Rules for Listening

This is NOT OPTIONAL!  You need to go through this Slide Show and READ AND UNDERSTAND the rules for speech day.  No points awarded for this assignment -- but not knowing the rules could lose you points on speeches.

Culture and Listening

Does your cultural background affect your ability to listen to others?  Check this out and leave a comment by in order to receive up to 15 points (due by next Tuesday before class).

Listen for the main idea of the story then argue either for or against their ideas.  Alternatively, you could provide an example of a time when you've seen this scenario play out in your life.  Or come up with your own analysis and argue it thoroughly.

Full credit will be awarded to those who provide an insightful, well-thought out argument free from grammatical and spelling errors.

Diagnostic Speech

We're diving right in!  A week from today, everyone will need to deliver their first speech of the semester.  DON'T PANIC!  This is meant to be a (relatively) stress-free presentation about the topic you know best -- You!  It's also meant to help you see (1) how I grade speeches, (2) how speech weeks work, and (3) where you excel and where you need to improve when it comes to public speaking.  It is NOT meant to make or break your grade.  Here are the guidelines:

The instructions are here, and the rubric is here.

Here's a sample speech to get you started:

SNOW DAY!

 Hi classes!  I hope everyone is staying safe and warm.  Due to University closing, we will not have class.  I've rearranged the calendar to accommodate the change -- note that the Diagnostic Speech has now been pushed back to the following Tuesday.  Since we are so early in the semester, you don't need to do any homework or anything -- just enjoy the snow day!!  See you all next Tuesday!

First Day

Greetings, students, and welcome to the fall semester!  Here are two small tasks that you need to complete before we really get going in here.  The following assignments are worth 5 assignment points each and they are due by next Tuesday.  Email or come by my office if you need help!

1.  Use the printed number I gave you in class to sign up on engrade.  Use an email address you check often. If you need help getting signed up, there is a "help" tab under "Gradebook" on the blog.

2.  Subscribe to the blog and/or "like" edgarcomm on facebook. Both options are on the right side toolbar of the blog.  Use an email address you check often.  Once you've clicked through the box on the blog, you'll need to click through the confirmation email you receive in order to receive credit.

Note: Liking edgarcomm on facebook does NOT allow me to see your profile, nor does it make us "friends."  It WILL post course assignments in your newsfeed.  It WON'T send you email updates -- if you want those, you should subscribe instead.