Final Reflections Due Tuesday

This will probably be the last blog entry for this site!

I had a wonderful time getting to know and work with you in my final Public Speaking class at EKU. I've noticed tremendous progress with your public speaking skills over the course of this semester, and I know that skill will serve you well as your progress in your degree and enter the workforce.

Please remember to check our Facebook group, your email, or the BlackBoard site to find a link to the Google Doc that has the writing prompt for your final reflection. This reflection is due by 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 11, 2012. Email the reflection to me, or type it out and bring it to my office in the Noel Studio.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Have a great finals week!

Speeches begin on Tuesday

We've devoted two classes to outlining and practicing our final speeches, and on Tuesday, December 4 we will begin our group speeches. All our speeches will be finished by Thursday, December 6.

These final speeches are worth 50 points. 40 of those points will come from your actual presentation. 10 of those points will come from group participation. Your group mates will offer feedback on your contributions to the group and will provide that feedback to me. I will use their feedback to award up to 10 points for participation.

Following your group presentations on Thursday, I will provide reflection questions and ask you to watch two videos, your first group presentation and your final presentation. (I will provide links to both) After watching these videos, you will answer those reflection questions and email your answers to me by Tuesday, December 11 at 12:30 p.m. (We will not meet in class for the final exam.)

This reflection will count as your final exam and will be worth 25 points, so please take your time and answer the questions as thoroughly as possible.

I'm really excited to see what your group has to offer. Practice your presentation, and be ready to present on Tuesday.

Have a great weekend.

Let the group projects begin!

Today's brainstorming and planning session seemed to be productive and helpful. I hope you all feel confident and excited about the project you are completing.

Remember, the goal of the 10 to 15 minute group presentation is to entertain and inform the class. Tell us what you did, what happened along the way, what did you learn, and what you accomplished. Use pictures, videos, and personal stories to help us stay engaged.

Here's an outline of the remaining classes we have so far this semester:

• Thursday, November 15: No Class. Use this time to work on your project
• Tuesday, November 20: Rough Draft due by the end of class
• Thursday, November 22: No Class. Thanksgiving Break
• Tuesday, November 27: Final Outline due by the end of class
• Thursday, November 29: Practice your speeches
• Tuesday, December 4: Group Presentations
• Thursday, December 6: Group Presentations
• Tuesday, Dec 11 at 12:30 p.m.: reflection due (email it to me). This reflection will act as your final exam. Write the reflection where you feel comfortable and email it to me.

I'm looking forward to working with you on these projects.

Facebook message or email me if you have any questions.

Persuasive Speeches Done: Here are your new groups!

Nice job on those persuasive speeches. I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did. Based on your comments, some of you were more effective at persuading others with your projects. I put most of you in groups you requested. If you have any concerns email me asap.

The groups are as follows:

1. Scavenger Hunt: Herbert, Josh Du, Amber, David
2. Stress Relief: Robbie, Tyler G, Kaitlin, Kathy 
3. Pinnacles: Josh Da, Taylor, Cheryl, Bronson, Katie
4. School Spirit: Kaylynn, Tyler B, Jared, Hunter
5. Pizza: Alex, Devon, Ryan 
6. Music Video: Breon, Ben, Zac, Eric
7. Water Aerobics: Sarah, Chris, Ashley

Remember, try your hardest to be in class on Tuesday, November 13. Your groups will be discussing the project. If you can't make it, Facebook message the group and do your best to contribute and participate.

On Thursday, November 15, you will have class time to complete the project. There will be no formal class because I will be at a conference. Some projects are more involved than others, but I wanted you to at least have some time to work together and get things accomplished. 

For class on Tuesday, read Epilogue A (pages 392-398) in your textbook. It discusses small group communication. Read it.

Have a great weekend. See you Tuesday.

Speeches begin Tuesday

Thanks for being such a great audience to our guest speakers. I hope their presentation--and our discussion afterwards--was helpful for you as you prepare to deliver your persuasive presentations.

Speeches begin Tuesday. Be sure to bring your outline to class because I'll be picking them up. Bring your drafts with your classmate comments as well; it's worth 5 points, so don't forget.

Let me know if you have any questions.

If you have two minutes, watch this video. I find it inspiring and think you may too.


Ira Glass on Storytelling from David Shiyang Liu on Vimeo.

Have a great weekend.

Watch xtranormal videos; Read chapter 15

I'm enjoying the videos you posted today. Hopefully, after today's class, you have a better idea of the characteristics of effective delivery and how to create a video using xtranormal. As you watch the videos, "like" the ones you enjoyed. The three videos with the most likes get bonus points. 

For Thursday's class, read Chapter 15 in the textbook. The chapter discusses persuasive strategies. Be sure to take notes. On class Thursday, we'll be listening to a persuasive speech from communication students. As they present, I want you to apply what you read to their presentations. Your daily grade will be based on your notes.

After their speech, we will share our outlines and get feedback with our groups. This will be the last discussion you'll have during class before we begin the persuasive speeches.

We'll be starting our speeches on Tuesday, October 30 and need to be finished on November 1.

Have a great Wednesday!

Some reading and a draft Outline

I hope you were inspired today by Steve Jobs. I love his advice to keep looking for what you enjoy doing and not settling for someone else's dream. By the way, I love my job and working with you!  

Wow. So today we learned that our lab has a two different versions of PowerPoint. Frustrating but informative. I hope the activity got you thinking about memorable word choices and how PowerPoint can be used in more visually engaging ways than just a heading, three bullet points, and come clip art. Be sure to visit our Facebook Group and vote for your favorite image (moving or static). 

As you form your speech, remember: you'll have 4 minutes. That's it. Make each minute count. (I think Steve Jobs said this in his speech.)  

For Tuesday, I want you to read Chapter 11 in your book. Focus on the section that discusses the characteristics of effective delivery. I want you to be comfortable with the topic in class on Tuesday.

I also want you to have a draft of your Outline. I'll be picking them up, so be sure to have another copy. I don't want to accidentally lose your only outline. My goal is to try to offer some feedback before class on Thursday, when your table can offer their advice.  

Stay hungry; stay foolish. Have a great weekend!