Unit 2: TED TALKS

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.

Plan Your Speech: 

Step 1: Select your topic

Step 2: Research Your Topic

Step 3: Write: Plan/Organize Write your speech 

Step 4: Re-Read and Revise

Step 5:  Rehearse: Practice and Provide Peer Feedback

Speech 1: Stereotypes by Isabel Resendiz (Aurora) 

Speech 2: Identity by Dominique Del Valle 

Speech 2: Bullying by Christopher Watkins (Morgan Park High School)

Speech 3: Redlining  King Bethel, Detroit, East side)

Speech 4: Embracing Immigrants, Hyacinth

Speech 5: Prescription Drug Abuse, Rayvon, Chicago Military

Speech 6: Cost of College, Mather High School, Chicago

Speech 7: Mental Health, Alisha, ChiArts

Speech 8: Cyberbullying  Yiyang. Jones College Prep

Episode 1:  Standing Up and Being Heard

Episode 2: Where I am From (Eritrea, Africa)

Episode 3: When Illness Strike

Episode 4: Backpedal

Episode 5: Skinny

Episode 6: Smile

Episide 7: Walking Together

Episode 8: Beauty and Barcelona

Plan Your Speech:

Step 1: Select your topic

Step 2: Research Your Topic

Step 3: Plan/Organize Write your speech 

Step 4: Practice and Provide Peer Feedback

Step 5: Deliver your speech (Speech Tips and Tricks)

Danger of a Single Story

Your Identity is your superpower: America Ferrera

My Immigration Story (Asia)

I'm taking My Body Back

The Wait is Sexy (Nigeria)

The greatest Love story ever told

The prison of your mind

Let's Talk about Immigrants

Speeches (Class of 23)  SOJUST (Social Justice Speeches)

•  SOCIAL JUSTICE SPEECHES

• 1. The Destructive Male / Elizabeth Cady Stanton

• 2. What is Patriotism?/Emma Goldman

• 3. The Ballot or the Bullet/ by Malcolm X

• 4. Afro-Asian Solidarity/Ernesto Che Guevara

• 5. Black Power/ Stokely Carmichael

• 6. I've Been to the Mountaintop/ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

• 7. True Liberation of Women/  Indira Gandhi

• 8. Nobel Peace Prize Address/ Nelson Mandela