The portfolio is a collection of (1) the student's work in the course (including speech outlines, instructor evaluations, research, and videotapes of speeches, etc.), (2) the student's reflections on his or her work (e.g., observations as to what worked well in a speech, how a speech could have been better, etc.), (3) student papers on communication goals and course synthesis, and (4) artifacts that the student collects over the semester that critically evaluate a concept or topic of the class.

Informative Speech

An informative speech provides audience members with new information. This may be done by describing a process, procedure, phenomenon, event, place, person, object, or by explaining how something works or operates. The goal is to create awareness of the subject matter and to increase audience knowledge and understanding. Topics must be original, substantive, and relevant to the audience. Visual aids are required. Additional objectives include learning how to narrow a topic, research and select appropriate supporting materials, cite sources, organize content, and deliver the speech with poise and confidence.

Group Presentation

This project will involve a unique presentational format in which a controversial issue is analyzed from multiple perspectives by a group of speakers (usually 5 to 6). One person typically serves as a moderator and assumes responsibility for introducing the topic, previewing the main issues, providing transitions between speakers, and leading the question-answer session that follows the presentations. Other members serve as "experts" representing each of the relevant perspectives. The group presentation provides an opportunity to explore an issue in much greater depth than is possible in an individual speech.

Persuasive Speech

The goal of a persuasive speech is to encourage audience members to adopt a particular attitude or belief, or to perform an action or change a behavior. A persuasive speech cannot occur unless two or more points of view exist. Relevance and credibility are emphasized. In persuasion, personal conviction is extremely important. Topics must be timely, substantive, controversial, original and relevant to the audience. Additional objectives include learning how to select and organize evidence, structure arguments, refute counterarguments, incorporate persuasive appeals, and deliver the speech with conviction and professionalism.