Personal equipment is recommended but not required. Students are introduced to various oral presentation theories and techniques applicable to a variety of professional settings. Topics covered include public speaking, critical listening, topic selection, research, outlining, organizing, adapting speech to audiences, persuasive speech, and using visual aids from models to computer graphics in preparing speeches. This course introduces different writing styles for different speech formats. Students are introduced to the fundamentals of the AP style of writing in preparation for the more advanced newswriting and reporting courses.
Students gain proficiency in writing for the print media.
Students acquire an understanding of mass communications media. Students expose the structures, functions, problems, and criticisms of each medium. Students demonstrate the legal and ethical issues related to mass communications in our society. Students gain an understanding of the basics of good journalistic photography. By using camera techniques to produce black and white photographs, students gain competency in the use of digital photography equipment for developing effective productions in visual communications.