THE ENDURING POWER OF A GREAT SHORT TALK

You have the opportunity to say something fresh about a topic you are passionate about in an economical, intentional way. Here’s how you do it.


One of the most powerful ways to reach the hearts of people is through storytelling. A great talk surprises its audience, and often brings a fresh outlook to an already well-covered topic. In this course, we will work together to develop a short, TED-style talk on an issue of your choice. The goal is not just to captivate your audience, but to raise awareness, spark conversations, and shift perspectives. Prepare yourself to be challenged, to get vulnerable, and to learn how to give a short talk that people will have a hard time forgetting.

What You Will Learn 1. The one sentence that captures it all. We call it “the thread” -- that one compelling sentence that encapsulates your talk in under 20 words. This is one of the most valuable public speaking tools to add to your toolkit. 2. How to be a great storyteller. William Blake told us to “see the world in a grain of sand.” How can you explain a really big concept through one, profound story? The stories that stick in people’s minds are full of detail, and invoke the senses. 3. How to eliminate jargon. Jargon is most speakers’ biggest “blind spot” -- and one of the most common ways speakers lose their audience. Time to cut out the acronyms and industry clichés! 4. Editing prowess. It’s far easier to write a 40-minute talk than to write a 15-minute one. Writing a great short talk means being a great editor. Learn to trim, edit, and refine in order to make sure your remarks are stage (or Zoom) ready.

Curriculum


  I. Craft a Great Short Talk
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  The Thread: Getting to the Heart of Your Message
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  Sticky Storytelling
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  Say It Plain
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  Be Your Own Best Editor
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Your Instructors

An image of two white women. The woman on the left has brown hair that is tied back, and is wearing brown glasses, large hoop earrings, and a black t-shirt. Woman on the right has light brown hair, short bangs and shoulder-length hair, and is wearing a black tank top.
Courtney Martin
and Vanessa Valenti

Courtney Martin and Vanessa Valenti are the co-founders of FRESH Speakers Academy. They have shared their coaching methods with high profile social change institutions across the globe, including TED, the Obama Foundation, and the Gates Foundation.

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Katrina Conanan-Riel

Katrina Conanan-Riel is the Senior Programming Manager for Chief, programming events with leaders like Stacey Abrams, Mindy Kaling, and Gloria Steinem. Formerly, Katrina was the Program Manager for the TED Residency where she produced content and worked with creatives to find their voice. The digital content Katrina has produced with TED has seen over 35 million views. She believes there’s a storyteller in everyone. 

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Sarika Bansal

Sarika Bansal is an editor and storyteller. She is the editor of "Tread Brightly: Notes on Ethical Travel," a book of essays. She is also a mentor with the Aspen New Voices Program, a media and advocacy fellowship for global development leaders. Her byline has appeared in the New York Times, Al Jazeera America, Guardian, VICE, Forbes, FastCompany, and other publications.