Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE ELP1102

 
TITLE Developing Skills in Public Speaking and Debating

 
UM LEVEL 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 2

 
DEPARTMENT Centre for Academic Literacies and English Communication Skills

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit will allow students to enhance their skills in public speaking and debating.

Building on ELP1101, it is here that students will practise speaking about a number of topics fluently and persuasively. They will learn how to search for relevant information and structure a speech according to the time frame permitted to them. They will also become aware of effective tone and pitch, clarity of diction, accurate choice of vocabulary and clear argument and logic in order for them to deliver convincing speeches.

This study-unit will allow students to enhance their skills in public speaking and debating.

Building on ELP1101, , it is here that students will practise speaking about a number of topics fluently and persuasively. They will learn how to search for relevant information and structure a speech according to the time frame permitted to them. They will also become aware of effective tone and pitch, clarity of diction, accurate choice of vocabulary and clear argument and logic in order for them to deliver convincing speeches.

Study-Unit Aims:
This study-unit aims to:

- enhance students' skills in organising and structuring effective communication;
- increase students' confidence to speak in public;
- enhance students' ability to negotiate and pitch ideas through discussion and debating exercises; and
- offers students a much needed opportunity to consolidate what is covered in ELP1101 'The Basics of Public Speaking and Debating'.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- understand the importance of being able to speak effectively in various contexts and to different audiences;
- understand the various layers embedded in effective public speaking, including body language, gesture, intonation and presentation;
- identify models and practices that enable them to continue developing their skills.

2. Skills:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- control body, voice and intonation to adapt to different audiences;
- adapt language registers to the scope of various presentation styles;
- use various presentation structures;
- listen effectively and rebut arguments;
- speak persuasively in front of an audience;
- argue in favour and against various propositions;
- structure speeches of different lengths;
- present their ideas professionally;
- speak comfortably in front of a camera.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- Harvey-Smith, Neill, The Practical Guide to Debating (New York: International Debate Education Association, 2011)
- Hughes, Dominic and Phillips, Benedict, The Oxford Union Guide to Speaking in Public (London: Virgin Books Ltd., 2000)
- Lucas, Stephen E., The Art of Public Speaking (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2004)
- Sather, Trevor, Pros and Cons: A Debater's Handbook (London: Routledge, 1999)
- Weston, Anthony, A Rulebook for Arguments (Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company Inc., 2009)

Students will also be provided with a reading pack

 
RULES/CONDITIONS Before TAKING THIS UNIT YOU MUST TAKE ELP1101

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Reassessment is 100% Oral Examination.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Classwork [See Add. Notes] SEM2 ** 100%

 
LECTURER/S Stefania Pace

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit