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a. Course: COMM 1110: Introduction to Public Speaking

Class information: CRM 38770 & 38763 (TTH schedule)
Instructor: Svilen V. Trifonov, Ph.D.
Office: Caldwell Hall 501
Office Hours: Tuesday & Wednesday 1:00pm-2:00pm (and by appointment)
Office Phone: (706) 542-4893 (this is the phone to the department's office)
E-Mail: Svilen.Trifonov@uga.edu
Course Website: elc.uga.edu

b. Course Description: The fundamental principles and practices of public speaking, including
systematic library research, creative analysis and synthesis of topics, organization, language, delivery,
audience adaptation, reasoning, arguments, and supporting materials

c. Prerequisites and Cross-listings: COMM 1110 is open to all UGA undergraduates. Equivalent credit
is given for those enrolled in COMM 2150H.

d. Course Objectives:
1. Students will understand the need for effective public speaking skills in contemporary society.
2. Students will develop research, organizational, and delivery skills for the preparation and presentation
of speeches.
3. Students will enlarge their ability to listen critically and analyze public speeches.
4. Students will be able to articulate and practice an ethical approach to public speaking.
5. Students will be able to analyze and articulate differing rhetorical situations and create speeches that
are appropriate to the situation.
6. Students will complete research assignments which will involve computer-based research and paper
preparation.
7. Students will consider the moral and ethical implications of a variety of communication situations.

e. Topical Outline:
Intro to Public Speaking, “My name" Speech, Selecting Appropriate Speech Topics, Conducting
Research, Responding to Speeches, Toasts, Speech Anxiety, Constructing Oral Stories, Outlining
Speeches, Audience Analysis, Ethics, Listening, Informative Speeches, Constructing Ceremonial
Speeches, Speech Delivery, Speaking on Special Occasions, Watching a Speech, Guidelines for
Motivational Speeches, Speaking to Persuade, Methods of Persuasion, The Use of Language,
Guidelines for a Policy Speech, Argumentation, Using Multi-Media

f. Academic Honesty: As a University of Georgia student, you have agreed to abide by the University’s
academic honesty policy, “A Culture of Honesty,” and the Student Honor Code. All academic work
must meet the standards described in “A Culture of Honesty” found at: www.uga.edu/honesty. Lack of
knowledge of the academic honesty policy is not a reasonable explanation for a violation. Questions
related to course assignments and the academic honesty policy should be directed to the instructor.
The link to more detailed information about academic honesty can be found at:
https://ovpi.uga.edu/academic-honesty/academic-honesty-policy

g. The course syllabus is a general plan for the course; deviations announced to the class by the
instructor may be necessary.
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h. Principal Course Assignments. See Tentative Schedule below:
Date Topic Due in Class Reading
Introductions to Public Speaking &
15-Aug Read syllabus, ask questions Get the workbook
one another.
Why Public Speaking matters? What
20-Aug Read Chapter 1
is communication and why study it?
The Importance of Ethics. Dealing
with speech anxiety. Impromptu Read Chapters
22-Aug
speeches. Mechanics of a speech. 2&3&19
Assign Speeches of Introduction.
27-Aug Speeches of Introduction Prepare your first speech
Speaking to inform. Discuss
29-Aug informative speech assignment. Read Chapter 16
Sample topics and speeches.
Workbook: Researching Speech
Topic selection. Brainstorming.
3-Sept Topics Read Chapters 5&6
Audience analysis.
Workbook: Audience Analysis
Researching Your Speech. Citing
Workbook: Testing Evidence
5-Sept Sources. Supporting Ideas and Read Chapter 7&8
Workbook: Supporting Material
Building Arguments
Read Chapters
10-Sept Organizing your speech, Outlining **Informative Speech Topic**
10&12
Effective Introductions and
12-Sept Workbook: Flawed Introductions Read Chapters 9&11
Conclusions
17-Sept *Outline Workshop* Workbook: Working Outline
Prepare your intro for the Read Chapters
19-Sept Visual Aids and Delivery Exercises
Informative Speech 14&15
24-Sept Informative Speeches 2nd speech! (final outline)
26-Sept Informative Speeches 2nd speech! (final outline)
Speaking to persuade. Discuss the advocacy speech assignment. Read Chapter 17
1-Oct
Midterm Exam Study Guide and Review
3-Oct Methods of Persuasion. Persuasion in practice. Logical Fallacies
8-Oct Midterm exam
Style. The Importance of Language. *Advocacy Topic Due*
10-Oct Read Chapter 13
Delivery Exercises and Impromptus. Workbook: Vocal Variety
15-Oct **Outline Workshop** Workbook: Working Outline
17-Oct Advocacy Speeches 3rd speech! (final outline)
22-Oct Advocacy Speeches 3rd speech! (final outline)
24-Oct Advocacy Speeches 3rd speech! (final outline)
Intro to Significant Speeches and
29-Oct
Manuscript delivery.
Choosing a historically significant
31-Oct *Significant Speech Topic*
speech
5-Nov *Outline Workshop* Workbook: Working Outline
7-Nov Significant Speeches 4th speech! (final outline)
12-Nov Significant Speeches 4th speech! (final outline)
Ceremonial Speaking. Sample-
14-Nov speeches. Types of ceremonial Read Chapter 18
speaking. Delivery exercises.
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Impromptu Speeches. Practice Workbook: Storytelling and the
19-Nov
Delivery Dramatic Arc
21-Nov Ceremonial Speeches 5th speech! (final outline)
26-Nov Ceremonial Speeches 5th speech! (final outline)
Thanksgiving Break (Nov 27-29) – NO CLASS
Ceremonial Speeches
2-Dec 5th speech! (final outline)
Review for Final Exam
If your class is at 2:00PM, your final exam is on Thursday, December 12 from 3:30 to 6:30pm.
If your class is at 3:30PM, your final exam is on Tuesday, December 10 from 3:30 to 6:30pm.
(Available here https://reg.uga.edu/general-information/calendars/final-exam-schedule/)

i. Specific Course Requirements. Major assignments in the course:

1. Speech of Introduction: This is a 2-3 minute speech designed to introduce you to your classmates.
Use the basic mechanics of a speech to tell us a story about you. You can discuss a favorite vacation,
unique experience/incident (that time you broke your ankle), best/worst job you’ve ever had, favorite
musician/TV show/movie/book, etc. In addition to providing details of what happened, you have to
conclude the speech with a take away message – why did you tell us this story/tell us about your favorite
band? What is the lesson from it? Grading for this assignment will be generally lenient as it is meant to
establish a baseline for your future speeches.

2. Informative Speech: The informative speech is 4-5 minute speech that informs the audience about a
place/person/idea/concept/event. Choose topics that are relevant to your audience but also not too trivial.
The informative speech should not involve any persuasion (save that for the Advocacy Speech
assignment). Grading criteria include:
a) Written Preparation: You are to prepare by constructing a full sentence outline that will
be submitted before you give your speech. Its length should be commensurate with the
length of the speech (likely no more than 2 single spaced pages). It should clearly
express in written form the substance of the message that is presented in class. A works
cited page in MLA or APA format should also be included.
b) Support: The speech should verbally cite at least 3 sources from which you have drawn
support for your claims. Verbal citations should provide the author and/or publication
name (the title of newspaper, not the title of the article), and an appropriate date. These
sources should also be cited in the works cited page.
c) Presentation: An extemporaneous delivery style is required using notecards or a speaking
outline. The instructor will also require that the speech does not go over the time limits to
any significant extent. I reserve the right to stop you in order to fit the speeches into the
allotted time.

3. Advocacy Speech: In this 6-7 minute speech you will advocate for a matter that is a current public
controversy or advocate for the audience to buy something. Consider local (campus) issues and
campaigns first, then think more broadly on a state, national, or global level. In giving a speech that
takes a stand on some point of public controversy or asks people to buy something, your first
responsibility is always to inform. So in this regard, the policy/sales speech must be carefully
researched. You are expected to have a solid command of relevant evidence. But you will also be
expected to advance logical and compelling arguments to support your position. Most importantly, you
are expected to convince your audience that there is a need/problem to be addressed and offer
meaningful and substantive solutions to it.

I will exercise veto power over all topics in order to encourage original speeches.
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Criteria:
a) Written Preparation: You are to prepare by constructing a full sentence outline that will be
submitted before you give your speech. A works cited page in MLA or APA format should
also be included.
b) Support: Your speech should verbally cite at least 5 sources. The quality of these sources is
also a criterion for the evaluation of your speech.
c) Presentation: An extemporaneous delivery style is required using note cards or a speaking
outline. The instructor will also require that the speech does not go over the time limits to any
significant extent.

4. Significant Speech: For this assignment, you are expected to look back into history and find
significant/important speeches. Choose one that you find significant (from either U.S. or world history)
and inform your audience about it. This assignment has three distinct components that will help you
organize your speech: a) History of speaker and/or events (what is the context of the speech); b) Excerpt
(you will recite a 1-2 minute excerpt from the original speech); c) Conclude with an argument about the
speech’s significance. Total speech length should be 5 minutes.

Criteria:
a) Written Preparation: You are to prepare by constructing a full sentence outline that will be
submitted before you give your speech. A works cited page in MLA or APA format should
also be included.
b) Support: Your speech should verbally cite all outside materials that you use. There is no
minimum required number for this assignment.
c) Presentation: This assignment expects you to combine elements of the extemporaneous
delivery style and manuscript delivery style (you will not be asked to memorize the original
speech). The instructor will also require that the speech does not go over the time limits to
any significant extent.

5. Ceremonial Speech: For this speech you will offer a tribute (think eulogy or toast) for a person close
to you. The time limit for the speech is 3-4 minutes.
Criteria:
a) Creativity and style: This speech is all about the occasion and the person you are
celebrating. Use humor and style appropriate to the occasion and person.
b) Presentation: An extemporaneous delivery style. Do not attempt to improvise this speech.
j. Grading Policy:
Point distribution
Speech of Introduction 50
Informative Speech 100
Advocacy Speech 150
Significant Speech 100
Ceremonial Speech 100
Midterm exam 100
Final exam 100
Quizzes/Workbooks 100
Attendance/Participation 50
Research requirement 0 (But required to receive a grade for the class)
TOTAL = 850
***The Course Director’s Policy is that there is NO EXTRA CREDIT for COMM 1110.

Grading Scale
93-100% A 73-76.99% C
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90-92.99% A- 70-72.99% C-
87-89.99% B+ 67-69.99% D+
83-86.99% B 63-66.99% D
80-82.99% B- 60-62.99% D-
77-79.99% C+ 59.99% and below F
*Grades calculated to the nearest hundredths. Grades will not be rounded.

k. Attendance:
Attendance will be taken at every class. You are responsible for signing in the attendance sheet
(no signature=absent). Absences due to university-sanctioned varsity athletics or activities must be
discussed with the instructor no later than one week before the relevant class period(s). Written
documentation for a university sanctioned absence must be provided in advance of the missed class
periods. Arrangements concerning absences are at the instructor's discretion.
More than 3 absences of any kind (other than university-sanctioned varsity athletics and
activities) during the semester will result in a reduction of 10 points in your overall grade for each
absence over 3.
Tardiness is disrespectful to your fellow students and your instructor. Repeated tardiness may be
treated as absence. Additionally, leaving class early is strongly discouraged and may impact your
participation in the class.
Quizzes cannot be made up.
If you walk in during a classmate’s speech or your phone rings during their speech you will
receive a 10 point penalty on your own speech.

l. Required Course Material:

Stand Up, Speak Out: The Practice and Ethics of Public Speaking,
HTML: https://saylordotorg.github.io/text_stand-up-speak-out-the-practice-and-ethics-of-public-
speaking/

Course Workbook
Available at University Bookstore
m. Policy for make-up examinations:

Make up exams are allowed for full credit for absences that meet the conditions discussed in the
Attendance section. Scheduling is at the discretion of the instructor. Once exams have been returned to
students, a make-up exam will no longer be available unless arrangements have been made with the
instructor in advance or if authoritative and compelling written documentation is provided. Make up
exams are not allowed without proper documentation. Make-up exams are not allowed for any type of
unexcused absences, including missing class to study for a test, oversleeping, not being ready to take the
exam, or having to work at an outside job. You will receive a ZERO for that exam.

n. Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy:

The University of Georgia (“the University”) is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful
environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board
of Regents’ policy, and University policy, the University prohibits any member of the faculty, staff,
administration, student body, volunteers or visitors to campus, whether they be guests, patrons,
independent contractors, or clients, from harassing and/or discriminating against any other member of
the University community because of that person’s race, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual
orientation, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, disabled status, or status as a disabled veteran or
veteran of the Vietnam era. Incidents of harassment and discrimination will be met with appropriate
disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the University.
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o. Learning Accommodations:
Any students who need special accommodations for learning or who have particular needs are invited to
share these concerns or requests with me as soon as possible. The Disability Resource Center (542-
8719, Clark Howell Hall) provides written documentation that specifies the needed modifications (i.e.,
note taker, extra time for tests) to the instructor. If you have not contacted The Disability Resource
Center to request a letter be sent to your instructor, please do so. Formal requests for accommodations
must be completed before the scheduled assignment.

p. Emergency Preparedness:
In case of emergency, call 911 immediately.
If the fire alarm sounds, we will exit the building and reassemble in front of the main entrance of the building
so I can make sure everyone has exited the building. Stay with your classmates as you exit and remain
together once you get outside. Do not use the elevators and notify others as you leave.
If there is a tornado warning, we will move to the shelter location at the first floor of this building and, again,
I will need to account for everyone. Stay with your classmates as you exit and remain together once you
reach this location. If you have special circumstances that I need to know about in case of an emergency,
please speak to me during the first week of class. If you have concerns about other emergencies, please speak
to me and also check the website of Office of Emergency Preparedness at http://www.prepare.uga.edu.

q. HB 280 – Conceal & Carry on Campus

Students are obligated to know the state laws that apply to them while on campus. For more information
on HB 280 in particular, as per the University System of Georgia, please
visit http://www.usg.edu/hb280.

Additional Course Policies:

r. Research Requirement:
As part of your participation in this class, you must satisfy a departmental research requirement.
This requirement may be satisfied in one of three ways: (a) participation in a research project conducted
by the Department of Communication Studies (go to http://spcmweb.franklin.uga.edu/research), (b) a
summary and analysis of a communication research article, or (c) attendance at and a written analysis of
a colloquium presentation at the Department of Communication Studies. See your workbook for full
descriptions of these options. Failure to fulfill the research requirement will result in a grade of
Incomplete (I) for this class. Note: You will need to complete a separate research project or paper for
each Communication Studies class that requires or offers research participation.

s. Grievance Procedure:
Occasionally, students are unsatisfied with some dimension of the course. If you have a concern at any
time during the course, please come speak with me directly either during office hours, by appointment,
or via email.
If you want to appeal a grade, the department policy is that you must make the grade appeal in writing to
me. Submit this to me within 48 hours of receiving the grade and feedback (I will not talk about grades
during or after class). Grades are considered final 48 hours after the assignment has been returned.
Prepare and submit a typed argument indicating what your specific appeal is and what grade you believe
you deserved. Turn in the appeal before or after class, during office hours, or at a scheduled
appointment within one week of the grade being returned. If you have employed these measures and are
still dissatisfied, or feel that an appropriate resolution may not be reached by working with me, then I
encourage you to contact the director of Public Speaking, Dr. Bjørn Stillion Southard. The process is
detailed here: http://comm.uga.edu/grade-appeals
Registration:
Only students who are officially enrolled in the class may attend. If you are not officially enrolled and
wish to add the class, please work to become registered.
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Communication:
Course communication will occur via email and ELC. When emailing, I try to adopt a more formal tone.
This is meant to assure clarity in a mode of communication that can sometimes lead to
misunderstandings. I would suggest that you also adopt a more formal mode address in email. If you are
providing information that does not necessitate a reply, I may not reply. I will reply if a question is
asked. I'll also reply if there is a request for me to confirm receipt of your email.
During the week, there is usually a 24 hour turn-around time on email. I would ask that you, too, check
and respond to email in a similar timeframe. The weekend has no set turnaround time.
Quizzes:
Throughout the semester there might be several quizzes or workbook assignments. Some of those will
be given on eLC. Please pay attention to the due dates for each quiz or exam. Be sure to save your
answers and submit the quiz within the sanctioned amount of time.
Emergencies:
If an emergency arises and you know that you will not be able to get to class on an exam or speech day,
please let me know ahead of time by sending me an email or leaving a voicemail. If your emergency
requires extensive classes missed, then you should contact Student Support Services:
(http://www.uga.edu/studentsupport/).
Audio and Video Recording:
Course discussions, lectures, and presentations may not be video or audio recorded or photographed
without express written consent of the instructor.
Technology:
Computers, tablets, cell phones, cameras, and recording equipment are prohibited from class, unless
otherwise discussed (they will be allowed during research days and outline workshops).
Assignment Guidelines:
Readings are due at the beginning of the first class for which they are assigned.
Written assignments are due at the beginning of the class for which they are assigned. I will not accept
written assignments any later than the first ten minutes of class on the assignment’s due date. If you are
late to class without an excuse deemed acceptable by this syllabus, you will receive a zero on that
assignment.

Assignments turned in late without an excused absence or prior arrangement with the instructor
will receive a score of zero. If an extension is granted, it must be in writing, signed and dated by the
instructor, and stapled as the last page of the assignment.
Do not turn in late assignments in my mailbox, unless you have arranged to do so with the
instructor, otherwise assignments will receive a score of zero. Do not email assignments unless
arrangements have been made in advance.
Written assignments must be:
typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman font, 12 point font, standard one inch margins on all sides.
Proofread your work! Nothing is more apparent than a paper written at the last minute. Your
grade will suffer accordingly.
You are responsible for keeping a copy of all your work. An accident to your original is not the
responsibility of the instructor. Save your work in multiple places and always print hard copies of drafts.
Citations and References are to be consistent in MLA or APA format as discussed in class. Not
adhering to MLA or APA format will result in a lower grade.
If you are absent, assume that all assignments will still be due as indicated on the syllabus unless
you have received prior permission to turn them in later. Do not assume that being absent allows you to
turn in an assignment later.
The instructor will inform you of details on due dates and assignment requirements if they differ
from those in this syllabus. If none is mentioned, assume the syllabus is correct.
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Do not depend on the instructor to remind you of exam, quiz, and written assignment due dates.
“You didn’t tell us it was due today,” is not an acceptable excuse for not turning in work. Always stay
on top of the syllabus.
Speeches:
Public speech presentations are clearly scheduled on the syllabus, and you will be assigned specific
times and dates to present your speech(es). Students must speak on their assigned day.
The following policies apply to students who do NOT speak on their assigned day:
If a speech is not given on the assigned day due to an excused absence, then the speech may be made up
and full credit will be available. Students may present their speech during the next class period, if time
permits, when they are absent due to a university sanctioned activity where prior notice has been
provided, an emergency has been documented through their advisor or Student Affairs, or an illness has
been verified in writing from your private physician or the Student Health Center. In these cases, a
student should alert the instructor of the absence as soon as is reasonable, so the best use can be made of
available class time.
If a speech is not given on the assigned day and the student provides a compelling reason, the speech
may be made up with a one letter grade reduction. Students who provide a compelling excuse (based on
instructor’s discretion) may present their speech with a letter grade deduction during the next class
period if time permits or at the instructor’s discretion (e.g., time and location). If a “compelling” excuse
is not provided, the instructor is under no obligation to allow the student to earn points to make up the
speech. Reminder: To receive a grade for this class, you have to complete all the speeches (whether or
not you earn a grade for the speeches).
If a speech is not given on the assigned day due to an unexcused absence, the speech must be made up,
but no credit will be given. Unexcused absences include: missing class to study for a test, oversleeping,
not being ready to speak, and having to work at an outside job. Students who do not provide an
acceptable reason for not giving their speech will make up the assignment at the instructor's discretion
for zero points. Reminder: To receive a grade for this class, you have to complete all the speeches
(whether or not you earn a grade for the speeches).
Final Exam Policy:
The final exam will be given at the assigned time per the official University schedule, in the same
classroom where our class meets all semester. The final exam will NOT be given early or at a different
time unless changed by the University. There are no exceptions to this policy. Please mark your
calendars and make your travel plans based on the final exam times noted.