Speech Assignment Sheet [be sure to read this item in its entirety] [If links do not work, just scroll down]

 

  Oral Comm.

 

 -- MAJOR PRESENTATION #1 -- 

- INTERPRETING ORAL INTERPRETATION -

 a.k.a. Advanced Oral Reading

   [last update=2/09] {change in  adv. subm. reqmt}    


> ORAL INTERPRETATION (OF LITERATURE). WHAT IS IT?

> ORAL INTERPRETATION (OF LITERATURE). WHAT IT'S NOT.

> WHY IS THIS BEING USED AS OUR FIRST MAJOR PRESENTATION?

> WHAT CAN THIS PRESENTATION ACCOMPLISH FOR AN ORAL COMMUNICATOR-IN-THE-MAKING ?

> EXACTLY WHAT IS THE FORMAT OF THE PRESENTATION ITSELF?

>WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN ORDER TO PREPARE FOR THIS PRESENTATION?

> WHAT NEEDS TO BE HANDED IN:   IN ADVANCE?   ON DAY-OF-PRESENTATION?

> WHEN WILL THESE PRESENTATIONS OCCUR?   WHO SPEAKS WHEN?


> ORAL INTERPRETATION ( OF LITERATURE). WHAT IS IT?

 Oral Interpretation involves the oral presenter reading aloud the actual words as created by the author.

 

 Because  expressive writings work best for reading aloud, the full name of this presentation style is actually "Oral Interpretation of Literature."  However, for our purposes this semester, we will be stretching the definition a little. Therefore, you can choose from a wider range of written material than typical "literature" sources.

 

 


 

> ORAL INTERPRETATION (OF LITERATURE). WHAT IT'S NOT.

Sometimes people misunderstand the title, Oral Interpretation, to mean that the presenter's role is to talk ABOUT the literature selection. 

 

Actually the "interpretation" is the vocal & physical coloring the presenter gives to the author's exact, original words while reading them aloud, verbatim.

 

 


 

> WHY IS THIS OUR FIRST MAJOR PRESENTATION?

Oral Interpretation of Literature puts the emphasis on several of the presenter's "external" skills. The presenter doesn't have to spend as much time researching and structuring  & then creating a full speech, most of the preparation time will be devoted to rehearsing the selection aloud--using the voice & body to make the words "come alive" to a listener. This focus is well suited to early in the semester since we have not yet covered creating & structuring extemporaneous speeches but we have addressed voice and delivery.

 

It is possible to take a course called Oral Interpretation which goes into more detail about the art of language & the structure of literature genres. For our purposes in this class, the focus is on VOCAL Competence (via Chap 15 & slide show & class activities), PHYSICAL Competence (via Chap 15 & class activities), and LANGUAGE Awareness ((via Chap  3 & class activities)   (12e)

 

 


 

> WHAT IS THIS PRESENTATION DESIGNED TO ACCOMPLISH FOR YOUR ORAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS?

 In this presentation, you will get to use Vocal Variety , Physical  Gestures/Movement  &  Overall Animation in order to make the written  selections "come alive" for your listeners. [i.e. by bringing out the emotion, meaning, and theme of the selection(s)].  This is great practice & a  foundation for being more meaningful with all of the words that come out of your mouth-- no matter what type of communication you are engaged in.

 

 


 

> EXACTLY WHAT IS THE FORMAT OF THE PRESENTATION ITSELF?

 This presentation is one of the few times this semester that   you will be assigned to use "Manuscript" delivery style  [i.e. you will be reading your "literature"  selection(s) aloud:   word-for-word,  but you  ALSO need to maintain frequent eye contact.]  You'll make use of your vocal and physical skills to make the words "come alive" for your listeners.

 

 


 

> WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN ORDER TO PREPARE FOR THIS PRESENTATION?

PREPARATIONHere's the sequence at a glance:   

   1. Select your Readings. (the "literature" selections)

   2. Analyze Your Selections

   3. Submit a Preliminary Analysis Paper

   4. Devise an Introduction, a Conclusion, and any  transitions that may be appropriate.

   5.  Practice  the Presentation [including orally reading the selections aloud with feeling, vocal & physical skill]

   6. Revise the emailed Analysis paper as directed. Have a hard copy ready to be submitted BEFORE you give presentation. Do NOT wait until the last minute to print it out!

   7 Keep Practicing.

 


 

PREPARATION:  Details one by one :

 

1. Select your Readings.

 

for Section LS:   Everyone's presentation will be based on the same general theme:  "Influencing Others" . 

  There various sources where you can look to find selections that fit into this theme:  

            - Works that have been written by people in leadership roles

            - Written works that -in some way- address the act and/or art of influencing the behavior of  others

            - Works that have been written about people who are considered to be "leaders", etc.}

 

 for Sections BB & GB & TA & BBF:  Everyone's presentation will be  based on the same  general theme:    "Selections of writing that mean something to me."

    

 

 

  

     for ALL Sections: 

 - You also  can look in any sources you want in order to find your selection(s): 

    e.g. short story anthologies, novels, collections of  essays, poems, plays

    feature articles in newspapers & magazine, etc.

- I recommend that you choose specific  selection(s) {ex: stories, poems, plays, essays, articles, etc.} which are:  

     (1) fairly easy for a speaker to read aloud   
        (2)  interesting for your AUDIENCE to listen to.

        (3) and  somehow "relate"  with your own background, interests, culture, etc.

NB: It's possible that you may need to use more than one selection in your presentation in order to fulfill the timing requirement [see details below]If you are presenting more than one selection, there should be some characteristic  that unifies all of the selections. Here are 4 examples of  such unifying characteristics:

       the same subTHEME  

       {sample themes forBB/GB/TA/BBF:"Ethics in Daily Life" ,"Friendship" , "Relationships",etc.},         {sample themes for LS: "Ethics in Leading" , "Ways of Influencing" , "Leadership styles", etc}   
or    the same AUTHOR,
or    the same GENRE ,
or    the same PLOT, etc.
        

 

 

 

 2. Analyze Your Selections

Next, complete a careful  Analysis  of your selection(s).  This is necessary because  you really need to understand and appreciate the inner workings of the selection(s), in order to  present them effectively.   This step also will help you develop your preliminary & final analysis papers as assigned below.

 

For your analysis, take note of such things as:  language styleword choice the overall writing style , the structure of the selection , the author's underlying message your own thoughts/reactions which were sparked by the  selection.

 

 

 

   3. Submit a Preliminary Analysis Paper

 

Contents of the "ANALYSIS PAPER"  =

             -> Title (of each selection)

         -> Author (of each selection)

         -> Summary (of each selection -approx. one paragraph each)

         -> Theme (of each selection - approx. 2-3 sentences for each)

 

See submission details below.

 

 

 

   4. Devise an Introduction, a Conclusion, and any transitions that may be appropriate.

Structuring the Presentation:  In addition to reading the actual selection(s) [verbatim] out loud to your audience, there are other components to the presentation. You also will need to:

     A. Devise an INTRODUCTION (30 sec - 1 minute in length)

     B. If needed, devise TRANSITIONS (to use between selections / 1-2 sentences each) 

    C. If appropriate, devise a CONCLUSION (30 sec - 1minute in length )

 

 

 

   5.  Practice  the Presentation [including orally reading the selections aloud with feeling, vocal & physical skill]

 

Delivery : Be sure to read what your text has to say about  the "Manuscript" method of speech delivery. AND, don't forget the importance of  eye contact, vocal variety, & natural gestures-- even when you are reading from a "manuscript."

 

 

 

   6. Revise the emailed (Preliminary)Analysis paper, as directed.

 

Have a hard copy  of your revision ready to be submitted BEFORE you give presentation. Do NOT wait until the last minute to print it out!

 

 

 

   7 Keep Practicing.

 

 

OPTIONAL -- In order to provide you with an additional  opportunity for moral & task support, this presentation can be  done as a collaboration between 2 people.  However, if you  select  this alternative, please note  that: 

EACH INDIVIDUAL WILL PREPARE  /  REHEARSE  /  SUBMIT  SEPARATELY,

AND EACH PERSON WILL BE GRADED SEPARATELY.

 

 

     

 

 


 

    

>HOW LONG WILL THE PRESENTATION BE?

TIMING The entire presentation should total only  3 - 4 min.  This includes the introduction +  the actual selection(s) + any transitions that you think are appropriate  ,+  and the conclusion. 

 

 


 

> WHAT NEEDS TO BE HANDED IN: IN ADVANCE?  ON DAY-OF-PRESENTATION?

FOR SUBMISSION:  Each speaker is required to prepare &  submit an "ANALYSIS PAPER"  to be handed to the professor  before the presentation  begins.  This submission  consists of  the following 4 items for each selection that is being read orally within the presentation:

 Contents of the "ANALYSIS PAPER"  =

             -> Title (of each selection)

             -> Author (of each selection)

             -> Summary (of each selection -approx. one paragraph each)

             -> Theme (of each selection - approx. 2-3 sentences for each)

NB: Summary  =  what happens  in the selection; i.e. plot   / Theme = what the selection is about; i.e. message

   


in advance:  UPDATE: THIS IS NOW AN OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT:

email POSTING of a  Preliminary ANALYSIS PAPER: ( as described above)  . Due no later than  Weds- 4:00pm --  EARLIER SUBMISSION IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.


day-of-presentation
 
The "HARD COPY" of your  Revised Analysis Paper  is still due on YOUR assigned Day-of-Presentation: BEFORE you give the presentation. Do NOT wait until the last minute to print it out!

Remember, the contents of the  "ANALYSIS PAPER"  =

             -> Title (of each selection)

             -> Author (of each selection)

             -> Summary (of each selection -approx. one paragraph each)

             -> Theme (of each selection - approx. 2-3 sentences for each)

 

 

 


> WHEN WILL THESE PRESENTATIONS OCCUR?    WHO SPEAKS WHEN?

This semester, presentations begin on BB: Mon 2/9 | LS:  Weds 10/1.  Refer to your  class's specific Presentation schedule    in order to find out the specific date you are scheduled to speak & the date you are scheduled to serve as a written evaluator.  This  Presentation Schedule <listing Speakers &  Evaluators>  will be accessible via the course calendar as well as via the Presentation Schedule shortcut button on Dr. Plummer's main web page.

 You are  always free to volunteer for a particular presentation date, but once the schedule is published/posted (generally 2-3 days before the presentations begin), no changes can be made unless YOU make arrangements to switch slots with someone. If so, you should let me know of any switches asap. 

 



 

   [OralComm]                                                                                                                                                        updated 2/09]