The expository presentation for CAPE Communication Studies Internal Assessment

What it is NOT

It is NOT a presentation of any of your reflective pieces
It is NOT a persuasive speech although you may express an opinion in the conclusion
It is NOT submitted in writing
It is NOT an essay on legs. You should not read from a script

So what is it then?
The presentation has two distinct parts

* A FACTUAL presentation on an aspect of your portfolio theme
* A presentation about your research including an evaluation of two sources of information used to prepare your factual presentation.

It will have all the following 6 elements present

1. An introduction (statement of topic)

In the introduction you will give a brief explanation of topic/ theme and a preview (with a thesis statement) of what you are going to cover.

For example.
"My theme is Returning Migrants to St Vincent. Returning migrants or returnees are a group within the population of St Vincent who have spent a significant time away from the island and have then returned to permanently settle again. Returning migrants often are retired from their previous occupation which they pursued in a more developed country such as the United States, Canada or Great Britain or they have been working in another Caribbean state. According to statistics from the Customs Department given to me by Mrs B Chalres in an interview 4361 people claimed the concession for returning residents in 2005. Returning migrants experience 5 phases of adjuststment when returning which can be termed as “culture shock”."

NOTE WELL I CANNOT HAVE THIS ON MY CARDS WHICH I TAKE INTO THE EXAM. It would look like this

Theme ; Returning Migrants to St Vincent.
a group within the population of St Vincent
a significant time away from the island
returned to permanently settle

retired from their previous occupation (the United States, Canada or Great Britain) OR
working in another Caribbean state.

Customs Department (Mrs B Charles) “4361 people claimed the concession for returning residents in 2005”.

Returning migrants experience 5 phases of adjustmentwhen returning which can be termed as “culture shock”.

2. A rationale

In the rationale you need to explain why you picked the theme and it can form part of the introduction. In the rationale you should mention any personal interests, current academic links and future career plans which influenced your decision to choose the theme

For example I chose the theme returning migrants to St Vincent and specifically to focus on culture shock because I am a wife of a returning migrant. I have a BSc honours in Sociology and the concept of culture shock is part of socio-cultural studies carried out by Kavelo Oberg 1958. In the future I will be submitting my Masters thesis on this specific issue.

NOTE WELL I CANNOT HAVE THIS ON MY CARDS IT MUST BE NOTE FORM

3. Discussion of issues

The discussion of issues is the factual presentation about the theme and its narrowed focus based on the thesis statement. Remember this will be about 3 minutes or so – it is not long.

It should have a distinct organisational pattern and you should aim for one of the expository structures such as cause and effect, process analysis, analysis by division, classification etc (See Writing in English)

It should also be referenced and include any research findings. You will also need to give a conclusion to your factual presentation as a sort of sub conclusion don’t wait until the end

Here is an example of a possible outline for my example presentation (not all of it). It uses the organisational pattern of process analysis Remember you cannot read from a script!

Culture shock 5 phases
Honeymoon, rejection/ regression, conformist, assimilation, reverse culture shock

Honeymoon
Centre for Overseas Travel “the tourist phase”
Questionnaire (300 returning migrants) 78% not feel “tourist” 82% “elated”

Rejection
Oberg – frustration etc
Questionnaire 50% wanted to return after 3 months,
Reasons, poor service, backward attitude, nothing to do, boring
Interview Dr Sheridan Mental health presentations tend to be in 1st 4 months of return.


4. Challenges of research
You need to discuss what difficulties you faced in preparing your factual presentation. If you did not have any difficulties then just explain why.

For example (in note form)
Questionnaires – time consuming, identifying sample,
Other sources - no central data on returnees, newspaper articles useful
Academic research not on St Vincent

5. Evaluation of two sources

For this aspect of the presentation you need to discuss your research. The two sources need not necessarily be given as a reference in the presentation but they should be relevant. You should try to select two different types of data source e.g. a newpaper article and an interview. You may want to very briefly summarise all your sources before evaluating two for reliability and validity. Please see other parts of the blog for information on reliablity and validity.

For example (in note form)
Secondary sources:
academic text books and journals,
local and international newspapers and magazines,
web sites: international public organisations e.g. Peace Corps
general sites e.g. Wikipedia
Primary sources
interviews of experts in St Vincent
questionnaire of returning migrants.

Questionnaire of returning migrants
Reliable: primary data source, research method suited to collecting data for social research
Valid: Problem with sample size as total population of RMs unknown
Problem with generalisation as differences between UK, US and other RMs more research needed.
Overall reliable and reasonably valid

The Experience of Return Migration: A Caribbean Perspective, Joan Phillips and Reliable Denis Conway, Ashgate Press, London 2005
Author expert Phd Social Anthrop. Specialised Caribbean writer – Canada
Publisher: reputable, specialst academic main interest Social research
Valid Recently published Problem no reference to St Vincent
Overall general but very reliable and valid source

6. Conclusion
The conclusion should be slightly different to the internal summary conclusion in your discussion of issues. At this stage you can express a personal view or put forward a possible solution.

For example (in note form)
Returning migrants
YES culture shock
3 ways
Honeymoon
Rejection
Conformist
NO assimilation

Solutions
Programme – promote overseas, keep in touch,
Information - government


FINALLLY
See my other post about the reseach using the internet for idea. Make sure that you are aware of the requirements for acceptable notes during the exam and be familiar with the marks scheme - it is not only content that is marked but also presentation skills.

A Checklist for the Portfolio - the Reflective and Analytical elements

Reflective written portfolio – 20 of 60 marks

The portfolio will contain


(a) Cover sheet with name, candidate number, centre/centre number (150019) and teacher's name

(b) Introduction to theme and reasons (personal, academic or other) for choosing the theme.

(c) Two pieces of reflective (creative) writing of 2 of the 3 genres - poetry, short story or other prose form or drama.

These pieces should have literary non-factual content (although your purpose may be to educate through this medium). One of these piece can be taped or videoed but the tape for video must be between 3 to 5 minute long.

(d) With EACH piece, a rationale for the piece of writing which includes inspiration, purpose in writing, intended audience and situation the audience will receive the writing (e.g. in an anthology, newspaper etc)

(e) Conclusion. In the conclusion the student should reflect on his/her process in writing and his/her opinions.

f) Bibliography

Analytical part of the portfolio – 20 out of 60 marks.

Analysis of one your reflective pieces or a published piece of creative writing on the same theme.

The analysis will include: '
* register (formality, tone, word choice etc),

* dialectal variation (standard, non-standards),

* attitudes to language (what does the choice of language convey to the reader about the character, what do other characters think of the choices of lanaguage or what do certain language types symbolise in societies),

* communicative behaviours shown in the story e.g. use of non-verbal communication


Word limits for written portfolio

The word limits are 1200 words for the reflective portfolio and 350 words for the analytical piece. You will be penalised by 2 marks if both the pieces together exceed 1700 words.

While we have no definite guidance on how to proceed with word count, we are assuming that words have to be over 2 letters to be counted.

With regard to taped or videoed submissions, the script must conform to the word limit and should be submitted along with the tape.

Worksheet 4 - Language

Worksheet 4a True or False?

1. Language is the human ability to use certain forms for thinking, speaking, enjoyment and aesthetic pleasure.
2. Language is common to all living things.
3. A language is used by a particular community.
4. Language is acquired at birth.
5. The rules for one language always apply to another.
6. An infant will speak as a native tongue whatever language it is exposed to during the first few weeks of life.
7. The stages of acquisition of language in Spanish children and Chinese children are the same.
8. English is a prestigious language because it is inherently superior to other languages.
9. Language is centered in the brain.
10. Intelligence is measurable independent of language and culture.


Worksheet 4b.

a). What is language?

b). What are the main reasons for this complexity?

c). Would you agree that the Europeans all spoke the same dialects of their language?

d). What evidence does the passage provide to support your answer to (c) above?

e). From which continent do the majority of official languages of the Caribbean come?

f). What languages did the Europeans encounter when they came to the Caribbean region?

g) Why does the writer of the passage in ‘Language Variety’ refer to the Caribbean as a complex linguistic area?

h). Identify the official language in all territories of the Caribbean.

i). Identify the popular languages of St Lucia, Jamaica, Bonaire, Haiti and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

j). Give five examples of the linguistic features of Creole languages.


Reading
Sections 1 and 2 of Writing in English (Chapters 1 - 7)
Chapters 1 and 2 of West Indians and their Languages
CAPE Study Guides 8, 9 and 10

Worksheet 3 - Verbal Communication

WORKSHEET 3

1. In your own words, define the following terms:
(a) writing
(b) reading
(c) speaking
(d) listening

2. Which of the four verbal communication skills are needed for each of the following scenarios? Say how the skills are used in each scenario.

(a) A an oral exam
(b) A listening comprehension exercise
(c) Reading a Bible passage in church
(d) Participating in an online chat room discussion
(e) Helping your uncle construct a table that came in a pre-packaged box

3. List and explain each of the four contexts for listening.

4. Based on your reading, which is more important: reading and writing or speaking and listening?

Worksheet 2 - Non-verbal and verbal communication

WORKSHEET 2

1. For each of the communication acts below, state which type of verbal or non-verbal communication is being displayed, and what message is being communicated:
(a) Michael leans in close to his girlfriend when her ex-boyfriend walks by.
(b) Dr. Foster arrives one hour late to his appointment with a housewife.
(c) Kelly wears a green suit to work the day before elections.
(d) Jason carries around a gold-plated lighter on his key ring.
(e) Kiesha slumps at her desk during a long lecture.
(f) Sally-Ann sends a typed e-card to her friend, Felicia on her birthday.
(g) Jermaine shouts at his sister to get her attention.
(h) Jenny maintains eye contact with her grandmother when admitting that she doesn’t smoke.
(i) The beauty pageant contestant stuttered when answering her question.
(j) The Queen of England waved at her subjects.

2. Kevin has an important interview today; he is meeting with a prospective employer, British American Insurance.
(a) How should Kevin dress?
(b) What type of language should Kevin use?
(c) What dictates Kevin’s speech and communicative behaviours?

3. Match the word to the definition:
Word
a. Chronemics
b.Artifacts
c.Movement
d. Proxemics
e. The senses
f. Vocalics

Definition
i.The use of space to convey messages.
ii.The use of gestures, eye contact, posture and facial expressions to convey messages.
iii. The use of time to transmit information.
iv. Manipulating voice to convey messages.
v. Using objects to communicate.
vi. Using sight, sound, touch, smell and taste to transmit information.

4. Give three examples from your own life that illustrate the ways in which communicative behaviours may enhance verbal communication. Remember to state HOW the non-verbal enhances the verbal.

5. Give an original example of each of the six functions of non-verbal communication.

Worksheet 1 - the Communication Process

WORKSHEET 1

Question 1
Read the following scenario and respond to the questions that follow:

Sandra’s youth group has asked her to give them a presentation on her recent stint as a volunteer worker on the children’s ward of the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital in Kingstown. She will make the presentation this Friday evening at the group’s weekly meeting, which takes place in a concrete hut near the Cane End playing field in Marriaqua. The playing field is being used on this date by the Emmanuel High School Mesopotamia, for their annual fair and dance.

(a) What factors must Sandra consider when coming up with her presentation?
(b) Draw a graphic representation of Sandra’s communication process.

Question 2
Using T to represent true and F to represent false, respond to the following statements:
(a) The receiver of a message is responsible for its conceptualisation. __
(b) The communication process is incomplete unless feedback is given to the sender. __
(c) The first major advance in mass communication was the invention of Gutenberg’s press. _
(d) Human beings are the only animals that communicate. __
(e) Communication apprehension refers to any instance of nervousness or shyness while communicating. __
(f) Communication is inevitable. __
(g) Feedback can also be called interference or noise. __
(h) Audio/visual aids facilitate communication. __
(i) When delivering a presentation it is always best to be casual. __
(j) Internal noise refers to physical sounds that may distract an audience. __

Question 3
What are the three most important aspects of the communication process?
Why are these three things so important?

Question 4
Based on your reading, list five settings where communication regularly takes place, and briefly explain each setting.

Question 5
Using examples, explain how improving your communication skills will benefit your academic life.

The following reading will assist you to ansewer.

Zeuschner, Raymond. Communicating Today, Pearson Education, Inc., 2003. Chapters 1 & 2.

Various authors, CAPE Self Study and Distance Learning for Communication Studies, CAPE 2004. Study guides 1 & 2

Communication Studies Department - Rules and Regulations.

Department Rules & Regulations

Academic
1. Students must have a 50% passing grade in the first term in order to sign up for CAPE Communication Studies.

2. Students who are NOT achieving a passing grade at the end of the first half term will be given an academic warning and telephone contact will be made with parents. (See consequences below)

3. Students are not allowed to sign up for CAPE without written authorization from the instructor.

4. All homework must be submitted by its due date. The penalty for the submission of late homework assignments will be a reduction on the assignment of 5% per day.

5. If a student misses any end of term exam due to an excused absence, (s)he must sit the exam upon return to the classroom. Upon realizing that they are not able to take exam, students will call the school as soon as possible and leave message for the instructor.

6. Portfolio final drafts must be submitted by the due date or students run the risk of being denied the opportunity to sign up for the CAPE exam.


Punctuality & Attendance
8. Students must attend at least 90% of all classes in order to be allowed to sign
up for the CAPE exam.

9. Students who are absent for more than 5 class sessions without a written
excuse will be automatically removed from the course.

10. Students who arrive late to the classroom must enter quietly and be seated
without distracting the instructor or other students.

11. Students who arrive to class late by 15 minutes or more will be allowed in,
but will be recorded as late (this affects attendance percentage).

Failure after one year's study

7. (a) Students who fail the CAPE Communication Studies examination outright, or who fail to register for the examination in the year that they have been alotted, will not be allowed to re-sit the exam through the college.
(b) Such students will, instead, be permitted to take the Cambridge General Paper examination in their second year IF their Communication Studies Lecturer recommends this course of action.
(c) The General Paper classes will be in the evening and will be paid for by the student him/herself.

Examination entrance
The following requirements must be met in order for students sign up for the
CAPE exam:
1. Portfolio must be submitted by the exam sign-up date
2. Students must have attended at least 90% of all classes
3. Students must have their lecturer’s written approval


Important Note
Consequences for non-compliance with rules & regulations
The following consequences exist, in order of severity, with 1 being the least severe and 5 the most severe:
1. Verbal warning
2. Official letter of academic warning
3. Telephone contact with parent/guardian
4. Parent/teacher conference
5. Recommendation for suspension from school


Remember: respect for self and others is key to maintaining a secure atmosphere for peaceful, productive learning!

Book list and suggested reading

Required Reading

1. Roberts, Peter. West Indians & their language. Cambridge University Press,
1998.
2. Simmons-McDonald, Hazel et al. Writing in English: A Course Book for Caribbean Students. Ian Randle Publishers, 1997.
3. Zeuschner, Raymond. Communicating Today: The Essentials. Pearson
Education, Inc., 2003.

Suggested/Supplemental Reading

CAPE Self Study or Distance Learning Guide - Communication Studies
Chaffee John, Thinking Critically, Houghton Mifflin 2003
Evans Desmond, People, Communication and Organisations, Prentice Hall 1990

Other readings will be supplied by the lecturer.

There are also many texts in the libary which are helpful and useful. Please use the catalogue system or ask the Library staff how to identify them.

Texts approved for book reports

1. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
2. The Mystic Masseur by V. S. Naipaul
3. Crick Crack, Monkey by Merle Hodge
4. Baby Father by Patrick Augustus

Supplemental texts for book reports (if you cannot read any of the above)
1. Midnight Robber by Nalo Hopkinson
2. Loot by Joe Orton
3. Moon on a Rainbow Shawl by Errol John
4. The Children of Sisyphus by Orlando Patterson
5. Cricket in the Road by Michael Anthony
6. The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller
7. Dream on Monkey Mountain by Derek Walcott
8. A State of Independence by Caryl Phillips

The book report format will be supplied by your lecturer.