Unit 2: TEDx 

Description of Learning: 

In this unit, students will strengthen their analytical and speaking skills by deconstructing TED Talks, with a focus on speeches by Alejandra Ocasio-Cortez. Using her speeches as models, students will gain insight into the key elements of effective speaking. Students will also listen to previous Tedx speeches and Project Soapbox speeches delivered by CPS students. 

This unit will guide students in creating their own unique TED talks, which may be presented in class and potentially featured at a school-wide TED event. Throughout this unit, students will:

• Listen to a variety of speeches addressing both local and global issues.

• Analyze rhetorical appeals and stylistic techniques that make speeches impactful.

• Research a personally relevant topic of their choice.

• Revise and rehearse their 2-3 minute soapbox speech to ensure clarity, effectiveness, and engagement.

The emphasis will be on Research, Revise, and Rehearse—three essential steps to crafting a powerful and compelling TED Talk.

Inquiry Statements

Content-based: What approaches/tools are available to guide us in producing a powerful speech? 

Skills based: How do rhetorical and stylistic techniques make speeches effective?

Concept-based: How does a speaker’s mode of communication influence one’s perspective and understanding of a particular culture?  

Learning Objectives

• Identify several commonly used rhetorical appeals (kairos, ethos, pathos, logos) and discuss how these appeals construct meaning and purpose in a speech.

• Analyze the effect of several commonly used stylistic techniques (repetition (anaphora, anadiplosis, epistrophe),  imagery, metaphor, juxtaposition…) 

• Analyze how context helps shape language and meaning of speeches.

Professional Speeches

• Jesse Williams' BET Humanitarian Award Speech

• ESPY Awards   ESPY

• Killer Mike Speech

Inquiry Statements

Content-based: What approaches/tools are available to guide us in producing a powerful speech? 

Skills based: How do rhetorical and stylistic techniques make speeches effective?

Concept-based: How does a speaker’s mode of communication influence one’s perspective and understanding of a particular culture?  

Learning Objectives

• SWBAT learn to identify several commonly used rhetorical appeals (kairos, ethos, pathos, logos) and discuss how these appeals construct meaning and purpose in a speech.

• SWBAT learn to analyze the effect of several commonly used stylistic techniques (repetition (anaphora, anadiplosis, epistrophe),  imagery, metaphor, juxtaposition…) 

SWBAT develop the skills to analyze how context helps shape language and meaning of speeches.