Cultural Narrative Speech

Cultural Narrative Speech

CULTURAL NARRATIVE SPEECH 3-5 minutes in length

The cultural artifact speech is a product of our increasingly diverse culture. It is a speech that allows us to come to know more about the many cultures represented in our country as well as our classrooms. The best cultural artifact speeches will 1) teach us about the artifact that is the focus 2) teach us about the culture from which the artifact comes and 3) teach us a little about the speaker. Good cultural artifact speeches help us break down the stereotypes of difference and help us to look at people from cultures other than our own as unique individuals.

For the purposes of this speech we will use a loose definition of culture: Any particular social, ethnic, or age group you a.) belong to or b.) strongly identify with. This definition allows you to BE CREATIVE with your topic, please take advantage. These cultures are not necessarily based on racial or ethnic groups but may also be based on group affiliations such as “deaf culture”, “gang culture” and “youth culture”.

RESEARCH
Most of your research should come from your personal background. However, you are required to cite 2 sources within your outline. For example, you could research when the culture started/evolved/or gained popularity and that would require you to find concrete facts from websites/articles/books/etc.

ARTIFACT
You need to choose a physical item that is readily available to you. This item should have both personal and cultural significance. The history of the item you are discussing should come as second nature to you. Most Jewish people can recite the story behind the menorah without pause, many African-Americans can share the story of Kwanzaa, deaf people will readily share the history of American Sign Language and Muslims can quickly tell you the significance of their prayer mats. The item you choose should be as much a part of your identity as it is a part of your culture. You will need to share the cultural significance of your item as well as its personal significance to you. You will also need to decide whether your speech should include a demonstration of the use of the item. In the past students have chosen to include a few of the following demonstrations: how to braid corn rows, how to get out of quicksand, how to drape a sari, how to do salsa dancing, how to do break dancing.

ORGANIZATION
Begin with an attention step. Once you have gained the audience’s interest introduce your thesis statement and preview of main points. The body of your speech should have 2-3 main points with 2-3 sub points beneath the main points. You should have transitions between your main points. These should review the previous point and preview the next. Your conclusion should wrap up the presentation. Remind your audience of your main points and leave them with concluding remarks that will help them remember your speech and the item you have discussed.

LANGUAGE
Use clear, descriptive language to share the importance of your item. When necessary define culture-specific terms and explain them in language that clarifies the meaning for your audience. You may also want to use one-two personal stories that give your audience insight into the importance of this item within your life and your culture.

OUTLINE
You are required to turn an outline in BEFORE you deliver your speech. If you need to use your outline during your speech, make sure you bring 2 copies because you will not be allowed to turn the outline in after the speech. You may use your outline or a 3x5 index card for reference but DO NOT READ your speech from a manuscript.

As stated in the syllabus, all written assignments MUST be typed: double-spaced, 12 font size, Times New Roman or Ariel font, 1 inch margins, include sources follow MLA or APA guidelines and be labeled (with Name, Course Title, Professor, Title of Assignment, Date & Page Numbers). Separate Cover Page and Work Cited pages are NOT required for outlines. Simply list your sources at the end of your outline.

Cultural Artifact Outline

(Approximately 30 seconds – 1 min.)
I. Intro:
A. Attention Getter

B. Revealed Object

C. Preview Statement

(Approximately 2 – 3 minutes)
II. Body:
A. Culture Object Represents
1. Language
2. Customs
3. Clothing

B. Why I identify with this culture

(Approximately 30 seconds – 1 min.)
III. Conclusion:
A. Recap main points

B. Finished with final thought

* Please type all of the points above and fill in with your information. It is a full sentence outline (one sentence per letter or number)

EXAMPLE CULTURAL NARRATIVE OUTLINE:

John Doe
Comm. 150
Professor Tamayo
Cultural Narrative Outline
October 6, 2008

Cultural Narrative Outline
I. Intro:

A. Attention Getter: Imagine doing an activity called forensics (not the CSI kind) in which you enjoy competing with other students to give speeches.

B. Revealed Object: This leads me to my object which is a timer.

C. Preview Statement: First I will discuss the culture this object represents, and then I will explain how I identify with the culture.

II. Body:

A. Culture Object Represents: Forensics culture—or speech and debate—is an old culture that has been around in the college circuit for hundreds of years.

1. Language: Forensicators have their own special language and acronyms such as “IE’s”, “shame”, “interp” etc.
2. Customs: They have strange customs such as actually enjoying talking about their debates in great detail to each other and congratulating one another when they really hope they will choke.
3. Clothing: Competitors (students) wear suits at competitions while the coaches dress casually and look like vagrants.

B. Why I identify with this culture: I have been a forensics coach for eight years and have enjoyed being part of a community that genuinely works to improve the thinking and quality of students’ lives.

III. Conclusion:

A. Recap main points: Today I have explored the culture of forensics, explained how it shaped my identity and why the object matters to me.

B. Finished with final thought: The next time you watch CSI, remember that there is another type of forensics.

Sources:

Black, E. (1965). Rhetorical Criticism. New York, NY: The MacMillian Company.

Oberg, B.C. (1995). Forensics: The Winner’s Guide to Speech Contests. Colorado
Springs, CO: Meriwether Publishing.




* NOTE: The above is an outline – not a complete speech. You are expected to use transitions and include additional information to support your main points in the delivery of your speech.

Tues. 6/30 Group # 1 Appendix A Group Pres.

1.) Ginger

2.) Monica

3.) Diana

4.) Jenny

Thurs. 07/02 Group #2 Chapters3 & 4 Topic & Audience

1.) Kelly

2.) Jeremy

3.) Isabel

4.) Minh

Tues. 07/14 Group #3 Chapters 6 & 7 Org./Delivery

1.) Marvin

2.) Lupe

3.) Akintomide

4.) Lindsey

Thurs. 07/23 Group #4 Chapters 10 & 5 Info. /Supporting Material

1.) Mariah

2.) Laura

3.) Ryan

4.) Samantha

Tues. 7/28 Group #5 Chapter 8 Word Choice

1.) Alexandra

2.) Khyla

3.) James

4.) Erica

5.) William

Thurs. 07/30 Group #6 Chapter 9 Visual Aids

1.) Rocio

2.) Chris

Tues. 8/11 Group #7 Chapter 11Persuasive

1.) Zeltzin

2.) Charles

3.) David

Thurs. 8/13 Group #8 Chapter 12 Special Occasions

1.) Helena

2.) Muhammad

3.) Aracely

Syllabus

COMM 150 – Oral Communication
California State University, Los Angeles – Department of Communication Studies
Course Syllabus

Course Information
Course Number: 10697;

Class Time: TR 11:40 – 1:20;

Section Number: 03;

Class Location: MUSIC 109;

Quarter: Summer 2009

Instructor Information

Professor: Samantha Tamayo;

Email: stamayo2@calstatela.edu;

Office: King Hall C3057;

Office Phone: (323) 343-2262

and (323) 343-4222;

Office Hours: T: 10:30 – 11:30
***FYI: Email is the BEST way to contact me.

Course Rationale and Description: At one time or another, each of you will be called upon to stand before a group and deliver information, argue a position, present an award, introduce a guest speaker, or honor a special event or occasion. At these times, it is important that you command the audience’s attention, present yourself as credible, represent your position clearly and accurately, and speak with conviction.

Speech 150 is designed to help you develop and refine your oral communication and critical thinking skills. The course is designed to present the basic elements of human communication, provide techniques for organizing and presenting information and offer perspectives for evaluating public discourse. This course will fulfill the general education lower division discipline requirements in area A2 Oral Communications.

Learning Objectives: COMM 150 will provide you with both a theoretical understanding of and practical experience with oral communication. The main objectives of this course include:
- To acquire an understanding of the conceptual bases of oral communication.

- To examine the importance and purpose of oral communication in social life, including the relationship of oratory to the understanding of language, ethics, and culture.
- To refine research, reasoning and delivery skills through the practice of preparing and delivering public presentations.
- To acquire a theoretical framework for critically analyzing the public discourse of others, achieved through the completion of written assignments.
- To acquire the skill of supporting publicly presented arguments through the giving of good reasons and use of evidence.
- To practice and study oral communication by attending to the ways culture (specially gender, color, class, ethnicity and sexual identity) influence the construction, delivery, audience and analysis of oral communication.
- To deliver informative, persuasive, and cultural narrative speeches to audiences.
- To successfully reduce and manage your apprehension toward communicating in public contexts.

Required Texts:
1)ISpeak (2006) Nelson
2) Additional readings on http://www.csulacomm.blogspot.com/

Cavet for Changes: Please note that this is a tentative syllabus. Your professor reserves the right to add, delete, or alter the syllabus as necessary. But-the primary course description and the objectives (as stated above) will remain consistent throughout the course. Students must read the assigned sections BEFORE the date listed in the syllabus in order to be prepared for class discussion

Course Policies
ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION BASED ON ETHNICITY, GENDER, APPEARANCE & SEXUAL ORIENTATION WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN THIS CLASSROOM. SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF ANY KIND WILL ALSO NOT BE TOLERATED.

Attendance: You are expected to attend and be prepared for every class session. The success of your learning experience depends on the active contributions of everyone; therefore, your attendance is important. If you must miss class, you are accountable for the information covered in the missed class meeting. Check the school policy regarding what is considered an excused absence and bring in verification for the absence to be accepted. Unexcused absences may result in a deduction of 10 points per absence. Your attendance is crucial on speaking days for both the presentation of your own speech and your participation as an audience member. Since communication requires a sender and a receiver, the speakers in class require an audience and you are required to be in class to be the audience for your classmates when you are not scheduled to present a speech. Do not be late to class (especially on speech days). Coming to class late or leaving early may be counted as an absence. Unexcused absences on a day when speeches are presented will result in a 25 point deduction per day from your final grade. Unexcused absences on the day your speech/presentation is due will result in a zero grade for that assignment in addition to the point deduction.

Participation: You are encouraged to play an active role in classroom discussions and activities. Nearly every week you will be offering peer evaluations of speeches. The quantity and quality of these works will affect your score in this area. Please note: You may also lose participation credit for classroom activities that are obnoxious, disrespectful, or inconsiderate to others, at the professor’s discretion.

Electronic Devices: Please be respectful by turning off your cell phones in class. If you have an important reason for leaving your phone on, please talk to me at the beginning of class. If your cell phone or any electronic devices emit a sound or vibration during a speech or presentation, 10 points per instance will be deducted from your final grade. This policy includes text messaging. Also turn off your iPod before you enter the classroom. If you want to record a class session, you must request permission from the instructor.

Assignment Deadlines: Assignment due dates will not be negotiated. All assignments are due at the beginning of the class period on the dates indicated in the syllabus or in class. If you will not be in class, it is your responsibility to get the assignment turned in on time.

Make-ups: Make-ups and late assignments will NOT be granted for unexcused absences and a grade of zero will be assigned. Students with verifiable excused absences can make up a different version of the exam or turn in an assignment at an arranged time at the professor’s discretion. In a public speaking course, rescheduling a speech is very difficult. If you must miss your speaking day and your absence is excused, you may make up your speech when time permits during the quarter. This may mean that you should be prepared to give your speech at any time (including the finals exam or to a different audience). Please note: The final exam date and time is nonnegotiable as it is set by the University.

Special Circumstances: If you have any learning or physical challenges that could affect your performance in this class, it is your responsibility to notify the instructor as soon as possible so that accommodations can be made to ensure your full participation and to facilitate your educational opportunities. I will work with you toward your success.

STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC HONESTY
(From Instructional Policies, Academic Honesty: http://www.calstatela.edu/academic/senate/handbook/ch5a.htm)
The University in its quest for truth and knowledge embraces honesty and integrity. These fundamental values must not be compromised. The trust and respect among professors, students and the society need to be vigilantly protected. Cheating and plagerism can be neither justified nor condoned as this would destroy the ideals and purposes of higher education. Students enter the University to gain the knowledge and tools necessary for participation in society. Academic integrity is one foundation for a society based on trust and honesty. Therefore, the University takes seriously its responsibility for academic honesty.
I endorse the University’s policies on academic dishonesty and will apply them in this class. Plagiarism and other forms of cheating are serious offenses. A violation of academic honesty will result in an F for the course.

Students agree that by taking this course all required papers may be subject to submission for textual similarity review to Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism. The Turnitin review reveals the extent to which the content of a paper is ‘copied’ from various sources. All submitted papers will be included as source documents in the turnitin.com reference database solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of such papers. You may request, in writing, that your papers not be submitted to Turnitin.com. However, if you choose this option you will be required to provide documentation to substantiate that the papers are your original work and do not include any plagiarized material.

The Social Contract
This means that both students and instructor will work to create a supportive, explanatory and intellectually challenging academic community. This demands preparation for class discussions and commitments to the full participation in all engagements as well as providing sensitive, critical response to the work of your colleagues.

Within the class, we will foster an environment that is friendly, supportive, safe, and non-threatening. To that end, we will attempt to acknowledge and respect the diverse experiences, cultures, and preferences of each person – as reflected in their attitudes, beliefs, values and behaviors, while contributing to a common classroom culture of mutual support and respect. You will voluntarily enter this contract by maintaining your enrollment in this class.


Course Assignments
- Readings: Regular reading assignments from the text are listed on the course schedule. Be sure to read the material before you come to class.
- Quizzes: We will have a total of 10 quizzes to determine your comprehension of the reading material. Quizzes will be given periodically at the beginning of class. There will be no make-up quizzes.
- Exams: There will be two exams throughout the semester. Exams will cover lecture material, in-class activities, and chapter readings. Make-up exams will not be granted, unless you can provide written documentation verifying that your absence falls within the school’s excused absence policy. The final exam WILL cover material from previous exams. Both exams must be completed to pass this class.
- Reading Presentation: During the quarter you will work with a group to present an interactive overview of the assigned readings. You will want to present a brief overview of the material in your own words; please do not read the text! Examples explaining the central elements of the reading are also required (you may construct skits, create games or provide handouts to supplement your presentation. Be creative!) 10 – 15 minutes in length. You are also required to turn in an individual outline of your specific part of the presentation.
- Speeches: There will be three speeches: Cultural Narrative/Cultural Artifact Speech, Informative Speech, and Persuasive Speech. All three speeches must be presented with outlines to pass this class. Because this is a GE course, you must have a C to pass this class and a C- means that you need to repeat this course.

Cultural Narrative Speech:
This is a self-introductory speech that asks you to bring an object to class that represents an aspect of your culture. You are asked to speak to the class for 3-5 minutes

Informative Speech:
In this presentation, you will choose a topic of interest or expertise and spend 5-7 minutes “teaching” the rest of the class about the subject.

Persuasive Speech:
You are asked to choose a topic of interest and then attempt to persuade the class into action. You will be asked to follow a specific organization structure, utilize advanced research skills, and incorporate visual aids into a group presentation. Each student will speak for 7-9 minutes.

Written Assignments: Cultural Narrative Speech Outline, Informative Speech Outline, Persuasive Speech Outline, Reading Presentation Outline, Focus Paper (5-7 pages), All written assignments must be typed: double-spaced, 12 font size, Times New Roman or Ariel font, 1 inch margins, include sources, follow MLA or APA guidelines and be labeled (with Name, Title of the Paper, Course Title, Professor, Date, & Page Numbers). Cover Page and Work Cited pages do not count towards the 5-7 pages.

Evaluation
Final Grades will be assigned on the following scale:
A 93% – 100%
A - 90% – 92.9%
B + 87% – 89.9%
B 83% – 86.9%
B - 80% – 82.9%
C + 77% – 79.9%
C 73% – 76.9%
C - 70% – 72.9%
D + 67% – 69.9%
D 63% – 66.9%
D - 60% – 62.9%
F 59.9% or lower

Attendance & Participation 100 pts ___________
Quizzes 20 pts ___________
Reading Presentation 25 pts ___________
Presentation Outline 10 pts ___________
Cultural Narrative 100 pts ___________
Cultural Narrative Outline 15 pts ___________
Informative Speech 150 pts ___________
Informative Speech Outline 15 pts ___________
Persuasive Speech 200 pts ___________
Persuasive Speech Outline 15 pts ___________
Focus Paper 50 pts ___________
Midterm Exam 100 pts ___________
Final Exam 200 pts ___________

Total Possible Points 1000 pts

Tentative Class Schedule

REVISED SCHEDULE FOR NEW TEXTBOOK: ISPEAK 2006 BY NELSON

Tues. 06/23
Class Orientation/Overview, Review Syllabus,

Introductions/Class Activity, Form Groups
HW: Read Chapters: 1 & 2

Thurs. 06/25
Discuss Chapters 1 & 2

Overview of Cultural Narrative Speech
HW: Read Chapter: Appendix A
Research and Choose Cultural Narrative Topic

Tues. 06/30
Discuss Appendix A

GROUP #1 READING PRESENTATION

DUE: Cultural Narrative Topic
HW: Read Chapter: 3 & 4
Work on Cultural Narrative Speech and Outline

Thurs. 07/02
Discuss Chapter 3& 4

GROUP #2 READING PRESENTATION
HW: Work on Cultural Narrative Speech and Outline

Tues. 07/07
CULTURAL NARRATIVE SPEECHES
Outlines due BEFORE you present

Thurs. 07/09
CULTURAL NARRATIVE SPEECHES
Outlines due BEFORE you present

HW: Read Chapters 6 & 7

Tues. 07/14
Discuss Chapters 6 & 7
GROUP # 3 READING PRESENTATION

Thurs. 07/16
Midterm Review
HW: Study!

Tues. 07/21
MIDTERM EXAM
(Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 & A)

HW: Read Chapters 10 & 5

Thurs. 07/23
Discuss Chapters 10 & 5

GROUP READING PRESENTATION #4

Overview of Informative Speech
HW: Read Chapter 8
Research and Choose Informative Topic

Tues. 07/28
Discuss Chapter 8
GROUP READING PRESENTATION #5

DUE: Informative Speech Topic

HW: Read Chapter 9
Work on Informative Speech and Outline

Thurs. 07/30
Discuss Chapter 9

GROUP #6 READING PRESENTATION
HW: Work on Informative Speech and Outline

Tues. 08/04
INFORMATIVE SPEECHES
Outlines due BEFORE you present

Thurs. 08/06
INFORMATIVE SPEECHES
Outlines due BEFORE you present

Overview Persuasive Speech

HW: Read Chapter 11
Research and Choose Persuasive Topic

Tues. 08/11
Discuss Chapter 11

GROUP #7 READING PRESENTATION

DUE: Persuasive Speech Topic
HW: Read Chapter: 12
Work on Persuasive Speech and Outline

Thurs. 08/13
Discuss Chapter 12

GROUP # 8 READING PRESENTATION
HW: Work on Persuasive Speech and Outline

Tues. 08/18
PERSUASIVE SPEECHES

Outlines due BEFORE you present
HW: Work on Focus Paper

Thurs. 08/20
PERSUASIVE SPEECHES
Outlines due BEFORE you present
HW: Work on Focus Paper

Tues. 08/25
PERSUASIVE SPEECHES

Outlines due BEFORE you present
HW: Work on Focus Paper

Thurs. 08/27
Final Exam Review

DUE: Focus Paper
HW: Study!


FINALS WEEK: PLEASE CONSULT THE SCHEDULE OF CLASSES FOR EXACT DAY AND TIME


***Syllabus Tentative Class Schedule is subject to change at instructor’s discretion