ENGL BC3121

You need to do some light reading (which I took with a grain of salt sometimes) and write pre-speech outlines and post speech reflections. These are basically graded on completion. I think I gave 6ish speeches 2 were on a whim. *Please note* you are standing up in front of everyone and speaking pretty regularly. If this sounds like something that will send you into a spiral (while I suggest going out of your comfort zone) this may not be the class for you. Everyone was nervous for the first few go's...but it really subsided after that. The speeches were graded on content NOT delivery aka she didn't care if you were fidgety, nervous, not making eye-contact etc....however of course she encourages all that. You also had to meet with a speaking fellow twice throughout the semester for like 30/45 mins. To me a super easy A, but most of all a rewarding experience....I am much less nervous speaking in front of people like that now. She is such a gem and her class was an alllll time favorite (coming from a senior). I recommend this to anyone and everyone but there are only a few spots (which all go to seniors basically) so it may take you a few attempts to get in. I finally got in on my 3rd and I'm so grateful I did. Fill out the survey (even as a lowerclassman) to show early interest in taking it eventually. If you are not a senior (unless things change or shes teaching a "first year…

6 speeches (one ungraded) on a variety of topics, midterm, final (based on the textbook)

This is my #1 recommendation for a class here. I absolutely loved it. She is adorable and magnificent and brings snacks for every class!!! Super encouraging and just wants to take the pressure off public speaking. I would take this class 10 times over. Please read below as I think it gives you a good look into the class. I do not suggest this class for people that don't want to improve their public speaking skills or speak regularly in front of everyone.

Mr. DaPrato is an excellent instructor. He is funny and very genuine, and I really feel like I learned a great deal in his class. Even if you think your public speaking skills are decent, Mr. DaPrato can make you even better. You'll gain plenty of extemporaneous speaking experience in his class, which will be incredibly valuable to you later in life. Mr. DaPrato is very nice and very helpful, and you WILL be a better speaker after taking his class! I definitely recommend it.

6 speeches over the course of the semester. 2 are ungraded and meant to be slightly impromptu. For each speech, you work on a preparation outline, and the night before you write an anticipation paper. Both of these get submitted before or right after your speech. After each speech, you write a reflection, and you submit it once grades are ready (so your grade isn't influenced by the reflection and the reflection isn't influenced by the grade). Nothing is graded harshly: if you follow the outline she provides, you do well. She never grades delivery, so you can work on that simply for yourself.

not a lot at all and its actually homework that you look forward to doing.

MUST TAKE!!! I can't even begin to describe how much I enjoyed this class. Daniela is so wonderful: she regularly does check-ins with the students to make sure we are all doing well, she brings snacks for us to enjoy during class, and she always wears green! The class itself is very useful, as it teaches you how to prepare for basic types of speeches through practice. Public speaking is a skill everyone should have, and although it may be anxiety-inducing, this class creates a safe space for you to practice and improve.

TENURE THIS MAN!!!!!! he is kind, professional, amiable, knows his shit, VASTLY improves your speechmaking skills, always encourages students to do their personal best, not a stickler for percentages and grades. This class is the most interesting one I've take thus far at columbia. You learn about current events and controversial issues through the speeches everyone makes (you choose your own speech topics in the categories of informative, persuasive, controversial, group speech) and your public speaking and rhetoric skills vastly improve. For some reason the speech department at columbia has shrunken over the years to the point where DaPrato is the only professor teaching the only course on public speaking. I wish they'd make more publiuc speaking classes available because as this class teaches you, whether you want to go into business, marketing, pr, public policy, politics, law, journalism, whatever....the ability to speak publically at a high level is vital...because what's the point of filling our minds with all these great ideas and all this knowledge if we can't articulate them clearly, communicate these ideas, and influence or teach others about them? If everything you learn at Columbia is like a big cup of orange juice, this course is the straw that enables you to actually get it in your mouth and savor the sweet juicy nectar without getting pulp stuck in your teeth.

Really light workload, as long as you submit solid speech outlines and actually try when giving the speeches you will get an A. This will not ever be a class you have to worry about your grade in as long as you put in some effort during class time.

A number of speeches that you must prepare, midterm final.