Welcome to Speech

Please ensure this is where you are supposed to be.

Who am I

Richard A. Cortes

Bachelors in communication

Participated in competitive Speech/Debate in high school

Teach the Debate and Competitive Speech courses here at Rigby

I take speech very seriously

You will get as much or as little out of this course as you want to

What is communications?

Communications is “the process of getting an idea or concept from one mind to another.”

You are always doing it. “You can’t not communicate.”

Might as well do it well.

Syllabus Review: Philosophy

Will be available online later in the course.

This course is designed to provide students with a basic overview of human communication. Ideas discussed will include the communication structure, individual factors that affect communication and understanding, common formal speaking situations and communication in the media. These concepts, once internalized, will assist the student in becoming an informed articulate member of society.

Completion of a speech credit is a requirement for graduation from high school in Idaho.

Syllabus Review: Class Expectations

Students will attend class regularly, in accordance with district attendance policy.

Students will actively engage in classroom activities.

Students will complete all formal presentations, failure to complete any classroom presentations will result in an incomplete grade for the course.

Students will conduct themselves in an adult manner.

The only rule is “Do what you are supposed to be doing!”

Syllabus Review: Course Overview

Unit 1: Introduction to Basic Communications

Unit 2: Professional Communications

Unit 3: Creating a Position

Unit 4: Rhetorical Criticism

Unit 5: Defending Your Position

Unit 6: Communication in the Media

Each unit will have an accompanying quiz and most will have a public speaking assignment. Most of these speeches are required for completion of the course.

Assignment Description Final Grade % Note

Shield Presentation Introduction speech with a graphic representation of the individual.

5%

Each of these assignments will include

some form of written work in addition to the presentation. Students who

fail to complete any of these assignments

will receive an (I)ncomplete

for the course.

Small Group Activity Group presentation focusing on one of the concepts discussed in Introductory Unit.

5%

Informative Presentation

Presentation of information about a topic.

10%

Interview Activity Peer interview process. 10%Persuasive Presentation

Presentation of information for the purpose of changing the way the audience thinks feels or acts.

10%

Oratorical Analysis Presentation of analysis of effective use of rhetoric in classical oratory

10%

Media Analysis Presentation analyzing elements of communication affecting music.

10%

Propaganda Paper Paper discussing the use of propaganda techniques in the media.

10%

Quizzes Unit specific objective assessments.

10% 

Final Exam Comprehensive course wide objective assessment. 15%

Misc. Any graded activity that does not fit into an element above.

5% 

Total Final Grade: 100%

Grading Philosophy

Easy C

Hard A

Grade Expectation

A Work displays a mastery of assignment

targets.

B Work exceeds assignment targets.

C Work achieves assignment targets.

D Work narrowly misses assignment

targets.

F Work does not meet assignment

targets.

Syllabus Assignment

Students will review syllabus with a parent/guardian.

Students and Parents will complete and sign the Syllabus Signature Page and return it to the instructor.

This assignment will be Monday 8 September 2014.

Quick Review of School Policies

Cell Phones

Attendance Policy

Just be here, we move very quickly.

Dress Code