Department of Communication

COM 100:  Fundamentals of Speech Communication
College at Home (Video)

Section V31 (Gallatin/Saturday 10am)

INSTRUCTOR         Leonard Assante

Office:                        Ramer-150, Gallatin Campus

Phone/voice mail   615.230.3727 or 1.888.335.VSCC  x3727  

Fax:                            615.230.3228  (Please include a fax cover sheet with my name and section # on it!)

E-mail                        Len.Assante@volstate.edu  (Instructor)

                                    C@HServices@volstate.edu  (College at Home Desk)

Mailing Address:    Department of Communication, Volunteer State Community College, 1480 Nashville Pike, Gallatin, TN  37066- 3188

Office hours:           Schedule is here  

Schedule:                Class meetings and due dates

KEY COLLEGE, DEPARTMENT, DISTANCE LEARNING & COM 100 WEB PAGES:   
Course Orientation Pages (Intro to COM 100 on video) (Read these FIRST!):

http://www2.volstate.edu/humanities/comm/com100c@horientation.htm

http://www2.volstate.edu/distance/students/CourseOrientations.htm

Department of Communication Site:

http://www2.volstate.edu/humanities/comm/comm.htm  (Department resources, faculty, courses, programs, activities and research center.)

Instructor’s Website http://www2.volstate.edu/lassante/

Textbook Site:  http://www.wadsworth.com/communication_d/

(click on “student resources” on the left, then click on the image of your text)

Volunteer State Community College Library:  http://www2.volstate.edu/library/

Volunteer State Distance Education Standards and E-Mail:

http://www2.volstate.edu/distance/faculty/tools&forms/distance_learning_course_standards.htm

E-Mail:  DLServices@volstate.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Fundamentals of Speech Communication (3 hours credit)

COM 100 gives you an opportunity to develop oral communication skills to help you function effectively in society as students, citizens, and workers. This course should enable you to:

·        understand the principles of communication -- intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, and public

·        evaluate your actions and apply problem-solving skills in social and personal situations

·        improve your ability to prepare, deliver, and assess public speeches

REQUIRED MATERIALS             

Textbook & CD-Rom:       Communicate! 12th Edition. Verderber & Verderber

(NOTE:  Students MUST return CD-ROM with textbook in order to sell book back .)

Workbook:                           Student Workbook for Communicate! 

                                                                Note:  Text and Workbook can be purchased as a “bundle.”

Videotapes/DVDs:             COM 100 College @ Home (available at McGavock Library or LRC)

Email/Internet Access:     The Instructor will make use of the student e-mail system to communicate with the class. 

IMPORTANT NOTE

The schedule and policies for this class are subject to change.  (Students will be advised via E-Mail of any changes.)

COURSE GOALS:

General Education Outcomes

To successfully complete this course, students will demonstrate the ability to send in receive information in oral form for a variety of purposes, in one-on-one situations, in small groups, and in public.

Course Outcome Statements:

I.  “…introduction to the communication process…”
      The student will:
       A.  Describe the communication process in face-to-face and technology-based
             communication
       B.  List and define aspects of self-perception that influence communication
       C.  Describe elements that affect perception of others
       D.  Describe the nature of verbal and non-verbal communication
       E.  Describe the relationship between verbal and non-verbal communication

       F.  Describe the impact of communications technology on the communication

process

II.  “…interpersonal communication…”
       The student will:
        A.  Describe conversation characteristics
        B.  List and differentiate effective listening and response techniques
        C.  Describe different aspects of sharing feelings
        D.  Describe the stages of communication in relationships
        E.  Describe responsibilities of job interview participants

III.  “…group discussion…”
        The student will:
        A.  Describe participation considerations in group communication
        B.  List and describe steps in group problem-solving
        C.  Differentiate member roles in group communication
        D.  Describe characteristics related to group leadership

 IV.  “…public speaking…”
        The student will:
        A.  Determine speech goals
        B.  Choose and restrict a topic 
        C.  Construct and organize a public speech for different goals
        D.  Employ traditional and technology-based research skills
        E.  Demonstrate use of support for ideas in a public speech
        F.  Demonstrate verbal and non-verbal techniques of adapting to an audience

COURSE SCHEDULE – MEETINGS & ASSIGNMENTS:
(Monitor your student e-mail for changes, updates, reminders, etc.)
(NOTE:  All faxes/envelopes/tapes/etc MUST have student & instructor names & section number!)

Note:  All meetings take place at 10am in Caudill Hall 204.

Sat  9/1                                  Class Meeting 1 (Course Orientation)

on or before Sat  9/29        Written Exercise 1

(based on Workbook Exercises Chapters 1-9)

- deliver by e-mail, mail, fax, or in person

Sat 9/29 – Sat 10/06            Exam 1 – College @ Home Desk                         

                                                (textbook chapters 1-9 + accompanying video lessons) 

on or before Wed 10/17    Written Exercise 2 

(based on Workbook Exercises Chapters 12-16)

                                                - deliver by e-mail, mail, fax, or in person 

on or before Sat 10/20       Sentence Outline Draft for Informative Speech

                                                - deliver by e-mail, mail, fax, or in person

Sat 10/27                               Class Meeting 2

                                                Informative Speeches

                                                (Sentence Outline + Speech Notes also due)

on or before Sat 11/10       Sentence Outline Draft for Persuasive Speech

                                                - deliver by e-mail, mail, fax, or in person

Sat 11/17                               Class Meeting 3                 

                                                Persuasive Speeches 

                                                (Sentence Outline + Speech Notes also due)

Sat 11/17 – Sat 12/01         Exam 2 – College @ Home Desk or after class 12/01  

                                                (textbook chapters 10-18 + accompanying video lessons)

Sat 12/01                               Class Meeting 4

                                                Impromptu Speeches + Group Exercise

Sat  12/08                              Group Exercise Analysis

- deliver by e-mail, mail, fax, or in person by 5pm

COURSE GRADING:

(see next  pages for detailed descriptions of each type of activity)

Examinations

Exam 1:          textbook chapters 1-9 + accompanying video lessons    150 points

Exam 2:          textbook chapters 10-18 + accompanying video lessons            150 points
(Take practice quizzes in student workbook to prepare for exams.)

Written Exercises                                                                                      

Exercise 1:                 based on textbook/workbook chapters 1-9                       100 points     

Exercise 2:                 based on textbook/workbook chapters 12-16                   100 points     

Exercise 3:                 based on in-class exercise and chapter 11                        150 points     

Speeches

Informative Speech                                                                                                   100 points

            Sentence Outline*                                                                                           25 points

            Speech Notes                                                                                                 25 points

Persuasive Speech                                                                                                  100 points

            Sentence Outline*                                                                                           25 points

            Speech Notes                                                                                                 25 points

Impromptu Speech                                                                                                     50 points

                                                                                                            TOTAL        1000 points

*Sentence Outlines: A typed, completed draft of your sentence outline, including the bibliography, is due before you deliver each speech. (See your COURSE SCHEDULE for due dates.) Your draft will not be graded, but your instructor will review it and give you feedback to help you improve your grade on the final draft (which is due the day you give your speech) and to help you improve your grade on the actual speech. You will lose 5 points for every day that your Sentence Outline Draft is late.

COURSE POLICIES

E-Mail Monitoring

I will be communicating with you via e-mail on occasion.  All students are provided with e-mail accounts through the college.  Please check your Vol. State e-mail regularly. 

Attendance/Make-ups

You must attend all scheduled class meetings, take all exams during the windows given, and turn in all exercises by the due date -- or you risk failing the class. If you cannot come to campus or complete assignments, you must contact me in advance to reschedule. In the case of an unforeseen emergency, you must contact me and provide verifying documentation within 24 hours after the missed class, exam, or due date; no excuses will be considered after that. Make-ups or extensions are at my discretion and only in the event of legitimate and verifiable situations, such as serious illness, family emergencies, or court, military, or school activities. Make-ups or extensions may require campus visits at a day or time other than scheduled class meetings.  Speeches may be made up using the video tape option discussed below.

Tardiness

If you are late to class, you are likely to interrupt a classmate during his or her speech, and this is disrespectful as well as disruptive. If you must be late, wait in the hall until the speech is complete. You will lose 10 points from your final point total for every ½ hour you are late.

Cancellation of Class

In case of inclement weather, the college may cancel classes.  Please monitor local TV and radio or call 452-8600 and listen to the recorded message.  (If Metro Nashville closes, McGavock will be closed, so there will be no class.)  I will e-mail you with instructions in the event of cancellation.

“I” Grades

I will only assign “Incomplete” grades if you are passing the class, if you specifically ask for an “I,” and if we agree to exactly what activities or assignments you must complete.

Academic Dishonesty

“Plagiarism is using other people’s ideas as your own, copying all or parts of someone else’s work, having another person write the assignment, getting too much assistance in writing, or failing to document accurately the use of source material” (Volunteer State Community College Student Handbook). Instances of plagiarism or cheating will result in a ZERO for the relevant assignment or exam AND possible failure of the course.  Note:  I use plagiarism detection software on all written work.

FINANCIAL AID ATTENDANCE POLICY

If you are receiving Title IV financial assistance (Pell Grant, Student Loan or SEOG Grant), you must regularly attend class (according to the rules of that program) or be subject to repay PART or ALL of the Federal Financial Aid you received for the semester. Other forms of assistance may have similar rules.

STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

It is the student's responsibility to self identify with the Office of Disability Services in order to receive accommodations.  Disability Services is located in C206B, x3472.  Only those students with official documentation from the Office of Disability Services will receive services.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Volunteer State Community College, a Tennessee Board of Regents institution, is an equal opportunity institution and ensures equal opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, age, sexual orientation or status as a qualified veteran with a disability or veteran of the Vietnam era.

GUIDELINES FOR EXAMINATIONS:

1. The exams are rigorous; they require a thorough and detailed knowledge of the course material. As long as you keep up with your reading and video lessons, study the material carefully, take practice quizzes, and call the instructor whenever you have questions about the material, you should do well on the exams. Find practice quizzes in the Student Workbook for Communicate! (Quiz Questions) and on the VSCC Communication Department website: http://www.volstate.edu/academic/humanities/comm/dpt100.htm

2. The exams are NOT cumulative; they cover just the material (textbook chapters and video lessons) listed in the COURSE SCHEDULE (above).  Practice quizzes to help you prepare are here.

3. Test questions may take a variety of forms, including fill-ins, short answers, and essays, but they will be predominantly multiple choice and true/false.

4.  You may take each exam in the window, or list of days, given above in the COURSE SCHEDULE. No exam will be administered after the last date in the window. (For policies on make-up exams, see Attendance/Make-Ups in the POLICIES section of this syllabus.)

5. Students will take all examinations at the College @ Home Desk in the Thigpen Library at the Gallatin campus.  Call the College @ Home Desk (230-3409) to schedule your exam. At the Desk, you will receive a test, an answer sheet, and a quiet location to complete the exam. You must show photo ID and bring a #2 pencil.

Exam 1:          textbook chapters 1-8 + accompanying video lessons    150 points

Exam 2:          textbook chapters 10-17 + accompanying video lessons  150 points

GUIDELINES FOR WRITTEN EXERCISES:

All exercises come from the Student Workbook for Communicate!  They are found in the Exercises section of each chapter, and they may include Journal Activities. Do not submit the Interactive Chapter Outline or Key Terms sections of the Workbook. You may complete them for your own benefit, but do not turn them in to your instructor as they are not assigned.

Complete each exercise immediately after you read the related textbook chapter and view the related video lesson.  Don’t leave your exercises to the last minute -- in other words, pace yourself!

Submission:

Do not send answers one-at-a-time. Send Exercises after you’ve completed all the questions you plan to submit.

- Submitting by mail or in-person:

Each assignment must be typed/word-processed. Make sure you staple all pages together and put your name on each one of them. Send or bring your work to my office on the Gallatin campus; DO NOT submit it to any office at McGavock High School.

- Submitting by e-mail:

Send as an attachment only.  Combine all 10 answers into one document; do not send each answer separately.  .rtf, .doc, .wpd, or .txt formats only!

- Submitting by fax:

Clearly write the instructor’s name on the fax cover page. On all pages, include your name and the page number.  (Note:  You will need a fax cover page as well as the usual “cover page.”)

Important: The burden of proof is on the student. In case of questions, you must be able to prove that you submitted your work and/or that you submitted it on time. You may contact me to confirm that I’ve received your work.

Format:

1. Clearly indicate which questions you are answering by including the question number and the full text of the question. If the activity or question includes a chart or worksheet, you can detach it from your Workbook, photocopy the chart, or do your best to reproduce it on your computer.  Neatness counts – points will be deducted for sloppy or non-professional work.

2. Answers usually must be written in complete sentences that form paragraphs. Check your grammar, punctuation, and spelling before turning in your work. You will lose points for work that needs proofreading.  Answers on charts do not need full sentences, but there is often an essay portion to chart questions that students often forget.  Read each question carefully!

3.  Each question should be answered on separate page/pages.  You must include a cover page for the entire assignment.  (The fax cover sheet is in addition to this cover page.)

Grading

1. Your answers must show that you applied considerable time and thought, and that you understand and can apply the concepts in the textbook and tapes. Longer, more detailed, and more insightful answers will receive more points. 

2. Exercises must be submitted on the due dates given in the COURSE SCHEDULE (p. 4). After this point, assignments will lose 10% for each day they are late.  (For policies on extensions, see Attendance/Make-Ups in the POLICIES section of this syllabus.) No Group Exercise Analysis assignments will be accepted late.  No exceptions.

Written Exercises 1 (100 points)

All exercises come from Chapter 1 – 9 of the Student Workbook for Communicate! 

Immediately after you complete the reading and video lesson for each chapter, complete the Workbook exercise(s) for that chapter.

All exercises come from Chapter 1 – 9 of the Student Workbook for Communicate! 

Immediately after you complete the reading and video lesson for each chapter, complete the Workbook exercise(s) for that chapter.

Each exercise (including the extra credit) is worth a maximum of 10 points. Only one extra credit answer will be accepted.            

Activity 1.1

Activity 2.1 AND 2.10

Activity 3.1

Activity 4.1 OR 4.2

Activity 5.3 OR 5.5

Activity 6.2

Activity 7.2

Activity 8.3

Activity 9.4 OR 9.5

Extra Credit:  Any one other activity from Chapters 1-9.

Written Exercises 2 (100 points)

All exercises come from Chapter 12 -17 of your Student Workbook for Communicate! 

From this list, choose 2 exercises only from each chapter.

Chapter 12: choose 2 from 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, 12.6, 12.8, 12.9 or 12.10

Chapter 13: 13.1, 3.2, and either 13.9 or 13.10

Chapter 14: choose 2 from 14.2, 14.3, 14.6, 14.7, or 14.8

Chapter 15: 15.3

Chapter 16: choose any 1from 16.1 - 16.4

Chapter 17: choose any 1 from 17.1 – 17.5

Extra Credit:  Any one other activity from Chapter 13

Each exercise (including the extra credit) is worth a maximum of 10 points.

Written Exercise 3 (150 points)

At the last class meeting, you and your classmates will be divided into groups and given a task

to perform together. The Group Exercise Analysis is a written assignment based on that in-class experience.

Complete these 6 exercises from Chapters 10-11 of your Student Workbook:

Activity 10.2, 10.3, 10.5, 11.1, 11.2, and either 11.5 or 11.9.

Each answer is worth a maximum of 25 points each for a total of 150 points.

If you miss class on the day of the group exercise, contact the instructor immediately to receive a make-up assignment.  The make-up will be worth a maximum of 100 points, and it is due the same day as the regular assignment.

GUIDELINES FOR SPEECHES:

Speech Assignments

(Note:  Be sure to review the forbidden speech topics list before picking a topic!)

Informative Speech  

In this presentation, you will teach the audience something they probably did not know before. You will select your own topic, so think about subjects in which you have special expertise. You could demonstrate a process or give background on a person, place, idea, or event. In choosing your topic, do not take a side on a controversial issue or urge the audience toward any kind of action -- save this for your persuasive speech.

Students at this college have given successful speeches on topics ranging from the ordinary to the exotic:  . . . the anatomy of a vulture . . . the history and symbols of the dollar bill . . . Davy Crockett . . . the life cycle of a butterfly . . . Newton’s principles of gravity . . . the Battle of Franklin . . . how to shoe a horse . . . tornadoes . . . hockey . . . (These are suggestions; you will think of your own original topic.)

As you decide what topic to pick and what aspects of it to discuss, consider how to generate audience interest. Although your idea might not initially seem to have universal appeal, look for ways to make it relevant to listeners. If you are enthusiastic about this subject, you can always make your audience share your enthusiasm. 

Persuasive Speech on Major Policy Question

The goal here is to win your audience’s support for a public policy issue. In this speech, you must do more than influence people’s beliefs. Instead, you must also move people to act. Go beyond getting listeners to share your opinions to actually changing listeners’ behavior: motivate them to get involved in the cause you are endorsing. In other words after convincing listeners that a problem exists, don’t stop there -- emphasize the role that audience members can play in fixing this problem. Provide specific recommendations for actions that your listeners can realistically undertake. These might include signing a petition, joining an organization, or voting for a particular platform.

Remember to address an important matter, not a trivial one; choose a topic that will help listeners improve themselves or improve society. This assignment gives you the opportunity to research a major policy question of our day. Speeches that advocate illegal activities, specific religious beliefs or practices, or purchasing a particular product or service will not earn a passing grade. No proselytizing or infomercials! Consider arguing for or against an issue important to Tennesseans, such as: state income tax . . . state lottery . . . extending I-840 . . . higher education spending . . . charter schools . . . acquiring professional sports teams . . . use of cell phones while driving . . .  (Also see list of forbidden topics.)

Impromptu Speech

At our last class meeting, you will get a topic and several minutes to prepare a speech (about 1-2 minutes). The topics will be general enough for anyone to speak about them without research. You will be graded on your ability to organize your thoughts and speak logically while delivering an off-the-cuff speech smoothly and engagingly.

Informative and Persuasive Speech Delivery

1. These speeches will each be 5 to 6 minutes long. You will lose 1 point for every 15 seconds your speech is under 5 minutes or over 6 minutes.

2. The evaluation forms used to grade both speeches are in this packet. When preparing your speeches, use these forms as checklists to ensure you will meet all expectations.

3. You may videotape either the Informative or Persuasive speech (not both) in front of a live audience (at least 6 people in a real speaking situation - not your home) and submit the tape instead of delivering your speech in class. Your audience and tape must meet certain standards, so you must contact the instructor for approval before making your tape. No tapes will be accepted unless you have secured this approval in advance. You must use Speech Notes to give your speech; submit these notes along with your Sentence Outline when you turn in your tape. Tapes and written materials must be received by the instructor on or before the date the speeches are scheduled to be given in class.  VHS tapes or other with VHS adapter only will be accepted.

Written Materials for Informative and Persuasive Speeches

1. You must hand in two pieces of written work with each speech: a typed Sentence Outline and Speech Notes. If you don’t turn these in on your speech day, they will only receive up to half credit. No outlines or notes will be accepted beyond one week after the speech was delivered.

2. These two outlines are NOT identical:

Sentence Outline

This is a detailed outline written in full sentences. It must conform to standard outline form (see page 356 of your textbook for a sample). It must include a specific speech goal, an introduction, a conclusion, and a bibliography (or list of sources or works cited page), as well as main points, supporting material, and transitions. This outline must be typed -- handwritten preparation outlines will receive a maximum of 10 points unless you have made prior arrangements with the instructor.

This outline will be turned in at the start of class. You will not use this outline when you are giving your speech; it is intended ONLY to help you prepare your speech – to organize and develop your ideas.

A typed, completed draft of your sentence outline, including the bibliography, is due before you deliver each speech. (See your COURSE SCHEDULE for due dates.)  While the Draft is not graded, you will lose 5 points for every day that your Sentence Outline Draft is late.  If you fail to turn in a Draft before the speech due date, you will not be permitted to speak!

Speech Notes

Use either Phrase Notes or Key Word Notes to deliver your speech. These are much briefer version of your preparation outline; they are sets of notes with just enough information to remind you of the points you plan to make. These notes should be LESS detailed -- not more detailed -- than your Sentence Outline. Notes do not contain full sentences. They may be handwritten or typed, they may be on note cards or on paper, and they may be in standard outline form or any other format that works for you. Turn in your notes immediately after you speak. See page 406 in your textbook for examples.

Speech Research

Finding and Citing Sources

1.  Both the informative and persuasive speeches require you to do a significant amount of outside research. It is assumed that you will bring your own ideas and insights to any speech that you give, but this is also an opportunity for you to build your research skills.

2. The sentence outlines for both the Informative and Persuasive speeches must include a bibliography (a list of sources or works cited page) or will lose 10 points. This bibliography must contain at least 3 outside sources for the informative speech and 4 sources for the persuasive speech. However, you will probably need to find more than this minimal number.  If you cannot find 3 or 4 outside sources on your topic, consult your instructor immediately and he/she will give you suggestions, recommend you choose another topic, or give you permission to go ahead with your topic despite the lack of reference materials.

3.  At least 2 or 3 of your 3 or 4 sources must be traditional written materials (e.g. books or articles) rather than personal experience. Written materials may be retrieved from the Internet; however, be certain that such materials are produced by recognized agencies or publications or by researchers with credentials. You may also conduct personal interviews.

4. All entries must conform to the MLA or APA formats. (If you are not familiar with these formats, please contact the instructor.  You will be given a handout on APA format and it is in the textbook.)

5. Do not list yourself as a source; you are expected to bring your own background to your speech.  It is often useful to mention personal experience you have with a topic, it just can not count as one of your three sources.

6. In each speech, you must cite (quote or paraphrase) your outside sources. Check the Informative Speech and Persuasive Speech Evaluation forms in this packet to determine the number of citations your instructor requires. Check your textbook for direction on verbal footnotes (pages 327-328).

7. Check the Communication Department website research center for links specifically intended to help students who are researching speeches: http://www2.volstate.edu/humanities/comm/research.htm

 
Samples of the evaluation sheets used by the instructor are shown below:

Additional Comments:

Additional Comments:

COLLEGE AT HOME (VIDEO) COURSE TESTING PROCEDURES

Prof. Leonard Assante

ALL students MUST make an appointment with the College at Home Desk in order to take a proctored exam at the CAH Desk in the Thigpen Library.  You may contact them at:  (615) 230-3409 or at cahservices@volstate.edu.  If you don’t make an appointment, you will not be allowed to take your test.

All students MUST take the exam during the exam window provided.  You are given at least a 7 day window to take the test, use that window wisely and with the knowledge that extensions won’t be given for.  You must have an ID, an answer sheet and a pencil with you in order to take exams.

You must be able to provide the NAME of your instructor, the NAME, COURSE NUMBER and SECTION NUMBER of the course and WHICH EXAM (1^st, or 2^nd) you are taking.

You may not leave homework assignments, speeches, outlines or any other work with the CAH staff.  Work must be turned in during class or mailed/e-mailed/ faxed/dropped off to the instructor by the deadline. 

CAH staff do not know anything about the courses you are taking other than what is found on the course syllabus.  Contact your instructor for help with course-related questions.  CAH can not provide students with extensions or any other help.

KEY INFORMATION:
Instructor’s name:  Leonard Assante                Phone #:  452-8600 x3727 Fax #:  230-3228  E-Mail:  Len.Assante@vostate.edu 

Course Name/Number:  Fundamentals of Speech Communication, COM 100

Section V51 for McGavock, or Section V31 for Gallatin

 (Note:  McGavock High School sections may take exam #2 after class #4 in class.)

General Criteria for All Written Work

(Research and Writing Guidelines)

Prof. Leonard Assante

[Note: See specific criteria on individual assignment sheets as well.]

1.  Typed, double-spaced 12 point or larger font.

2.  8.5" by 11" white, medium or heavy weight typing or photocopier/laser printer paper.

(Do not use color or onion-skinned paper.)

3.  Dark ribbon if typed, near or letter quality printing.  (Recommend laser printers.)

4.  Bound by paper clip or staple in upper left corner.

5.  A cover page which must include:

-interesting title (centered on top third of page)

-your name, course name, my name, date (all centered on bottom third of page)

6.  One inch margins all around.

7.  All pages (except cover page) are numbered.

8.  Perfect grammar, style and spelling.

9.  An INTRODUCTION that includes:

-interesting sentences that draw the reader into the paper

-thesis or purpose statement

-preview, explaining what will be discussed and in what order

10.  A well-developed BODY that includes:

-support and evidence for all claims (sources cited in appropriate format)

-well-developed transitions between ideas

-clear, interesting and original ideas and insights

11.  A CONCLUSION that includes:

-complete summary of all major points covered in paper

-insightful commentary concerning the thesis, purpose, study or nature of the assignment

12.  Clear, dynamic, formal writing that includes:

-active (not passive) voice

-absence of cliches or colloquialisms

-absence of contractions

-vivid and concise language

13.  Bibliographic citations that conform to MLA or APA style manual on a separate page headed  ABibliography@.  (See additional information below.)

14.  Quotations, when used are integrated into the student=s own sentences and refer to appropriate page numbers [e.g., According to Jones (1998), Astudents are more mature today than they were in the fifties@ (p.16).]

15.  All terms and concepts are defined and explained.

16.  Examples are vivid, concise, interesting, and illuminate the idea or concept being discussed.

17.  Analysis indicates a clear grasp on the issues addressed and provides insightful commentary.  (A mere review without your analysis is not sufficient.)

18.  Students avoid generalizing subjective experiences to others

19.  Have fun!  Humor (in moderation) can be effective.

Use of the Internet for Research

(all this applies to traditional sources as well)

In general, there are five basic criteria when evaluating the utility of any source.  These also apply to Internet sources (web pages).  As speakers, you are expected to provide accurate, expert, un-biased, current and complete information to your listeners.  Internet resources should be no different.  Use the following guidelines:

1.  Accuracy:

Does the page have a bibliography or list of sources?

Is the page free of errors in spelling, grammar and/or typing?

What is the purpose of the document? 

2.  Authority:

Who is the author/organization sponsoring the page?

Are the author=s qualifications provided?

Does the organization provide a phone number and mailing address?

Is the organization listed in the Encyclopedia of Organizations?  (VSCC library has a copy.)  If so, what=s the purpose and scope of the organization?

What does the URL indicate?  (.gov, .edu, .com)

Is any of the information protected by copyright?  Who holds the copyright?

3.  Objectivity: