TA

Speech Assignment Sheet [be sure to read this item in its entirety]updtd 3/02

ASSIGNMENT & INFORMATION SHEET
                             
  Group Panel Presentations

       [[ This document contains the list of groups & the detailed assignment sheets for upcoming group activity]]          <<It is quite detailed and attempts to answer all questions you might have.  Read carefully. >>

                          

   The first thing you should do in order to prepare for this unit is to carefully read Chapters 10 & 11 in your text [10e] -- so that you will understand the communication principles underlying your  activities  in this assignment,  as you work within groups. The goal of this activity is to develop a preliminary understanding of another side of Oral Communication: GROUPS & INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION.  

Mostly, you will be learning-by-doing--via the planning session as well as via the actual presentation. The quality of each group's submitted materials & oral presentation will be the primary criteria for grading the individuals in each group.

 Together with 4-5 of your classmates, you will plan and complete this class unit which is designed to help you experience & explore the dynamics & procedures of  interpersonal / group communication:   


> the Group Discussion/Presentation   [click to go directly  to this info.  sheet] 
> the list of Groups  [click to go directly  to list] 

> the planning procedures  [click to go directly  to this info.  sheet]
 

         ABOUT THE Panel Discussion/Presentation:

 

 RATIONALE: This assignment gives you an opportunity to plan, prepare & present a group presentation of an important issue/problem of the day. You have probably already completed similar kinds of activities in other classes; however,  for this project, the emphasis is on learning more about the dynamics of small group communication. The goal is to help you become a more skilled group participant by understanding & applying the principles of Chapters 10 &  11.

 

PRESENTATION FORMAT:
When these discussions are presented in front of the class [see course syllabus for specific dates], each one will consist of three segments. The TOTAL  presentation time per group is only   20  minutes+2 minutes set-up time.  This means that the group members  will  need to plan very carefully in order to ensure:   

The three segments are:

Segment 1  {the symposium}  [approx. 6-7 minutes] - Some members of the group will extemporaneously present OBJECTIVE,  INFORMATIVE , BACKGROUND material  based on his/her portion of the research. Because the groups are all relatively large, it may not be possible for each  individual to speak in this segment. 
Segment  2 {the panel}  [approx. 6-7 minutes] - Next, the group members will subjectively interact AMONG  themselves - discussing  their respective viewpoints on the topic & on the researched data that was presented in Segment 1
Segment  3 {the forum}  [approx. 6-7 minutes] - Next, the subjective discussion will be opened up to questions & comments from the  audience members.  

  The presentation is structured in this way so that  you will  get a chance to experience the three basic  group discussion formats:  SYMPOSIUM (part 1) , PANEL (part 2) , FORUM (part 3)  even though this will be our only opportunity this semester to do a group presentation, .  For business majors , this will also help you begin to work on the group/team competency skills as outlined by the School of Business.

 


PLANNING GUIDELINES:    

1.  All group members should participate equally!  It is Everyone's responsibility to
          make sure that all of  the tasks get done.

2. Overall, your laptops will be very helpful for several aspects of the meeting & planning  process, including:
             > recording material during your brainstorming and planning sessions,
             > keeping a central location for the bibliography sources
             > communicating among the group members via chat & /or email, etc
             > supplementing the planning time you'll have in class
    If you use these opportunities efficiently, you should be able to easily complete the planning, research, and paperwork for this group project.

 

 

PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES: 

  1 -> Choose a leader/moderator.  This person will be responsible for ensuring that  certain tasks get done both Before & During the presentation. These tasks include ( but are not limited to)           

>>

ensuring the completion of the prelim.  & final agenda/outlines

>>

overseeing the research assignments

>>

overseeing the symposium assignments

>>

moderating the discussion during the panel & forum segments

>>

maintaining the timing - per segment & overall

>>

making transitions between the 3 segments,   etc. etc. etc.

                                                                                       
  2 -> All group members should participate equally.   Although the leader/moderator will double check on things, it is EVERYONE's responsibility to make sure all of the tasks  get done.

 

  3 -> On the next, linked page ... you will see a step-by-step review of the group
  organizational procedure  [click to go directly  to procedures sheet] .  It will help you put the text's guidelines to work.
 

    4 -> Required Submissions For the actual  DISCUSSION/PRESENTATION :

[a] Preliminary Agenda/Outline: 

Each group will submit one copy of their
"Preliminary Agenda/Outline".  Hard copies of this form also will be distributed in class .However. it is also available on line. The   Preliminary A/O’s can be submitted to me via hard copy OR e-mail [no-later-than  Tues  4/9-4:00pm]

[b]Revised-Final Agenda/Outline:

Each group will submit one hardcopy of its revised, final Agenda/Outline on the day of presentation, BEFORE delivering  the presentation.

[c]  extra credit--Reaction Journal:

Any group member can submit a follow-up Reaction Journal   which is IN ADDITION TO the work done via group collaboration.     If you're interested in this option,  keep a 4-5 entry computer journal. { Each dated entry =  1-2 paragraphs.} This journal will consist of your thoughts & reflections about being involved in the group process. At the end of this unit, e-mail your journal to me. [No later than: Mon  4/29]

 

 

 

PROCEDURES & GUIDELINES

for your MEETING & PLANNING   { Verderber-9e} 

DURING YOUR GROUP PRESENTATION PLANNING SESSIONS {which will occur both in & out of class}, BE SURE TO ACCOMPLISH THESE TASKS:  


1.  If you haven't already done so during earlier projects,  exchange phone numbers;  you should also know each others' e-mail addresses-- for on & off campus.  I also recommend you create a personal group in your e-mail address book, consisting of all the group members.  


2. Choose a topic for your group to discuss & present. It should be interesting, multifaceted, & "discussable" --and maybe even controversial. Also remember the general principles of topic selection that we discussed in class during the speech construction unit. The optimum  topics for this unit are those where the group members already possess differing opinions.
[[* Topics are on a "first come/first served" basis,  
so reserve your group's topic with me as soon as you decide on it! ]]  



 3. Decide if your discussion approach will be aimed toward FACT , VALUE , or POLICY. (see #4 on p.251 in text)    [Note: Despite the implications in your text, Group Discussion Presentations are not necessarily problem solving in purpose. Instead, your group might choose to share information or to decide on the worth/value of something or to decide on a policy.]  


4. Phrase your "DISCUSSION QUESTION" [which does for a group discussion the same thing a Thesis Statement does for an individual speaker].   See your text for examples (esp. pp.250-1) .
 

5. Complete  a "Preliminary Agenda/Outline" worksheet.  I'll be giving you a hard copy handout, but you can should submit it via e-mail. This will give me some idea about how the group is progressing on its own. (we won't be all together as a class for a while!)  
*** This posting/hard copy submission is due no later than Tues 4/9 , 4:00pm but the earlier the better.****  


6.  Determine the amount & type of research necessary to complete Segment 1 of the presentation. Remember, Segment 1 is based on data & evidence, not opinion. It will be presented as a series of "mini-informative speeches".  


7. Prepare a hard copy of the revised,  FINAL Agenda/Outline for the group's planned presentation. This document should be a group effort although it is the designated leader/moderator's responsibility to make sure it is ready to hand in just BEFORE the group gives its presentation.  
 

8. Remember, Group Presentations differ from individual presentations because they are NOT rehearsed in advance.  Of course, each involved group member should rehearse his/her  individual "mini-informative" that will be delivered in Segment  1;  however, the best you can do to prepare for parts 2 & 3 is to be very familiar with your additional data and evidence.  {{N.B. - Allow approximately 6 - 7 minutes for EACH of the 3 segments of the overall discussion/presentation.}}  


[Yes, debate-format, roleplaying, and TV news-formats are some of the variations you could use in your presentations. It's up to you & your imaginations. Visual/presentation aids are welcome.]  


 

[S' 02]   TA - GROUPS:

  << unless particular slots are requested, groups will give presentations in this order on presentation day >>

Group #1 Geoff O'Neil, Jody Smith, Vinny Moschetta, Jennifer Presley, Rachel Mirth, Jennifer  Crum

   [in-class planning sessions for the presentation:  3/20, 4/8, 4/10& 4/15[tent]                            [major grp pres.on 4/17 ]  
Group #2 Deanna Jannicelli, Tom Cafaro,  Margaret Beatty, Jared Fowler, Dahina Irizarry, Amanda Alosi,  

  [in-class planning sessions for the presentation:  3/20, 4/3, 4/10 & 4/15[tent]                           [major grp pres.on 4/17 ]  
Group #3

Jonathan Borromeo,  Mike Jadach, Cristina Bacon, Sienna Green,  Daill Garbini 

  [in-class planning sessions for the presentation:  3/20, 4/3, 4/8 & 4/15[tent]                                    [major grp pres.on 4/17 ]  

Group #4

 

Charlene Prismy, Carmen Rodriguez, Grace Balta , Viral Patel , Mike Hennessey

  [in-class planning sessions for the presentation:  3/20, 4/3, 4/8(½ grp)  &  4/10 (½ grp)  & 4/15[tent]                          

 [major grp pres.on 4/22 ]  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Folloup/Debrief:  (to be updated)

 

Communicate 10e