ONLINE ENRICHMENT ASSIGNMENT

Question

FOCUS: Listening Skills, Argument, & Rhetorical Strategies

Step 1: Select a Ted Talk from the following list: (the red text is hyperlinked!)
1. Cameron Russell: Looks aren’t everything. Believe me, I’m a model
This talk is a great reminder that it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Amelia Browne, a student in San Francisco, writes about why it inspired her: “Her story allowed me to further my understanding of the privilege and opportunity I’ve been given by today’s society. I was able to better comprehend how I use those qualities to create change for the generations to come so that there is not inherent privilege, and instead compassion and acceptance.”
2. Takaharu Tezuka: The best kindergarten you’ve ever seen
This TEDxKyoto talk is a top pick among TED-Ed Club Members. An Ji Soo, a high school student from China, says that it made her “think about the nature of education and have a critical view of it.”
3. Drew Dudley: Everyday leadership
TED-Ed Club Members love this funny talk. San Francisco student Isabella Scal believes in the message Drew Dudley is trying to spread, and says: “Small acts of kindness can change someone’s life, and each person in their own way positively affects the people around them. This talk has made me appreciate my peers and elders so much more because I know that they help(ed) to shape me into the person I was, I am, and I will be. I was so inspired by his talk that I told my friends and family how much I value their presence in my life, and I will continue to cherish their love and support unconditionally.”
4. Angela Lee Duckworth: Grit: the power of passion and perserverence
Several students recommend this talk. Koshi Joshi from Georgia says that this talk had a powerful impact on her, by teaching that “learning comes with effort and hard work, and that working hard is the key to success.” Meanwhile, Juwon Pade from Connecticut agrees with ”the idea that hard work and determination make a huge impact.”
5. Julian Treasure: How to speak so that people want to listen
Julian Treasure’s talk is another top pick by students. High schooler Karol Dobrowolski from Poland says that she took Julian’s advice — and it helped her prepare to give her TED-Ed Club talk.
6. Susan Cain: The power of introverts
Argentinian student Rachel Fan describes how Susan’s talk empowered her to start a TED-Ed Club at her school: “Susan Cain’s talk validated my feelings and experiences and empowered me to embrace my introversion, even if our culture does not. With the understanding of introversion from her TED Talk (and from her book, which I had read before seeing the talk), I gained a new way to understand the people around me, and developed an improved attitude about my own personality. Her eloquent, well-organized and confident presentation further proved her point on the power of introverts, and also reminded me not to use introversion as an excuse for not participating in important discussions and events. Furthermore, a part of why I started a TED-Ed Club at my school was because of my strong positive impression of TED Talks from when I watched Cain’s talk in class.”
7. Casey Neistat: High school stories
Californian high school student Nathan Cao says that Casey Neistat’s TEDx talk influenced his outlook on life: “Casey Neistat’s talk taught me that as I am fortunate to live in the United States and go to a great school, I must seize this opportunity to help someone else who does not receive the same luxuries that I do. This has fueled my love for community service and helping others. I often volunteer at the senior home and the homeless shelter. At the moment, I am starting a club at my school that will help the refugees who are in dire need of our support. There is so much that I can do to improve the lives of people who need it most.”
8. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The danger of a single story
Texan student Alisha Somani explains how Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s TED Talk helped her to realize the power of perspective: “One perspective is what shapes people into being closed minded and ignorant of the world around them. This TED Talk inspired me to learn more about current events so that I would not become one of those ignorant people who thinks that everyone is the same as them and everyone has the amenities and opportunities that they do.”
9. Adora Svitak: What adults can learn from kids
This talk is a favorite for teachers and students alike, as Adora Svitak reminds us why it’s so important to listen to youth voices.

Step 2: Sit back, relax, watch, listen to, and enjoy the talk!

Step 3: Complete the following table:
1. What is the title of the Ted Talk?

2. Who is the speaker?

3. After listening, what is the main argument or “thesis” of the Ted Talk?

4. What are some strategies, techniques, or devices the speaker uses to persuade their audience?

5. What makes this speaker an effective or powerful public speaker? (or not!)

6. What is your most important “takeaway” or lesson learned from this Ted Talk? How can you apply or connect this Ted Talk to your own life?

Answer 1

Sure! I'll help you fill out the table based on one of the TED Talks. Let's choose "Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The danger of a single story" as an example.

| 1. What is the title of the Ted Talk? | The danger of a single story | |----------------------------------------|------------------------------| | 2. Who is the speaker? | Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie | | 3. After listening, what is the main argument or “thesis” of the Ted Talk? | The main argument of the talk is that power lies in storytelling, and that having a singular perspective can lead to misunderstanding, bias, and stereotypes. Adichie warns that if we hear only one story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding of that person and their culture. | | 4. What are some strategies, techniques, or devices the speaker uses to persuade their audience? | Adichie employs personal anecdotes to illustrate her points, uses humor to engage the audience, and provides clear examples of how single stories have affected perceptions of people and cultures. Her relatable storytelling style makes complex ideas accessible to her audience. | | 5. What makes this speaker an effective or powerful public speaker? (or not!) | Adichie is an effective public speaker due to her engaging storytelling, confidence, and emotional resonance. Her use of personal experiences allows the audience to connect with her message on a deeper level, making her arguments relatable and compelling. | | 6. What is your most important “takeaway” or lesson learned from this Ted Talk? How can you apply or connect this Ted Talk to your own life? | The most important takeaway is the importance of seeking multiple perspectives to avoid stereotypes and misunderstanding. I can apply this lesson by actively considering diverse narratives in discussions and being mindful of the assumptions I may hold about others based on limited information. By seeking out and valuing different stories, I can contribute to a more inclusive and understanding environment in my own life. |

Feel free to change the talk to one that better fits your interest, or let me know if you need help with something specific!