Course Syllabus

Fall 2026 | ENG-1070-VU01 - Effective Speaking

In Person Class

Standard courses meet in person at CCV centers, typically once each week for the duration of the semester.

Faculty

Margo Whitcomb
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Ashraf Alamatouri

General Education Requirements

Communication

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

Students develop clarity and confidence in interpersonal spoken communication by preparing and delivering various types of presentations before a class group. Emphasizes organization of material, clear and lively language, adaptation to the audience, and control of nervousness. Also covers researching the speech and using visual aids.

Essential Objectives

1. Select a topic and organize, support, and express ideas in a conversational and extemporaneous style.
2. Use the above skills for speeches in various settings, including both informal small group and formal public speaking situations, with attention to the nature and needs of differing audiences.
3. Prepare a formal presentation that demonstrates proficiency using the CCV Oral Communication Rubric.
4. Apply oral reading techniques to selected written texts.
5. Identify, analyze, and use non-verbal as well as verbal components of communications, including gesture and visual aids.
6. Identify, analyze, and use various qualities of voice.
7. Analyze and criticize speeches for substance, logic, technique, and effectiveness.
8. Explain principles of human communication and relate them to effective speaking.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV computer recommendations Support page.

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

This course uses one or more textbooks/books/simulations.

Fall 2026 textbook details will be available on 2026-05-18. On that date a link will be available below that will take you to eCampus, CCV's bookstore. The information provided there will be specific to this class. Please see this page for more information regarding the purchase of textbooks/books.

ENG-1070-VU01 Link to Textbooks for this course in eCampus.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Artificial Intelligence(AI) Policy Statement

CCV recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools are widely available and becoming embedded in many online writing and creative applications.

Integrated: This course's generative AI policy acknowledges the use of AI is an essential skill in today's world. By using genAI for specific purposes, students become equipped with relevant skills and tools necessary to thrive in a technology-driven society. Emphasizing the mastery of generative AI should empower you to harness its potential, enhancing your problem-solving abilities and preparing you for future challenges and opportunities. Be aware, however, that any time generative AI is used at any point in the assignment without attribution it may be considered a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

Methods

The course will use a variety of teaching methods, including, but not limted to:

• In class skill bulding exercises and presentations
• Viewing and evaluating professional speeches
• Evaluating peer presentations
• Small and whole group discussion
• Reading and annotation assignments
• Inquiry based research
• Writing Assignments
• Formal speech presentations

Evaluation Criteria

• Participation = 20%
• Writing assignments = 25%
• Introductory/DemoSpeech = 10%
• Ceremonial Speech = 15%
• Informative Speech = 15%
• Persuasive Speech = 15%

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

Participation is an integral element of any college class. This is even more so the case with EFFECTIVE SPEAKING as you will frequently be engaged in speaking and working with your peers. The particpation portion of this class counts for a full 20% of your final grade and is calculated per meeting as outlined in the final syllabus. The categories that partcipation will be assessed on are:

Engagement, Preparation and Initiative

Missing & Late Work Policy

For this course, every assignment will have a point value and rubric that is posted in Canvas. If students have questions of what is being asked of them, they are encouraged to ask for clarification which is an aspect of the "initiative" portion of the participation requirement.

CCV (Community College of Vermont) late assignment policies vary by instructor and course. In this course, a 10% or 10-point deduction per day late penalty is applied. There is a hard cut-off at one week past the due date, after which the assignment is not accepted and a 0% grade entered for missing assignments. LIfe happens. If meeting a deadline is prohibitive, students are encourgaed to be pre-emptive and speak to the instructor. This is an aspect of the "initiative" portion of the participation requirement.

STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED to deliver their speeches on the due date.If they do not, they may not be able to pass that assignment.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/student-support/accessibility-services/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity

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