Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ)
If you have additional questions, please e-mail
them
to the professor at the address shown on the
home page.
Q: How many speeches will I do in one term?
A: Four -- "Speech
of Introduction," "Speech to Define,"
"Speech to Inform," "Speech to Persuade."
Q: Do I need a formal typed outline for every speech I do?
A: Yes, you do, except
for the first speech, the "Speech
of
Introduction." You will find examples of the
outlines by clicking here.
NOTE 1: When outlining, do not repeat the wording
on the sample outline given to you
by the professor.
For instance, you must not repeat
the words "introduction,"
"body," and
"conclusion." You must use your own
words that reflect the nature of
your speech. Also
remember that in outlining, I
needs II, A needs B, 1
needs 2, and a needs b. When
you break a heading into
subordinate headings, you must get
at least two lower-level
headings. If you have a
single heading, it probably belonged
with the previous major heading.
NOTE 2: When outlining, be consistent.
If you use phrases,
then use phrases throughout.
If you use sentences, then use
sentences throughout. When
you use a particular form for a
heading, then use the same form in
subsequent entries for that
heading.
When
it is your turn to speak,
you will give the outline to Dr.
Huff before you approach the lectern. All outlines will be
typed and will contain your list of sources (minimum
of three) --
either on that page or on a separate page. If you have no
outline, you will automatically receive a grade of
zero.
Q: Speaking of sources,
how many do I need and how do I
document them?
A: Except for the
"Speech of Introduction," a minimum of
three sources are required for each speech. At least two
of those sources must be non-Internet sources.
(See the next
question that deals with Galileo. You must
have at least one
source that is not electronically generated, i.e.
you will need
to use one hard copy source from the
library.) Although
just three sources are required, better students typically will use
and
cite many more sources. The sources must be
legitimate and of a college-level quality. World Book
Encyclopedia and Wikipedia, for instance, would not be college sources.
All sources must be fully documented using APA
or
MLA style guidelines. An abbreviated APA
styleguide can
be found by clicking here. All
sources must include pertinent
information, such as author(s), title, date or copyright,
publisher, page numbers, etc. As noted above, you will
use at least two non-Internet sources. Internet
sources must
also be fully documented. Full documentation
includes
an author, title, date, publisher, and all other
information required
of print sources. Listing www.whatever.com as a
source is
no more acceptable than giving only the Library of
Congress
number for a book (for instance HP 203 .E2) without
citing
the author, title, date, publisher, etc. Again,
please consult APA
or MLA styleguides. If you
don't see what you need on those
abbreviated lists, then get off your can and go to
the library or
buy a style manual. I think I have done more
than enough for you.
Q: Speaking of the
Internet, is Galileo online considered an Internet
source?
A: This is a difficult
question to answer. Galileo may be considered to
be Internet in one way, but in another way it is
not. For our purposes
we will not consider Galileo to be an Internet
source. However, you
still must use at least one source that is not
electronically generated.
Q: What about visual aids? Are they required?
A: Visual aids are
required only for the "Speech to
Inform" (Speech III) and the "Speech to Persuade" (Speech IV).
Visual aids may used on other speeches at the
student's
discretion. Information about visual aids may be found
by clicking here.
Q: When will I give my speech?
A: Except for the
"Speech of Introduction," students
will be randomly assigned advance times that
will be announced in class and posted on the course
web
page under "Announcements/Schedules."
Q: What if I am not
present when it is my turn to
speak or to take an examination?
A: If you haven't
informed the professor ahead of
time and if you do not have a valid reason as determined
by the professor, you will receive a grade of
"zero." Seldom
is there a valid reason for missing a speech or exam.
Q: If I am not giving a
speech and I show up late, should I
enter the classroom when I arrive?
A:
Absolutely not. If you are late, then you had better make
sure that no speech is in progress. Should you
enter the room
during a speech in progress, your own grade will be
penalized.
The penalty aside, it is simply rude to interrupt a
speech or
the professor's lecture -- which is also a speech.
Q: How will my speeches be graded?
A: Speeches will be graded using both a critique
sheet and
the professor's expertise and experience. You will find
examples of the outlines by clicking
here and critique
sheets by clicking here.
Q: When will I find out what I made on the speech?
A: The professor returns
grades during the first class
meeting after all students in your class have completed
a
particular round of speeches.
Q: The professor has a
rigid attendance policy. Why
is
that?
A: Call me old fashioned,
but I believe that if you
get
a grade for a college course you have to show
up
for class. Would you expect to get paid for
work if you did not show up? Furthermore,
it
has been my experience that students who are
not
required to attend typically will not show up to
hear
the speeches of their fellow students. Without
an
audience, there is little point in doing a speech.
Students must not miss exams or speeches. Exams
are
announced in advance and previewed. The
order of speeches is determined by a random draw.
When your time comes to do your speech, you must
be
present or you will forfeit the grade with a zero.
Q: Can my absence be excused?
A: No, the absence itself
is not excused. If you are not in
class,
then you are not in class and the absence counts
under the attendance policy. However, you may be able
to
make up an exam or speech. But, you must make
notification. Notification for an illness must be made to
the
professor via phone or e-mail prior to the class period
in
which an exam or speech is to occur. For illness, a
student must present a doctor's excuse to the professor.
If
there is a death in your immediate family, you don't
need to notify the professor. However, you must notify
college or university officials, who will then notify
all
your professors of the death. When you return to class,
the
professor will assist you in making up any work missed
during your absence.
Q: What about tests or examinations?
A: There are two
examinations of equal value (20%
each). Exams take the form of multiple choice and
true/false. Students will bring at least two "Number 2"
pencils. As stated above, students must not miss exams.
Q: What kind of in-class activities will there be?
A:
In-class activities include group work, quizzes, and your
your active participation in discussions during lectures
and
after your classmates' speeches. If you are
absent, you get
a grade of ZERO. There are no makeup opportunities
for
in-class activities.
Q: Are study guides provided for students?
A: No, there are no study
guides provided. However, there
are sample exam questions. You can find them by clicking here.
Q: Will exam questions
come from lecture or from the
book?
A: Exam
questions will come from both. Most exam questions
will come from lecture and the book. In other
words, the same
material will be found both places. However,
there will be some
questions on tests that will come only from lecture
and some
that will come only from the book. You are
responsible for
attending lectures and reading the book.