Course Outline for Communication Studies 2
Oral Interpretation of Literature

Effective: Fall 2021
SLO Rev: 11/16/2020

Catalog Description:

COMM 2 - Oral Interpretation of Literature

3.00 Units

This introductory course is designed to improve your confidence, your critical analysis of texts, and improve your performance of these texts, by stressing both your breakdown of the material and development of vocal skills. Texts may include prose (fiction/non-fiction), poetry, and drama.
CB03: TOP Code 1506.00 - Speech Communication
Course Grading: Optional
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Total 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00

Measurable Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. distinguish between the qualities of good/poor literature in its various forms/genres;
  2. compose scholarly criticisms of the literature which the student chooses to present orally;
  3. demonstrate sensitivity for language, empathy for its power and beauty, and an understanding of its range and flexibility;
  4. develop nonverbal and verbal skills for performing an intelligent, effective, and pleasurable experience for the speaker and for the audience;
  5. evaluate and analyze student performances through active listening;
  6. research and construct individual and/or group presentations for various audiences and situations;
  7. edit literature using ethical techniques that focus on time, place, action, mood, and character.

Course Content:

  1. The nature of oral interpretation of literature
    1. Definition and principles of Oral Interpretation
      1. The distinction between reading, acting, and interpretation
      2. Clarifying the elements of sound and the vocal mechanism
    2. Importance of Oral Interpretation
      1. Personal and professional purpose of performing literature
    3. Genres and genre-specific literary elements
      1. Children's stories, prose, poetry, drama, etc.
  2. The analysis of structure, dramatic action, and plot development
    1. Quality literature and selection based on audience analysis
    2. Understanding the setting, challenge, rising action, climax, and denouement
    3. Editing and citing sources
    4. Connecting your performance to the audience
      1. Including creating Introductions with motivation for the audience to listen
  3. Aspects of delivery/performance.
    1. Warm-up and Rehearsal
      1. Breathing, moving the articulators, tongue twisters, testing various ways to deliver the message
    2. Verbal and nonverbal elements of performance
      1. Utilizing facial expressions, eye contact, and some use of the body to interpret the work
      2. Using vocal elements such as tone, pace, diction, and quality of the voice to convey meaning
  4. Critical listening to analyze performances
    1. The listening process
      1. Obstacles to listening
      2. Strategies for improving active listening
    2. Criteria to evaluate effective performance
    3. Listening response/feedback.
      1. Offering verbal responses to the performer to strengthen their next performance. 

Methods of Instruction:

  1. Lecture/Discussion
  2. Distance Education
  3. Lecture-Recital-Presentation
  4. Peer group evaluation
  5. Video/audio materials

Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:

1. Typical Assignments
  1. Select and edit a short story for performance. The performance should not exceed ten minutes
  2. Write a brief essay in which you discuss the narrative point of view and character development in the story you selected to perform
  3. For your final performance, develop a thematic program using selections from at least two literary genres
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
  1. Graded oral performances
  2. Grades written papers
  3. Class participation
  4. Midterm examination
  5. Final examination
3. Student Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. research, analyze, and synthesize traditional and nontraditional texts for performance and production;
  2. listen to, evaluate, and respond appropriately to the ideas and performances of others;
  3. recognize, define, and apply the principles of aesthetic communication and performance theory.

Textbooks (Typical):

  1. Gura, Timothy (2018). Oral Interpretation (13). Routledge.
  2. Lewis, Todd (2019). Communicating Literature: An Introduction to Oral Interpretation (7). Kendall Hunt.
Additional Materials:
  • Performance Script
  • Page protectors for performance script
  • Video/Audio Materials

Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:

Development of skills in reading quality literature aloud; practice in writing scholarly criticism of the literature presented orally.