Class Notes on Communication and Informative Speech Assignments

Course Structure and Assignments

  • Assignment Due Date:

    • Due on: Monday, the twenty-third, by 11:59 PM.

    • Students without graded sections will initially receive a zero, which will change to their actual grades once evaluated.

Observations of Small Sections

  • Instructor's Role:

    • The instructor is attending small section classes to observe and evaluate instructors.

    • Takes notes while observing to ensure teaching quality.

Informative Speech Overview

  • Discussed how to choose, develop, and research a topic for the upcoming speech assignment.

  • Partner Assignment:

    • Inquiries were made about partners for the informative speech.

    • It is encouraged to have a partner for support.

Reference to the Olympics

  • Instructor's Interest:

    • Discussion on personal interest in summer vs. winter Olympics.

    • Emphasis on enjoying summer Olympic events over winter sports due to personal preferences about cold weather.

Olympic Highlight: Ilion Miliano

  • Athlete Profile:

    • Name: Ilion Miliano, 21 years old, son of two Olympian figure skaters.

    • Nicknamed the "Quad God" for his ability to perform quad jumps.

    • Notable Achievement:

    • Executed a backflip on skates, a feat no other competitor managed during the competition.

  • Recent Competition:

    • Had an impressive record of 14 wins in 14 competitions over two years.

    • During the last skate, he unexpectedly faltered, finishing with a score of 8, which shocked viewers as he was a favored gold medalist.

Reflection on Resilience and Handling Pressure

  • Post-Performance Reaction:

    • Immediately after the competition, Miliano showed grace by congratulating the gold and silver medalists despite his disappointment.

    • Handled media questions about falling very professionally and demonstrated maturity under scrutiny.

  • Self-Coping Mechanism:

    • Described how he faced waves of negative thoughts before performing and the impact of those thoughts on his performance.

  • Connection to Students:

    • Encouragement for students to manage anxiety during presentations by taking pauses, staying positive, and believing in themselves.

Next Topic: Chapter 11

  • Focus for the week: Choosing, developing, and researching a topic for the upcoming informative speech.

  • Mention of iClicker responses to assess attendance and participation.

Recap of Previous Content

  • Discussed fundamentals of communication in Chapter 1, focusing on understanding and creating relationships.

Interactive Segment: Questions and Feedback

  • Example question:

    • Using an anecdote about sharing a speech result with a roommate, assessing which term best describes the roommate's reaction (Feedback, Message, Noise, Context).

    • Correct answer: Feedback.

Expectations for Informative Speech

  • Length: 8-10 minutes, divided with partners into approximately 4-5 minutes each.

  • Required Sources: Each partner must find four outside sources to inform their speech.

  • Plagiarism Discussion:

    • Specific clarification about what is categorized as common knowledge and when citations are necessary.

Researching and Citing Sources

  • Defining Common Knowledge:

    • Common knowledge does not need citation if widely known.

    • Examples:

    • Historical facts (e.g., Columbus sailed in 1492), widely accepted knowledge (like the first U.S. President).

  • Citations Requirement:

    • If unsure whether something is common knowledge, cite it.

Ten Thousand Hour Rule

  • Malcolm Gladwell's Theory:

    • To achieve expertise in a field, one must practice for 10,000 hours.

    • Reference to The Beatles' formative years spent performing in Hamburg to gain experience.

Addressing AI Usage

  • Stance Against AI in Speech:

    • Strongly discourage using AI for writing speeches; focus on critical thinking and personal engagement with material.

    • Appropriate uses of AI include topic generation and synthesizing ideas but must not replace personal effort and analysis.

Setting Goals for Speeches

  • Key Question:

    • What is the goal of your speech (Informative vs. Persuasive)?

    • Understanding the purpose determines the nature of content research and audience engagement.

  • Personal Experiences Shared:

    • Discussing a real case of speaking to a group and setting a clear objective to motivate audience engagement.

Audience Considerations

  • Understanding Audience Dynamics:

    • Importance of knowing audience demographics (age, economic status, cultural context) to tailor the speech effectively.

    • Encouragement to identify differences in audience perceptions.

Cultural Awareness in Public Speaking

  • Culture Defined:

    • Culture prescribes how individuals view the world and interact with others.

    • Differences in perspectives (masculine vs. feminine, monochronic vs. polychronic time orientation).

Appropriate Topic Selection

  • Criteria for Topics:

    • Relevance, audience appropriateness, personal interest, and value to audience.

    • Discussion of sensitivity around cultural topics in diverse environments.

Final Thoughts

  • Embrace Diverse Learning:

    • Create an inclusive environment for diverse perspectives, respecting all identities.

  • Concluding Remarks:

    • Keep in mind audience members and their diverse backgrounds when preparing speeches.