Communications 201

Assignment 1.1

Outline

Assignment 1.2

Speech (1-2 min.)

Self-Review

Due Date Points

Week 2 35

Due Date Points

Week 3 65

Week 3 30

See next page for instructions

COM201: ASSIGNMENT 1

Introductory Speech

This is the beginning of your journey to becoming an effective speaker! Strong oral communication skills will be valuable to you throughout your academic journey and are in high demand by many employers. In this course, you’ll have multiple opportunities to practice and improve your speaking skills through a variety of assignments.

Your first assignment is to prepare and deliver a short, introductory speech. Don’t worry—your first speech doesn’t have to be perfect. Assignment 1 is your first opportunity to complete the process of outlining, delivering, and recording a speech with the Webcam Recorder tool. You will also review and reflect on your speech.

Reference Chapters

• Chapter 3: Listening. This chapter covers listening skills that will help you complete your Self Review.

• Chapter 4: Giving Your First Speech. This chapter covers the steps you’ll complete to prepare and deliver your speech.

Technical Difficulties

• For technical difficulties reach out to me via:

o email brazil@strayer o Blackboard Chat Line (when available)

See next pages for grading

Assignment 1.1 Introductory Speech Outline Due Week 2: 35 points

1) Select either Topic A or Topic B for your introductory speech.

o Topic A: Elevator Pitch | Deliver an elevator pitch that describes your professional background and experience for a potential employer during a job interview.

o Topic B: Dream Career | Discuss your dream career.

2) Create an outline or speaking notes in Microsoft Word.

o Download the Microsoft Word template in the “Assignment 1.1” section

located in Week 2 of your course.

o Focus your speech on 2-3 main points so you'll stay within the 2-minute time limit.

3) Submit the completed Microsoft Word template in Blackboard (this is separate from

your speech/self-review).

4) For this assignment, you will not compose an essay or speech. You are only required to submit an outline.

Assignment 1.2 Introductory Speech and Self-Review Due Week 3: 95 points

1) Part 1: Record or upload your speech.

o Refer to your outline or speaking notes to deliver your speech. Do not read your notes word for word.

o Follow the technical instructions for recording your video in the “Assignment

1.2” section located in Week 3 of your course.

o Remember to watch your recording. Do you want to submit it, or do you want to record another version?

2) Part 2: Complete the self-review questions.

o After you have recorded your speech, address the self-review questions in the

“Assignment 1.2” section located in Week 3 of your course. This reflection helps you step back and take a second look at your work, with an eye on improvement and highlighting your achievements!

3) Submit your speech and self-review in Blackboard.

*Grading for this assignment will be based on the following criteria and evaluation standards:

POINTS: 35 ASSIGNMENT 1.1: INTRODUCTORY SPEECH OUTLINE

Criteria Exemplary 100% - A

Proficient 85% - B

Fair 75% - C

Meets Minimum Expectations

65% - D Unacceptable

0% - F

1. Completed outline submitted to Blackboard.

Weight: 40%

Submitted a complete, well- developed outline.

Submitted a complete outline but some areas needed more information or development.

Submitted an outline but it was partially developed and / or was missing some information.

Submitted an outline but it was insufficiently developed and / or missing large amounts of information.

Did not submit any outline to Blackboard or the outline is off topic.

2. Outline provides solid flow for speech.

Weight: 40%

Submitted outline provided excellent sense of flow without any noticeable errors for speech.

Submitted outline provided strong sense of flow with only minor errors for speech.

Submitted outline provided partial sense of flow for speech.

Submitted outline provided little sense of flow for speech.

Did not submit an introductory outline, the outline is off topic, or outline structure provided no sense of flow for speech.

3. Outline checked for spelling / grammar issues.

Weight 20%

Outline was clean, clear, and easy to read throughout the entire submission.

Outline had no major spelling / grammar issues but minor issues throughout the submission.

Outline had major spelling / grammar issues in 25% and minor issues throughout the submission.

Outline had major spelling / grammar issues in 50% of the submission.

Did not submit an introductory outline, the outline is off topic, or outline had major issues that impacted readability.

POINTS: 65 ASSIGNMENT 1.2: INTRODUCTORY SPEECH

Criteria Exemplary 100% - A

Proficient 85% - B

Fair 75% - C

Meets Minimum Expectations

65% - D Unacceptable

0% - F

1. Speech Quality

Weight: 15%

Clear and consistent throughout

Generally clear and consistent

Some problems with clarity and consistency

Problems with clarity and consistency throughout

No audio [online only] or speaks so low audience cannot hear it

2. Visual Quality

Weight: 15%

Clear and consistent throughout

Generally clear and consistent

Some problems with clarity and consistency

Problems with clarity and consistency throughout

No video [online only] or inappropriate visual

3. Speech Topic Focus

Weight 20%

Entirely focused on topic

Minimum 75% focused on topic

Minimum 50% focused on topic

Minimum 25% focused on topic

No focus on topic

4. Time Requirement

Weight: 15%

1-2 minutes +/- 15 seconds

1-2 minutes +/- 30 seconds

1-2 minutes +/- 40 seconds

1-2 minutes +/- 50 seconds

1-2 minutes +/- 60 seconds

5. Delivery

Weight: 15%

Strong eye contact, expressive voice, and natural gestures

Good eye contact, generally expressive voice, and natural gestures

Average eye contact, some expressive voice, minimally distracting gestures

Insufficient eye contact, limited expressive voice and/or unnatural gestures

Very little/no eye contact, no expressive voice, unnatural gestures

6. Overall Effectiveness

Weight 20%

Connects well with audience and achieves purpose

Generally connects with audience and achieves purpose

Connects somewhat with audience and/or partially achieves purpose

Limited connection with audience, and/or doesn't fully achieve purpose

Doesn't connect with audience or achieve purpose

POINTS: 30

ASSIGNMENT 1.2: INTRODUCTORY SPEECH SELF-REVIEW

Criteria Exemplary 100% - A

Proficient 85% - B

Fair 75% - C

Meets Minimum Expectations

65% - D Unacceptable

0% - F

1. Submit a completed self- review.

Weight: 20%

Submitted a completed self- review.

Submitted a generally completed self-review.

Submitted a partially completed self-review.

Submitted a minimally completed self-review.

Did not submit a self-review.

2. Self-review was well- developed.

Weight: 80%

Submitted self- review provided excellent comments on student progress/work.

Submitted self- review provided good comments on student progress/work.

Submitted self- review provided acceptable comments on student progress/work.

Submitted self- review provided minimal comments on student progress/work.

Did not submit completed self- review, or submitted self- review provided no comments on student progress/work.