Sophomore Public Speaking Syllabus (Spring 2025)
Mary Strnad “There are three things to aim at in public speaking:
114 N. Hanover Street first, to get into your subject, then to get your
Hanover, KS 66945 subject into yourself, and lastly, to get your
E-mail address: mstrnad@usd223.org subject into the heart of your audience.”
--Bishop Alexander Gregg
Many of you will experience your first exposure to structured public speaking in Hanover High School’s Sophomore Public Speaking class where you will learn techniques and methods for effectively interacting with a live audience.
Course Objectives:
To expose students to public speaking
To help students develop strong oral communication skills
To expose students to performance elements
To help students develop strong, positive listening and critical evaluation skills
To move toward the goal of becoming a proficient communicator, both verbally and non-verbally
To gain experience in the art of rhetoric
To use language and grammar correctly and effectively
To initiate and develop effective and lawful research, organizational, writing, and delivery skills
To move toward the goal of becoming a proficient communicator, both verbally and non-verbally
To gain experience in the art of rhetoric
To use language and grammar correctly and effectively
To initiate and develop research, organizational, writing, and delivery skills
To encourage participation in extracurricular activities involving public speaking
Academic and Classroom Expectations:
Arrive on time, ready to begin instruction when the bell rings; bring pass from prior teacher if late
Demonstrate respect for others and expect the same from your classmates and instructor; negativism toward others will not be tolerated. Encouragement is a staple of this class.
If you do not understand something, ask me for help either during class, after class, before or after school. If you do not know how to do the work then I have not been successful as a teacher. Remember that all learning builds on prior knowledge, so if you are having difficulty with one task, the next may be even more difficult. ASK FOR ASSISTANCE. (If I am talking too fast, do not hesitate to ask me to slow down or repeat the content.)
Always bring extra work to class in the event there is down time. An Accelerated Reader selection or outside work should be at arm’s length at all times.
No food, gum, candy, snacks, or soft drinks allowed in the classroom. It is impossible to perform effectively while chewing or to concentrate while others are doing so. I encourage water consumption.
Follow the dress code and other Student Handbook regulations and safety procedures. Inappropriate dress will be reported to the office. Hats and phones must be kept in backpacks or lockers.
See the Student Handbook online for information regarding unexcused tardies and absences.. A student who receives three unexcused tardies to this class in one quarter will receive a detention to be served the following school day. Parent(s) will be notified. This supersedes any athletic practices. (See Handbook)
Unexcused absences will result in a zero for any work due that day, including daily work, speeches, or other projects. These could irreparably damage your speech grade. You are required to perform on your assigned day. If you are going to be gone for ANY reason on an assigned presentation day, you must inform Mrs. Strnad with a note from your parent/guardian well in advance so other arrangements may be made.
Cheating or plagiarism on any type of assignment results in a zero. Plagiarism is the willful copying of another person’s work without giving credit to the rightful author. It gets you nowhere but into trouble. Providing answers, questions, or guiding information to another student is considered cheating. Using the Internet to answer or share test or quiz questions is cheating. Self-plagiarism is the re-use of a previous work and considered plagiarism. Use of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) generators to write speeches is also prohibited, although use of A.I. to develop valid, researched talking points is an avenue we will explore.
Computer use is a privilege, and we use computers several times per week all year long. Misuse, destruction, or inappropriate use of any school computer will result in suspension of that privilege for whatever period of time the teacher and principal deem appropriate, up to the rest of the school year. Computers are to be used only for school work. No games or access to social media sites are allowed in the classroom. Additionally, explicit approval to send personal email must be cleared with the instructor beforehand. Consequences for circumventing blocked websites or damaging equipment will be severe.
Cell phones and other electronic devices are not to be used in class except as approved by the administration or instructor. Keep any such device turned off and in your book bag, not on your person. Confiscated items will be turned over to the principal.
Students are expected to use their class period for Speech class work only. Once work is completed, a student may work on assignments from another class, BUT ONLY AFTER RECEIVING PERMISSION from Mrs. Strnad. (Should you desire to work on Speech assignments during another class, you MUST receive permission from the instructor first. A student working on a Speech assignment in another class without permission will receive a zero for the assignment. This includes practicing for presentations. ASK FOR PERMISSION!
I am at school by 7:45 a.m. and usually remain until 4:00 or after. See me if you are having difficulty with an assignment, require clarification on any issue, would like to practice in the classroom prior to a speech, or just need to clarify information. I want to hear from YOU FIRST if there is a problem. Do NOT wait until class time to seek information regarding an assignment/speech due that day. Parental, administrative, or counselor involvement will be sought as the need arises.
Dress for some presentation days is business casual. This means no jeans, t-shirts (shirts shaped in a T), or flip-flops. Boys should wear collared shirts and dress slacks/khakis and girls should wear dress slacks/skirts and blouses or dresses. This will be required for some presentations but not all. See list at the end of this syllabus.
Grading Policies:
Students will be kept aware of their grades in this class through GoEdustar. Each grade is based on the length and difficulty of the assignment; research, preparation, and delivery of speeches; attention given to presenters (listening skills), time on task; adhering to rules mentioned above; and other participatory activities. All students will perform speeches in class. This will require considerable out-of-class preparation and practice on the part of the student to ensure success. Some activities require group effort (just like in the real world). Responsible participation will be taken into account when grading.
Late Work:
You must give your speech on the assigned day. If you are to be gone the day of your speech, it must be presented to the class prior to your absence or you will receive a ZERO. The only exception to this will be in the event of an excused absence based upon extenuating circumstances. A planned doctor’s appointment, court appointment, or other absence does not release you from your obligation! Communicate with me! If you are to be gone or dismissed early for athletics, club activities, etc., it is YOUR responsibility to ask for the assignment and hand it in (or present it to the class) ahead of time. If you need to switch presentation days with someone due to an expected absence, you and the other student both must clear the change with me first. NOTE: It is advisable to point this out to your parents so that appointments are not scheduled on YOUR speech days. Because of a sizable class this semester, it will be of utmost importance to perform on your scheduled day.
Partial Listing of Projects/Presentations (approximate presentation times indicated)
Introduction to Elements of Public Speaking
Listening/Speaking—Conversation versus Presentation
Set of Impromptu Speeches (1-2 minutes each)
“My Spirit Animal” Introduction Speech with GoogleSlides (4 minutes)*
Demonstration Speech (20 minutes)*+
Informative Speech with documented research/outline (7 minutes)*
Persuasive Speech with documented research/outline (8-10 minutes)*
Favorite Fictional Character Monologue (4 minutes)+
Extemporaneous Speaking: Current Events (4 minutes)
*indicates speech where business casual attire is required
+indicates project where dress will be conducive to the topic
This syllabus is subject to change based on time constraints.