WHEEL OF FORTUNE
Objectives:The purpose of this assignment is to assess your writing ability. Although this course is performance based, it is important that effective public speakers also have adequate writing skills.
This is my opportunity to determine your writing skills and your critical thinking abilities. This is a formal written assignment which will be due. .
The paper isto be typedand double-spaced; standard grammatical style. Please remember to put your name on the paper as well. Check for typos and grammatical errors. The assignment is worth 50points. Please take it seriously!
Requirement:You will be required to completetwo options (spins)from the sevenprovided. Each section should be atleast 3 pagesin length to receive full credit.
There is no maximum requirement. Do not assume the two sections need to relate to one another, for each section is separate but should be submitted as one MS Word document. Be creative with this assignment and choose the options you arepersonally interested in.Remember submit one document to the Assignment section of the site.
Options:
1)Watch one or more episodes of Jerry,Ellen,WendyWilliams,etc.or even Judge Judy.Determine how the host or hostess of the show portrayed appropriate public speaking behaviors. Analyze the host determining his/her use of gestures, eye contact,voiceand body movement. Simply put-critique the host as you would any public speaker. You may want to use one of the evaluation guidelines we use in class.
After you have analyzed the speaker, determine the purpose of the show. Was this segment to inform, persuade, actuate or entertain the audience? What did the guest do to entice the audience? How did the host deal with audience questions? Did any of the guests get out of hand? Provide reasoning for your answers through examples and references to the show.
2)Keep a journal for at least one week recording all possible speech situations in which you participatedin or could haveparticipated.Describe the type of speech occasion by evaluating the audience, choosing the appropriate communicative style, and using the proper speech organization.
Be very attentive to all social situations and record all possible speech occasions where your training could be utilized. This segment can be hand-written in a journal form.
But remember this assignment is not like writing in a diary. I don’t want to know what you had for breakfast. You are simply recording and discussing the many opportunities you have to speak. You should be surprised by how many situations require some form of public speaking.
3)Watch at least 5 television commercials (choose these commercials from different time slots) and evaluateeach according to the above (#1) criterion. Pay special attention to the use of time on television. Was there a proportionate amount of time used visually as well as aurally?
Determine if the actors are informing, persuading, arguing, demonstrating, or motivating you to act in some way, such as through purchasing the product or using the service.(Youcannot complete options 3 and 1together).
4)Advice to Youth, About 1882--Mark Twain
I Have a Dream--Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Speech of Miss Polly Baker--Benjamin Franklin
Select one of the above listed speeches or choose a speech of your own (many are available on the web, text books, Vital Speeches of the Day,etc.) and read thoroughly noting how the author used language to convey theirmessage.
This option is asking for arhetorical analysisof the content of the speech. No mention of the delivery of the presentation should be made. You are simply noting what type of language was used in the making of the speech.
Each of these speeches are only 2-3 pages in length so look over all aspects of the speech. For example, King's essay is filled with metaphors and repetition. Why do you suppose the authors chose the language styles and tones that they did? Discuss how the authors considered the audience while preparing their speeches. If the speech you chose is persuasive, describe the type of persuasive speech and the structure (or organization) of the supporting materials. Provide examples from the actual speeches.
5)This option involves your use of implementing persuasive strategies. You will assume you have received a low grade on a creative writing assignment from your English professor. You have received above average grades in the past and feel you have followed the requirements set out by the instructor. Believing you were graded unfairly, you arrange for a meeting with your instructor.
Defend your position and discuss how you would plan your persuasive attack. Remember you want this grade changed. How will you approach thesituation?Be creative in designing the specific scenario for you. You may choose to write a letter to the professor explaining your persuasive strategy. Or you may write it in play form (such as playwright’s script). You may write an essay explaining the scenario and how you would handle the situation. Whatever method you use, please describe to me what you would do to get the grade changed--and let’s assume that you chooseeffectivepersuasive strategies (i.e., no blowing up the mailbox of the instructor).
6)Attend a public presentation of some sort. You could go to a local town meeting, a school board meeting, an educational meeting sponsored by a club or academic department on campus, or a speech presented by a local club(virtual presentations are ok). Before attending the speech event, choose the evaluation criterion you will be using. Write a critique focusing on audience analysis, construction of the message and the delivery. Cite examples from the speech.
7)Wild Card!!!! This option is for the highly creative person who has an idea that will work for this assignment. Some wild card options in the past include observing and evaluatingaband and noting the persuasive strategies used to get the crowd excited; observing and evaluating a DJ-toget audience members up to dance; observing and evaluating a tour guide at Grant's Farm, the Zoo, or the Brewery. Think of a unique situation and then ask mefor final approval before youbegin to complete the program.
This assignment isworth 50pointsso please do your best. If you feel that you did not perform up topar on aspeech, this written assignment could save you.
Take this assignment seriously, yet have FUNwith it. Your efforts will show.
TREAT THIS ASSIGNMENT AS A FORMAL WRITING ASSIGNMENT. I AM LOOKING FOR QUALITY. I WANT TO SEE HOW YOU ARE ABLE TO APPLY THECONCEPTS/TERMSWHICH WERE DISCUSSED INTHETEXTAND IN THE COURSE.