COURSE SYLLABUS

Help Alert: Through out the pages on this site you well see the “Help Alert” that’s sole purpose is to provide help or direct you to help achieving your goals in this class.

COMMUNICATION WITH INSTRUCTOR: Do not hesitate to talk with me before or after class, or email me to discuss matters related to this course. Additionally, I welcome any discussion about speech topics and will be happy to look over your outline before speech day. Help Alert: If you want high-quality, insightful feedback, consult me well before your assignment is due. I will make every effort to address your concerns and assist you to succeed in what will be a challenging and, if you hang in there and work hard, a rewarding educational

experience.

REQUIRED TEXT. Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach (5^th Edition) by Steven Beebe and Susan Beebe. Help Alert: You can purchase this book at LAVC bookstore. Call: 818 – 947-2313 for bookstore hours, or buy at the LAVC online bookstore www.lavcbookstore.com. Additionally, there will be a text on reserve at the LAVC Library under instructor name.

COURSE GOALS

·To acquire the information and research, experience and listening skills necessary for effective academic, professional, and social communication

·To develop and/or redefine your confidence and skills levels in public speaking

·To provide and receive constructive feedback from an assigned group and the instructor

· And, to have fun!

SPEECH SUPPORT TEAMS. Because I want you to be successful in Speech 101, you will be put into a team that you will work with on in-class speech assignments, and that will provide you with support and feedback on your speeches. Part of each team member’s responsibility is to fill out an evaluation form for their team member’s informative and persuasive speeches. Forms for both speeches will be included in support material handed out in class or can be obtained from FORMS on the home page. (I RECOMMEND YOU EXCHANGE EMAIL, CELLPHONE, PAGER NUMERS, ETC. WITH GROUP MEMBERS SO THAT IF YOU MISS CLASS YOU CAN GET THE INFORMATION AND HANDOUTS.)

BEHAVIOR IN CLASS. I believe in creating respect in my classroom. This means that you will respect your classmate’s right to ask questions and express opinions by listening to them during class and during their speeches, maintaining a positive demeanor, and not being disruptive during class. Disruptive behavior would be (walking in or out during a speech, reading the newspaper, eating, reading another class text, having side conversations, snoring, making sarcastic comments to the instructor and other students.) ON CELLULAR PHONES, PAGERS, AND OTHER OBJECTS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT…turn them off during class. You will be given several breaks during the class period so that you can make phone calls, etc.

If you are disruptive during speeches, or on a regular basis, you will be asked to leave class and will lose points for whatever happens during that class period.

ATTENDANCE. Attendance on speech days and speech rehearsal days is mandatory for all students. Excused absences include documented medical or family emergencies (such as funerals or surgeries, not waiting on the cable installer), and any reason deemed reasonable by the instructor. You are expected to give both your informative and persuasive speeches on the assigned days. If you have a conflict, you need to straighten it out immediately, as we have little time for make-up speeches. In order for you to pass this class, you need to give both your informative and persuasive speeches.

MAKE-UP SPEECHES. There is little time for make-up speeches. However, the instructor does understand that there are emergencies. If you have proper documentation and the instructor gives you authorization, you will have 25% deducted from your speech, and the instructor will determine the make-up date.

LATE ASSIGNMENT POLICY. My late assignment policy is a strict one! I am no longer taking valuable time dealing with reasons or excuses for late work. The good news: I will accept late work. The bad news: Regardless of the reason, late work will lose 25 - 50% off the available points.

SPEECH TOPICS. All topics must be approved by the instructor before your speech.

GUIDELINES AND DEADLINES FOR WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS. You will be responsible for providing a rough-draft and final copy of your speech, along with a self-evaluation for your informative, and persuasive speeches. These assignments should reflect high standards of neatness, grammar, and punctuation. All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the designated day or they will be considered late. All materials handed to the instructor must be typed unless otherwise stated.

ADDING THE CLASS. If you have not registered for the class and are given an add slip, it is your responsibility to take it to the administration office. When you add the class you need to make sure to hold on to your receipt. Help Alert: If you do not register at the beginning of the course, and try to later, it is most likely the administrative staff will not accept your add slip.

DROP DATES. It is your responsibility to drop the class. If you are on my roster, you will get a grade. Help Alert: You can drop the class online by going to LAVC website listed on the homepage.

SUPPORT MATERIAL AND FORMS. You will be given support material in class which if you lose; you will need to get copies from a classmate. There are forms that will be handed out, which can be found under FORMS from the homepage.

SHORT - TERM COURSES. Short term courses are fast paced and require that you read much of the text outside of class. We will have lectures and workshops; however, we will not be covering all the text information in class.

THE TIME THIS CLASS WILL TAKE. If you want to get an “A” in this course, expect to spend approximately 8 – 10 hours outside of class working on researching, writing, outlining and practicing your speech. And, add another 10 – 20 hours per week for reading the text, and doing the take home quizzes.

COMPUTER RESOURCES ON CAMPUS. Help Alert: If you don’t have a computer to use at home, LAVC has several computer labs on campus where you can use the computer for word processing. As you must turn in a typed final copy of your speeches, you need to plan ahead so you have use of a computer.

LIBRARY RESOURCES. Help Alert: The LAVC library has great resources available to you as part of your student fees. Please see SPEECH RESEARCH RESOURCES for links to the LAVC online library and many other great resources.

ASSIGNMENTS LIST, POINTS, AND GRADING SCALE (Back to Menu)

ASSIGNMENT (SEE COURSE CALENDER FOR DUE DATES)

PTS.

GRADED SPEECHES

·Informative speech

·Persuasive speech (visual aid required)

INDIVIDUAL SPEECHES

·Impromptu speech - Topic and explanation will be given in class

·Individual speech - Personal Experience Speech

NON-GRADED GROUP SPEECHES

·Group speech #1 - Group name and member introductions

·Group speech #2 - Mock Informative speech

·Group speech #3 - Mock persuasive speech

2.5

TAKE HOME QUIZ

#1 - Quiz

#2 - Quiz

REHEARSAL DAY ROUGH DRAFT OUTLINE

Informative speech

Persuasive speech

2.5

FINAL OUTLINE OF SPEECH

Informative speech

Persuasive speech

2.5

SELF – EVALUATION FORMS

Informative speech

Persuasive speech

2.5

TOTAL POINTS

100

GRADING SCALE

90+ = A 80 – 89= B 70 – 79= C 60 – 69 = D

(You cannot pass this class without completing both graded speeches)

TEACHER EVALUATION. A written evaluation and grade will be given to you on each speech. Additionally, I will be happy to discuss your performance before or after class.

SELF EVALUATION. It is important that you have a means of tracking your progress. The self-evaluation form is designed to give you an opportunity to reflect on your speech, and to give me an idea of how you felt during and after your speech. It also gives you a chance to discuss what goals you would like to achieve for any upcoming speeches. Self – evaluation forms are included in the “Informative” Speech packet. Help Alert: If you lose the copy, you can get it on this web page under FORMS.

GROUP EVALUATIONS. You will be responsible for doing a speech evaluation for each member of your group. One form will be provided in class. You will need to make copies for each group member’s speech. Help Alert: If you lose it you can find it under FORMS on this web site.

CRITERIA USED BY INSTRUCTOR FOR EVALUATING SPEECHES (Back to Menu)

The average speech (grade C) should meet the following criteria:

1. Conform to the kind of speech assignment – informative, persuasive, commemorative

2. Be ready for presentation on the assigned day

3. Conform to the time limit

4. Fulfill any special requirements of the assignment – preparing an outline, using visual aids, conducting an interview, etc.

5. Have a clear specific purpose and central idea

6. Have an identifiable introduction, body, and conclusion

7. Show reasonable directness and competence in delivery

8. Be free of serious errors in grammar, pronunciation, and word usage

The above average speech (grade B) should meet the preceding criteria and also:

1. Deal with a challenging topic

2. Fulfill all major functions of a speech introduction and conclusion

3. Display clear organization of main points and supporting materials

4. Support main points with evidence that meets the tests of accuracy, relevance, objectivity, and sufficiency

5. Exhibit proficient use of connectives - transitions, internal previews, internal summaries, and signposts

6. Be delivered skillfully enough so as not to distract attention from the speaker’s message

The superior speech (grade A) should meet all the preceding criteria and also:

1. Constitute a genuine contribution by the speaker

2. Sustain positive interest, feeling, and/or commitment among the audience

3. Contain elements of vividness and special interest in the use of language

4. Be delivered in a fluent, polished manner that strengthens the impact of the speaker’s message

The below average speech (grade D or F) is seriously deficient in the criteria required for the C speech.

COURSE CALENDAR (Back to Menu)

This is a tentative schedule and may change. Students will be informed well in advance of any changes in schedule. (Be prepared to stay the entire class, unless otherwise noted)

Week One

June 16 Intro to class; autography party; syllabus quiz; syllabus overview; student introductions, reasons for taking public speaking

Homework: Read chapters 1, 2

June 19 Introduction to public speaking; knowing your audience; first speech assignment video: Be prepared to speak; Get to know your classmates: Animal and core value exercise; counting exercise; group formation and presentations

Homework: Read chapters 4, 5, 6, 7 and 15; prepare Personal Experience Speech

Week Two

June 25 No class

Week Three

June 30 Individual Speech #1; informative speech assignment; topic selection

Homework: Take home quiz #1(Chapters 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 15)

July 3 Due: Take home assignment

Informative speech workshop; video: Informative speeches; group speech #2 - mock informative speech

Week Four

July 7 Informative speech rehearsal; dealing with speaking anxiety

Due: 2 copies of your rough outline

Homework: Read chapters: 8, 9, 10, 13, 14 and 16 – 17 before July 17

Week Five

July 14 Informative Speech; Due: Final copy of informative speech;

Make sure to bring 2 copies of your informative speech

July 17 Complete informative speeches; Persuasive speech assignment

Take home quiz #2 (Chapters 8, 9, 10, 13, 14 and 16 – 17)

Week Six

July 21 Due: Take home assignment and informative speech self evaluation form;

Groups meet and give feedback to group members; Persuasive speech workshop;

video: Persuasive speeches; Group speech #3 – mock persuasive

Week Seven

July 28 Persuasive speech rehearsal; Due: 2 copies of rough draft of speech

Speech delivery

July 31 Persuasive Speech; Due: 2 copies of your final speech outline

Week Eight

August 4 Complete persuasive Speeches; Due: 2 copies of your final speech outline; persuasive speech evaluation form; groups meet and give feedback on speeches

PUBLIC SPEAKING ASSIGNMENTS (Back to Menu)

NON-GRADED SPEECHES

Personal Experience Speech

Length: 2 – 3 minutes (Approximately 1 paragraph per minute)

PLEASE PRACTICE THIS SPEECH, SO THAT IT DOESN’T GO OVER 3 MINUTES

Prepare a speech about a recent personal experience that had a significant impact on you, such as a great accomplishment, a personal challenge, travel that was especially meaningful, a vivid memory, or a favorite cause.

When organizing this speech; develop answers to the questions of “Who,” “What,” “When,” and “Why.” Only reveal information that you feel comfortable sharing with a group of people, who you are just starting to get to know.

NON GRADED GROUP SPEECHES

Group Speech #1 – Group name and group member introduction

You will be put into a permanent group which will be formed at the beginning of the class. Your group will take information from “getting acquainted exercises” and create a group name which will be used to develop and create a group shield. The instructor will provide the poster board and other creative materials to use in its design. After designing the shield, you will create a 3 – 4 minute presentation introducing your group and group members. Each team member must talk. You can use notes. Creativity is encouraged. (Shield should be shown and used as a visual aide)

Group Speech #2 – Informative speech

Assigned groups will create and deliver a mock – information speech that will be planned in class. Instructor will provide requirements and necessary information in class.

Group Speech #3 – Persuasive speech

Assigned groups will create and deliver a mock – persuasive speech that will be planned in class. Instructor will provide requirements and necessary information in class

GRADED SPEECHES

Information Speech

Present a 4 – 5 minute informative speech that conveys useful AND interesting information to your audience. You should select a topic your audience knows nothing or very little about. Audience interest is very important. The goal of this speech is to increase audience knowledge or understanding of some idea, issue, or process. On the day of the speech, submit a double-spaced, word processed, outline of your speech along with a works cited page, using MLA style (3 sources are required).

Instructor must approve your topic before your speech rehearsal date. Requirements, topic ideas, and other details for this assignment will be given in class, along with a detailed handout.

Persuasive Speech

Present a 6 – 8 minute Persuasive Speech. The purpose of the speech is to affect our attitudes toward a topic of social, political, or economic importance. Your speech must have a combination of good logic, appropriate emotion, and good source credibility. Support your arguments with concrete, specific data. You must cite at least 4 sources in the body of your speech to give accuracy and credibility to your evidence. Convince your audience that you are fair, honest, and well informed. On the day of the speech, submit a double-spaced, word processed outline of your speech with works cited page, using MLA style.

Instructor must approve your topic before your speech rehearsal date. Requirements, topic ideas, and other details for this assignment will be given in class, along with a detailed handout.

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS (Back to Menu)

TAKE HOME QUIZZES. You will be given two different take home quizzes. Each will ask questions on assigned chapters from the book and in – class lectures. Questions will be in the form of true/false, multiple choice and short essay. Quizzes will be due a week from when they are passed out in class. If you are late turning them in you will lose 25% to 50% off the points. Documentation for emergencies will be taken into consideration. Leaving them in your girlfriend’s car does not constitute an emergency.

ROUGH DRAFT OUTLINE. You are required to write a rough outline for your informative and persuasive speeches. Two copies of this outline are due on the date listed in course calendar. You will not be allowed to give your speech if you do not turn one in. Information on how to create it will be discussed in class, and you will be given an information packet.

FINAL OUTLINE. You are required to write a final outline for you informative and persuasive speeches. The introduction and conclusion are to be written out, with the body in a full sentence outline. Two copies of this outline are due on the day of your speech. Additionally, you need a bibliography using MLA format. This outline is to be typed.

Help Alert: If you need help writing your speech or have questions about the fundamentals of English grammar when not in class, please go to the resource page and look under “SPEECH RESEARCH RESOURCES” for where you can go on the LAVC campus or online for help.

TIPS FOR SPEECH DAY (Back to Menu)

Text Box:

20 TRIED AND TRUE TIPS TO

ACHIEVE ANXIETY FREE SPEAKING

The human brain is a wonderful organ. It starts working as soon as you are born and doesn’t stop until you get up to deliver a speech.

~ George Jessell

Fear of Public Speaking is Natural

On a list of personal fears, the fear of public speaking is usually teamed with the fear of death and the fear of public nudity. Many people make a conscious effort to avoid making a public speech, but others depend on their ability to speak well in front of an audience for part of their livelihoods. Whether this is your first speech or your millionth, stage fright, that irrational fear of facing an audience, can strike at any time. Being nervous is natural and even beneficial at times. But stage fright can be crippling, and turn a presentation into a social nightmare for the unprepared speaker.

The Biggest Myth About Public Speaking

Don’t visualize the audience in their underwear, or anything else for that matter. This old nugget of advice tried to convince nervous speakers to spread their anxieties by imagining the audience in a similarly awkward state. Current thinking shies away from such visualizations, because they do nothing to help the speaker relate to the audience in a mature fashion. Instead, you should visualize the most receptive audience in the world, waiting eagerly to hear your inspired speech. Picture a room full of the best teachers you ever had, beaming with pride. Whatever you visualize, keep it positive and dignified.

If You Become Overwhelmed during your Speech

If you do find yourself becoming overcome with anxiety during a speech, all is not lost. Take a brief moment to collect your thoughts. Drink a sip of water. You might even 'admit' your case of nerves to the audience, in an off-handed and humorous way. Most of the audience members have the same fears of speaking that you do, and may empathize with a polite round of applause or words of encouragement. Above all, try not to abandon your well-rehearsed plans. Find a logical re-starting point in your speech and start from there. Having an audience fully behind you and your words of wisdom can be the best cure of all for anxiety and stage fright.

Below are some tips on what do before and during your speech. Following them will provide you with the tools you need to deliver an effective speech.

Pre-speech:

1. Build confidence through preparation. Planning a well organized and researched speech that is tailored to your audience, guarantees that you will be successful, and that your audience will listen to what you have to say.

2. Practice, practice, and practice. The underlying cause of most speech anxiety is a lack of confidence, either in the material's reception or your own delivery. The best cure for this anxiety is practice, practice, practice. When an actor has his lines memorized to the point he can recite them in his sleep, the real performance begins. The same holds true with your presentation. Once you get past the words, which only rehearsal can do and then you can move on to the meaning behind those words. When you have a high level of confidence in your material and your delivery, then your anxiety level should come way down. To get an “A” speech it is usually necessary to practice your speech a minimum of 5 – 6 times.

3. Visualize every aspect of giving your speech. Imagine yourself giving your speech, your voice loud, clear, and assured. When you visualize yourself as successful, you will be successful.

4. Build your personal credibility. Know your topic, or develop an expertise in your topic, be sincere and unbiased, have confidence and be dynamic. Added up, they will increase your credibility.

5. Develop your plan for managing public speaking nervousness. Using the information you learn in class and information on the “tips” pages create your own personal plan to combat anxiety. Practice your plan with friends and family members so that you will be comfortable on speech day.

Speech Day:

6. Know your audience. Before your speech, learn as much about your audience as possible. Anticipate your audience’s reaction. Go to the location and greet some of the audience as they arrive. It’s easier to speak to a group of friends than to a group of strangers.

7. Know your room. Be familiar with the room you are going to speak in. Arrive early; walk around the speaking areas to see where people will be sitting, and how far away they will be speaking. Check where you will be standing to speak. Is there a podium, and a microphone. Do you have the equipment you need to give your speech? How is the lighting? How is the room temperature?

8. Dress sharp. When you look good, you feel good. It only takes 3 seconds for people to pass judgment on your person. When you look sharp, people are more likely to focus on what you say, rather than how you look.

9. Exercise. To help reduce tension, stretch, do shoulder rolls, or jump up and down. Go for a walk before your speech. Go to the restroom and do stretching exercises.

10. Be at your best physically and mentally. Get plenty of sleep before your presentation and eat healthy food that will give you energy such as fruit, whole grain cereals or breads, or protein bars. Try to stay away from vast quantities of caffeine and sugar.

11. Be very familiar with your speech, especially the introduction and conclusion.

The worst mistake a speaker can make is to memorize their speech, and not bring any note cards or outline. It is especially important to know your introduction and conclusion well, as this is what your audience is more likely to remember.

12. Be realistic about your intent. The clearer you understand exactly what you’re attempting, the greater your likelihood of success and reduced anxiety.

During Speech:

13. Use physical techniques to reduce anxiety. Take slow deep breaths before speaking. Keep neutral thoughts and concentrate on surrounding yourself with a white light that is to protect you and give you strength.

14. Make eye contact. Don’t stare, but softly gaze at your audience’s eyes and move over their entire face. Try to connect with your entire audience during your speech.

15. Turn your nervousness into positive energy. Harness your nervous energy and transform it into vitality and enthusiasm. Think calm; act calm; be calm, but with that energy giving you the spark you need to give a great speech.

16. Be listener-centered, be message centered, not self-centered. Self-consciousness tends to be self-destructive. If you are overly worried about your speech you will detract from your message.

17. Relax. Your listeners want you to succeed. Just as you want speakers to succeed; your listeners want you to succeed.

18. Tune out negative self-talk and perception. Much of what we say to ourselves is negative or limiting. Try a technique known as “thought stoppage.” As soon as you’re into your automatic negative self-talk program, break up the thought habits by giving yourself the command to STOP! Then switch your thoughts to pleasant, positive subjects. This takes time and patience to switch years of BAD conditioning.

19. Remember that you and your listeners need each other. Most listeners come to hear speakers because they hope that they will hear something that will improve their lives.

On Nervousness

If your anxiety level is still too high after all your rehearsal and preparation, then you need to find an outlet for that energy. Many professional actors and public speakers find that doing light calisthenics exercises in their dressing rooms or a private area can relieve the excess energy. Try running in place, or shaking your arms and legs. Go out for a quick run somewhere, or punch a boxing bag. The trick is to release enough nervous energy to calm your anxieties, but not leave you so stress-free that your speech suffers.

Some nervousness is a good thing, because it shows you really care about the speech and the audience. The best speeches are delivered by nervous people.

20. Know that most nervousness is not visible. Your audience can’t see your dry mouth or churning stomach. They can see shaking hands and legs, but don’t worry about it, because it will be over soon.

Public Speaking Tips When English is Not your Native Language (Back to Menu)

BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND REDUCING STRESS

10 tips to becoming a powerful speaker

Most students have some anxiety about being at center stage; some students face the extra burden about worrying about delivering a speech in another language. If English is not your first language, regard the study of public speaking as an opportunity to further develop your language skills in English.

The key to your success is that the audience can understand what you are saying. This means that you have clear articulation. According to the authors of So You Want to Speak English, “Clear articulation is one of the most important things you need to make it easy for people to understand you. To repeat a comparison of the voice to a car, remember, even the best car, with a full gas tank, won’t get you where you want to go unless you have clear directions. Your articulation is your listeners’ “road map” to ideas you try to express.”

Below is some pertinent information to consider, and some exercises you may wish to try. You can practice the exercises while rehearsing your speeches. Some can be done alone, and some during conversations with friends.

1. TAKE YOUR TIME

When you start your speech, take your time and speak slowly, as you introduce your purpose and main points of your speech. This will give your listeners time to get accustomed to your voice and to focus on your message.

2. PRACTICE PRONOUNCING ENGLISH WORDS THAT YOU HAVE TROUBLE SAYING

You may be aware of certain English words that you have trouble saying. Don’t wait until you give your speech to discover you are not sure how to pronounce a word. Ask your instructor how to pronounce the word, or ask friends or family. Make sure you practice saying the word repeatedly until the word becomes clearer and easier to pronounce. Remember the more you do this, the further down the road you will be to clear pronunciation.

3. EXTEND VOWEL (A, E, I, O, AND U) SOUNDS

English uses more vowels than most languages. When you say a phrase such as TOKYO IS FAR FROM HERE say “To-o-o-o-ky-oo is fa-a-a-a-r fro-o-o m he-e-e-e-re.” This gets you used to hearing and feeling the pronunciation of vowels; with practice, they’ll come more naturally for you.

4. OFFER WORDS FROM YOUR NATIVE LANGUAGE AS A WAY OF DRAWING IN YOUR AUDIENCE

Use words from you native language as a way of drawing attention to and emphasizing a point you’re making. This helps the audience to better appreciate your native language and accent. For example, the Spanish word Corazon has a lyrical quality that makes it sound much better than its English counterpart, heart. Be sure to define what the word means, so that your audience doesn’t get lost. But, also capitalize on the beauty of your native tongue.

5. EMULATE MEDIA PEOPLE

Listen to radio talk shows, television talk shows or the news. Try to repeat statements made by the host, participants or newscaster, as though you were speaking the statements originally. See if you can emulate, or model, the person’s voice and pronunciation. The manner in which Media People pronounce and articulate words, and the accent that they use is considered Middle American Standard English.

6. BE AN ACTIVE LISTENER

Listening is the key to learning a new language. Using textbooks to study usage and grammar is important, but it is through spoken language – hearing it and speaking it – that you can become fluent. Listening to the speeches of colleagues or classmates, as well as those broadcast by cable channels such as C-Span I and II can help you hone the skills you need to become a better speaker. As you listen, you can:

· Build your vocabulary

· Improve your pronunciation

· Learn new idioms

· Observe body posture, gestures, intonation, and other nonverbal aspects of delivery

· Assess a variety of delivery styles

7. GIVE YOURSELF ADEQUATE TIME TO PRACTICE, AND PRACTICE OUTLOUD. One of the biggest mistakes students make is not giving themselves adequate time to practice their speeches. For ESL students this is even more important, because if you are not prepared, it increases your nervousness, which can produce a greater number of mistakes. Be sure to practice your speech out loud at least 5 TIMES before your speech. IT IS WORTH THE TIME.... THE RESULTS ARE ALWAYS EXCELLENT.

8. TAPE YOURSELF WITH EITHER A VIDEO OR CASSETTE TAPE. Tape your self speaking using an audio or video cassette. You can then play it back and listen and or watch yourself speak. You can listen to your speed, pronunciation, and or watch your gestures and eye contact. You can use this information to adjust the way you present your speech.

9. MAKE EYE CONTACT

As a speaker, especially one who wishes to persuade an audience, you hope that your audience will have a favorable impression of you. One way to do that is establish contact with your audience before you begin to speak. Throughout your speech try to make eye contact with as many of your audience members as you can without creating too much stress for yourself. To end your speech and leave your audience with a lasting positive image of you end with strong eye contact and a smile.

10. ESTABLISH CREDIBILITY

There are many ways to establish credibility, but one clear way is competence – the speaker should be considered informed, skilled, or knowledgeable about the subject he or she is talking about. A second factor is your trustworthiness. People are more likely to trust you if you use credible resources and that what you are advocating benefits them, not you. A third factor in increasing your credibility is the charisma you convey to your audience. Show your audience your enthusiasm for the topic by having energy, making eye contact, using your hands and using facial gestures such as smiling, when appropriate. Lastly, use language that includes your audience with words such as “you, your family, your friends, how would you feel, you may remember, etc.”

INFORMATION ABOUT INSTRUCTOR (Back to Menu)

Text Box:

My Furry Children

Academic background

B.A. in Communication, University of Colorado

M.A. in Communication, University of Denver

Profession before I went into teaching

Before becoming an instructor, I worked over 15 years in various areas of advertising. Out of college I worked for several newspapers selling advertising space. Eventually after lots of hard work and stress, I was hired to head up the advertising department for the Colorado Press Association, a trade association for Colorado weekly and daily newspapers. This had to be hands down my favorite job, as I not only got to work one-on-one with the newspapers, but I also got to work on public relation campaigns to promote the state newspapers. Needing a change, I took a job as Media Director for a Boulder based advertising agency which really let me release my creative juices. Soon, I realized that I wanted to do something more fulfilling…so I thought why not go to graduate school. I did and there I decided I wanted to teach.

I have now been teaching for six years and I have to say I made the right decision. I am passionate about communication and love to pass its benefits on to others.

Family

A supportive and loving husband, Jim Tannahill, who is a network engineer at the Walt Disney Company, and our adorable furry children Pooh Bear and Daisy Dee. Additionally, I have one brother and sister who live in Colorado near my Mother. And a step-sister and step-brother that live near my father in Ogden, Utah.

Hobbies

Walking our furry children, cooking healthy food, watching and going to movies, reading, camping, working out at the YMCA, traveling and scuba diving

Core values

Truth, justice and spirituality

Favorite animals

All of them!