GIFT - template - Kathleen Beauchene

Developing Critical Thinking: Analyzing Contemporary Online Speeches

Nikita Harris
Retha Martin
Department of Communication
Columbus State University
G.I.F.T.S. Presentation
National Communication Association Convention
San Antonio, TX
November 2006

Goal:

The goal of this activity is to (1) offer students practice in critical thinking, (2) improve students' ability to identify and apply different forms of reasoning as they research and develop persuasive speeches, and (3) enhance students' online research skills through web-based and computerized services.

Rationale:

Students in the basic course often have difficultly in identifying and applying different forms of reasoning as they prepare and develop persuasive speech assignments. This exercise demonstrates how contemporary opinion leaders and speakers use reasoning to persuade audiences on topics which directly affect the lives of students. These models offer examples for student learning and application.

Directions/Explanation:

Assignment 1, Speaker Proposal
Students are required to select two speakers who address public and political issues related to a current event topic of their interest (local or national). Students are encouraged to select topics from the Suggested Topic List. The student should submit a speaker proposal that includes: (1) the names and titles of the speakers, (2) justification for selecting the speakers for the purpose of the assignment, and (3) two online sources where they can obtain speeches (7-10 minutes) in online and visual formats for each speaker. The instructor will have final approval of the proposed speakers.

Assignment 2, Online Speech Transcripts
Students are required to submit one hard copy of a speech obtained from an online source (speech transcripts must be accessible in written and visual formats) for the approved speaker. Students are encouraged to refer to the online resources section for suggestions on how to find appropriate speeches. Speech transcripts must be submitted with a cover page that identifies the speaker, name, event, date and source.

Assignment 3, Online Speech Analysis
Students are required to identify several forms of reasoning: Reasoning from Specific Instances (inductive), Reasoning from Principle (deductive), Casual Reasoning, Analogical Reasoning, etc., and fallacies used in the speech. Students should support each type of reasoning by using an excerpt from the speech that illustrates the specific form identified in the analysis.

The critiques should also address the following questions:
Does the speaker provide adequate evidence (examples, testimony, and statistics) to support his or her reasoning?
Does any of the speaker's reasoning pose any ethical concerns or problems? If so, how or why not?

Typical Results:

This assignment offers the following outcomes: (1) strengthens critical thinking necessary to apply sound reasoning as students research and develop speech assignments, (2) students become actively involved and motivated because they perceive the identified topics directly applicable to their lives, thereby (3) expanding their knowledge of current events and public address, and (4) instructors can use this exercise to teach other skills in developing speeches like building credibility, ethics in persuasive speaking, use of evidence, and appealing to emotion. This assignment can enhance traditional classroom exercises as well as online formats for student learning.

Sample Speakers Selected by Basic Course Students in 2005:

Vice President Dick Cheney
Vice President Al Gore
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld
Secretary of State Colin Powell
Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice
Secretary of Education Rod Paige
President Jimmy Carter
President William J. Clinton
First Lady Laura Bush
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
New York Governor George Pataki
Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue
New York Mayor Rudolph Guiliani
Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin
Reverend Al Sharpton
Chairman Ed Gillespie (Chairman of the Republican National Committee)

Suggested Online Resources:

http://www.freepint.com/gary/speech.htm
http:///graduation.tamu.edu/transcripts.html
http://www.hws.edu/news/speakers/transcripts/index.asp
http://www.harvardmagazine.com/commencement/2005.html http://www.osu.edu/features/commencement/spring2005/index.phq
National political party web sites
Local political party web sites
National online periodicals (newspapers, magazines, journals, trade publications, etc.)
Online books
National and local organizational web sites (government, non-profit, corporate, private foundations, trade organizations, etc.)
Academic web sites

Resources:

Bailin, S., Case, R., Coombs, J.R., & Daniels, L.B. (1999). Common misconceptions of critical thinking. J. Curriculum
       Studies, 31(3), 269-283.

Elder, P.R. (2001). Critical thinking: tools for taking charge of your learning and your life.
        Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall.

Gupta, G. (January/February 2005). Improving students' critical-thinking, logic, and problem-solving skills.
        Journal of College Science Teaching 34(4), 48-51.

Lucas, Stephen (2007). The Art of Public Speaking. 9th Edition. Boston, MA: McGraw Hill.