Introduction to Public Speaking (Summer 2025)
Instructor Information[edit]
- Instructor: Yibin Fan, PhD Candidate in Communication, UW
- Class Meetings: Asynchronous (no meeting times)
- Office Hours: By appointment on Zoom
- Email: yibin115@uw.edu
Indigenous Land Acknowledgement[edit]
We begin by acknowledging that the land on which we gather—which touches the shared waters of all tribes and bands within the Suquamish, Tulalip, and Muckleshoot nations—is the occupied territory of the Coast Salish peoples, past, present, and future. We respectfully acknowledge their stewardship of this land on which we work, learn, study, and strive together for a common future.
Course Description[edit]
This course is designed for students to develop skills in argumentation, narration, persuasion, and public speaking. Students will create, practice, and deliver original speeches, while learning how to analyze the speeches of others.
We will study speeches from public figures to learn effective oratory techniques and apply them to three major speech assignments delivered throughout the quarter. This course draws on classical rhetorical traditions, particularly from ancient Greece, and aims to develop students into engaged, responsible citizens capable of participating in public deliberation and critically evaluating messages.
Objectives[edit]
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Compose and deliver clear and compelling speeches
- Develop rhetorical skills in invention, arrangement, style, memory, and delivery
- Complete three speeches:
- A key point speech
- A ceremonial speech
- A persuasive speech
Final Grade Determination[edit]
The course consists of 100 points in total, with each point accounting for 1% of the final grade. An optional extra credit assignment is available for up to 3 additional points (3%).
Grade Breakdown[edit]
| Assignment | Weight |
|---|---|
| Topic Selection Paper | 5% |
| Key Point Speech | 15% |
| Ceremonial Speech Outline | 10% |
| Ceremonial Practice & Peer Review | 10% |
| Ceremonial Speech | 25% |
| Persuasive Speech Outline | 10% |
| Persuasive Speech | 25% |
Grading Scale[edit]
| Percentage | Grade Point |
|---|---|
| 100% | 4.0 |
| 99% | 4.0 |
| 98% | 4.0 |
| 97% | 4.0 |
| 96% | 4.0 |
| 95% | 4.0 |
| 94% | 3.9 |
| 93% | 3.8 |
| 92% | 3.7 |
| 91% | 3.6 |
| 90% | 3.5 |
| 89% | 3.4 |
| 88% | 3.3 |
| 87% | 3.2 |
| 86% | 3.1 |
| 85% | 3.0 |
| 84% | 2.9 |
| 83% | 2.8 |
| 82% | 2.7 |
| 81% | 2.6 |
| 80% | 2.5 |
| 79% | 2.4 |
| 78% | 2.3 |
| 77% | 2.2 |
| 76% | 2.1 |
| 75% | 2.0 |
| 74% | 1.9 |
| 73% | 1.8 |
| 72% | 1.7 |
| 71% | 1.6 |
| 70% | 1.5 |
| 69% | 1.4 |
| 68% | 1.3 |
| 67% | 1.2 |
| 66% | 1.1 |
| 65% | 1.0 |
| 64% | 0.9 |
| 63% | 0.8 |
| 62% | 0.7 |
| 61% | 0.7 |
| 60% | 0.7 |
| 59% and below | 0.0 |
Assignments[edit]
Topic Selection Paper[edit]
Students will select one speech topic to develop over the quarter. This assignment requires proposing two potential topics (minimum 100 words each), identifying a broader conversation or debate, and describing what aspect of the topic will be discussed in the key point speech. Feedback from this assignment should be used in later speeches. Details are available in the Canvas Assignment page.
Key Point Speech (4–5 minutes)[edit]
This speech reinforces quick thinking, sound argumentation, word choice, and delivery. Students will choose a prompt and deliver a 4–5 minute speech in response. Evaluation will focus on argument strength, clarity of structure, and delivery. See Canvas for details.
Ceremonial Speech (5–7 minutes)[edit]
The ceremonial speech praises a person, organization, or event, emphasizing values through eloquent language. Evaluation focuses on value clarity, evidence/narratives, style, and delivery. See Canvas for details.
Persuasive Speech (5–7 minutes)[edit]
The persuasive speech motivates the audience to act. Evaluation centers on the ability to inspire action, use logical structure, and deliver effectively. See Canvas for details.
Speech Outlines (2 total)[edit]
Outlines must be submitted for the ceremonial and persuasive speeches. Outlines help students organize arguments and language, and will be returned with instructor feedback. Evaluation considers structure, development, and use of evidence.
Practice Speech + Peer Critique[edit]
For the ceremonial speech, students submit a practice version and provide peer critiques. These help refine public speaking skills and rhetorical awareness. Peer critiques are assigned after submission. See Canvas for full instructions.
Extra Credit Reflection[edit]
This optional assignment provides up to 3 extra credit points. Students must watch two videos (Linguistic Bias and Getting Interrupted at Work) and submit a 300-word reflection discussing their learning and its effect on their perspective or behavior. Due by the final day of class.
Course Schedule[edit]
Module 0: July 24[edit]
- Welcome to Introduction to Public Speaking
Module 1: July 24–29 – Key Point Speech[edit]
- Topic Selection Paper due: Friday, July 25 at 11:59 PM PST
- Key Point Speech due: Tuesday, July 29 at 11:59 PM PST
Module 2: July 30–August 12 – Ceremonial Speech[edit]
- Ceremonial Speech Outline due: Friday, August 1 at 11:59 PM PST
- Practice Ceremonial Speech due: Tuesday, August 5 at 11:59 PM PST
- Ceremonial Peer Critique due: Friday, August 8 at 11:59 PM PST
- Ceremonial Speech due: Tuesday, August 12 at 11:59 PM PST
Module 3: August 13–22 – Persuasive Speech[edit]
- Persuasive Speech Outline due: Friday, August 15 at 11:59 PM PST
- Persuasive Speech due: Friday, August 22 at 11:59 PM PST
- Extra Credit Reflection due: Friday, August 22 at 11:59 PM PST
Course Policies[edit]
Communicating with Yibin[edit]
You may call the instructor Yibin. Students are encouraged to communicate their preferred names and pronouns. Emails will be checked Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM PST, excluding university holidays. Please allow 24 hours for a response. Emails sent after 5:00 PM Friday may receive a response by Monday. If no response is received, students are encouraged to send a follow-up message.
Students are encouraged to use office hours (by appointment) for detailed feedback and questions. Drafts of assignments will not be reviewed before due dates. However, questions are welcome during office hours.
Online Class Conduct[edit]
Respectful and inclusive behavior is expected. Disagreement is part of learning, but all discourse must remain respectful. Harmful, oppressive, or discriminatory remarks will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the course and reporting to the University's Student Conduct office.
Class norms include:
- Announcements will be posted on Canvas—check regularly.
- All speeches must be submitted as unlisted YouTube links.
* YouTube video upload instructions
- Office hours are by appointment—email at least 2 business days in advance.
- Feedback is provided via Canvas. If clarification is needed, email to schedule a meeting rather than replying in Canvas comments.
- Grade concerns should wait 24 hours after posting; then email within one week to set up a Zoom meeting.
- All communication must be professional and respectful.
- Contact the instructor before the due date if extenuating circumstances may prevent timely submission.
VPN Use[edit]
Access to online course materials (Canvas, Zoom, Google Docs, YouTube, etc.) may be limited in certain regions. Students located off-campus, especially outside the U.S., should ensure they can access these resources.
UW-IT recommends the Husky OnNet VPN (free to students). Use the “All Internet Traffic” setting to route activity through UW servers.
Students are responsible for ensuring compliance with local laws regarding VPN usage and UW does not guarantee full access in all locations.
A Note on Incompletes[edit]
Incompletes will be granted only in cases of serious emergency and must be arranged with the instructor before the final class session. A written agreement will outline expectations.
Late Assignments[edit]
Assignments are due in Pacific Standard Time (PST). Notify the instructor in advance if a deadline may be missed. Unexcused late assignments incur a 5% deduction per 24 hours and will not be accepted more than 48 hours past the deadline. Final speeches must be submitted on time.
Academic Integrity[edit]
Plagiarism, cheating, falsification, and unauthorized collaboration violate the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 478-121 and the UW Student Conduct Code. Examples include:
- Unauthorized assistance on assessments
- Submitting falsified records or data
- Using or closely paraphrasing others' work without citation
- Reusing one's own prior work ("self-plagiarism")
- Using generative AI (prohibited in this course)
All violations will result in a zero on the assignment and may be reported to the Division of Community Standards and Student Conduct.
Resources and Accommodations[edit]
Disability Resources and Medical Leave[edit]
Students with approved accommodations from the Disability Resources for Students (DRS) should contact the instructor early in the term. For accommodations related to physical, mental, or temporary conditions, students may contact DRS at:
- Phone: 206-543-8924
- Email: uwdrs@uw.edu
- Website: disability.uw.edu
Religious Accommodations[edit]
In accordance with Washington State law, students may request accommodations for absences due to faith, conscience, or organized religious activities.
- Religious Accommodations Policy
- Submit requests within the first two weeks of class using the official form.
Mental Health Resources[edit]
Students seeking support can contact:
- Counseling Center: 206-543-1240
- Hall Health Mental Health: 206-543-5030
Additional resources:
Safety and Harassment-Related Resources[edit]
Students struggling with food, housing, or basic needs are encouraged to contact the Dean of Students.
Other support resources:
- SafeCampus – for safety concerns or support
- Title IX Office – for reporting sexual or gender-based harassment or violence
- Sexual Assault Resources
Students are also encouraged to notify the instructor, if comfortable, to receive additional guidance or resources.
