While at work last Saturday, I took a little TED break somewhere near the middle of five hours of grading. TED’s homepage featured LZ Granderson’s “The Myth of the Gay Agenda,” and I clicked to learn more.
Since I study, analyze, and teach public speaking for a living, I’m confident in my assertion that Granderson’s 17-minute “Myth” is not only one of the best TED Talks I’ve ever seen but also one of the best speeches I have ever seen.
He uses storytelling, audience interaction, and humor to capture and maintain his audience’s attention. He grounds his argument in history and references national documents to establish his external credibility. He uses Aristotle’s three modes of persuasion (ethos, pathos, and logos) masterfully. Granderson’s speech also follows Nancy Duarte’s Sparkline structure. He goes back and forth between “what is” and “what could be” with a clear call to action. This TED Talk embodies all of the qualities of a strong persuasive presentation. It is a must-watch!
What TED Talks have you been watching lately?
