English 102 is a speaking-intensive course, the goal of which is to raise your comfort level when it comes to making presentations and giving speeches. You will learn to analyze yourself as a presenter and polish the elements that need improvement. The genre of children’s literature/entertainment will be the foundation for most of your speeches. Texts for this class will vary according to your research. You will need to read at least one children’s novel (depending on your “book club”) during the semester.

Additional Materials:
notebook/binder for taking notes
index cards to use during presentations (if you choose)

Course Requirements:
participation in and preparation for group presentations and roundtable discussions
several informal speeches/projects
final formal presentation
peer critiques and short papers
occasional quizzes

Grading:
speeches (final counts twice) 50%
homework, quizzes, papers 25%
classwork, attendance (-5 pts each absence), participation 25%

I will grade speeches based on content and delivery, providing feedback on all your presentations. I hope you come to me privately for any extra help you feel you need. The Speaking Center (located in the basement of the McIver Building), is an excellent resource for you, as well.

Format: All papers should be typed, double-spaced, with one-inch margins and 12-point font. If you are going to be absent, turn the paper in to me (or my mailbox) before class on the due date. If you are going to have trouble meeting a deadline, please come to me early. Late work is a hindrance to me, to your classmates, and to your grade.

Attendance: Three tardies equal one absence. More than three unexcused absences could mean being dropped from the course. This is a class where we will be building many speeches over a period of several classes, so you owe it to yourselves to be here. Even if your absence is excused, you could be missing vital information. If you know you are going to be absent beforehand, please let me know. In all cases, a student is responsible for making up missed class work and coming prepared to the class following the absence. If you miss your assigned speech day or a roundtable forum day, your grade will suffer the penalty. Remember also that attendance is a factor in your participation grade.

Conferences: If you need to talk to me at any point in the semester, I encourage you to come by my office hours or make an appointment. I’m always happy to talk to my students, and you should seize every opportunity to take an active role in your education.

The Speaking Center: One such opportunity, is The Speaking Center, located in the basement of McIver. This is a free resource open to all university students. You can make an appointment or just stop by to have a one-on-one conference with a consultant. They can assist you with any stage of the speech process, from brainstorming possible topics to revising a final presentation.

Policies: The biggest rule in my classroom is respect. You should come in with an attitude of respect for yourself, your peers, and for me. Our class will be built around discussion, and everyone should feel welcome to state his/her opinions and beliefs in a non-threatening, open-minded manner. Please arrive on time, turn in your work on time, and avoid plagiarism. Also, be aware that we will have students of varying levels and confidence when it comes to giving speeches. The goal of the course is for each of you to become more comfortable in front of a group and more aware of your strengths and weaknesses as presenters. Please respect one another’s different perspectives and skills.

SYLLABUS (subject to change):
(Please read assignments prior to the date/class under which they’re listed)

Mon. 1/10: introduction, syllabus
Wed 1/12: my speech in a bag; assign reporters
Fri. 1/14: panel of experts; due: letter to me

Mon. 1/17: NO CLASS
Wed. 1/19: speech in a bag (3-5 min)
Fri. 1/21: speech in a bag (3-5 min)

Mon. 1/24: Speaking Center orientation; due: paper on speeches
Wed. 1/26: children’s entertainment
Frid. 1/28:

Mon. 1/31: How to make a speech
Wed. 2/2:
Fri. 2/4: assign Roundtable Panelists; Book Clubs choose books

Mon. 2/7 - Fri. 2/18: films: The Neverending Story and The Princess Bride

Mon. 2/21: Roundtable Discussion (section 1); due: question lists/outlines
Wed. 2/23: Roundtable Discussion (section 2); due: question lists/outlines
Fri. 2/25: meet with book clubs

Mon. 2/28: Children’s Entertainment Speeches (4-6 min); critiques
Wed. 3/2: Speeches cont.; critiques
Fri. 3/4: Speeches cont.; critiques

Mon. 3/7 - Fri. 3/11: NO CLASS/SPRING BREAK

Mon. 3/14: Speeches cont.; critiques; meet with book clubs; due: final pres. proposal
Wed. 3/16: meet in Speaking Center for mock trial workshop
Fri. 3/18: Book Clubs 1 & 2 present; papers and outlines due (from all groups)

Mon. 3/21: Book Clubs 3 & 4 present
Wed. 3/23: Book Club 5 presents; discuss Mock Trial
Fri. 3/25: NO CLASS

Mon. 3/28: due: personal critiques (what are you doing well? ideas for improvement,
what you’ve learned from watching others; 1-2 pp); film: Into The Woods
Wed. 3/30: Into The Woods
Fri. 4/1: Into The Woods; due: sentence outline for final pres.

Mon. 4/4: Mock Trial Practice/Planning; (sign-ups for final pres.)
Wed. 4/6: Mock Trial Presentation (section 1)
Fri. 4/8: NO CLASS

Mon. 4/11: Mock Trial Presentation (section 2)
Wed. 4/13: NO CLASS - CONFERENCES
Fri. 4/15: NO ClASS - CONFERENCES

Mon. 4/18:
Wed. 4/20:
Fri. 4/22:
Final Presentations
Mon. 4/25: (keep it 8-10 minutes; due to time constraints, I will
Wed. 4/27: have to cut you off at 12 min. and deduct points)
Fri. 4/29:

Mon. 5/2:

Note: I will get these final presetnations graded throughout the week. If you are dissatisfied with your grade and want to try to improve, you may choose to give your speech again during our regular exam period.