Syllabus for Public Speaking

Syllabus for Public Speaking
Overbrook High School
Ms. Kingsbury
School Year 2007-2008

Introduction
The words “public speaking” can sound intimidating, but leaning how to communicate clearly and effectively in front of others is an invaluable life skill. Public Speaking is a twelve week course in which you will learn the techniques and tricks essential to becoming a stellar communicator. By the end of this course, you will be able to gather and organize information about yourself and other topics in order to communicate publicly for a variety of purposes. You will gain confidence and self-esteem in your ability to talk in front of others.

My Expectations for Your Behavior and Performance
1. You will come to class prepared every day with a notebook and pen/pencil.
2. You will always be on your best behavior.
3. You will show respect to your teacher and classmates.
4. You will see me before or after school only to discuss make-up work and personal issues.
5. You will always produce your own, best work, with serious penalty for cheating or plagiarism.

Required Reading
Public Speaking does not have a required textbook. Your instructor will distribute handouts related to class, and you will learn how to research information on your own.

In your past English classes, the focus has been on reading and writing, but this class will focus
on speaking and listening. Through class discussions, you will learn what makes a successful
speech, the different kinds of speeches, how to write and give a speech, how to listen critically
and evaluate speeches, and the common fears about public speaking. Class participation is an
essential component to this class.

Notebooks
You will be required to maintain a notebook during this class. If you think you might lose your notebook, you may request to have it stored in our classroom for your daily use. Your notebook will be your life-line; most quizzes and tests will allow you to use your notebook as an answer resource. I will perform periodic notebook checks which will count towards your grade as well. It will be clear when you will need to take notes and do classwork in your notebook. Either a spiral-bound notebook or three-ring binder will be sufficient.

Our Class Website
In order to facilitate the development of students’ technology skills, I have set up a website for each academy. On the site, you will find information and assignments which you will be asked to read and complete. My goal this year is to limit the amount of paper I collect from you. Therefore, most of your classwork and homework assignments will be completed on-line. If you do not have a computer at home, there are many computers throughout the high school which you may use. On a first-come-first-served basis, you may use my laptop as well during your lunch period and/or before school. The addresses for the class websites is http://publicspeakingatohs.blogspot.com.

It is highly recommended you visit our class website once a day for information and assignments.

Grading
I calculate grades on a point system. The more points you earn for successfully completing your work, the higher your grade. Daily classwork is worth approximately 10-20 points; quizzes are worth 30-40 points; tests are worth 100 - 200 points; and larger projects are worth 200+ points. Cumulative grades are calculated on a weekly basis, and you will always have access to your grade in this class; please ask to see it anytime. I use the following formula to determine your grade:

Total Points Earned by Student / Total Possible Points x 100% = Student’s % Grade

Example: John earns 800 points / John could have earned 1000 possible points
X 100% = 80% (B)

Contact Information
I encourage you and your parents to speak with me at any time throughout the year about your performance and behavior, as well as ask questions about our reading and projects. I am available every day before school at 7:30 a.m., after school until 3:15 p.m., by phone at (215) 581-5507, and by email at ms.kingsbury@verizon.net.