8th grade speech and debate

Hope Charter School Speech and Debate Course Syllabus

2021-22 Instructor: Maureen Mannion maureen.mannion@hopecharter.org School:

The purpose of this course is to develop a beginning awareness, understanding, and application of language arts as it applies to speech and debate for eighth grade students..

Course Description:

This course is designed to enable students to achieve an understanding and application of the techniques used in formal public speaking including listening skills, speech preparation and research methods. Activities may involve preparing speeches to inform, entertain or persuade. Students may learn parliamentary procedure in Congressional Debate, create their own Original Oratories, perform Oral Interpretation of Literature or learn basic argumentation through Lincoln Douglas Debate. Students will also learn to recognize common fallacies in speech.

Course Objectives:

1. Develop writing techniques for speech

2. Develop critical thinking skills through analysis of issues relating to speech

3. Develop Research skills

4. Determine the strengths and weaknesses of evidence

5. Develop oral advocacy skills

6. Develop parliamentary procedure skills

7. Develop skills for effective oral interpretation of literature

8. Develop and demonstrate appropriate formal and informal public speaking techniques for audience purpose and occasion.

Class Expectations:

1. Active participation in class and in speech activities

2. On time presentation of oral and written assignments

3. Unfailing courtesy when a speaker is in front of the class (active listening, no talking)

Grading Scale:

90-100 A

80-89 B

70-79 C

60-69 D

59 & below F

Grade Weights:

Tests 25%

Written Assignments 25%

Oral Assignments 25%

Class Participation 25%

Supplies:

Students will need to have at least two different color pens (no green pens) for writing. (eg. Black and red, or blue etc.) Also, students must have a personal notebook. A composition or spiral bound book will work.

Code of Ethics

Students will be expected to maintain the highest degree of academic ethics. This means putting the utmost effort into all class work and assignments and avoiding the ethical pitfalls of plagiarism and cheating Plagiarism and cheating include:

• Taking someone else's assignment or portion of an assignment and submitting it as your own

• Submitting material written by someone else or rephrasing the ideas of another with giving credit to the original author or source

• Presenting the work of tutors, parents, siblings or friends as your own

• Submitting purchased papers or papers from the internet as your own

• Supporting plagiarism by providing your work to others, whether you believe it will be copied or not • Using any form of memory aid during tests or quizzes without the expressed permission of the instructor.

• Giving or receiving answers during tests or quizzes

• Taking credit for group work when you have not contributed an equal or appropriate share to the final result

• Accessing a test or quiz for the purpose of determining the questions in advance of its administration

• Using summaries/commentaries (Cliff Notes, Spark Notes, etc) in lieu of reading the assigned materials No student needs to cheat or plagiarize. Hope Charter School provides support services for students to help them achieve success honorably. Students, who seek appropriate help when they need it, will not need to cheat or plagiarize. I am always happy to give extra help to students who want it. Please see me to set up an agreeable time. (Text adapted from North Hunterdon High School policy on Academic Ethics)