Semester Wrap-Up

Just to make sure we avoid any unnecessary confusion, I wanted to give you a schedule for the rest of the semester:

Tuesday, May 3rd -- Make-up day -- this is during your normal class time
        *** You don't need to make any special arrangements with me to make up a speech, just show up ready to go -- remember, you have one week to complete your self-critique form
        *** This is my last day of office hours, so if you want to chat about anything in person (e.g. grades, course concepts, assignment points), please plan to stop by my office Tuesday from 2 - 4 or you can email me at any time

Thursday, May 5th -- Work day -- NO CLASS
        *** Use this day to study, write your final exam take-home portion, catch up on sleep, whatever!  Email me with any questions, as I won't be on campus

Tuesday, May 10th -- Final exam -- Regular classroom, times below
        *** 11:00 class meets at 10:15am
        *** 12:30 class meets at 1:00pm
        *** Remember to check the guidelines posted here

Sample Persuasive 2 Speeches

Because this is a more challenging speech, I wanted to give you access to two sample speech videos. 

The first is a speech directed at Crowder College's Ag Days Board of Directors persuading them to include a job interview competition in the Ag Days schedule:

The second is a speech directed at Ford persuading them to change their engines. I include this one because it demonstrates that you can (and should) speak to your chosen audience -- even though that might mean that your actual audience won't understand everything in as much detail.

Increasing Your Persuasive Potential

Although we are finished discussing persuasive strategies, you should still be thinking about how they will affect your next speech.  Below is a checklist for the ways you can increase your chances of persuading your audience.  This is fair game for the final exam, but is not worth points as an assignment!

Business Presentations

Since some of you are focusing on presenting in a business setting, I thought this video was appropriate. It's short, sweet, and he has some great ideas!

No points for this one -- it's just an interesting video.

Persuasive 2 Topics

As you continue to work on your Persuasive 2 speeches, let's see what the rest of the class is working on.  Enter you topic (or topics if you're still deciding) into the form below.  The results can be viewed here.

This is required, but no points will be awarded.

NWACC Chamber Debate

Lots going on these last few weeks -- I've got one more event you can attend for assignment points.  I'll give you 15 points if you attend NWACC's Chamber Debate.  They will be discussing free speech, and all are experienced speakers and debaters.  More info on the event can be found here.  You'll need to bring me a program to prove you attended.

Here's the catch, though.  This is during the second day of Persuasive 2 speeches.  That means, if you want to attend this, you're going to have to speak on Tuesday. Wah wahhhh. . .

Persuasive Critiques

I'd like to encourage you to start thinking critically as audience members.  I posed some questions to you the other day -- and I hope you listened for these traits in your classmates' speeches. 

For 5 quiz points, choose one of those speeches and analyze it using two of those questions (printed on the form).  The form is located here.  Due by next Thursday before class.

Facebook Study

One of my colleagues is working on her thesis project which is an examination of facebook communication following a break-up.  She's looking for people to participate in focus groups (free form discussion with 7 or 8 people and a moderator).

I will treat this the same as the television study (click here for details on the points system).  However, I will only count two of the three options for points (so if you did the television study, you will need to choose between doing the plagiarism workshop OR the facebook study -- I won't count all three for points).

You need to email her at duvallamy31@gmail.com to sign up -- she asks that you include your name, gender, and your preference of the session times offered below:

Female Groups (Lead by a Female Moderator):

April 14th- 5:15-6:15 p.m.

April 15th- 3:00-4:00 p.m.

Male Groups (Lead by a Male Moderator):

April 13th- 5:30-6:30 p.m.

April 18th- 3:00-4:00 p.m.

Preparing to be Persuaded

This week, you'll be presenting your first persuasive speech.  You'll also be watching the persuasive speeches presented by your classmates.  I'll be putting up a blog post tomorrow that will allow you to identify the persuasive techniques employed by the other speakers in your class (worth 5 quiz points).  Think about the following questions as you listen/watch:

1. Where do they employ persuasive techniques?
2. Did they adapt to their anticipated audience receptivity?
3. Were you persuaded?
4. Did they use logos/pathos/ethos, Maslow's hierarchy, etc. 

I will not give you these questions if you ask in class.  You  need to BE PREPARED -- have them written down.

The Toulmin Model

Today we discussed the Toulmin Model of argumentation.  However, we were only able to briefly skim the surface of this cornerstone persuasive theory.

You can complete the four steps of the comprehensive tutorial of the concept here, and if you complete the assessment page with at least 80% accuracy, I'll give you 10 quiz points. Due next

MEGA IMPORTANT NOTE: You must PRINT the assessment page before you click Submit -- Clicking Submit DOES NOT send your test to me!!!!

Sample Persuasive Speech

Here's a sample of a Problem-Cause-Solution persuasive speech. If you'd like to see a second example, click here.

This post is just for your reference -- you may comment if you like, but no points will be awarded.

 

Adapting to Your Audience

We have talked about audience analysis several times in the past, but this concept is particularly important when we are attempting to persuade our audience.  The handout below gives specific ways you can adapt your topic to your audience's anticipated reaction.

You can also take a 10-point quiz on this handout here. Due next Tuesday before class time.

This information is also fair game for the final exam.

Television Study

For those who missed out on doing the television study a few weeks back, Ms. Ray is offering another session this Thursday at 5pm.  All points, rules, etc. remain from the last time this was offered -- you can see that post here.

For those who participated last time, I just got the list of your names, and I plan to have those in the gradebook by the end of this week.  Remember, if you want credit for doing the plagiarism workshop, you need to bring me some evidence that you participated.