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Thursday, August 14th
Read the assigned speech by Booker T. Washington and chapter one of The Art of Public Speaking. Study the vocabulary terms in the textbook and be prepared to choose a topic for your persuasive and informative speeches on Tuesday. Otherwise, I will assign a topic to you. Booker T. Washington's Speech to the Atlanta Cotton States and Exposition
Tuesday, August 19th
I also assigned topics for persuasive speeches this semester. Please read the booker T. Washington speech and be prepared to debate on Thursday. We also discussed the syllabi and assignments that we wil have.
Thursday, August 21st
We will divide the class into two groups and create a formal debate between the two groups about the validity of Booker T. Washington's arguments about race relations in the South. Read the speech by Marcus Garvey for next Tuesday's class.
Marcus Garvey's Explanation of the Objects of the Universal Negro Improvement Assocation
In class, we will discuss the significance of speechmaking and address some of the topics assigned in class. I would also like you to look at a speech by Hitler to see how he was an effective speechmaker (although he was a bigot). We will discuss what makes him effective. Here is a clip of Hitler's powerful first speech: Joseph Goebbels, Hitler's Minister of Propaganda, also gave the Total War Speech in this clip:
Today, we did begin our formal debate about Booker T. Washington. We will discuss Hitler, Garvey, and the first chapter of our speech textbook on next Tuesday after we finish the debate. We are now working on the second round of the debate, the rebuttal, and we still have to have the closing argument of each group.
Please note that if you did not participate in this debate, you need to write a paper on Booker T. Washington.
Tuesday, August 26th
Today, we completed the debate on Booker T. Washington. Please read the speech by Marcus Garvey for the next class. I felt that the class did an excellent job on the debate. There are several points I would like to focus on, however. One, students must read the assigned speech so they know what they are arguing. It appeared that students on both teams sometimes lost track of their argument. Second, rebuttals should be longer, and questions should be better formulated. Third, there should not be as much talking going on in the background when speakers are making their points. Please print out a copy of the Marcuis Garvey speech and bring it to class so you can follow.
If you have not yet chosen a speech topic, please do so. Time is running out. Your persuasive speech should be 5-7 minutes in length. You should introduce your argument, support your argument with at least three key points, refute at least two points supporting the opposing argument, and summarize your argument in your concluding statement. You must take questions at the end of your speech. Please come prepared. Do not rely excessively on notes, but do not speak without information. Maintain eye contact.
Thursday, August 28th
Today, judges will determine which team won the debate. We will also read Marcus Garvey's speech and prepare for the next debate.
We will go over Chapter One in The Art of Public Speaking today.
Tonight, please watch Barack Obama's convention speech. I would like you to evaluate it according to three categories: delivery, appeal, and substance. Give him a grade (A, B, C, D, F) and justify your decision. Do not state whether you agree with Obama's positions or not. Simply describe/evaluate your views on the quality of his speech. Did Obama deliver an ideal speech? Why or why not?
Read the first chapter. Go over the main concepts in the first chapter. Prepare for the second debate on Marcus Garvey (see the August 21st link to Garvey's speech in the posts above). Go over the main points of Garvey's speech.
Thursday, Sept. 04
Today, we discussed the Republican National Convention and Marcus Garvey's speech. We have three assignments: 1) Evaluate Barack Obama's convention speech in terms of appeal, substance, and delivery (one page). Grade the speech and justify the grade. Here is the link:"> Barack Obama's Convention Speech Tuesday. (evaluate in terms of appeal, delivery, and substance) 2) Evaluate John McCain's convention speech in terms of appeal, substance, and delivery (one page). Grade the speech and justify the grade. Text of McCain's Convention Speech next Tuesday (evaluate in terms of appeal, delivery, and substance). 3) Write the introduction, rebuttal, and closing argument for your team's speech on Marcus Garvey. List at least three points in your introduction, rebut at least three opposing arguments in your rebuttal, and write at least a paragraph in your closing argument. Due next Thursday 4) Extra credit: evaluate Sarah Palin's VP speech in terms of appeal, substance, and delivery (one page). Did she rebut arguments about her inexperience? Did she appeal to independent/swing voters? Do you feel she will mobilize the women vote? Was her comment on the difference between hockey mom's and pitbulls appropriate? ">Sarah Palin's Acceptance Speech
Tuesday, Sept. 9th
Today, we discussed the McCain and Obama speech evaluations that were assigned previously. You must also complete your persuasive speeches and prepare for the Marcus Garvey debate on Thursday.
Please note: with your persuasive speeches, I expect more facts and information from reliable academic sources. Please put your sources on the board before you give your persuasive speech.
Thursday, Sept. 11th
We continued our Marcus Garvey debate. Please note that everyone will be required to write two to three pages in support of their team's position on the debate (judges will be required to turn in a two to three page evaluation of each round of the debate justifying their decision about which team won the debate).
Tuesday, September 16th
Class was canceled today because of an on campus meeting in the Chicago building.
The midterm exam will be an essay on the importance of listening. I would like you to read chapter three and discuss some of the critical points about listening. You should address the importance of listening and discuss whether you feel you are a good listener. You should make at least four points concerning how people can improve their listening skills. You should address the difference between listening and hearing. Also, you should address what happens when people do not listen effectively to other sides of the argument and jump to conclusions about people they are conversing with. You should provide examples of the different types of listening, and you should list some of the positive effects of developing listening skills in your conclusion as well as the negative aspects of not listening.
For more information on listening, see chapter 3 of The Art of Public Speaking.
Thursday, September 18th
Please do not forget to write your two page paper representing your team's argument, rebuttal, and closing statement in the Marcus Garvey debate. That will be due on Tuesday.
After completing the Marcus Garvey debate, we will go on to Barack Obama's 2004 convention speech. In this speech, he made the bold contention that there is no such thing as a red state or a blue state; we are all Americans. Do you agree or disagree with this contention?
Here is a link to the youtube video of his 2004 convention speech:
Here is a link to the text of his 2004 convention speech: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/convention2004/barackobama2004dnc.htm
The next debate topic will be: Barack Obama is correct when he says that Americans can be united along racial, class, gender, political, and cultural lines. The opposing side will argue that Obama is incorrect when he says that Americans can be united across racial, class, gender, political, and cultural lines.
"It is that fundamental belief -- It is that fundamental belief: I am my brother’s keeper. I am my sister’s keeper that makes this country work. It’s what allows us to pursue our individual dreams and yet still come together as one American family. E pluribus unum: "Out of many, one." Now even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us -- the spin masters, the negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of "anything goes." Well, I say to them tonight, there is not a liberal America and a conservative America -- there is the United States of America. There is not a Black America and a White America and Latino America and Asian America -- there’s the United States of America."
We will also briefly review the first three chapters of The Art of Public Speaking.
For anyone still interested in finding a new persuasive speech topic, I have some new topics: The Housing Crisis Led to the Collapse of Wall Street
Trickle Down Economics Doesn't Work
Why People Should Read More
Watching Television Relieves Stress
Television Dulls the Mind
Our Educational System Should Reward Independent Thinking
The Benefits of Listening to Opposing Views
Tuesday, September 23rd
We finished the Marcus Garvey debate. Every student is required to write a two page paper justifying his or her team's argument for or against Marcus Garvey's views on Africa. We discussed the midterm exam and the first three chapters of The Art of Public Speaking. We also discussed our upcoming debate on Barack Obama's 2004 convention speech (see earlier posts for links to the text and youtube video of this speech). We will be debating about Obama's fundamental premise that Americans have more that unites them than gender, race, and political divisions.
Obama argues that there is no such thing as a Red state (a Republican state) or a blue state (Democratic state).
The website realclearpolitics.com has the electoral map for the past elections up until 1968. You can study which states have voted predominantly Republican or Democrat in the past. Here is a link to the current electoral map (click on the dates above the map to see the results of previous elections): Red States and Blue States Electoral Map
A commentator on the side effects of a McCain victory in this election suggests that race riots could occur and stresses the divisions in our country along racial lines. This is an interesting article for those who will argue for or against Obama's idea that Americans from different ethnic backgrounds can become united and ignore this country's shameful history of race relations: article on race and U.S. presidential election.
Take a look at Obama's speech on race and the effects it had: review of Obama's speech on race and why Americans can come together.
According to a recent Yahoo poll, 40% of white Americans feel that African Americans are lazy, irresponsible, and hold negative views of them. This poll suggests that Obama could lose the election because of this group of voters: Yahoo poll on race and presidential election
Here is an interview with a representative of BET discussing the opinions of bigots who view Obama negatively because of his race and how it could skew the outcome of the presidential race:
September 25, 2008
Today, we began the first round of the Barack Obama debate. At this point, the debate was interesting, and several arguments were made about divisions in American society and the chance for unity.
We should watch the presidential debate tomorrow if it occurs as scheduled. Here is a MSNBC report on the upcoming debate: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032553/
Here is some clips of previous presidential debates (all the way back until the first historic televised debate in 1960 with John F. Kennedy): http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032553/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032553/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032553/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032553/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032553/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032553/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032553/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032553/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032553/
Sept. 30, 2008
Below, there is a video of the presidential debate between John McCain and Barack Obama on Friday: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032553/
For those of you who cannot access videos, here is a transcript of the debate (click next page to go on to the other parts of the debate): http://www.kansascity.com/445/story/816036.html
Your assignment is to write a two to three page paper analyzing the debate according to three points: argumentation (include how the candidates rebutted each other's arguments), presentation, and appeal). Address at least three of the issues that they discussed, such as national security, the war in Iraq, diplomacy, and the economy.
October 2nd, 2008, Thursday
Assignments due: persuasive speech, Marcus Garvey debate paper, Obama DNC speech analysis, McCain RNC speech analysis, Obama 2004 convention debate paper, VP debate paper, 1st Presidential debate paper
Please note that if any of these assignments are missing by the midterm, you will recieve a deficiency.
Persuasive speeches may not be performed during my office hours.
The following assignments are due:
* Marcus Garvey debate paper * Barack Obama 2004 convention debate paper * VP Debate paper * 1st Pres. debate paper * Persuasive speech * Listening Comprehension Essay (due next Tuesday, read Chapter 3 of The Art of Public Speaking) Here is the VP Debate in its entirety: Here is a link to the transcript of the debate if you can't watch the video: VP debate transcript
There will be another presidential debate tonight. Please evaluate and grade the performance of both contenders in tonight's debate. I will place links on to the debate later tonight.
Thursday, October 23rd
Today, we covered potential informative speech topics. I have a list of suggested topics that you can choose from if you have trouble choosing a topic. It is recommended that your speech be 5 minutes in length and with sources. Whatever topic you choose, be sure that it is not common knowledge. You must demonstrate an understanding of the subject you address and must inform your audience about something they don't know. If the topic is something you don't know much about, please bring a print out of your sources and choose valid academic sources.
What causes a heart attack? What is cancer? How does the social security system work? How does the stock market work? How do people play golf/badminton/basketball/football/volleyball/track/tennis (or choose another sport if you have one)? How does legislation pass through Congress? What is the role of the vice president? What is the role of the president? How to Have a Successful Love Life How to Deal With Rejection Dealing with Failure How to deal with the Death of a Loved One What is solar energy? How does a car drive? How does electricity work? What is photosynthesis? What is the Large Hadron Collider? What is the Big Bang? What is a black hole? What are supernovae? What are the features of the moon? How does the sun produce energy? How can parents become more effective with their children? How can we protect the earth for future generations? How do airplanes fly? How does a cellphone function? How can students receive high grades in their courses? How can people balance work with family? How can people live happy, fulfilling lives? How can we deal with accidents and tragedy? How to lose weight How to maintain high self-esteem without seeming arrogant How to pay more attention to the people we love How to deal with financial problems How to deal with credit card debt How to deal with stress How to deal with illness How to challenge yourself to become more successful Why Should We Confront Our Fears How People Waste Their Lives How to Buy a Home What are germs? What is an STD?
How to Discipline Your Children How to Transform Anger into a Positive Emotion THe importance of Silence How to Love Yourself How to Keep Up With All of Your Papers How to Manage Time Effectively How to Study Effectively How to Build Your Character How to Become a Good Cook How to Follow Your Intuition How to Deal with Betrayal How to Start a New Religion How to Recognize a Cult How to be an Anarchist What is Free Speech? What is democracy? How to Bring Peace How does a lie detector function? How to Hack a Computer How to Own Your Own Business How to Publish a Book How to Write a Book How to Meditate How to Manifest Your Potential How to Say No The importance of manners Eating Healthy What is Holistic Health? What is a vegan? How to run faster? How to Be a Wiccan? How to Support Your Spouse? What is Arrogance? How to Avoid Procrastination? Why Exercise is Important? How to find your purpose in life? How to find your niche? What is out of the body experience? How to Live a Long Life What causes sleepwalking? How to Hypnotize? How to Catch a Criminal? How to Collect Forensic Evidence?
Of course, these are only a few topics that I find interesting. There are many more potential topics. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. You should start signing up for these speeches as soon as possible.
Tuesday, October 28th
We began the listening comprehension exercise, which is to listen to different views on the future of energy policy in America. The question I posed was: In the near future, should America invest more in traditional forms of energy like coal, oil, and nuclear power, or should America invest more in alternative forms of energy such as a wind, solar, and other forms of alternative energy? We read articles on both points of view, and students took notes. Students will write an essay by arguing either side of the issue. Students must find at least 3 points in support of their argument and rebut at least 3 points of the opposing argument. There should be a closing statement as well (a conclusion) summarizing the main points of the student's argument. This essay should be 2-3 pages. We will continue listening to articles on this topic on Thursday.
Tuesday, November 4th
We continued with the listening comprehension exam. On Thursday, we will finish with the listening portion of the exam and begin writing. I will read articles on the following points: how much energy can wind, solar,and other alternative forms of energy produce in order to satisfy America's demand for energy? Are traditional forms of energy like coal, nuclear, and oil more feasible in the short term? What are the consequences of investing more in offshore drilling and other forms of traditional energy? Are there any disadvantages to investing in alternative forms of energy? How much does America invest in traditional forms of energy now? How much does the government invest in alternative forms of energy now? How much does industry invest in alternative forms of energy/traditional forms of energy? What is the cost to the taxpayer of investing in other forms of energy? The costs of investing in traditional forms of energy?
For the listening comprehension exam, you need to listen to the different points of view on this subject--which is--should we invest in the short term in traditional forms of energy or in alternative forms of energy? Take one side of the issue and rebut the opposing sides argument. Introduce your argument (make at least 3 supporting points): write one page; rebut the opposing argument (rebut at least 3 opposing viewpoints): write one page; and make a closing argument in which you summarize your viewpoint. Use your notes from class discussion.
Thursday, November 6th
Today, we discussed the informative speech. Please sign up for an informative speech right now, if you haven't already done so. Please choose a topic that is not common knowledge. We will continue with the listening comprehension exam next week! Here is a video on offshore drilling versus alternative energy:
Tuesday, November 11th
Today, we discussed alternative energy versus traditional forms of energy. We addressed in particular wind energy in Denmark and solar energy in Spain. According to Wikipedia, Denmark uses wind energy to supply 19.7% of its total energy consumption yearly. Spain uses solar to supply 12% of its total energy consumption. Be prepared to debate on Thursday! Bring research supporting both sides of the argument.
Tuesday, November 18th The following students have missing assignments, all of which will be due by December 3rd. If you do not turn in one of the assignments listed below, you will receive a zero for the missing work and cannot make up the work after December 3rd. Here is the complete list of missing assignments for each student: Emory Addison: Persuasive and Informative Speeches, McCain RNC paper, Obama DNC paper, Garvey Debate Paper, Obama 2004 Convention Paper, VP Debate Paper, 1st Presidential Debate Paper, 2nd Presidential Debate Paper Jalis Al-Hindi: Informative Speech, Garvey Debate Paper, 1st Presidential Debate Paper Mikia Ashton: Informative Speech, McCain RNC, Garvey Debate Paper, 1st Presidential Debate Paper, 2nd Presidential Debate Paper Paul Banks: Informative Speech, McCain RNC Paper, Garvey Debate Paper, Obama 2004 Convention Paper, VP Debate Paper, and 2nd Presidential Debate Paper James Baughan: Persuasive and informative speeches, Obama Convention Paper, VP Debate Paper, 1st and 2nd Presidential Debate Papers Sharleda Boyd: Persuasive and Informative Speeches, McCain RNC and Obama DNC Papers, Garvey Debate Paper, Obama 2004 Convention Paper, Midterm Exam, VP Debate, 1st and 2nd Presidential Debate Papers Jonathan Briley: Informative Speech, Obama 2004 Convention Paper, VP Debate Paper, 1st and 2nd Presidential Debate Papers Alicia Brown: Informative Speech, Obama 2004 Convention Paper, VP Debate Paper, 1st and 2nd Presidential Debate Papers Brittany Christian: Informative Speech, McCain RNC and Obama DNC Papers, Obama 2004 Convention Paper, VP Debate Paper, 1st and 2nd Presidential Debate Papers Kennard Curtis: Persuasive and Informative Speeches, McCain RNC and Obama DNC, Garvey Debate Paper, Obama 2004 Convention Paper, VP Debate Paper, 1st and 2nd Presidential Debate Papers Nelson Davalos: Persuasive and Informative Speeches, Obama 2004 Convention Paper, VP Debate Paper, and 1st and 2nd Presidential Debate Papers Jason Davis: Informative Speech, VP Debate Paper, and 1st and 2nd Presidential Debate Papers Dawnette Drumgoole: Informative Speech, McCain RNC Paper, Obama DNC Paper, Garvey Debate Paper, Obama 2004 Convention Paper, Midterm Exam, VP Debate Paper, 1st and 2nd Presidential Debate Papers Asteway Gass: Informative Speech, McCain RNC Paper, Obama DNC Paper, Garvey Debate Paper, Obama 2004 Convention Paper, VP Debate Paper, 1st and 2nd Presidential Debate Papers Patricia Gee: Persuasive and Informative Speeches, Midterm Exam, VP Debate Paper, 1st and 2nd Presidential Debate Papers Millard Gordon: Informative and Persuasive Speeches, McCain RNC and Obama DNC Papers, Garvey Debate Paper, Obama 2004 Convention Paper, VP Debate Paper, 1st and 2nd Presidential Debate Papers Walter Jackson: Informative Speech, McCain RNC and Obama DNC Papers, Obama 2004 Convention Paper, VP Debate Paper, 1st and 2nd Presidential Debate Papers Kwame Johnson: Informative and Persuasive Speeches, McCain RNC, Garvey Debate Paper, Barack Obama 2004 Convention Paper, VP Debate Paper, 1st and 2nd Presidential Debate Papers DeNeisha Johnson-McFayden: Informative Speech Michael Mason: Informative Speech, Garvey Debate Paper, VP Debate Paper Latwana Mosley: all papers and speeches Temidayo Odunlami: 1st and 2nd Presidential Debate Papers Bethany Pierce: Persuasive Speech, Obama DNC Paper, Obama 2004 Convention Paper, VP Debate Paper, 1st and 2nd Presidential Debate Paper Jazmine Price: Informative Speech, McCain RNC Paper, Obama DNC Paper, Garvey Debate Paper, Obama 2004 Convention Paper, Midterm Exam, VP Debate Paper, 1st and 2nd Presidential Debate Papers Jessica Price: Informative Speech, 1st Presidential Debate Paper Keith Robinson: Informative and Persuasive Speeches, McCain RNC Paper, Obama DNC Paper, Garvey Debate Paper, Obama 2004 Convention Paper, Midterm Exam, VP Debate Paper, 1st and 2nd Presidential Debate Papers Parish Ruffin: Informative Speech, Garvey Debate Paper, Obama 2004 Convention Paper, 2nd Presidential Debate Paper Keyira Smith: Informative and Persuasive Speeches, VP Debate Paper, 1st and 2nd Presidential Debate Papers George Thompson: McCain RNC Paper, Garvey Debate Paper, Obama 2004 Convention Paper, VP Debate Paper, 1st and 2nd Presidential Debate Papers Greg Thompson: All papers Antuan Thorpe: All papers Tajuan Wallace: Informative Speech Liyonte White: Informative Speech, VP Debate Paper
Thursday, November 20th, 2008 Please complete your speeches as soon as possible. I will not allow you to complete your speeches in my office. December 3rd is the deadline. As for the final, it is still going to be a paper based on your notes on the energy debate. Here are some links: wind energy renewable energy graph: see what forms of renewable energy Americans use the most history of coal consumption in the U.S. since 1950 see the electric power graph to see how much the U.S. depends on coal now nuclear power in the U.S. from Department of Energy statistics world energy consumption: notice that oil and coal are primary forms of energy but non-renewable where are the reserves oil and natural gas located? the dangers of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere Chinese gov't claims economic progress is more important than fighting global warming: Al Gore's plan for U.S. energy policy for the next decade
The question is: Should the United States invest billions of dollars immediately in alternative energy sources such as solar and wind energy, or should we continue exploring traditional sources of energy such as offshore drilling, oil, clean coal, and nuclear energy? You may bring notes to the final exam, but you cannot bring any web pages or other information. Only hand written notes can be brought. You can do research on the topic and write notes. Please document your sources. Remember, you are supposed to choose sides and present an argument for or against investing in alternative sources of energy now. You must also rebut the opposing argument and develop a closing argument. I would organize your argument in the following manner: I. Present your argument. Provide three reasons in support of your argument. a. b. c. II. Discuss the opposing argument. Refute three reasons to support the opposing argument. III. Concluding Remarks: Tie together your ideas and emphasize the importance of your views. Please note: I will now give you permission to look at outside sources in order to expand your knowledge about this subject. I expect you to do research and study this subject. You should know the benefits and disadvantages of both alternative energy and traditional forms of energy, but you should make an argument in favor of whatever side you feel is more reasonable to invest in.
There is an article that is very interesting to read. Apparently, the reporter predicts that there will be more wars waged for the earth's scarce resources as the global population expands. It also claims that there could be serious energy shortages within the next 20 years if drastic changes are not made soon about the way we consume energy. See this link: declining resources
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