Public Speaking

Course Title
CMST 101: Introduction to Oral Communication: Speech, Self, and Society
​Instructor: Reza Shirmarz
School of Communication Studies,
Southern Illinois University​
Course Goals
After completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Understand and interpret public communication processes.
  • Create, organize, and design public speeches.
  • Interpret and exemplify communication ethics.
  • Summarize and critique the functions of power and identity within communication contexts.
  • Recognize and implement responsible receivership of messages.
  • Compare and explain the relationships between self, message, and others in public communication interactions.
  • Execute behaviors that reflect each of the goals listed above.
Course Content
  • Narrative Speeches: Public Speaking as Storytelling
  • Communication Apprehension
  • Developing Speech Topics
  • Audience Analysis
  • ​Audience-Centered Speaking
  • Delivery
  • Organizing Your Speech
  • Organizing Your Speech
  • Language Choices
  • Presentation Aids
  • Informative Speeches
  • Persuasive Speeches
  • Ceremonial Speeches
  • Group Speeches and Presentations
  • Leadership Communication

Sample Speeches delivered by my students (Fall 2024)

Informative Speeches

Click on each topic to watch
Money Laundering
The Great Emu War of 1932
Social Media Effect on Children
Lo-fi Music
​Clothing
The Effects of Honors Classes on Young Students
Racial Injustice
The Impact of Fashion
Diwali: The Festival of Lights
Procrastination
The Impact of Social Media and Technology
Social Media Impact

Persuasive Speeches

Click on each topic to watch​
Cats vs Dogs
​Banning Mondays
Winter is Better Than Summer
 Time is Relative 
Hotdog is a Sandwich
Climate Change
Embracing Mortality & Time through Body Donation

​Ceremonial Speeches

Brown Bag Speeches
Click on each topic to watch
Click on each topic to watch
A Tribute to Mikel
 Group Ceremonial Speech 
Phineas and Ferb
Appreciation
Award Presentation
Appreciation