COM201: ASSIGNMENT 1
Introductory Speech
Assignment 1.1
Due Date
Points
Outline
Week 2
35
Assignment 1.2
Due Date
Points
Speech (1-2 min.)
Week 3
65
Self-Review
Week 3
30
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 horner@strayer
o
phone 240-484-4353
o
Blackboard Chat Line (when available)
See next page for instructions
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.
See next pages for grading
*Grading for this assignment will be based on the following criteria and evaluation standards:
POINTS: 35
Criteria
1. Completed
outline
submitted to
Blackboard.
ASSIGNMENT 1.1: INTRODUCTORY SPEECH OUTLINE
Exemplary
100% - A
Weight: 40%
3. Outline
checked for
spelling /
grammar issues.
Weight 20%
Fair
75% - C
Meets Minimum
Expectations
65% - D
Unacceptable
0% - F
Submitted a
complete, welldeveloped 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.
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.
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.
Weight: 40%
2. Outline
provides solid
flow for speech.
Proficient
85% - B
POINTS: 65
Criteria
1. Speech
Quality
ASSIGNMENT 1.2: INTRODUCTORY SPEECH
Exemplary
100% - A
Proficient
85% - B
Unacceptable
0% - F
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
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
Entirely focused on
topic
Minimum 75%
focused on topic
Minimum 50%
focused on topic
Minimum 25%
focused on topic
No focus on
topic
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
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
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
Weight: 15%
3. Speech Topic
Focus
Meets Minimum
Expectations
65% - D
Clear and consistent
throughout
Weight: 15%
2. Visual Quality
Fair
75% - C
Weight 20%
4. Time
Requirement
Weight: 15%
5. Delivery
Weight: 15%
6. Overall
Effectiveness
Weight 20%
POINTS: 30
Criteria
1. Submit a
completed selfreview.
ASSIGNMENT 1.2: INTRODUCTORY SPEECH SELF-REVIEW
Exemplary
100% - A
Proficient
85% - B
Fair
75% - C
Meets Minimum
Expectations
65% - D
Unacceptable
0% - F
Submitted a
completed selfreview.
Submitted a
generally completed
self-review.
Submitted a
partially completed
self-review.
Submitted a
minimally completed
self-review.
Did not submit a
self-review.
Submitted selfreview provided
excellent comments
on student
progress/work.
Submitted selfreview provided
good comments on
student
progress/work.
Submitted selfreview provided
acceptable
comments on
student
progress/work.
Submitted selfreview provided
minimal comments
on student
progress/work.
Did not submit
completed selfreview, or
submitted selfreview provided
no comments on
student
progress/work.
Weight: 20%
2. Self-review
was welldeveloped.
Weight: 80%
Running head: CHANGING OUR LIVES
1
“Changing Our Lives” Outline
Student Name
Dr. Horner
Correct date
*Please note that the purpose of this template is to assist you with correctly formatting an
outline. This sample outline is not on an approved topic, and the thesis statement, main
points, and supporting details should not be used in your outline. Please carefully review
the Assignment Overview document (located in assignment link) for the approved topics.
Also, your outline should not include complete paragraphs, entire speech, or an essay. *
CHANGING OUR LIVES
2
Sample Student Outline
Topic: Insert topic here
Introduction –
A. Capture your audience’s attention with a quote, anecdote, or personal experience
B. Build up to the main reason for the speech
Thesis Statement - I have now chosen to go to college at this juncture in my life because of
financial, personal, and emotional reasons.
I. First Main Point – Financial Reasons
A. Secure and comfortable financial future
B. Dissatisfaction in current job
C. Goals for the future
II. Second Main Point – Personal Reasons
A. First in family to graduate from college
B. Make family proud.
C. Positive role model for children.
III. Third Main Point – Emotional Reasons
A. Overcome self-doubt
B. Past negative experience
C. Understanding my abilities
Conclusion –
A. Restate thesis statement and main points
B. Summarize presented ideas
C. Conclude with compelling remark
Sample Outline:
Topic
By Student Smith
COM201
Dr. Horner
Today’s Date
*Please note that the purpose of this template is to assist you with correctly
formatting an outline. This sample outline is not on an approved topic, and the
thesis statement, main points, and supporting details should not be used in your
outline. Please carefully review the Assignment Overview document (located in
assignment link) for the approved topics. Also, your outline should not include
complete paragraphs, entire speech, or an essay. *
Topic: Insert topic here.
I. Introduction
A. Capture your audience’s attention with a quote, anecdote, or personal experience
B. Build up to the main reason for the speech
C. Summarize the main idea and briefly state the main points
1. Working with Microsoft Word
2. Creating a Presentation
3. Building on Previous Work
II. First Main Point: Working with Microsoft Word
A. Move an outline numbered item to the appropriate numbering level
B. Help plan speech and organize thoughts
III. Second Main Point: Creating a Presentation
A. Creating a presentation from a Word outline
1. Uses the heading styles
a) Heading styles are applied when you use numbered outlines
(1) Each paragraph formatted with the Heading 1 style becomes a new
slide, each Heading 2 becomes the first level of text, and so on.
B. Procedures
1. Open the document and use it to create a presentation
2. Open the File menu
IV. Main Point 3: Building on previous work
A. Use heading styles to create longer documents
B. To learn more about Outline view, review Microsoft Word Help
V. Conclusion
A. Restate your main points
1. Working with Microsoft Word
2. Creating a Presentation
3. Building on Previous Work
B. Summarize the presented ideas
C. Restate introduction or conclude with a compelling remark
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