PUBLIC SPEECH AND PRESENTATION

Catalog description

Not open to students who have taken GEN 1011.Students will learn the skills and strategies necessary to prepare and deliver special occasion, informative, and persuasive speeches using several different presentational styles (e.g., extemporaneous, impromptu, manuscript). The primary emphasis in this course are: (a) selecting, researching (including evaluation of source materials), and supporting speech topics; (b) constructing and organizing speeches; (c) incorporating PowerPoint technology in speeches; (d) nonverbal and paralinguistic speech delivery skills; and (e) critiquing others' speeches. Although this is a skills-based course, students need to understand the theory and concepts/constructs integral to public speaking and be able to apply and discuss these components creatively and intelligently. The ultimate goal is for students to gain more confidence communicating in diverse public contexts.