Brainstorm, Research, Write, and Revise
the script for your own TED talk
INTRODUCTION: Now it's time to write your own TED talk! To guide you through the process, this Create section has 4 parts: Brainstorming, Researching, Writing, and Revising.
PART ONE: Brainstorm. First, watch Adam Grant's video about effective brainstorming--focus especially on his concept of "brainwriting."
Next, to prepare to 'brainwrite' your own TED talk ideas during classtime, start thinking about your answers to the following:
What kinds of things would you willingly stay up all night learning about?
What are some of your important life events that have shaped who you are?
How has learning about a certain topic in school helped you in real life?
PART TWO: Research. Now it's time to dive in and find out an answer the question you have asked. You've learned many inquiry strategies throughout the year; spend 1-2 hours collecting as many thoughts and ideas as you can. Then consider, what is your personal perspective on this topic? What is your answer?
As you research, remember that your sources need to be properly cited in MLA.
PART THREE: Write. Remember the strategies you've learned for drafting this year (Freewriting, cubing, fat drafting, unsent letter, Tell/Show T-chart.) Use any that are helpful to you as you draft your talk.
The rough draft of your TED Talk should be between 800-1,100 words, written in a conversational style.
Be sure your draft includes the following:
Strong opening that puts forth your self-generated question
Clear thesis that answers the question
Properly credited research
A powerful story or call to action
A cohesive ending
PART FOUR: Before you revise your rough draft, we'll be giving peer feedback. Your Team will have chosen three elements from Talk Like TED to focus on developing in your drafts and presentations. We'll work on peer feedback during classtime, but you can find the instructions here as well.
Instructions:
Open your TED talk draft in Google Docs. Share your draft with the other members of your Team and give them permission to comment.
Provide positive, helpful feedback (via the comments) on your Team's drafts, especially focusing on your areas of expertise and these five necessities: a strong opening that puts forth a self-generated question, a clear thesis that answers the main question, properly cited research, a powerful story or call to action, and a cohesive ending. Then revise your own draft based on the feedback you received.