This course is designed for high school students in 9th-12th grades.

The classical approach to speechmaking begins with Aristotle’s Five Canons of Rhetoric and the Common Topics. Students will be introduced to these ideas and apply them over the course of the year to understand the art of communication and persuasion in the form of speech writing and performance.

Assignments will be based on the Special Topics (kinds of rhetoric)including...

?  Deliberative speeches: informative, persuasive, humorous

?  Ceremonial speeches: Praise, Blame, Celebrate

?  Judicial speeches: Accuse, Defend

Styles of speeches will include:

?  Limited preparation speeches - draw a topic, brainstorm, speak (includes apologetics)

?  Prepared speeches - pre-written speeches 6-8 minutes in length

?  Oratory - a memorized speech 8 minutes in length

Debate

?  In the practice of oral communication, debate is considered a form of reasonable argumentation

?  Students will be introduced to values and policy debate styles

?  Students will participate in one of each form of debate

This class is designed to teach and hone a variety of important skills needed for life including:

?  Research skills - A speech topic is assigned and the students will research and write an essay resulting in a 6-8 minute speech. How to research using the internet will be taught.

?  Writing skills - Essay versions will go through 2-3 drafts from concept to performance. Teacher feedback is given in both grammar and usage as well as on the differences between writing an essay (which the audience would read) as opposed to writing a speech (which the audience will listen to).

?  Delivery skills - speaking - Understanding the elements of speechmaking include using the voice effectively through intonation, elocution, pitch, speed, and tempo changes is key.

?  Delivery skills - physical - Utilizing gesture and movement is important to keeping the audience engaged.

?  Humor - Understanding the appropriateness and application of humor can put the audience at ease and create connection, or it can alienate the audience if used improperly. Students will practice utilizing humor in a way that is honorable and fun.

?  Critical thinking skills - Class discussion, critical thinking, clarity of thought and concision in the use of language are key to excellent writing and communication.

The Lecture introduces the assignment and prepares students for each speech project. Class discussion is encouraged and students will practice delivery skills in class prior to the graded presentation.

?  Homework: 45 min-1 hr/day.

?  Parents partner with Mrs. Schiltz for their student's success by overseeing their student's

research online, completion of assignments, and preparations for speaking in class.

?  Online research can be dangerous without parental controls or a filter on the computer. I highly recommend parents to be involved in research whenever possible.

Presentation Days: In order to prevent delays in teaching new material and to stay on schedule, it is highly recommended that students look ahead to know when or if conflicts in his or her schedule require swapping his or her assigned presentation day with someone else in the class. Last minute requests to swap are more difficult to accomodate and cannot be guaranteed. Always advise Mrs. Schiltz of a swap.

Supply fee: $50

Tuition: $600/year or 10 monthly payments of $60.

Textbooks: provided

Class time: 1.5 hours, once weekly

PLEASE NOTE:

*Withdrawal fee after 9/30 of that school year is 3 months of tuition.

*Drop Fee after December 15 will be the remaining year’s tuition.

*The Supply Fee and Mrs. Schiltz’s class forms are due upon registration.

*If the Supply fee and forms are not received within 2 weeks of registration, the student may be unenrolled from class.

*The Supply Fee is non-refundable after August 1st.