University of Texas - Dallas

Public Speaking – Fall 2005

Kathy Lingo

Course Objectives:

This course is designed to introduce you to the basic principles of public speaking. Emphasis is placed
on preparation (audience analysis, research, outlining, etc...) and performance. You will be required to
give six (6) individual formal speeches this semester, as well as, several “mini” speeches for classroom
exercises, if time allows.

Text: The Art of Public Speaking, Stephen E. Lucas, Eighth Edition

Top Skills and Qualities of the Perfect Candidate (for a job)

Communication skills
(verbal and written)
Honesty/integrity
Interpersonal skills
Motivation/initiative
Strong work ethic
Teamwork skills
Analytical skills
Flexibility/adaptability
Source: Job Outlook 2004, National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Attendance and Participation:

• Regular and punctual attendance is expected. You learn from lecture, class discussion and
from actively participating in experiential exercise. We will cover a lot of information in a short
period of time; absences are strongly discouraged.

• It is a departmental policy that attendance is taken. The participation grade is based upon
in-class assignments, attendance, tardies, general attitude and class behavior.

• For each class a student is marked as absent that student will have 10pt taken off the
total attendance grade. The student will only receive a perfect score if the attendance
is 100% and participates in all class assignments and discussions..

• After three absences the instructor has the right to give the student a final grade of
“F”, unless there has been an extreme emergency, in which medical and/or emergency
documentation will be required. The documentation must show that you were physically unable

1
 University of Texas - Dallas
Public Speaking – Fall 2005
Kathy Lingo
to attend class on the date in question. No other excuses are acceptable.

• It is your responsibility, when absent, to keep up with information discussed in class.

Please, do not call me for missing information.

• Although it may be bad form to disagree with the instructor in some classes, in a
communication class it is a virtue, when appropriate. As the philosopher Alfred North
Whitehead put it, “A clash of doctrines is not a disaster -- it is an opportunity.” The aim of
genuine argument is not to brow-beat one’s opponents into submission, but to promote
understanding and enlightenment. In order to achieve this goal, it is necessary to listen with
sympathy to other speakers. Having your position challenged by people who are sincerely
listening to what you are saying is a mark of respect. One of the goals of this class is to
encourage the art of constructive conversation.

Tardy Policy:

A student may enter the classroom up to 10 minutes late and will receive a “tardy”. After 10 minutes
the student is welcome to join the class, but will receive an absence. If you enter the classroom late, it is
your responsibility to check with the instructor (after class) to make sure you are marked tardy rather
than absent. Three tardies will be calculated as an absence.

DO NOT ENTER THE CLASSROOM WHILE SOMEONE IS GIVING A SPEECH!!!!

Please wait outside the classroom until the speaker has finished before entering the classroom. If you
interrupt a speaker, ten (10) points will be taken off your next speaking assignment. If I am speaking
please feel free to enter the room at any time.

Withdrawal Policy:

The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level courses. These
dates and times are published in the semester’s course catalog. Administration procedures must be
followed. It is the student’s responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements from any class. For more
information, please call the Registrar’s Office. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw any student
from any class. You must do the proper paperwork to insure that you will not receive a final grade of
“F” in a course if you choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled.

Cheating/Plagiarism:

2
 University of Texas - Dallas
Public Speaking – Fall 2005
Kathy Lingo
Everyone should know by now that looking on someone else’s paper to copy an answer is cheating,
however, there are many other forms and ways of cheating. If you use a “canned” speech, (one that is
already written in a textbook, off the Internet, or stock speeches from other

universities and/or students) that is cheating. If you use the wording of another person or document
without giving credit to the source, that is cheating. Cheating insults and embarrasses both teacher and
student. There are few aspects of my job I do not dearly love, but prosecuting those who cheat is one.
However, I will not tolerate any academic or scholastic dishonesty in my classes.
Carefully read the college’s policy on cheating and plagiarism.
Please refer to the college catalogue for proper procedures. Students will be informed of such
violations by the Dean of Students office. The instructor will not discuss the matter with you.

Ground Rules:

1. Class attendance on speech days is mandatory, even if you are not scheduled to speak.
Part of the course is learning to listen intelligently and to evaluate speeches. Many times
we learn vicariously by viewing the successes and mistakes of others. When you skip your
fellow students’ speeches, you are being rude to them, saying, in effect, “Your speech is
not worth my time.”

2. Your outline and manuscript should be neat and legible – All outlines and manuscripts
must be typed and neatly organized. Any speech you present without turning in an outline
and/or manuscript prior to speaking will cost you 20 points off your grade.

3. You may not read any part of your speech (except for brief quotations). You should rely
only on brief notes contained on one to three index cards. No more than three index cards may
be used on each presentation. You maybe asked at any time to turn in your index cards to your
instructor. Three by five index cards only.

4. You must provide a question & answer period at the end of your speech. If no one asks
questions, don’t feel bad; it doesn’t necessarily mean that you gave a poor speech.
Perhaps you covered all the points, and there’s nothing left to ask about.

5. If you are not prepared to speak on the day scheduled, stand ready to speak at the next
class period. Your grade will be penalized 10 points for being late. You will not, however, go
first. The people scheduled for that class will be first; then, if time provides, you will speak at
the end of that class. If time does not allow, be prepared to speak when the instructor finds
additional class time. If the instructor finds the additional time in class and you are not prepared

3
 University of Texas - Dallas
Public Speaking – Fall 2005
Kathy Lingo
on that day you will receive a zero for that assignment. Only one speech a semester maybe
made up and the student must provide appropriate documentation in order to qualify for the
make up speech.

6. You must give all assigned speeches in order to get a passing grade for this course.

7. All presentations will be taped. You must bring a blank CD to class with your name clearly
labeled on it to get a copy of your presentation.

Grading Policy:

The Introductory Speech 5%

The Informative Speech 10%
The Persuasive Speech 15%
Special Occasion/Awards Speech 10%
Entertaining/Pet Peeve Speech 10%
Final Speech (Informative or Persuasive) 20%
Attendance/Participation 10% Includes experiential/labs/behavior/attend

Exams/Tests 20%

Tests:

Tests will cover information from the textbook. This is the best way I know to reward students for
reading the material prescribed in class. You will only be allowed to make-up one (1) test per
semester. Please do not miss scheduled examinations -- test dates will be scheduled in advance.

Test 1 5%
Test 2 5%
Test 3 5%
Test 4 5%

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance:

4
 University of Texas - Dallas
Public Speaking – Fall 2005
Kathy Lingo

It is the policy of The University of Texas at Dallas is to provide reasonable accommodations for
qualified individuals who are students with disabilities. This college will adhere to all applicable Federal,
State and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations
as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the
faculty member and/or Student Services in a timely manner to arrange for appropriate accommodations.