What if I am anxious about the speeches??

In case any of you are becoming nervous about speaking in front of the class, here are some helpful hints and reminders to help you.

1. VISUALIZE. Visualize the speech happening. Use your script to visualize where, when, and how your speech will take place. Visualize a desirable audience, perhaps of friends and family. And visualize finishing the speech. Also, share these visions with your group so that you all have a shared meaning of the speech.

2. Remember, this speech will on average require the actual speaking of an individual in the group to be 4 minutes. Out of all your speeches you give in the course, an individual will speak for about 16 minutes total out of 2004 total class minutes. Not so much... And many of you have spoke out longer during class and question of the day.

3. Know that you are in a safe environment with classmates that all feel as you do. In addition, if we were all great speakers and could not improve, we would not be in this class. Each person will be a better communicator and stronger person after this speech by default even in the worst case scenario.

4. Lastly, I believe in everyone of you and I know that you will all do a fine job. If you are not a bit nervous about the speech, I would wonder how much it mattered to you?? Make sense?

( It is not a bad idea to release some of the nervous tension by taking a brisk walk or some other form of light exercise before the speech. This way the extra adrenaline will not cause you to shake or sweat so much. Again, these are very natural occurences during a speech.)

TESTS!!!

Attention students. I hope that you all have reflected on your tests and used your scores to gage how well you are doing in the course. Please also use these scores as a guide as to how to proceed in the class. The majority of you have room for more preparation such as creating flash cards, study groups, or working more concretely with the blog questions. Perhaps asking questions would help either in class or during my office hours.

Whatever the situation, please know that it is ultimately your grade and your responsibility to do all you can to produce good test scores and speech grades in this class. I will facilitate your learning and evaluate you fairly and effectively.

Just a reminder

Hello all. I just wanted to post a reminder about the amendment to the syllabus. After a class vote, we will be taking both Wednesday and Friday of this week to work on group speeches. Next week we will begin speeches. We will make a final decision as to the order of speeches Wednesday during class.

Do recall that I have announced twice and this is third that anyone that does not come to class on test days, speech days, speech workdays, and on days that other class speeches are going on will fail their perspective test and/ or speech!!!! The only exception to the rule is to clear the absence with me. I must agree to excuse you or you will be failed.

Thanks.

Attention!!!

Attention com 114 students, I am writing to make a note that attendance is extremely important in this class. It is especially critical during group speech and test time!! Those of you that do not come to class on Wednesday, Sept. 23rd will not be considered a part of your group and will not participate in group speeches. Non- participation will result in an F for the group speech.

In addition, those that are not present for the test on Monday will also receive an F.

Receiving a zero for either the test or speech will make it difficult if not impossible to pass the class.

Long story short, BE IN CLASS!!!

Attention!!!

Calling all Comm 114 class participants. I have decided that we will not be covering chapter 14 on the first test!! It is important for Monday that you all have a solid understanding of the concepts in Chapters 5 and 6 that the questions assess.

Also, it is never too early to start preparing for the first test!!

Flash cards, study sessions, and quizzing one another are great ways to learn and retain the material!!

Chapter Six

Here are the questions for chapter 6!!

1. Compare and contrast the differences and similarities of non- verbal and verbal communication.
2. What are the five principles of non- verbal communication?
3. Explain what is meant by "relational level of meaning" and what are the three aspects discussed in the text?
4. What are the eight types of non-verbal communication? Explain each and give examples.
5. What are the two ways to improve non- verbal communication?

Chapter Five

Here are some questions to answer about Chapter 5!!

1. What is meant by the terms abstract, arbitrary, and ambiguous in terms of symbols?
2. How do we interpret meanings? Give examples.
3. What is punctuation? How does it affect communication?
4. Explain the five symbolic activities.
5. Define totalizing, loaded language, hypothetical thought, and dual perspective.
6. What is the difference between "you language" and "i language"?
7. What are the ways to enhance effectiveness in verbal communication?

ATTENTION!!!!

Note:I am posting this notice on Saturday, September 6

Attention Com 114 classes! I have made an alteration to the schedule. We will discuss it in detail on Monday. For now, the good news is that I have pushed off the first speech a bit. The not so good news for some of you is that we will NOT be reviewing chapter thirteen next!! We will be working to learn and apply some major ideas in Chapter five and six this week!!!

I will explain the whys and hows on Monday! Enjoy the weekend!

( For the eleven o'clock section. Your assignments will still be due Monday concerning the blog questions up to chapter eleven! You do not need to brainstorm topics for the speeches at this time!!!)

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven is sort of a continuation of chapter ten...

1. What are six types of task groups and how do they differ?
2. What are the three styles of leadership?
3. What are four methods to making decisions within a group?
4. What is the difference between constructive and destructive conflict?

Chapter Ten

Here are some questions that you should be able to answer after reading chapter ten.

1. What defines a group? ( 5 descriptions)
2. What are the two rules in a group?
3. What are the two potential weaknesses of groups and why?
4. What are the four potential strengths of groups?
5. What are the five features of a group and why are they important?
6. What are norms?
7. What is the difference between centralized and decentralized patterns of interaction?
8. What are the four kind of communication and how do they affect a group?

Chapter One

Here are some things that you need to know about Chapter One.

1. We will focus on three major parts of Communication: Interpersonal, Small group, and Public speaking.
2. Know these terms and their meanings: symbols, meaning, interpretation, feedback, noise, critical thinking, system and process.
3. Get to know the models of communication and how they differ: linear, interactive and transactional.
4. Know what is meant by relational and content levels and be able to provide an example.
5. There are seven areas of communication to know: intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, organizational, intercultural, public and mass communication.

Welcome to the Classroom blog

Here is where you will find additional rescources as well as a place that will keep you all up to date with any changes and/ or news that is relevant for you!