Samford University
UCCA102 Spring 2014
Dr. Ken Kirby
Topics and instructions for Proposal speech and background paper

Proposal speech

Proposals are complex forms of arguments; in writing them, you learn to think of problems in view of solutions. Because most careers involve making proposals, you will probably be expected to offer proposals some time in your life. Without proposals, business and public policy cannot function well.  Keeping in mind the basic elements of proposals (select a well-defined, solvable problem; consider your audience; offer a solution based on your research; justify your proposal by laying out the particulars etc.), you will write a proposal speech and paper identifying one or more problems critical to US public policy and then advocate a solution that will, in your opinion, best solve those problems.  Keep the same assumptions about audience and purpose as before.  Try to frame the proposal within the university's Christian mission statement and your world view.  Speeches must be 6-8 minutes long and must be accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation.

The best speech in the class will be entered, with the speaker's permission, in the CA speech contest in April 2013.

Evaluation criteria:
The speech
1. Clearly defines the problem.
2. Clearly presents the actions needed to work toward a solution or to gain information needed to solve the problem
3. Gives specific reasons for accepting these actions and any potential solution they might achieve
4. Supports the reasons with appropriate examples, data, etc. (what our text refers to as justification)
5. Allows for objections and alternatives (nos. 1-5 address the audience through creating and resolving dissonance, placing emphasis on needs, using ethos/logos/pathos, other strategies)
6. Presents all material in an organized fashion
7. Makes effective use of visual aid (slides are legible, clear, uncluttered, visually appealing, and free of errors in typing, word choice, grammar, and punctuation)
8. Follows principles of effective public speaking (eye contact, voice and diction, movement and gestures, fluency)

Proposal paper

The paper should be about five pages (1500-1700 words).  You are expected to cite, in a helpful fashion, at least five reliable sources from web-based sources such as .gov or .edu sites, newsmagazines or newspapers, scholarly books, and scholarly journal articles about the problem. You may use an interview with an appropriate authority as one of your sources (NOTE:  off-campus source--do NOT ask a Samford professor for an interview for this assignment) so follow the guidelines for interviews on 208-210 in Guide to Writing if you do.  All sources must be properly documented according to an accepted format such as APA or MLA.  You must turn in several pages each from most of your sources with the quoted or paraphrased sections highlighted.  You will e-mail the paper to me as an attachment by class time on , with the attached file named "your SU e-mail namePROP" like "rkkirbyPROP."

Evaluation criteria:
The essay
(1-6 same as speech)
7. Documents sources correctly
8. Conforms to the conventions of Standard Written English.
9. Shows evidence of revision--all folders must contain your in-class papers and two drafts showing the progress of your thought and work..

Daily schedule:

Mar 18  Bring computers and books; discussion of Ch. 15 in Guide to Writing, in-class research and writing
Mar 20  Bring Communication Arts: A Student's Guide to review principles of public speaking; oral reports from podium on research progress

Mar 24-28 SPRING BREAK

Apr  1   Draft 1 due for conferences, my office (REQUIRED--I will not grade any papers that do not show evidence of multiple revisions)
Apr  3   Speech practice with PowerPoint (REQUIRED)

Apr  8   Revised drafts (draft 2) due for peer editing; begin work on film evaluation unit; in class, review Ch. 10 in Guide to Writing
Apr 10  Speeches, papers due (for those speaking on Tuesday)

Apr 15  Speeches, papers due
Apr 17  Film evaluation; watch film clips; in-class writing

Apr 22  Further work on film evaluation; in class, scan and discuss Ch. 14 in Guide to Writing
Apr 24  Film evaluation, in-class writing

Apr 29  Watch film
May  1  Finish film; bring one review to class

May 6  Drafts of film evaluation paper due for peer editing; introduction to final unit, speech revision
May 8  Revised speeches or debates

May 12 Film evaluation papers due via e-mail
May 14  Final exam, 3:30 location TBA