Fundamentals of Public Speaking and Speech Communication

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Speech Communication for Business & the Professions

Need a little help?

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Occasionally students need extra help on an assignment or a friendly reminder about what is expected of them. On this page I'll put some useful tips relating to class projects so they can find the help they need even when I'm not available (e.g., on weekends or evenings). And I'll be sure to update the tips and hints when new assignments are due.

SPEECH CHECKLIST
 
Download the speech checklist below.  This is a list to ensure that you have all of the elements needed for your speeches.  If you check everything on the list, you should be fine.  And...DO NOT FORGET TO PRACTICE AND DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!

Click here to download the Speech Checklist.

POWERPOINT 2007-2013 GUIDE
 
For those of you who are unfamiliar with PowerPoint 2007, here is an easy, step-by-step guide to help you get started. The best way to learn is to just get on it and play so you can see what everything is.  Ask questions if you do not understand, but this should help.  If you have an eariler version, talk to me and I will help.  This is just your basic guide to get started, everything else you can ask! 
 
Or, here is a website that offers a PPT tutorial to help you learn more interactively.  There is some help with 2010 on this site as well:
 

Click here to download the Powerpoint Guide

General Study Tips

In this area I might include some tips and guidelines that students should keep in mind regardless of the week's specific assignment, such as:

When creating your speech, never forget who your audience is (audience analysis).  The spoken word is meant to be heard, but it may need to be adjusted according to your audience.  Would you create the same speech with the same supporting material for a group of traditional age college students and senior citizens?  Probably not!  Tailoring your speech to suit the people who are in your audience is an extremely important part of good public speaking.  Make them feel like you are talking to the individual in the audience.  
 
ORALLY CITING SOURCES
 
Just like papers, it is imperative that you cite your sources in speeches as well.  As speakers, we must demonstrate that our subjective arguments are supported by objective data (especially when persuading).  In other words, citing helps ensure your credibility AND prevents plagiarism!  Here is a handout you can download that give information about orally citing.  Use this handout when creating your speech to be sure that YOU make yourself credible and prevent plagiarism!

Click here to download the Oral Citation Guide

THESIS DEVELOPMENT

Sometimes creating a thesis is tough. We know what it is, but may not know exactly how to create one. In class, I discussed with you how to create a thesis for a speech...from your purpose statements. A very nice student gave me some other resources to pass on to all of my students for anyone who may need extra help to develop your thesis...thanks, John!

Here are some websites to help:

http://www.cws.illinois.edu/workshop/writers/tips/thesis/

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/545/01/

http://www.polsci.wvu.edu/Faculty/Michelbach/thesis.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HePQWodWiQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLQ5ldP7i5A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hlO_vZ5l74

Mindy Peck Kurtz, M.A.
Professor of Speech
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Kent Campus/Cecil Center
Flagler College
Office Phone: (904)381-3426
Email: mpeck@fscj.edu
Website: http://www.fscj.edu
Center for Body Language Website: http://www.centerforbodylanguage.com