Story and Speech

Stories and connections contribute to good speeches. Whereas many speech courses focus on logos, this course concentrates on pathos. The student will analyze speeches, evaluate one another’s speeches, and develop presentation skills which includes vocal variety and non-verbal communication. By the end of the course, the student will learn how to develop and present a 5-7 minute speech as well as give a 1-2 minute impromptu speech. In addition to attending the weekly 1.5 hour, live-discussion classes, students should plan to commit three hours a week watching speeches, submitting written evaluations of the speeches, and rehearsing their own speech. Students who take this course will be eligible to compete for the Leonberg Prize for Excellence in Rhetoric.

Course Objectives:

1. Recognize a good story.
2. Keep a story/speech journal.
3. Translate a good story into a meaningful speech.
4. Use verbal and nonverbal cues to create connection and credibility with the audience.
5. Develop awareness of emotional appeal and word choice.
6. Integrate experts as resources into one’s speech to support one’s topic position
7. Learn how to evaluate a speech.
8. Confidently deliver a speech through an online venue.