COMMUNICATION CRASH COURSE

Speech Communication

Houston Community College Northwest

Professor Autumn Raynor 2013

Syllabi, Assignments, Schedules & Resources are on the Learning Web

Read assigned chapters before the class discussion

All assignments must be submitted in hardcopy, typed and stapled. A typed full sentence outline is required for each speech.

We sign up for speech order on the class period before speech day. If you are absent on sign up day, your name will be added to the list. All students should be prepared to speak on the first day of speeches.

No food is allowed in class. You may bring a beverage if you’d like.

Welcome to the Lectern!

If your name is called and you are not prepared to speak, you will receive a zero. See syllabus for make up policy

APA format is used in this class. Visit our class’ LW for an APA tutorial and outline examples

You may email me drafts of your work for assistance. I’d be glad to help you

You must arrive to class within 15 minutes of its start time

During speeches all distractions should be minimized; laptops, phones and tablets must be put away

One Speech Analysis can provide 5 extra credit points

One successful 90 second challenge can provide 10 extra credit points

Welcome to the Lectern!

NO Means NO

Do NOT walk into the classroom when one of your classmates is at the lectern. Wait outside until you hear applause and enter quickly.

Do NOT chew gum or eat candy at the lectern.

Do NOT use unkind or impolite language in outlines, speeches or discussions.

Do NOT miss more than three classes.

NO Means NO

PLAGIARISM:NOT EVEN ONCE

You MUST acknowledge sources for any material you use that is not your original work. This includes quotes, paraphrased content, statistics, facts and other material.

HCC Student Code of Conduct lists the following penalties for plagiarism: a zero for the assignment, a zero in the course, and/or dismissal from the college.

I can help you with references and citations.

IF YOU WANT AN A . . .

Do use index cards at the lectern. No other form of notes are

allowed.

Do ask questions. Do ask for help.

Do keep up with your grades and absences.

Do give respect to and expect respect from our classmates.

Do your personal best. Do find your voice.

Do practice by telling us something interesting.

HAVE FUN!!!!

Speech communication theories, principles and key concepts

All Voices

Language and culture are parallel.

We make words for things we need; we don’t have extra words sitting around.

Language is always evolving. We put content in

dictionaries, dictionaries do not dictate our words.

Words can have denotative (dictionary), connotative (emotional) and coded (secret) meanings.

Am

eri

can V

oic

es

Americans speak an average

of 135 words per minute.

American brains process an

average of 400 words per

minute. The United States of

America has no official

language on the federal

level. ‘Standard English’ is an

aspirational practice, not

enforced by our government.

Y’all fixin’ to get a coke?

Perception is Reality

Use Your Schema(you don’t really have a choice).

Schema is the collection of everything you know about your world; your entire collection of knowledge. You use this schema to interpret, measure and evaluate all new information.

TheoriesMaslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

TheoriesUncertainty Reduction- Humans seek

information to make sense of our worlds. We attempt to reduce uncertainty and may create uncertainty.

Social Identity- People view themselves and others as members of groups.

Speech Accommodation-Mirroring, convergence and divergence can influence in-group and out-group status.

Theories Discrepancy Arousal- People have

expectations about behaviors, feelings and events. Violations of expectations are more outstanding than confirmation of expectations.

Schemata- People have scripts, knowledge and expectations based on personality, perception and frames of reference. We use schema to fill information gaps with assumptions and previous knowledge.

Theories Attribution- People perceived all behaviors as

being caused and actively seek the causal agent.

Coding- Verbal and nonverbal symbols and signs are used to exchange meaning. These concepts are demonstrated through codes which certain groups of people can understand and others cannot.

Duality- Each communication episode is new and unique, but is dependent upon previous interactions and knowledge.

COMMUNICATION DEFINITION The process of creating and exchanging

meaning through symbolic interaction. As a process communication constantly changes. Meaning involves thoughts, ideas, and

understandings shared by communicators. Symbols include the words and nonverbal

behaviors to communicate meaning and feelings.

THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS

Context provides the people, the occasion and the task of communication.

Physical environment is the actual place or space where communication occurs.

Climate influences the emotional atmosphere.

Academic Discipline of Speech

Interpersonal communication includes the study of symbolic behavior in dyadic, two person, relationships.

Group communication concentrates on the small group of three to seven persons.

Organizational communication examines the effects that organizational structure and membership have on human communication.

Public speaking is the study of discourse and its role in shaping public perceptions and practices

Process DefinitionsMessage- Verbal and/or nonverbal signs,

and symbols used to exchange meaning; transmitted intentionally or unintentionally by a communicator.

Source/Communicator- Generator of an original message

Receiver/Communicator- Person who receivers and interprets a message

Process DefinitionsChannel- The means through which a

message is transmitted. This involves all five senses, media, film, voices, pictures, etc.

Feedback- The response of a receiver to a message.

Noise- Anything which interferes with the communication process. Noise can be external (real), psychological (internal) or physiological (biological).

Communication Process Modeling

Principles of Communication

1. Communication is transactional. You give something and you get something.

2. Communication is complex for several reasons.

It is interactive because many processes are involved.

It is symbolic because symbols are open to interpretation.

It is personal & cultural because a person’s culture can add a new or different meaning to a phrase or gesture.

Principles of Communication

It is irreversible because once a message is sent, it cannot be taken back.

It is circular because it involves both original messages and feedback which is necessary to confirm communication.

It is purposeful because there is always a reason behind a message and it helps meet our needs.

It is impossible to duplicate because each interaction is unique.

Principles of Communication

3. Communication is unavoidable. It is impossible to not communicate-with the universe.

4. Communication is continuous. Future interactions and relationships are shaped by previous interactions. We pick up where we leave off.

5. Communication skills can always be learned and improved upon.

Levels of Communication

1. Intrapersonal- communication that occurs in your own mind. The ‘voice in our head’: the inner speech or mental conversations that we carry on with ourselves. It is the basis of your feelings, biases, prejudices, and beliefs

2. Interpersonal -communication between two people.

Levels of Communication

3. Small Group -communication within formal or informal groups or teams. It is group interaction that results in decision making, problem solving and discussion within an organization.

4. One-to-group-communication involves a speaker who seeks to inform, persuade or motivate an audience. Public speaking.

Levels of Communication

5. Mass communication is the electronic or print transmission of messages to the general public. This may include things like radio, television, film, and printed materials designed to reach large audiences.

Competent Communicators

Understand perfection and excellence.Employ ethics and character.Consider the needs, feelings and rights of

others.Take turns.Keep confidences and avoid gossiping.Are honest and truthful (at least with

oneself).Are accessible and reliable.

Competent Communicators

Are responsible and accountable for their communication actions.

Are informed, or can admit ignorance.Are logical.Know the difference from a fact, a

statistical prediction and an opinion.Have demands. Put themselves first.