Public Speaking Syllabus

Public Speaking Ms. Murchie
Course Description:
Public Speaking is designed to focus on refining and expanding skills in written and spoken self-expression. The semester is designed to focus on creative thinking, writing, and presentation. Students will watch and listen to examples from respected authors and model work after their style. Students should expect to write everyday and work on analysis and speaking projects each week. Assignments are intended to provide practice with specific presentation techniques that can be applied to many genres. Additionally, students will learn to speak and present in a variety of modes, such as creative narratives, expository presentations, and recitations. Students will reflect on, critique, and workshop on their own work, as well as the work of other students. Some opportunities will include participation in online spaces.
This course is designed to:

Practice public speaking in a variety of genres
Refine writing and speaking skills and techniques – and practice the art of revision
Provide opportunities to reflect on yourself as a speaker and as a writer, and to learn to become thoughtful and helpful responders to one another’s writing
Gain confidence as a writer and speaker

By taking this course, students will learn to:

Be creative, imaginative, and reflective.
Develop a voice, or style, of writing and of speaking.
Experiment with public speaking in a variety of genres and for different audiences.
Take risks and push yourself to try things you haven’t tried before.
Contribute to the writing and presentations of others in regular workshops.
Understand how language variety reflects and shapes experience.

Supplies:
In order to stay organized for this class, the following materials are recommended. You will receive supplementary readings and handouts throughout the year and you will produce many notes and compose a lot of writing.
Every day in class you’ll need the following:

A single subject notebook: one or more spiral bound, lined paper notebooks just for this class
Writing utensils: pens and pencils
A writing folder for drafts, so that we can return back to writing pieces

Written Assignments:Because writing is a process, expect to write rough drafts, work on revisions and polish final drafts for all major (weekly) writing assignments. Also, because your ultimate goal is to present your pieces in public, you should be prepared to share your writing with your classmates from time to time.

Writing is personal, creative, and may leave the writer feeling somewhat vulnerable. It is up to all of us to create a class where we feel free to share writing, while also offering honest suggestions for improvement. Everyone feels some level of anxiety when it comes to sharing writing and speaking in public but it is a necessity for learning and a requirement for the course.
We will workshop writing and our presentations in groups. Due to the nature of this work, it is important to be prepared with a draft on your scheduled workshop days. You receive points for participating in each workshop session – participating means bringing a substantial draft, and working on the revision of your own and others’ work. These points MAY NOT be made up. If you are absent the day of a workshop, you may ask someone to offer feedback on your work to redeem partial credit.
Graded Assignments:

Close Listenings: Every Monday and Tuesday, you will watch a video or listen to the audio of a speech. You will do a “close listening” of this speech and take notes and write feedback and reflections. You will discuss your Close Listenings with the class. These assignments are due weekly and are worth 10 points.
Practice Pieces: On most Fridays, students will practice presenting their current pieces with their groups in a workshop format. Participation in these groups is mandatory and is worth 10 points.
Polished Pieces: You will complete 4 longer pieces of public speaking this semester in different genres. These pieces will be specific assignments that you will work on in class and outside of class. They must be edited, polished, and pieces that make you proud. Polished pieces are due at the ends of Week 4, 8, 12, and 16. They are worth 50 points each.
Final Project/Final Exam: At the beginning of week 18, you will be required to submit your own completed Final Project. This project is worth 100 points. There may also be a written exam, to be determined later in the semester.

Technology:

You will be expected to type many of your assignments and submit assignments electronically through Google documents. In addition, you may need access to video and recording platforms. (Cell phones, tablets, etc.)
You can also plan ahead to access computers after school in the lab.
You may bring your own laptop, tablet, or ipad to class; however, some days may be required paper/pen days.
Save your work in multiple places. Plan on technology failure and have at least one backup plan for saving and printing. Papers need to be printed before class for them to be on time.

Grading:

Assignments are graded on a total points system. This class does not follow the 20%/80% rule.
Our due date schedule does not change. Therefore, you will know exactly what is due each week. Absences will not affect due dates. Please make sure that your work is submitted on time, even if you are not physically in class.
Late work: Assignments that are late will be deducted 25% if they are turned in after 2:35. I will accept them for 1 week at the 25% reduction. After one week, they may be turned in for an additional two weeks at a 50% grade reduction. Come to class prepared and post on time.
“Retakes”: If you wish to improve your grade on a polished piece, you will need to attend a conference with me during a scheduled office hour within one week. We will discuss your work and set improvement goals. You will then have 2 weeks to resubmit the assignment and the assignment will be re-graded if the improvement goals have been met. Retakes are not offered in the last week of the semester.
Homework extensions are possible, but they are only granted before homework due dates. Do not attempt to obtain an extension on or after the due date!
Planned absences/Field trips/School related: If you are in school, but miss our class, or if you have an unexcused absence, your assignments are still due and will be considered late if not turned in on their due date or before. That means, if you have a school related activity that causes you to miss class, your assignments are still due on their due date or before. Plan accordingly to turn your work in early if you will be missing our class.
Grades will be updated as frequently as possible. Please note that some assignments take longer to grade.

Main Classroom Rule: RESPECT

The Bath High School Handbook rules are always in effect in this room
Personal Electronic Device (PED) Policy : PEDs (including MP3 players, cell phones, etc.) are not allowed for recreational use during class. When discussed or announced by the teacher, these items will be allowed for educational use. Inappropriate use of these items will result in negative consequences.
Participation must be consistent and positive. Parents will be notified if a student is being disrespectful to staff or other students. Please note that a lack of participation in class is disrespectful both to the instructors and to other classmates.
Passes to the bathroom, hallway, office and lockers are a privilege. You are expected to run your personal errands before and after class. If it is an emergency, discreetly ask for the pass at an appropriate time, and I will allow you to go. If you are going to vomit, or lose your temper, please simply leave, and then come see me (when your situation has improved) to explain. Please sign out on the clipboard by the door and sign back in when you return.
You must bring all supplies, books, etc. to class that you will need. This includes your notebook and your writing folder. Check the calendar and the classpage if you don’t know what we will be doing in class.