Principles of Public Speaking

Unit One: Introduction to Public Speaking

All epoch-making revolutionary events have been produced not by the written word but by the spoken word.

- Adolph Hitler

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This week your work will focus on getting acquainted with the nature of public address, your instructor and your classmates.

Key topics for the week include:

· A historical perspective on public address;
· Essential characteristics of effective communicators;
· Responsibilities of free speech.

What to do:

· Complete the PRPSA test and send Nan Peck a letter of introduction (via email);
· Introduce yourself to the class on the Blackboard site.

· Purchase your textbook, A Pocket Guide to Public Speaking, by Dan O'Hair, Hannah Rubenstein and Rob Stewart and (Bedford, St Martin's, 2nd edition, ISBN-13: 978-0-312-45207-0). Start reading!

· Bring a USB drive or your camcorder to class to videotape your presentation.

Plan to attend the orientation session on Tuesday, May 27nd from 7-9 p.m. at ELI.

Is an ELI distance course right for you? Check out this orientation.

You are on Unit One of the Course Guide.
Read Nan Peck's introduction and write a letter of introduction in response. Take the PRPSA assessment and include your score and reactions. Send your letter to npeck@nvcc.edu. Be sure to put SPD100 in the subject line.
Do you have your college e-mail address? Go to the NVCC mainpage at http://www.nvcc.edu and click "mail and web" Once you have it, go to http://learn.vccs.edu
Click here for a description of the personal narrative assignment. Explore This I Believe, and StoryCorps.
Click here for more public speaking resources.
Click here to move to Unit Two of the Course Guide.
Click here for directions to ELI.
Copyright 2001-2006
Contact Nan Peck at npeck@nvcc.edu
Updated May 21, 2008