CWB203 Strategic Speech

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

The ability to present a spoken message is a highly desirable skill in education, employment and life. Across a range of fields and professions, graduates will have many opportunities to speak in a variety of contexts, both live and mediated. Taking an audience-centred approach, this unit focuses on creating and analysing spoken messages. It introduces theories of language, rhetoric and persuasion which are interrelated to promote understanding and development of your communication skills. Regular practice sessions in a safe and supportive learning environment will enhance skills needed to become competent and confident communicators. An emphasis on self-reflection supports the importance of ongoing development of these skills.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate and present material in a professional and persuasive manner, both oral and written.
2. Discuss and analyse the rhetorical bases of persuasive speaking underpinning the choices a speaker makes in public presentations, whether in a live situation or via the media.
3. Reflect on and appraise individual oral communication skills in both interpersonal and public contexts.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit is taught using a mix of lectures, tutorials and online resources. The lectures are designed to explore the theoretical concepts underpinning the areas of communication practice studied in this unit. Video and textual case studies of speakers are used to explore aspects of effective professional communication.

The unit develops a distinctive, self-reflexive approach to learning to encourage independent critical inquiry, creativity and a commitment to professionalism. Material developed for this unit, as well as weekly in-class exercises, provide the opportunity to study persuasive messages, receive constructive feedback and engage in reflective practice.

The tutorials are interactive. You are expected and encouraged to attend all scheduled class activities and show evidence each week of having studied the relevant preparation activities.

Some tutorial sessions will be set aside for assessment items.

This unit recognises that speaking in front of others can bring about varying feelings of unease. Tutorials are run in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment. If you are experiencing difficulties, you are encouraged to speak to your tutor or unit coordinator.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback on your performance in this unit will be provided in various ways, including:

• feedback on formative tasks/activities completed in tutorials
• criteria sheets and additional comments on summative assessment tasks
• advice delivered through Canvas communications
• feedback and support from peers in your tutorial.

Assessment

Overview

There are two major assignments for this unit where you will demonstrate your developing capabilities regarding the theory and practice of speech and interpersonal communication. The first assessment is an oral presentation and reflection; and the second an exercise in rhetorical analysis.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Oral presentation & reflection

You will be required to prepare and present a persuasive 6-8 minute presentation in your tutorial. You will also submit a written document reflecting on your experience in relation to ideas discussed in lectures and tutorials.

Assessment: Critique (written)

You will write a rhetorical analysis based on a recorded professional speech or presentation.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages.

You will be advised if a unit requires additional mandatory health and safety inductions.  

Resources

Resource Materials

Other

To enable your full participation in units that utilise virtual learning environments, for example participating in online activities and engaging with online learning materials, you will need access to a reliable computer with an internet connection, webcam, headset and microphone, as well as a learning environment where you are able to fully participate undisturbed when required. 

Risk Assessment Statement

For risks associated with using campus buildings or QUT facilities, refer to the HiQ Health and Safety information.

You are advised to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.

Please be advised that this unit may include the presentation and scholarly analysis of material and subject matters that may be considered confronting, such as certain representations of race, class, gender and violence. QUT counselling support is available should you feel the need to avail yourself of these services.