Syllabus for COM-209



This course focuses on the skills necessary for effective public speaking: organizing materials, selecting appropriate content, developing a comprehensive outline, integrating visual aids effectively, and using an engaging style of delivery. Students learn the principles of public speaking and critical thinking including the discovery and evaluation of arguments and evidence, organization, style, audience analysis and adaptation, speech composition, and presentation skills. This course prepares students to develop professional presentations in the increasingly diverse workplace.



After completing this course, you should be able to:

CO1        Articulate public speaking ethics.

CO2        Identify appropriate supporting material to strengthen speeches such as statistics, testimony, and examples.

CO3        Develop effective introductions, conclusions, and transitions for speeches.

CO4        Demonstrate the effective use of organizational speech patterns.

CO5        Effectively demonstrate delivery techniques in speeches.

CO6        Develop a comprehensive outline for a persuasive speech.

CO7        Develop a comprehensive outline for an informative speech.

CO8        Integrate visual aids effectively into speech delivery.



Required Textbook




For your formal work in the course, you are required to participate in online discussion forums, complete written assignments, and complete a PowerPoint and video presentation, a podcast activity, and two video speeches. See below for details.

Consult the Course Calendar for due dates.

Discussion Forums

You are required to participate in seven online discussions. Communication with your mentor and among fellow students is a critical component of online learning. Participation in online class discussions involves two distinct activities: an initial response to a discussion question and at least two subsequent comments on classmates' responses.


You will be evaluated on the quality and quantity of your participation, including your use of relevant course information to support your point of view, and your awareness of and responses to the postings of your classmates. Remember, these are discussions: responses and comments should be properly proofread and edited, mature, and respectful.

Written Assignments

You are required to complete five written assignments. The written assignments are on a variety of topics associated with the course modules. For specific details consult the individual course modules. Consult the Course Calendar for due dates.



Podcast Activity

You are required to create one podcast, using the instructions provided in Module 3. Podcasts are a product of digital media, a reinvention of traditional media. As they proliferate and grow in popularity, it is important to be able to utilize this form of media. You will learn to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the format, and communicate through this form of digital media.

Please reference Module 3 of the course website for full details and requirements. Consult the Course Calendar for due dates.

PowerPoint Visual Presentation with Voiceover (Using a screen recording)

To practice designing and delivering a speech with visual aids, you are required to focus on the visual aid component and effective language for this assignment. This visual presentation with voiceover requires you to demonstrate the effective use of visual aids and vivid language in a speech. Consult Module 4 for more information and the Course Calendar for due dates.

Informative Speech Video (Only using a webcam)

You are required to deliver one informative speech video using research, organization, and outline skills. This speech is not a manuscript speech; you are not to write it out word for word. Consult Module 5 for more details and the Course Calendar for due dates.

Persuasive Speech Video with PowerPoint (Using a webcam and PowerPoint)

You are required to deliver one persuasive speech using research, organization, and outline skills. This speech is not a manuscript speech; meaning, you are not to write it out word for word. However, you may have notes on cards that will help you to keep order and stay on track. Be sure to speak clearly and emphatically, using pauses and vocal variety for emphasis. This speech will be a complete video presentation including, webcam video/audio and PowerPoint visual aids. Consult Module 6 for more details and the Course Calendar for due dates.


Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:































Below 60



First Steps to Success

To succeed in this course, take the following first steps:

Study Tips

Consider the following study tips for success:





Academic Dishonesty









Examples of Unintentional Plagiarism

When to Quote and When to Paraphrase

Writing Assistance at Smarthinking

Originality Report Checking at Turnitin

Disciplinary Process for Plagiarism




Possible sanctions include:
