“TED Talks Gov” - AP US Government Almost Final Project
You will be asked to research a topic of your choosing that connects to politics or government and prepare a 5-7 minute “TED Talk” to deliver to your classmates on that topic. You have a lot of freedom to pick a topic that sincerely interests you!
TOPICS:
Your topics will need to be approved by me before you move any further. There will be a lot of lee way in choosing your topic, I really want you to choose something that interests you.
PROPOSAL:
Once your topic is approved, you will begin crafting a “TED Talks Gov” proposal. The proposal must include:
The TED Talk topic
A working title for your TED Talk
A brief explanation of the information you will need to research and gather
A brief explanation of what you hope to be able to share and accomplish by the end of the TED Talk
Examples of Topics and Working Titles:
★ Political Beliefs of Millenials v. Gen Z - “How Our Beliefs Will Impact our Political Future”
★ Political Fiction in the Current Political Climate - “Political Fiction Becomes a Political Reality”
★ Social Media is Decreasing Real Action - “The Slaktivism is Real”
★ The Future of Roe v. Wade - “Battle Royale: A Challenge to a 50 year Old Precedent Upon Us?”
★ Me Too Movement - “Me Too, Too Far?”
RESEARCH:
After you have submitted your proposal, you will begin your research using credible sources and accurate, reliable data.
You should have a document where you record your research notes and compile a reference page (either MLA or APA) of at least 4 sources
ABSTRACT:
When you have gathered all of the information that you need to demonstrate a deep understanding of your topic, you will prepare an abstract of your topic. An abstract is a summary of the work you have done and your findings. This will help boil your research down and get you ready to write your script
The abstract should include:
Topic/Title
Brief overview of topic (2-3 sentences)
Summary of your findings (1 paragraph)
Summary of the argument you will make/answer to a question (1 paragraph)
Your reference page
SCRIPT:
Now you are ready to write your TED Talk script. Your TED Talk should be ~3 minutes (no more than 4) and have a logical flow and organization to it. Think about the following elements:
Hook―How do you establish a connection with your audience so you can get them to “buy into” the idea and topic you
are presenting?
Explain the topic/background - INFORM the audience
Make an argument or answer the question you are informing them about. Why do your findings matter?
Closing―Reconnect with the audience and close with a point of lasting impression.
I encourage you to think about the following when you are preparing the script:
Who is in your audience? (Academic setting of people who have studied government)
How can you use humor in your speech? (Appropriate and still professional)
What visual will help get your point across?
Your information must rest on accurate data.
“TED Talks Gov” PRESENTATIONS:
CHECKLIST:
Topic selected and approved
Project proposal written and approved
Research completed
At least 4 credible sources utilized
Abstract written
