Welcome Class of 2020! Introduction Speeches

Welcome class of 2020!

This morning, after covering our course criteria, complete this in-class activity: 

With a partner, discuss and create: 

A. a list of ways in which humans communicate (humans communicate through...) 

B. Reasons why humans communicate

This begins our first step as creative writing majors. It is important for us to examine how and why (and when), as human beings, we decide to communicate. Of course, communicating through writing is only one way we, as humans, communicate with one another. This course will cover areas of communication, the communication process, techniques of effective communication, along with performance skills, public speaking, and various writing projects (fiction, poetry, scripts, personal narrative, essays, etc.) If you go on to study the arts, literature, political science, divinity, history, business, advertising, marketing, teaching, law, journalism, communication, or media, you will definitely need a basic understanding of these concepts.

Our first speech will be rather short. On your index card, jot down any of the following answers to these personal questions:

• What is one thing you want other people to know about you?
• What do you want to do after you graduate?
• What is one event that happened to you that changed your personality/outlook on life forever?
• What is one thing you're proud of that you never told anyone?
• What single event in your life has made you a better person?
• If you could accomplish one thing in your life, what would you like it to be?

Answer some of these questions (at least one) and jot down at least 3 main points you would want to share with the class about your answers. When you are called, come up to the front of the room and share your answers in a short introductory speech. 

Conversation is one of the most obvious processes of communication. Today you are going to "interview" a class member, then introduce this person to the rest of the class. The notes you take on your index card(s) will also be used to create a "fictional" character based on a real person during our next class. More information about that assignment will be discussed next class.

Activity:

1. Please follow my verbal directions to choose a partner for this exercise.

2. Once you have a partner, take 5 minutes to ask any of the following questions (see below) and record what your partner says on your index card. 

TIP: Don't worry about long quotes or trying to write down everything your partner says. Instead, jot down only the KEY POINTS of what your partner discussed. Try effective listening techniques to comprehend what your partner is saying. Synthesize or summarize these key points when you deliver your short introductory speech. 

3. At the end of 5 minutes, switch places and take another 5 minutes to be interviewed by your partner.

4. When time is up (about 10 minutes total) you will be asked to quickly organize your notes and give an extemporaneous speech introducing your partner to the rest of the class.

Sample Questions to ask (use 1 or 2 of these if you have no better ideas):

A. How were you shaped by your environment or cultural background as you grew up? 

B. Name a friend, relative, or childhood friend or hero figure that had an impact (positive or negative) on your life. Describe how this person influenced you. 

C. Describe a personal experience that had a major impact on your life and/or creating the person that you are today. 

D. What activities or hobbies or interests bring pleasure and meaning to your life? 

E. Name a goal that you have set for yourself. How are you going to achieve that goal? 

F. What value or philosophical belief do you hold dear? Why do you hold this belief or value so highly? How does it affect your life? 

G. Any other question you wish to ask within the time limit of this exercise.  

Again, please note:     

You do not have to write down everything your partner says. Part of communication is listening to what is being said, then remembering and retelling what you heard in your own way. Use your notes and ask follow-up questions to develop your partner's answers. (see below)   

5. Keep your notes for the next writing assignment (more details to follow). 

INSTRUCTIONS: Your short introductory speech should reveal something about the nature or character of the person you interviewed. When asked, please introduce your partner to the rest of the class. You may use your notes to help guide you, but try not to simply read off of your notes. Try to remember what your partner told you, then report this to us.

• Before you present your speech (all students are required to try this!), prepare your notes by adding a short introduction sentence. 
• Speeches usually open with an interesting statement or lead-in. This is called The Hook. 
• Begin your introductory speech with a clever hook or attention-grabber. Write an interesting opening line for your speech to introduce your partner.
• When called, please stand up and introduce your partner. You may use your notes if you get stuck, but try to also "talk" to us. No one likes to be "read" to. 
• As a class politely listen to each speech. Listening is an important element in the communication process. It is extremely rude to chat, ignore, or otherwise distract a speaker. Please be courteous in this class. As the class rule states: Respect all NOUNS (that includes you and me and each other).

We will conclude any speeches not delivered next class. This assignment is worth participation credit.