight of two.
Fifth Assignment: A Speech of Tribute
The purpose of this speech is to praise an individual who has had a great
influence upon your life. Imagine a situation in which you are called upon
to make a brief speech of praise for this person. Your speech should
identify the values that this person exemplifies in his life. You may wish
to identify character traits such as courage, honesty, loyalty or
personality traits such as good humor or friendliness to praise. Speeches
of this type lend themselves to stories that reveal the characteristics of
the person being praised or specific examples of exemplary deeds. This
should be long enough to enable the audience to understand why you are
praising this person and how he has influenced your life. Try to avoid the
usual clichés and don't overdo the praise. Weight of two.
Sixth Assignment: Lobbying Speech
The organization or business that you work for must lobby a public body
such as the Planning Commission or the City Council for permission to do
something that is not permitted by current regulations: rezone property,
get a traffic light installed, exceed the size limits on signs or something
similar. You should research the regulations on the city or county website.You need to create a situation and write a speech for the head of
your organization to present. This is an argumentative speech. It requires
good logical arguments and evidence to convince the board members to go
along with your organization's request. Write this speech as formal
presentation before a public body. It should be long enough to state the
case for your side. After the speech there will be questions from the staff
and members of the board that will focus on specifics. Weight of three.
Last Speech: Communication Day Address
Write a speech to be delivered by Rick Olsen, Chair of our department,
at a special Communication Day Convocation. This will be the keynote speech
for the occasion which will consist of a series of programs by students,
alumni, faculty, and invited guests that highlight the activities of the
Communication Studies Department. Professor Olsen's speech will welcome
our guests and provide a rationale for the Communication Studies program.
In essence his speech will argue that Communication Studies is an important
part of the liberal arts curriculum and that those majoring in it gain a
meaningful education that not only prepares them for a career but also to
participate as a citizen in our society. This speech should be at least
eight type written pages long using standard formatting and represent your best
work. Before beginning to write it, you will need to research what a
liberal arts education is and how communication studies contributes to it.
Aside from library materials, you may wish to talk to professors, alumni
and fellow students to learn their perceptions of the program and how it
contributes to their education. This is due on the day of our final exam.
Weight of four.
Calendar for Com 345 Speech Writing Spring 2009
Date: Assignment
Jan w 7 Intro to class: Choosing an organization to write for
f 9 Contact Organization to obtain information
m 12 Intro to Speech Writing. Organizational Analysis due
w 14 Conferences
f 16 Conferences
w 21 Welcoming Speech due Discuss Presentation Speech
f 23 Conferences
m 26 First Draft of Presentation Speech due. Plan for Orientation Speech
w 28 Conferences
f 30 Conferences
Feb m 2 Presentation Speech due. First draft of Orientation Speech
w 4 Conferences
f 6 Conferences
m 9 Orientation Speech due. Plan for Motivation Speech
w 11 Conferences
f 13 Conferences
m 16 Motivation Speech due. Plan for Tribute Speech
w 18 Conferences
f 20 Conferences
m 23 First Draft of Tribute Speech due. Plan for Lobbying Speech
w 25 Conferences
f 27 Conferences
Mar m 2 Tribute Speech due. First Draft of Lobbying Speech
w 4 Conferences
f 6 Conferences
m 16 Lobbying Speech Due. Work on Final Speech
w 18 Conferences
f 20 Conferences
m 23 Introduction for Final Speech due
w 25 Conferences
f 27 Conferences
m 30 Section of Final on Liberal Arts due
Apr w 1 Conferences
f 3 Conferences
m 6 Section of Final on Curriculum due
w 8 Conferences
f 10 Conferences
m 13 Section of Final on Careers Due
w 15 Conferences
f 17 Conferences
m 20 First Draft of Complete Final Speech due
w 22 Conferences
f 24 Conferences
m 27 Second Draft of Complete Final Speech Due