Video Challenge Examination
About the Video Challenge Examination
The General Education Program requires all students to complete SPCH 103, Public Speaking and Speech Fundamentals. Students may also fulfill this requirement by passing the Video Challenge Examination.
The Examination
Candidates for the Video Challenge Examination will be asked to prepare and present an original 10-12 minute speech to specifications set by the English-Communications Department. The timing for speeches is strictly enforced; a speech that is timed at 12 minutes and 15 seconds or 9 minutes and 5 seconds will result in a failure. The speech should feature documented scholarly research on the topic. The speech may be presented from notes but not read.The use of visual aids is required. The candidate should be prepared to field questions from the audience following the presentation for a period of no more than five minutes. Presentations will be videotaped for archival purposes and become the property of the English-Communications Department.
Eligibility
Any SFU student enrolled may take the Video Challenge Examination beginning his/her second semester of enrollment but prior to the completion of 116 credits of academic work. No student will be permitted to take the exam more than twice.
Frequency
The Video Challenge Examination will be administered twice during the academic year—once during the fall semester and once during the spring semester. Dates and times will be chosen by the Chair of the English-Communications Department and a professor of speech. Approximate dates will be published in the Schedule of Classes issued by the Registrar.
Procedure
Around the third week of each semester, signs will be posted around Padua and Scotus halls with the Video Challenge dates and questions as well as specific information for that semester’s exam. One month prior to the exam, the speech professor will announce the type of speech (informative, persuasive, etc.) for that semester’s examination, as well as a choice of three topics. Interested students will then have two weeks to sign up for the Video Challenge for that semester. Sign-up sheets are available outside the door of the speech professor administering the challenge on the third floor of Scotus hall. After the two-week deadline, no more names will be accepted for that particular exam date. One week prior to the presentations students will submit a bibliography (in proper MLA format) of works to be cited in the speech.Twenty-four hours prior to the presentations, candidates will submit a final outline.
Judging
Candidates will present their speeches for an invited audience of faculty members, administrators, and students. No one may enter or leave the room during a presentation. Judging of the speeches will be done by the instructor of speech in consultation with another teaching faculty member and will be based on these criteria: Research (20%), Organization (30%), Presentation (50%). To pass the examination a candidate must score at least 85%. Candidates will receive written notification of results within two weeks. All results are final. Students unsuccessful in passing the exam on the first attempt may take it again; however, no student may take the Video Challenge Examination more than twice. Any student failing the examination twice must enroll in SPCH 103.