CREDIT BY EXAMINATION
(Test out of CST 110)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION STUDIES

CST 110 Public Oral Communication - 3 credits

Thank you for requesting information regarding the credit by examination requirements for CST 110, Public Oral Communication. The exam, which has a written section and an oral presentation section, is administered around mid-semester in spring and fall. Check with the department office for next scheduled exam.

You must not be registered in CST 110 the semester you attempt the credit by examination, and you are allowed only one attempt at the examination.

If you decide to attempt the exam, you will need to bring with you on the day of the written test:

A signed permission slip from the Dean of your college, and

A receipt for payment of the exam fee from the UW-L Cashier's office.

In order to aid your preparation, three copies of the current textbook, The Art of Public Speaking by Stephen Lucas are on reserve in Murphy Library.

Immediately after completion of the written section of the examination, the test will be graded, and you will be told your grade. Only students who achieve 80% correct on the written section of the examination are eligible to proceed with the oral portion of the examination. The oral performance section of the credit by examination is done at a later date.

After your written test is graded, if you have successfully completed the written examination with a grade of at least 80%, you will be given criteria (The Competent Communicator: Eight Public Speaking Competencies and Criteria for Assessment) plus the specific date, time, and place for the oral presentation. A panel of Communication Studies faculty using these criteria will evaluate your oral presentation.

  The purpose must be to persuade. The topic should reflect your personal interests (you should tell the audience/panel why you are interested in the topic), and not merely be an exercise in research. The speech should be adapted to a general audience of your peers.

  The time limit is eight to ten minutes. Presentations not meeting the time limits (either too short or too long) may lead to failure of the speaking portion of the test-out exam.

  The evaluators look for a well-developed and well-organized speech with effective transitions and adequate supporting materials.

  You are expected to use the extemporaneous method (not manuscript or memorized delivery) to present your speech.

  You are expected to have four copies of your preparation outline, one for each evaluator. Give the evaluators their copy of the preparation outline before you begin speaking. You are expected to use speaking notes during your speech. Give your speaking notes to the moderator after you finish your presentation.

If you are planning to take the CST 110 credit by examination, you must contact the Department of Communication Studies (785-8519) at least two days prior to the exam date and confirm that you do plan to take the exam.