FUNDAMENTALS OF SPEECH COMMUNICATION 1

COM 114 – ASSIGNMENT 1 (15%)
Course: COM 114 Fundamentals of Speech Communication
Assignment Title: Interpretive Reading Analysis
The purpose of an interpretive reader is to communicate through voice the work of an author. In other words, the reader makes the story come alive. Successful interpretation of an author’s novel depends on the reader’s understanding of its overall meaning. To achieve this the reader should identify the story’s general purpose by adopting the appropriate speech style. In other words, the reader is expected to use nonverbal communication and vocal variety, tempo, rhythm, inflection and pauses to convey the story’s emotions and actions. The primary objective of this assignment is to help you identify and comment on the vocal and nonverbal techniques used by the reader to strengthen the effectiveness of his reading.
To do the Assignment:
1. Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBjI3F_ldvk
2. Watch the first interpretive/expressive readingentitled, “Sick”. The poem is provided below. (1:51 minute in the video)
3. Read and answer the questions.
4. Type your answers in the template belowand upload the assignment onTurnitin in Word format.
Reader Neil Scott-Barbour

Author Shel Silverstein – 1930-1999

Sick(0:25-1:50 minutes)
“I cannot go to school today,”
Said little Peggy Ann McKay.
“I have the measles and the mumps,
A gash, a rash and purple bumps.
My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,
I’m going blind in my right eye.
My tonsils are as big as rocks,
I’ve counted sixteen chicken pox
And there’s one more—that’s seventeen,
And don’t you think my face looks green?
My leg is cut—my eyes are blue—
It might be instamatic flu.
I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,
I’m sure that my left leg is broke—
My hip hurts when I move my chin,
My belly button’s caving in,
My back is wrenched, my ankle’s sprained,
My ‘pendix pains each time it rains.
My nose is cold, my toes are numb.
I have a sliver in my thumb.
My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,
I hardly whisper when I speak.
My tongue is filling up my mouth,
I think my hair is falling out.
My elbow’s bent, my spine ain’t straight,
My temperature is one-o-eight.
My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,
There is a hole inside my ear.
I have a hangnail, and my heart is—what?
What’s that? What’s that you say?
You say today is. . .Saturday?
G’bye, I’m going out to play!”

1. How does Neil Scott-Barbour introduce his reading session? Comment on the information he chooses to share with his audience and its effectiveness. (e.g. is the information related to the topic and author? etc.) (Answer in complete sentences: 50-75 words.)

2. Comment on Neil Scott-Barbour’s use of the following:
• Vocal variety
• Posture
• Eye contact
• Volume
• Stress
• Pace
• Pitch
• Gestures
Does the reader make use of the delivery features effectively? Does his delivery enhance the message of the story? Give specific examples by referring to specific instances in the video.(Answer in complete sentences: 180-250 words.)
_____________________________________________________________________________

3. Discuss one thing Neil Scott-Barbour could have done differently to improve the effect of his reading. (Answer in complete sentences: 50-75 words.)

COM114|GRADING RUBRIC| ASSIGNMENT 1 (15%)

NAME: _________________ | SECTION: ______ | TOPIC:______________________________

Criteria Unsatisfactory Poor Satisfactory Average Good Very Good
Template:
Provided format is followed, allanswers arewritten in full sentences and are within the word limit.
0 2 5 7 8 10
Answer 1:
Is complete, related to the topic, andoriginal. 0 2 5 7 8 10
Answer 2:
Comments on the reader’s delivery by including all the points, referring to the video and using appropriate terminology. 0 2 5 7 8 10
Answer 3:
The answer shows evidence of original and critical thinking. References are made to chapters 1 and 5. 0 2 5 7 8 10
Use of Language:
Is clear, and accurate. Grammar is appropriate to communicate meaning clearly; spelling and punctuation accurate; carefully checked. 0 2 5 7 8 10

TOTAL POINTS __________ X 2 = __________%

NOTES