CommLab

Public Speaking Test-Out Information

Students who have had significant training or experience in public speaking prior to enrolling in college may seek to receive credit by examination for Public Speaking. Because the course is rigorous, the examination process is also demanding. The process includes two major components--a written exam and an oral presentation--each with specific criteria for successful completion.

Determine Eligibility

Full-time undergraduate students at Virginia Tech who are in good standing and who have never enrolled in COMM 2004: Public Speaking at Virginia Tech may register for the Test-Out. A student may not be concurrently enrolled in COMM 2004. The Test-Out is available only one time to any student who qualifies.

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Grades and Credit

A student who successfully completes Parts I and II will earn 3 credits for COMM 2004: Public Speaking. The credit will appear on the student's transcript as transfer credit.

Initiating the Process

Eligible students who are interested in credit by exam should complete the following steps:

  1. Read the procedures, including the timeline in this document.
  2. Submit appropriate paperwork and payment.
  3. Prepare for and take written portion of exam.
  4. Upon notification of sufficient achievement on exam, prepare and deliver speech.

Part I: Written Examination

For Fall Semester 09, the exam will take place Wednesday, November 4, 3-5pm in Shanks Hall 043

To successfully complete Part I of the Test-Out, students must achieve a minimum score of 80% on an objective test designed to determine the student's knowledge of the basic principles of public speaking. In order to move on to Part II, students must successfully complete Part I.

Registration

Students should register for part one of the Test-Out with the Department of Communication, 121 Shanks Hall. Registration will be accepted until 4 p.m. on October 23, 2009. Please see the registration requirements checklist.

Fee

Students will take their registration form to the Office of the University Registrar, 250 Student Services Building, and a payment slip will be issued. The student will take the payment slip to the Bursar's Office and pay a nonrefundable $30.00 fee. Once the student has made payment for the Test-Out at the Bursar's Office, an exam card will be issued to the student. Take the exam card to the Department of Communication, 121 Shanks Hall by 4 p.m. on October 23, 2009. Submission of the exam card to the Department of Communication will officially sign the student up for Part I [the written exam].

Preparation

Topics Questions will be based on basic principles and concepts of public speaking, such as audience, ethics, topic selection, organization, presentational aids, delivery, and persuasion.

Format The test will consist of 100 items in any type of objective format, which may include multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, true-false, and matching.

Exam Procedure On exam day, students will receive a paper copy of the test, upon which they can make notes; final responses will be recorded on an op-scan. Students may not consult any resources (books, notes, other students) during the testing session. Testing papers and op-scans will be submitted when the student finishes the test or at the end of the 2-hour session, whichever comes first.

Resources for Preparation

  • Text -- Students may review any general public speaking text, including the one used by faculty who teach COMM 2004 Public Speaking at Virginia Tech. This text, A Speaker's Guidebook 4th Ed. by O'Hair et al, is available through the bookstore and is on reserve in the library and in the CommLab.
  • CommLab Student Resources, found here

Scores and Results

Tests will be scored electronically, and faculty will review the results before students are notified that their scores are available. Students will be notified via email whether or not they passed no later than Monday, November 16, 2009. If any student would like to see official results or receive their exact score, they must set up an appointment with Brandi Quesenberry. Those students who have earned a score of 80% or higher may move on to Part II of the Test-Out. Students who scored lower than 80% are no longer eligible to participate in the test-out process. All grades are final.

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Part II: Oral Presentation

For Fall Semester 09, speeches will be scheduled for Wednesday, December 9th. Time to be announced.

Requirements for the Informative Speech

  • Issue Analysis Speech: Informative speech on a controversial topic where the speaker presents BOTH sides of the issue in a fair and balanced way.
  • Time: 6-8 minutes; if this time requirement is not met, you will fail Part II of the Test-Out
  • Topic: Assigned to students who pass the written test as explained in Part I
  • Authorship: All materials submitted and presented must be authored by the presenter; sources must be appropriately documented. The Virginia Tech Honor Code explains and prohibits plagiarism
  • Research: Appropriate to the topic, cited in speech, shown in correct APA or MLA format in an attached bibliography. Speakers must orally cite a MINIMUM of 4 sources, which are also reflected in the written bibliography.
  • Supporting Materials: Appropriate to topic & audience. (Varied, credible, relevant, and timely)
  • Organizational Pattern: Appropriate to topic, audience, and occasion.
  • Delivery Requirements: Extemporaneous style, business casual attire, MANDATORY use of PowerPoint as accompanying presentational aid

Outline and Bibliography

  • Format: An outline with bibliography attached must be developed for the speech
  • Submission: Final outline and bibliography must be submitted on the day of the speech

Speech Presentationn

  • Date, time, location: TBA, dependent on the number of students who are eligible for Part 2 of the Test- Out. We anticipate scheduling speeches for December 9th, 2009
  • Process: Students should be prepared to present the speech to evaluators (COMM 2004 graduate teaching assistants and/or faculty in the Department of Communication) and to other students who are attempting the Test-Out. Students are expected to participate as audience members while others are presenting. All speeches will be video recorded with copies retained by the Department of Communication.

Evaluation and Criteria

Speeches will be evaluated according to the following criteria, adapted with permission from the Competent Speaking Speech Evaluation Form:

  1. Topic and Connection with Audience: Selection and narrowing of a topic appropriate for audience and occasion; relevance made between topic and audience.
  2. Thesis/Specific Purpose: Clarification of the thesis and specific purpose in a manner appropriate for the audience and occasion. Outline and Bibliography submission.
  3. Support:
    • Supporting material: use of varied, credible, timely supporting material [examples, definitions, testimonial, statistics, etc.], researched materials that are used for logical and well-placed arguments and are appropriate for the audience and occasion; citation of all sources used.
    • Presentational aid(s) appropriate design & use of PowerPoint presentation to support, enhance and clarify your topic. Computer projection is available. Please bring your own laptop, or bring your presentation on a flash drive, etc. to access on provided laptop.
  4. Organization: Use of appropriate organizational pattern for an informative speech.
    • Introduction with attention-getter, thesis, appeal to audience (relevance and credibility statements), and a preview of main points.
    • Organization of body enhanced with connectives: signposts, transitions, internal previews/summaries.
    • Conclusion: summary, activate audience response, closure with impact
  5. Language Use of persuasive, inclusive, clear, and ethical language that is appropriate to the audience, occasion & purpose
  6. Vocal Variety Use of vocal variety in rate, pitch & intensity to heighten and maintain interest
  7. Vocal Accuracy (Intelligibility) Use of accurate pronunciation, grammar, & articulation
  8. Physical Behaviors Use of expression, movement & gestures that support the message

Resources for preparation:

  • Text: A Speaker's Guidebook, 4th Ed. by O'Hair et al. (available on reserve at the library and in CommLab)
  • CommLab Student Resources found here
  • Critique form to be used by evaluators (sample provided to students who are eligible to take Part II of the Test-Out.)

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Important Dates

  • Registration information available in Shanks Hall until payment deadline
  • Payment Deadline: Friday, October 23 4:00 p.m.
  • Exam card to Comm Dept.: Friday, October 23, 4:00 p.m.
  • Written test: Wednesday, November 4th, 2009, 3-5 p.m.
  • Notification of test grade: Monday, November 16, 2009, 4:00 p.m.
  • Presentation: Wednesday, December 9, 2009, Time TBA.
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Checklist of Registration Requirements: Fall 2009

  • Fill out registration form at the Dept. of Communication, Shanks 121, by October 23 deadline
  • Take registration form to the Office of the University Registrar, 250 Student Services Bldg. Receive your payment slip from the Registrar's Office.
  • Take payment slip to Bursar's Office and pay the non-refundable $30.00 fee. Receive your exam card from the Bursar's Office.
  • Take exam card to the Department of Communication, Shanks 121 by October 23, 2009 at 4 p.m.

Download the Registration Form

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Public Speaking
Test-Out Information
If you are interested in testing out of public speaking, please visit this page to read about the requirements and deadlines for completing the test-out process.