Designed as the first half of a year-long practicum in effective public speaking, COM 201 pushes students to develop foundational skills for their intensive training in the Humanities, and prepares them for a successful career after college. Four major assignments include a Poetry Reading, Classmate Biography, Praise of a Hero, and Informational Briefing. All performances are recorded and distributed immediately to the respective performers, who must first watch and then constructively critique their own efforts. Finally, the students themselves constitute a stable, encouraging audience, fostering compassion and comradery while providing honest feedback to their peers.