This document provides instructions for students to complete a reflection letter and self-evaluation assignment for a speech communication course. It outlines the requirements and format for a 1-2 page reflection letter addressed to the instructor about how the student has changed as a communicator and what they learned from the course. It also describes a 1-2 page self-evaluation focusing on the student's growth and development as a public speaker, including reviewing early and recent speech videos and reflecting on strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. The document provides guiding questions and topics for students to address in both assignments.

1. Reflection Letter and Self-Evaluation
Points: 50 (Reflection Letter--graded on completion) 50 (self-
evaluation graded on substance)
100 total
Due: End of Final Exam period (5/22) to Blackboard
Format: (Reflection Letter) Printed letter, properly formatted,
1.5 single-paced pages
Self-Evaluation: 1-2 single-spaced pages
This assignment has two separate but related tasks. You should
write them up and present them
separately, but you can upload them in one file if you wish.
Reflection Letter:
This reflection letter is a reflection that you will address to me
on how you have changed as a
communicator and what you’ve taken away from the course. It
is also a space for you to share
other things you think I should know or other things you feel.

2. WHY:
I assign this for three reasons. First, we know that self-
reflection and evaluation is a useful
element of learning. Taking the time to look at what you’ve
gained or learned helps you…learn.
Second, it allows me to see what is “sticking” from the course.
If I see that almost everyone is
taking away or finding particular topics really useful, that’s
really helpful for me. Finally, it gives
me a chance to get some feedback on the course itself and how I
teach it. We will do teaching
and course evaluation forms, but those are often returned after
the next semester has begun and
do not always provide useful feedback. Please be candid/frank
in these reflections. These letters
are graded almost entirely on completion/depth. I will read the
detailed feedback, including
critical feedback, after final grades are entered. That’s because
I want you to feel comfortable
telling me if you did not like an assignment or the way I taught
or something else. You giving me
that feedback will not negatively affect your final grade.
Simultaneously, if you write me a three-
page sonnet about my teaching brilliance, it’ll be a big self-

3. esteem boost over the break, but also
won’t affect your final grade. Finally, I know that this semester
was not what any of us signed up
for. So, I want to give you a space to (if you wish) vent about
life, talk about how things were
different, or just think on paper).
HOW:
In no more than two single-spaced pages, I’d like you to reflect
on how you have experienced
the class and what you make of the ideas that we have worked
with thus far. These letters are
another opportunity for you to reflect and provide me feedback
on the experiences in this class,
ultimately contributing to the improvement/adaptation of this
course for future students. Make it
interesting and engaging, and please, be candid. Here are some
guiding questions. Don’t feel like
you have to answer them all, but feel free to address them if you
so desire. You can format this
letter/these answers however you wish, but I highly addressing
these issues.
1) Your experience with the course
a. What challenges did you face in the assignments in Speech

4. Communication, and
how did you deal with them?
b. What’s the thing you learned from this class that surprised
you the most?
c. Which speech was your favorite to do as a speaker? Why?
d. Which speech was most enjoyable/valuable as an audience
member? Why?
e. What do you think is the most valuable thing you learned in
this class?
f. If you had to summarize the three biggest takeaways (for you
personally from the
class, what would you say they are?
2) The course and your feedback on it
a. If you could give incoming students in this class advice next
year, what would it
be? (This advice is often distributed to students in my sections
next semester at
the beginning of the class)
b. What did you like or dislike about the course? Why?
c. If you could change three things about how the course runs
(not the time, room,
etc), what would you change and why?
d. What three things about the course would you definitely keep
the same? Why?

5. e. What would you add to the course? Why?
f. The biggest challenge in this course is usually speech anxiety
or nerves around
speaking. Keeping in mind that coronavirus totally sunk our last
three speeches
and the second half of the semester, do you feel like there was
meaningful
progress on your speech anxiety? If so, how? If not, what do
you think might have
helped?
g. Anything else you think I should know or any last thoughts
that you’d like to
share?
In general, the letter is a chance for you to reflect on your
experience in the course, how you
changed during it, and what you are taking away.
Self-Evaluation:
This brief write-up is a chance for you to reflect on your own
growth and development as a
public speaker. While the reflection letter is more about the
course and your overall experience,
this focuses on how you have changed as a public speaker and
where you want to keep

6. developing.
First, go and find the earliest video recording you have of a
speech. If you did the practice
videos, then your one for the introductory speech should still be
available on Vocat. If not, then
your practice informative speech should be available. If you do
not have a video of your earlier
speaking at all, this will be a bit more abstract/challenging to
complete. View the video and take
notes on what you notice. Then, watch your ceremonial speech
video and do the same. After
doing that, write an evaluation of no more than 1-2 single-
spaced pages that evaluates your
progress and changes as a public speaker. I’d like you to reflect
on your own
growth/development and your experiences with the course.
Focus on your strengths and
weaknesses, the areas you have improved and need to improve,
and how far you think you have
come as a public speaker.
You might speak to questions such as the following:
• How do you think the speech process went? Are there any

7. things you wish you would
have done differently in the speeches?
• If you could go back to the beginning of the semester, how (if
at all) would you
approach the speeches differently?
• How does your delivery compare from the first to the most
recent video? Are there
any significant differences? If so, what are they?
• How does your comfort and confidence level differ between
the videos, if at all?
• What are you better at now than when you started? What is
something that you’re still
working on?
• What part of public speaking do you feel you improved on the
most this semester?
Why?
• Which part of public speaking do you feel like is your biggest
challenge still? Why?
• Which activities were most/least helpful for practicing public
speaking?
• What parts of public speaking do you most want to continue
working on? Why?

8. Running head: GUIDED IMAGERY AND PROGRESSIVE
MUSCLE RELAXATION
2
1
Title of Paper in Bold Centered
Student Name
American Public University
COURSE####: Course Title
Instructor Name
Due Date
Repeat the Title – Level 1 Header
Hit the tab key one time to begin the main body of the paper.
The paragraphs of the main document are indented. The
computer will wrap your text for you based upon the margin
settings established by this document template. It is not
necessary for you to hit the Enter or return key at the end of a
line of text. Only hit the enter key (one time) when you reach
the end of a paragraph.
Then hit the tab key to indent and then continue typing the
paper. In APA any source that you use in your paper must have
an in-text citation. In APA these citations include the author’s
last name and the year of the publication in parentheses (Name,
Year).
Level 2 Header use: Flush Left, Bold, Title Case Heading
Sub-section your essay using sub-headers in the same
sequence you introduced your topic in your lead paragraph, your
thesis.

9. Level 3 Header use: Flush Left, Bold Italic, Title Case Heading
The more lengthy or complex your essay, the potential for using
additional Level Headers; notice the subtle difference. One tip
for any submission, always double-check the font choice is
consistent throughout the essay.
Conclusion
Begin to summarize the main points of your topic in three to
five sentences. The conclusion of your paper should re-phrase
the points of what your reader should be left remembering,
nothing new, concise and to the point.
References
Lastname, C. (2008). Title of the source without caps except
Proper Nouns or: First word after colon. The Journal or
Publication Italicized and Capped, Vol#(Issue#), Page numbers.
1
Title of Paper in Bold Centered
Student Name
American Public University
COURSE####
:
Course Title

10. Instructor Name
Due Date
1
Title of Paper in Bold Centered
Student Name
American Public University
COURSE####: Course Title
Instructor Name
Due Date
APA STYLE SEVENTH EDITION - 2019
This module is designed to show the basic elements of
APA style writing and provide examples of appropriate APA
guidelines; however, it is not intended as an exhaustive
reference guide.

11. *
WHY USE APA?
APA writing style provides a foundation for effective
communication aiding writers to present ideas in a clearer,
concise, and organized manner.
APA rules create uniformity and consistency.
APA (Seventh Edition) has broadened its audience
consulting not only by psychologists but also students &
researchers in many fields such as business, education, social
work, nursing and many other behavioral and social sciences.
BASIC APA PAPER CONSIST OF:
The title page
Text of the paper
Reference page
Notice No Running Head – YAY!

12. THE TITLE PAGE
APA requires seven basic elements to your title page:
1. Title
2. Author name
3. Institution affiliation
4. Course number/name
5. Instructor name
6. Due date
7. Page number (top header right)
SEVEN COMPONENTS OF THE TITLE PAGE
Title
Author name; first name, last name, no titles or degrees used.
Institution affiliation – American Public University
Course number/Course name
Instructor name
Assignment due date (Month, ##, YYYY)
Page number, page number in header flush right
The title is typed bold, centered, and positioned in the upper
half of the title page, 3-4 lines from top margin.
Capitalize the significant words of the title. Do not capitalize

13. words such as: the, in, of, or, and, unless the word is the first
word in the title.
There is no prescribed limit for title length in APA Style,
authors are encouraged to keep titles focused and succinct.
*
TEXT OF THE PAPER
The body must conform to but a few guidelines:
1” margins all the way aroundAll text double-spacedEvery new
sentence 1 tab indent (0.5 inches)
GENERAL FORMATTING INFORMATION
Begin writing your paper on page two (the cover page is page
one). The page numbering top right hand side must reflect page
2 in the Header.
Same typeface throughout – various typeface font choices
acceptable (2.19).
Double space the entire paper (2.21).
Margins are set at one inch (top, bottom, left, and right) (2.22).
First sentence of every paragraph must e indented (2.24).

14. Center the title at the top of page two. The title is written in the
title case (6.17).
Quotes 40+ words blocked no quotation marks (8.27)
.
*
WRITING THE PAPER
APA writing should be straightforward with an active voice –
i.e., “Jones developed the project..” as opposed to the passive
voice – i.e. “The project was developed by Jones…”
Use past tense when describing earlier research
Spell out the first use of an acronym (example: American Public
University (APU) – first use. Next time referenced in paper use
(APU).
QUOTES OF 40 WORDS OR MORE
If a quotation contains 40 words or more,
treat it as a block quotation
Start a block quotation on a new line
Indent the whole block 0.5 in. from the left margin.
Double-space the entire block quotation. (8.27)
Do NOT use quotation marks for the entire quotation.

15. You must give credit for the source.
Place periods or commas within quotation marks when they are
part of the quoted material.
At end of quote, place period then page number. Example: ……
placebo effect. (p. 276)
CITATIONS–GIVING CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE
It is very important to give proper credit when words or
thoughts are not ours originally.
Citing the source means mentioning the author/s within the text
so the reader can look up the source at the back of the paper.
APA has very specific ways this must be done. The model must
be followed exactly. With a little practice, citing sources gets
easier!
*
PARAPHRASING
Paraphrasing is your own rendition of someone else’s
information or idea. (8.23)
Parenthetical Citation Example: Many people possess
knowledge on a multitude of topics, but infrequently have the
chance to take advantage of such knowledge (Conner, 2004).
Narrative Citation Example: Conner suggested many people

16. possess knowledge on a multitude of topics, but infrequently
have the chance to take advantage of such knowledge (2004).
Direct quote: reproduces words verbatim from an author or
source. (8.25)
Parenthetical Citation Example: “Many of us understand all
sorts of things but never have the opportunity to take the time to
try them out” (Conner, 2004, p. 161).
Narrative Citation Example: According to Conner (2004) “Many
of us understand all sorts of things but never have the
opportunity or take the time to try them out" (p. 161).
BASIC IN-TEXT CITATION STYLES
Table 8.1 p. 266Author typeParenthetical citationNarrative
citationOne author(Luna, 2020)Luna (2020)Two Authors(Salas
& D’Agostino, 2020)Salas and D’Agostino (2020)Three or more
authors(Martin et al., 2020)Martin et al. (2020)
Group author with abbreviation
First citation
Subsequent citations
(National Institute of Mental Health
[NIMH], 2020)
(NIMH, 2020)
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH,
2020)

17. NIMH (2020)Group author without abbreviation(Stanford
University, 2020)Stanford University (2020
NEW GUIDELINES FOR CITING REFERENCESKeep the
format as simple as possible. No retrieval dates needed unless
the source material may change over time. (9.16)For electronic
references, give the DOI, if no DOI is assigned provide the
URL. (9.34)For works associated with specific location, include
the location such as conference presentations, include the
location, (Example: New York, NY) (9.31)
THE DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER (DOI)
The digital object identifier (DOI)
is an alphanumeric string identifying content
Give DOI for
journal articles,
books,
book chapters accessed online.
Do not use the phrase retrieved from
Do not give a retrieval date. (9.34)

18. For electronic references,
give the DOI
If no DOI assigned, provide the URL. (9.35)
TO SEARCH FOR A DOI
Search for a DOI: Go to a free DOI lookup:
http://www.crossref.org/guestquery/
or
http://www.crossref.org/SimpleTextQuery/
REFERENCE PAGE
The Reference page is the last page (unless an appendix).
Insert a page break at the end of the final paragraph to prevent
distortion
The word References should appear at the top center of the
page.
Entries are double spaced, left and additional lines of each
reference are indented (hanging indent).
Example
References
Stielow, F. J. (2003). Building digital archives.
New York: Neal- Schuman.

19. *
REFERENCES ARE ALPHABETIZED
References
Alphabetical order by author(s) last name
List last name, then first and middle initials (if applicable) only.
Author. Date. Title. Source.
When author is unknown or cannot reasonably be determined,
move the title of the work to the author position followed by a
period before the date of the publication, i.e., Anderson, M.
(2018). Getting consistent with consequences. Educational
Leadership, 76(1), 26-33. or Anonymous. (2017). or
Generalized anxiety disorder. (2019). respectively.
Only list the last name of an author or authors followed by
initials for the first and middle names. For example: Marcia L.
Conner would be listed as Conner, M. L.
Do not list the author as anonymous or unknown unless the
work is signed ‘Anonymous’. (9.29)
INSERT THE PUBLICATION DATE IN PARENTHESES
FOLLOWING THE AUTHOR.

20. Following the author’s name is the publication date. The date
(in parentheses) is always the second part of a reference. (9.4)
List the date as follows:
(year only). For example: (2009).
(year, month). For example: (2007, January). Note: Do not use
month abbreviations.
(year, month, day). For example: (1998, June 16).
(range of dates (e.g., range of years, range of exact dates) (9.13)
(n.d.). Use n.d. for works without a publication date (9.17)
Capitalize only the first word of titles, proper nouns (names of
people, places, studies, etc.), & subtitles following a colon (:).
(6.29)
WHAT TO ITALICIZE Italicize the name of books, reports,
webpages, and other stand-alone works (6.22) journals,
magazines, or newspapers (10.1 ex.3), but do not italicize the
name of an article. (10.1 ex.5)Journal: Journal of Social
Psychology (10.1 ex.1)Magazine: Newsweek (10.1
ex.15)Newspapers: The New York Times (10.1 ex.16)Book:
Learn more now: 10 simple ways to learning better, smarter &
faster. (10.2)
JOURNAL ARTICLE REFERENCE WITH DOI EXAMPLE
(10.1 EX. 1)

21. Last name, Initials. (yyyy of journal volume). Article title.
Journal, volume number, (issue number), pages. doi: xx.xxxxx
Roy, A.J. (1982). Suicide in chronic schizophrenia. British
Journal of Psychiatry, 96(1), 171-177. doi: xx.xxxx
It should be noted using the words Volume or Vol., Issue or
Iss., or Pages, p. or pp. are not acceptable in the reference
citation. Also, the journal title and volume number are
italicized.
***Note: For electronic references, give the DOI, if assigned, if
not include the URL.
EXAMPLE JOURNAL ARTICLE REFERENCE WITHOUT DOI
EXAMPLE (10.1 EX. 2)
Last name, Initials. (yyyy of journal volume). Article title.
Journal, volume number, (issue number), pages.
Roy, A.J. (1982). Suicide in chronic schizophrenia. British
Journal of Psychiatry, 96(1), 171-177.
It should be noted using the words Volume or Vol., Issue or
Iss., or Pages, p. or pp. are not acceptable in the reference
citation. Also, the journal title and volume number are
italicized.
Note: Provide URL if DOI is not available. (9.35)
EXAMPLE BLOG POST EXAMPLE

22. (10.1 EX. 17)
Last name, Initials. (Date). Title of article. Title of Blog.
Source location
Klymkowsky, M. (2018, September 15). Can we talk
scientifically about
free will? Sci-Ed.
https://blogs.plos.org/scied/2018/09/15/can-
we-talk-scientifically-about-free-will/
EXAMPLE CHAPTER IN AN EDITED BOOK WITHOUT DOI
EXAMPLE (10.3. EX. 39)
Last name, Initials. (yyyy). Title of chapter. In E. E. Editor
(Ed.), Title of book (if 2nd+ ed., pp. #). Publisher Name.
Weinstock, R., Leong, G. B., & Silva, J. A., (2003). Defining
forensic psychiatry: Roles and responsibilities. In R. Rosner
(Ed.), Principles and practice of forensic psychiatry (2nd ed.,
pp. 7-13). CRC Press.
ONLINE MEDIA TEMPLATE
Table 10.15 p. 348SourceAuthorDateTitleSocial media site
nameURLTwitter and Instagram:
Author, A. A. [@username].

23. Name of Group [@username].
Facebook and others:
Author, A. A.
Name of Group.
Name of Group [Username].
Username
(n.d.).
(2019, August, 8).
Content of the post up to the first 20 words.
Content of the post up to the first 20 words [Description of
audiovisuals].
[Description of audiovisuals].Site Name.
https://xxxxxxx
Retrieved August 27, 2020, from https://xxxxx
*

24. WEBPAGES OR WEBSITES TEMPLATE
Table 10.16 p. 351SourceAuthorDateTitleSocial media site
nameURLAuthor, A. A. &
Author, B. B.
Name of Group.
(2020).
(2019, August).
(2020, September 28).
(n.d.).
Title of work.
Site Name.
https://xxxxxxx
Retrieved December 22, 2020, from https://xxxxx
ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES
The new Seventh Edition of the APA Manual has various
templates along with various examples of different types of
references including, but not limited to,

25. periodicals
books
technical
research reports
meetings & symposia
doctoral dissertations & master’s theses
reviews & peer commentary
audiovisual media
data sets, software, internet message boards, electronic mailing
lists & other sources
WRITING & GRAMMAR
BASIC WRITING COMPONENTS
Title: Name your paper. The title can “hook” your readers.
Introduction Paragraph: Tell the readers what you are about to
tell them. The thesis statement is often the last sentence of the
first paragraph.
Thesis Statement: Essentially, a thesis statement answers the
question, "What do I want my readers to know after they have
read my essay?"
Body: Discuss topic. The number of paragraphs will depend on
the length and complexity of your paper.
Concluding Paragraph: A short summary. Do not introduce
any new information.

26. WRITING TIPS
Use Formal Voice: Academic writing is more formal than casual
conversations, emails, and instant messages.
Complete Sentences: Write in complete sentences. Complete
sentences contain both subjects and verbs.
Subject-Verb Agreement: Be sure your subject and verb agree.
For example, “we are” rather than “we is,” or “they did” rather
than “they done.”
Verb Tense and Active Voice: Limit shifts in verb tense, and
use active voice rather than passive voice.
Awkward Phrasing: Use standard English phrasing. For
example, “try to do” rather than “try and do,” or “we went”
rather than “us went.”
Long Paragraphs Preferred: Be sure your ideas are fully
developed in each of your paragraphs. This usually results in
paragraphs of three to five sentences.
WRITING TIPS CONT…
Brainstorming: Before beginning to write, take the time to put
your ideas on paper. Mind-mapping and list-making are two
useful brainstorming techniques.
Organizing: Plan your paper or assignment. This may be as
simple as a chronological list of your points or as elaborate as a
formal outline.
Multiple Drafts: Professional writers create multiple drafts of
their writing. You should too.

27. Extra Time: Quality writing takes time – lots of time. Build in a
cushion of extra time.
Allow Time Between Drafts: While a break of 24- hours or more
is ideal, a 30-minute break will yield positive results.
Help From Others: Being mindful of plagiarism and academic
honesty, request proofreading help.
WRITING TIPS CONT…
Full Wording Rather Than Contractions: Convert contractions to
their complete word-partner. For example:
it’s = it is
won’t = will not
haven’t = have not
Homonyms: Homonyms are words that sound alike but are
spelled differently and have different definitions. For
example,
new and knew, your and you’re, and know and no or piece
and peace, or versus and verses.
Non-words: Ensure that all your words are standard English
words. For example, “alot” is not a word.
Frequently Misspelled Words: Be alert for commonly confused
words. For example, possess and posses, a lot and allot,
definitely and defiantly, and their and there.
etc.: Avoid using etc. at the end of a list unless it is part of a
quotation.

28. WRITING TIPS CONT…
Use 3rd person point of view (unless opinion paper): Avoid
pronouns such as I, we, my, our (1st person) and you, yours,
your, us, we (2ndperson). Deal with facts, thus, providing
citations within paper and reference page. Focus on subject; not
feelings about the subject. The use of 3rd person retains a
formal tone: Academic writing is more formal than casual
conversation.
Parenthesis: Parentheses are most often used in citations.
Before using them in other applications, consult the APA
handbook for guidance.
Commas and Introductory Phrases: Usually commas are placed
between an introductory phrase and the main sentence; however,
commas are rarely used to separate a concluding phrase.
Colon: Colons should only be used when the introductory
phrase is a complete sentence.
Semicolon: Semicolons are used to either connect two complete
sentences, or to connect a list that contains commas.
Slashes: Use dashes rather than slashes.
WRITING TIPS CONT…
Punctuation when ending a Quote: If quotation is at the end of a
sentence, close quote with quotation marks, cite the source in
parentheses, and end with a period or other punctuation outside
the final parenthesis. (6.7)

29. Mid-sentence quote: If quote is in mid-sentence, close quote
with quotation marks, cite the source immediately after the
quotation marks, and continue the sentence. (6.7)
Question Marks and Quotation Marks: Place question marks
outside the quotation mark unless the question mark is part of
the quotation.
Single Quotation Marks: The only time you use single quotation
marks is inside of double quotation marks.
Exclamation Points: Exclamation points should not be used
unless the exclamation point is part of a quotation.
Titles of Books and Magazines: Italicize the title of books and
magazines.
SPELL-CHECKER,
GRAMMAR-CHECKER,
AND YOU!
Use your word processor’s spell-checker and grammar-checker
to catch common mistakes. Remember, these are tools and no
software program is perfect.
Spell-checkers identify the words in its dictionary but can not
identify correct contextual spelling.
Grammar-checkers may fail to identify incorrect punctuation or
usage. It may also highlight correct usage and punctuation.
You must follow along behind them to ensure that the spelling

30. and grammar
are correct.