COM 114 Examination for Credit

The COM 114 test-out is one way of satisfying the COM 114 requirement.  Students most likely to succeed are those with a thorough knowledge of communication theory and extensive public speaking experience. The written exam is based on material found in "Presentational Speaking Theory and Practice", 5th Edition, by Dr. Melanie Morgan.

Further criteria include:

1. The student must be officially enrolled in the university.
2. The student cannot be enrolled in COM 114 and attempt the test-out at the same time.
3. The student may not take the test-out if the student has already attended a COM 114 class..
4. The student may not attempt to establish credit more than one time.
5. The student must obtain Form 231 from his/her counselor and bring it with them to the written portion of the test.

The examination is in two parts: a written test and an oral test. Students will be informed of their score on the written test via email. During Day on Campus, results will be known by the end of the testing session. Only those who pass the written test (70% or better) may proceed to the oral test.  Both tests must be passed to establish credit.  Students may attempt the test-out only one time.

Part 1:  Written Test

The written portion consists of a 50-item, multiple choice test over the content of the course.  The textbook for the exam is "Presentational Speaking, Theory & Practice" 5th edition by Melanie Morgan.  The exam is based entirely upon the textbook, not on previous speech-communication experience.  Copies of the text are available in campus bookstores, on reserve in the UGL, and from previous COM 114 students.

DOWNLOAD CREDIT WITHOUT EXAM FORM

Preparation for the exam should involve close reading and mastery of text concepts.  Students must score 70% (35 out of 50 correct) or more to pass the exam.  Those who pass will be notified via phone or email and will then schedule their oral presentation. (Day on Campus students will have their results at the end of the test session.)

Tips for the exam:

At the beginning of each chapter in the text is a list of “chapter objectives.”  Every question on the exam is based on one of these objectives.  To be successful on the exam, a student will need to be able to recognize, define, and apply the test material in many different situations. 

Part 2:  Oral Test

The oral portion of the exam consists of giving a persuasive speech similar to the one students give for their last oral assignment in the COM 114 class.  The basic requirements for the speech are as follows:

• The speech must be six to eight minutes in length.
• The speech is to be delivered extemporaneously, that is, neither read from manuscript nor memorized. 
• Students may use five 3x5 note cards during the delivery of the speech.  The note cards will be collected after the speech.
• Students must use at least two visual aids in the course of the speech (actual objects; transparencies,PowerPoint slides, etc.).  An overhead projector will be available at the test site.  Students must supply any other visual aids.
• No posters will be allowed. Students using PowerPoint presentations should download the information to a disc or flashdrive.  Students may, however, bring in overheads of PowerPoint slides. A computer is available in the classroom with projection capabilities.
• Students must submit two (2) copies of their speech outlines, (see Chapter 7) at the time of the oral exam together with a five-item bibliography. In addition, they must submit their outline to Turnitin through WebCT/Blackboard. Directions will be given to those passing the written exam.
• Sources must be cited in the outline text and orally in the speech.
• Speeches will be video recorded.

Two experienced instructors will judge the speeches and decide if the student passes or not.  Speeches will be judged on argument, organization, content, and delivery.  Specifically, the judges will evaluate the speech on the following criteria:

• Introduction announces the topic and previews the main points
• Presentation has appropriate number of main points
• Main points are clear
• Transitions are present
• Sequence of ideas is easy to follow
• Conclusion summarizes main points
• Physical communication does not distract (no swaying, bobbing, etc.)
• Vocal communication is understandable
• Presentation is free from disfluencies ("uh," "um," "you know," etc.)
• Speaker maintains eye contact with audience at least 50% of the time
• Presentation fits the time limits (6-8 minutes)
• Presentation fulfills requirements of assignment (persuades the audience that there is a problem, offers a solution, urges specific action; appropriate number of sources are cited; appropriate number of visual aids, appropriate notes, etc.)
• Sources are credible, support main points, and are cited orally as well as in the outline and bibliography
• Visual aids are clear, neat, and legible
• Visual aids support main points and are handled properly

The Persuasive Speech

The persuasive speech is discussed in some length in the text in Chapters 9 through 12.  The judges will expect students to be acquainted with the format of this type of speech.

A persuasive speech urges some specific course of action.  As a persuasive speech, the presentation should (1) show that a problem exists and that it is significant to the audience, (2) show how the consequences of the problem are significant to the audience, (3) provide a plan to alleviate or eliminate the problem/difficulty (and its consequences), and (4) issue a clear call for action from the audience.  The speech should utilize a problem-solution plan of organization.  Students may also use the Monroe Motivated Sequence, a variation of the problem-solution format, which is discussed in the text.

A course of action means that the goal of the speech is to persuade the audience to do something or to refrain from doing something.  The speech is to persuade the group to act in some manner.

Students are encouraged to pursue a topic that is both creative and important to them.  You may talk to the test-out director regarding possible topics. 

An example of a persuasive speech could be: "Due to increased congestion and resulting higher injuries and even deaths, you should write you local and state representative and urge them to widen route I-65 to six lanes between Indianapolis and Gary, Indiana."  The problem is increased congestion.  The consequences of this problem are higher injuries and deaths.  The solution is to widen I-65.  The specific course of action the audience should take is to write their local and state representatives.  (This topic and action assumes the audience are Indiana residents.)

This topic is just one simple example.  Both the problem and the solution should be supported by research that would be orally cited in the speech as well as included in the outline and bibliography.

Good luck with the test-out!

If you have any questions or problems, please contact the test-out staff via email at testout@purdue.edu