SPC131

Download as PDF

Intro to Public Speaking

SpeechLiberal Arts

Overview Goals, Topics, and Objectives Assessment, Requirements, and Outcomes Register for this Course

Course Goals

The goal of this course is to develop and improve effective public speaking skills in social, professional, and public situations.

Core Course Topics

Basic communication concepts, models, and terms
Types of listening and development of listening skills and self-awareness of listening behaviors
Public speaking apprehension and methods/techniques to deal with speech anxiety and confidence building
Extemporaneous speaking
The importance of preparation and various rehearsal techniques
Audience analysis and appreciation of diversity
Speech topic and purpose selection
Speech outlines
Types of supporting material, including selection, evaluation, and effective use
Speech organizational patterns
Presentation aids - types, design, preparation, and use
Speech delivery methods, modes, and techniques (voice, face, gestures, and movement)
Ethics of public speaking and listening
Research skills
Speaking using new media technologies

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Understand and describe basic communication concepts, models, and terminology

Analyze listening expectations and responses through active listening and nonverbal feedback, identifying main ideas, supporting details, and distinguishing between logical and emotional arguments

Develop poise and gain confidence when speaking in various settings

Gain awareness of personal speech habits and characteristics

Successfully recognize, analyze, and adapt to diverse audience expectations and responses

Distinguish between effective and ineffective topic selection

Logically and effectively organize main points of a topic to thoughtfully compose and critically evaluate written and spoken messages

Identify, gather, evaluate, and use appropriate supporting material for speeches

Analyze and critique various speech techniques, organizational patterns, content, and purpose

Design, prepare, and effectively use presentation aids

Exercise proper delivery methods and techniques, including voice modulation, gestures, facial expressions, and movement

Analyze the ethics of public speaking and listening, and the impact it can have on others

Develop speaking notes and proper bibliographies through effective research techniques

Develop confidence in delivering speeches in various digital public speaking formats, both synchronously and asynchronously

Establish critical thinking skills to identify misinformation and assess credibility during online research or when utilizing generative AI for speech writing and organization

Evaluate speaker credibility by detecting bias, prejudice, and ethnocentrism, and observing consistency between verbal and nonverbal messages

Establish proficiency in the key components of effective public speaking: timing, adequate practice, clear deliverables, and meeting deadlines