Length: Two to three pages, or approximately 600-900 words, not counting the title page or reference page.

Format: Use the current edition of APA style
Is the essay formatted correctly—title page, double spacing, indented first line of each paragraph?
Is the writer's opinion about the effectiveness of the talk clearly stated in the thesis?
How does the writer evaluate the topic, audience, purpose, organization, and tone of the talk?
What types of evidence does the writer evaluate, such as anecdotes, visual aids, statistics, or examples?
How effective is the writer's conclusion?
Good morning, Class. :)

For our notes today, citation really has three key parts.

First, we announce to our readers that we are citing using signal phrasing.
Second, we add parenthetical citation where we quote, paraphrase, or summarize.
Third, we include a reference page citation at the end of the essay.
For these, the first time you use a source, signal who they are. For example:

Former Senior Editor for Time magazine Nancy Gibbs' award winning article on 9/11 entitled, "If You Want to Humble an Empire" states that "...

or

Cuddy's TED Talk entitled Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are suggests that "...
For the parenthetical citation, you could place the (last name of author, date of publication) at the end of a sentence like that. For an example: (Gibbs, 2001).
In October 2014, Alessandra Orofino delivered an inspiring TED Talk titled “It’s Our City, Let’s Fix It” at TED Global, where she emphasized the vital role citizens play in instigating positive change within their communities. Orofino, a dedicated advocate for community empowerment, draws from her own experiences to illustrate how individuals can seize the initiative to address local challenges, thereby transforming their cities into more livable spaces. As a long-time resident of Covington, Georgia situated on the outskirts of metro Atlanta. I have experienced firsthand the various challenges our community faces, including economic disparity, limited access to public services, and a lack of cohesive community engagement. Orofino’s talk offers practical strategies that resonate deeply with these issues, making it an invaluable resource for sparking meaningful change in Covington. Overall, her insights effectively equip me with actionable solutions that can positively impact my community.
One of the primary pieces of advice offered by Orofino is the importance of grassroots movements in enacting local change. She argues that significant transformations often begin with small groups of motivated individuals who identify specific issues within their neighborhoods. For example, Orofino highlights community led initiatives that have successfully addressed urban blight through neighborhood clean up programs and local self-governance, demonstrating that ordinary people can lead substantial reform. In Covington, where residents often feel disillusioned about local government decisions, fostering grassroots movements could invigorate community engagement. By organizing neighborhood meetings to discuss common concerns, residents could mobilize efforts to advocate for better resources and services. Thus, implementing Orofino's advice on grassroots movements is highly actionable in Covington, where residents can find a sense of empowerment and responsibility in improving their shared environment.

Another vital point Orofino emphasizes is the need for collaboration between community members and local government. She argues that effective change cannot happen in isolation and that partnerships between citizens and government can yield better results. One compelling example she provides is the collaboration in Porto Alegre, Brazil, where residents participate in budget decision-making processes, allowing them to directly influence where public funds are allocated. In Covington, collaboration with local officials could address pressing issues like inadequate infrastructure or public transportation services. Establishing regular forums for dialogue between citizens and local leaders would facilitate a better understanding of community needs and priorities. This cooperation could ultimately lead to more responsive governance, enabling Covington to leverage Orofino's advice for effective collaboration between residents and their governing bodies.
Orofino also discusses the significance of storytelling in building a sense of community. She contends that sharing personal narratives can strengthen bonds among residents and foster empathy, leading to a more united community. Examples from various successful initiatives illustrate how stories can humanize issues and motivate action within communities. In Covington, where residents often come from diverse backgrounds, creating platforms for storytelling—such as local events or online forums—could help bridge divides and cultivate understanding. By highlighting common experiences and challenges, these narratives can inspire collaborative action, uniting residents in their desire to address shared concerns. Adopting this storytelling approach would be a practical means of enhancing community relationships and fostering a spirit of collective responsibility.
In conclusion, Alessandra Orofino’s TED Talk, “It’s Our City, Let’s Fix It,” presents valuable insights and actionable advice for fostering community engagement and improvement. The strategies she outlines—encouraging grassroots movements, collaborating with local governments, and emphasizing storytelling—are not only applicable to my community of Covington, Georgia, but can also resonate with other communities facing similar challenges. I find Orofino’s advice to be highly relevant, and I am motivated to advocate for its implementation in Covington. By adopting these principles, I believe our community can take significant strides toward creating a more inclusive and responsive environment. Beyond Covington, these strategies carry the potential to empower countless communities worldwide, fostering collaboration and inspiring local citizens to take action in shaping their futures.
please rewrite

1 answer

Title: Empowering Communities Through Grassroots Action: A Reflection on Alessandra Orofino’s TED Talk

In October 2014, Alessandra Orofino delivered an impactful TED Talk titled “It’s Our City, Let’s Fix It” at TED Global, wherein she highlighted the crucial role citizens play in effecting positive change within their communities. As a passionate advocate for community empowerment, Orofino draws heavily from her personal experiences to demonstrate how individuals can take initiative to tackle local challenges, ultimately transforming their cities into more livable environments. Having been a long-time resident of Covington, Georgia, which is situated on the outskirts of metro Atlanta, I have witnessed the various struggles our community faces, including economic disparity, inadequate access to public services, and insufficient community engagement. Orofino’s talk provides practical strategies that resonate deeply with these pressing issues, making it a valuable resource for instigating meaningful change in Covington. Overall, her insights equip me with actionable solutions that possess the potential to positively impact my community.

One of the primary pieces of advice offered by Orofino emphasizes the importance of grassroots movements in facilitating local change. She asserts that significant transformations often begin with small, motivated groups of individuals who identify specific issues within their neighborhoods. For example, Orofino highlights various community-led initiatives that have successfully addressed urban blight, such as neighborhood clean-up programs and local self-governance, illustrating that ordinary people can drive substantial reform. In Covington, where residents frequently feel disheartened about local government decisions, nurturing grassroots movements could invigorate community engagement. By organizing neighborhood meetings to discuss shared concerns, residents can mobilize efforts to advocate for better resources and services. Thus, implementing Orofino's advice on grassroots movements presents an actionable pathway for Covington’s residents to discover a sense of empowerment and responsibility in enhancing their shared environment.

Moreover, Orofino emphasizes the necessity of collaboration between community members and local government. She argues that effective change cannot occur in isolation, and partnerships between citizens and government entities can lead to improved outcomes. A compelling example she discusses is the collaboration in Porto Alegre, Brazil, where residents actively participate in budget decision-making processes, thereby directly influencing the allocation of public funds. In Covington, fostering this collaboration with local officials could effectively address pressing issues, such as inadequate infrastructure or deficient public transportation services. Establishing regular forums for dialogue between citizens and local leaders can facilitate a better understanding of community needs and priorities. By embracing Orofino's advice for effective collaboration, Covington can work towards a responsive governance model that listens to the voices of its residents.

In addition, Orofino discusses the significance of storytelling in cultivating a sense of community. She contends that sharing personal narratives can strengthen bonds among residents and foster empathy, ultimately leading to a more united population. Through various successful initiatives, she illustrates how storytelling can humanize issues and motivate action within communities. In Covington, where residents come from diverse backgrounds, creating platforms for storytelling—such as local events or online forums—could help bridge divides and foster mutual understanding. By highlighting shared experiences and challenges, these narratives could inspire collective action among residents, unifying them in their desire to address common concerns. Adopting this storytelling approach would provide a practical means of enhancing community relationships and fostering a spirit of collective responsibility.

In conclusion, Alessandra Orofino’s TED Talk, “It’s Our City, Let’s Fix It,” offers valuable insights and actionable advice for promoting community engagement and improvement. The strategies she outlines—encouraging grassroots movements, fostering collaboration with local governments, and emphasizing the power of storytelling—are not only applicable to my hometown of Covington, Georgia, but may also resonate with other communities confronting similar challenges. I find Orofino’s advice exceedingly relevant, and I feel inspired to advocate for its implementation in Covington. By applying these principles, I believe our community can make significant progress toward fostering a more inclusive and responsive environment. Furthermore, these strategies have the potential to empower countless communities worldwide, encouraging collaboration and inspiring citizens to take action in shaping their futures.