PLHS Speech and Debate Class2014-15
“I think debating in high school and college is the most valuable training, whether for politics, the law, business, or for service on community committees…A good debater must also, of course, thoroughly analyze the expected argument of his opponent. The give and take of debating, the testing of ideas is essential to democracy. I wish wehad a good deal more debating in our educational institutions than we do now.”
– John F. Kennedy
"Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
(Quotes From San Dieguito Academy’s Speech and Debate WebPage)
Point Loma High School
Public Speaking Course Syllabus2014-15
Period: 6Room 300 X 4300
Instructors: Taeshon Greene and Gabrielle Kaufmann with Mrs. Kwayana()
Mr. Steve Ford, principal coach
The Course:
As a member of the San Diego Imperial Valley Speech League, we at PLHS have successfully competed in League tournaments against San Diego City and County Schools. Public Speaking is a course that requires you to use your talents and express your ideas to a wide range of people. Public speaking looks great on a college application and is widely respected by many colleges.
Texts and Other Resources:
Essentials of Speech Communication (Franklin and Clark); The Structure of Argument (Rottenberg and Winchell); Debating Points: Race and Ethic Relations (Tischler, Ed.); Credible resources including print and electronic media from New York Times to
C-SPAN BOOK-TV.
Academic Requirements:
-Students must attend at least two tournaments a semester in order to receive an “A” in the class. Students who do not wish to compete in to tournaments may attend and explore different events and performances. A “flow” or a “rating” is required at the end of each attended tournament for those who are not competing.
(A note from a parent regarding why his/her student cannot attend the required number of tournaments is necessary for an excused tournament pass).
Academic Requirements Continued:
-Students must be able to perform at The Symposium at the end of the year. If we have taught you anything this year, we are hoping to have been able to teach about conquering your fear of public speaking in front of an audience. The symposium provides an opportunity to share with the world the talent that you have shaped throughout the course of the year.
Fundraisers:
Students are required to participate in at least one fundraiser per semester. Any participation beyond that is extra credit.
Tournaments Attendance Requirement:
Transportation- Carpooling will be provided in order to get to the tournaments. Pick up and drop off times will be posted according to the times of each tournament. We would like to stress that the times the tournaments end are out of our control, the earliest being 8pm and the latest being 12 midnight. If a student cannot be picked up from the school that late, individual rides home may be given if we are notified 48 hours in advance.
Food/Drinks-Students may bring their own lunch or they may bring spending money for food and snacks. Various snacks/water bottles are recommended.
Awards- Students who do not have a note from their parents are required to attend the awards ceremony in order to be carpooled back to Point Loma High School.
Dress Code- Professional. A "uniform" check will be mandatory the day before any given tournament. If the outfit cannot be brought in, then a picture of the student in the outfit will be required in order to obtain the points.
Grading:
Weekly Participation: 25 points
Attending Tournaments: 100 points
Uniform Check: 50 points
Flow/Rate Charts: 50 points
Cases/Speeches: 50 points
Class Performances: 20 points
Fundraisers: 15 points (+5 extra credit)
**Having your speech/ case in class everyday is extremely important. We will constantly be checking that you have them prepared and ready.
PARENT AND SCHOLAR’S SIGNATURES
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PLEASE ATTACH HERE SIGN AND RETURN BY DEADLINE
Please return signed form to Mrs. Kwayana by September 10, 2014
I have read and I understand the attached course syllabus.
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Parent/Guardian Signature Date
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Scholar's Name Printed Period
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