Purpose/Rationale:
The purpose of a course in public speaking is to give students additional training and experience in speech activities.  The class provides opportunities for securing theoretical knowledge and practical skill in speaking.  Theory concerns the basic skills for each type of forensic speech; skill in speaking comes from observing other students, and from participation in tournaments and before audiences.

Course description/Requirements:
The year begins with informal speeches presented to small groups and to the class. As the year progresses, various elements of good speech delivery are incorporated into student presentations. Having practiced the mechanics of delivering a speech, the student then moves to writing and delivering several types of speeches.

Because so much of this class depends on participation, attendance is critical. The student is expected to learn how to evaluate the presentations of other speakers as well as improving their own speaking skills. This can best be accomplished by being present in the classroom and then, secondly, by participating in speaking opportunities in public forums such as forensic tournaments.

If the parents of a student need to reach the instructor they can do so by sending in a note with the student or by email.  In addition, assignments for this class are posted at the teacher’s website at  www.byoung14.com

Evaluation Procedures:
1.     Class participation

2.     Research assignments

3.     Tests on general information and theory

4.     Performance in various speech categories in class

5.     Performance in various speech categories at local tournaments