This course is designed to teach you oral presentation theories and techniques specific to situations involving scientific or technical topics. Content includes audience analysis, organization, delivery, presenting scientific or technical material to non-expert audiences, science/technology and the public, and the use of visuals. Toward the middle of the course, we will learn to use computer software to give oral presentations. Note that this course is a requirement for students in the technical communication major; as such, some emphasis will be placed on the presentations in the profession of technical communication. But students from all majors are welcome and will learn about giving presentations in their areas of study.

You will give at least four presentations, some individual and some in groups. You will be required not only to give excellent presentations but also to analyze your own and other presentations based on theories learned in class. Presentations will be evaluated based on how well they incorporate course principles, including the content of your presentation, quality of your arguments, delivery, appropriateness of presentation for a given audience, and use of visuals and computer software.
 
 

Reading Material

Gurak, Laura J. Oral Presentations for Technical Communication. New York: Allyn & Bacon. 2000.
 

Course Requirements

General class participation and attendance --10%

Impromptu presentations/pop quizzes and other assignments -- 10%

Presentation 1 -- 15%

Presentation 2 -- 20%

Presentation 3 -- 20%

Presentation 4-- 25%
 
 
 

Course Policies

Presentations are to be given on the day when you are scheduled to present. If you have an emergency and can not speak on your scheduled day, please follow the rules below for obtaining an excused absence. I will only reschedule presentations for excused absences. Do not come to class on your scheduled day and ask me to reschedule your presentation--if you come to class on your scheduled day and are not ready to present, you should try anyway; otherswise, you will receive a "zero" for that assignment.

Please spell check and proofread everything. And remember that if technology can fail, it will. So always be prepared to present with no technology, and get to class early if you need to move files or set up a laptop that day.

All out-of-class assignments and all presentations are required in order to pass this course. As with missed presentations, you can not make up any missed quizzes or in-class assignments unless you have an excused absence.
 
 

Participation and Attendance

The classroom is a great place to share experiences and skills with each other--learning does not take place solely from teacher to student but between and among all of us. Therefore, I encourage you to participate and contribute to class discussions. Class participation counts toward your final grade.

You may also participate in class via our class discussion list. I will give out the list address in class. Please use our list to continue class discussions, ask questions, and check for important information about assignments. I recommend that you check your email at least three times per week during the term.

You are expected to attend class. Irregular attendance will affect your final grade. Three or more unexcused absences automatically yield a failure, regardless of your grade on any assignments. Furthermore, you must arrive to class on time, since it is unprofessional and disruptive to walk in during the middle of another personís presentation. Too many late arrivals may be counted as an absence at my discretion.