Spotlight Scripting Worksheet
Spotlight Scripting
TED-Style Presentation Planner
Name: ____________________________________
Date: _____________________________________
1. The Idea Worth Spreading
The Working Title
The "One-Sentence" Thesis
Audience Analysis: Peers
Why should your classmates care? What do they already know?
2. Rhetorical Arsenal
Ethos (Credibility)
Pathos (Emotion)
Logos (Logic)
3. The Engagement Hook
The First 30 Seconds
4. The Storyboard Map
Target: 4-8 Minutes
| Time | Oral Content | Visuals | Staging |
|---|
| 0:00-1:00 | | | |
| 1:00-4:00 | | | |
| 4:00-8:00 | | | |
5. The Call to Action
What specific step should your peers take tomorrow?
Presentation Check
- Eye Contact: Scan left, center, right.
- The "Wait": Plan 2 intentional pauses.
Visual Check
- No bullet points (max 3 words).
- 1 High-res image per key point.
Spotlight Secrets Slides
Spotlight Secrets
Mastering the TED-Style Talk
What is a "TED" Talk?
1
The Idea Worth Spreading
It's not just information. It's a unique perspective or a novel solution to a problem.
2
Narrative Storytelling
We learn through stories. Your data needs a heart and a pulse.
3
The Call to Action
The talk doesn't end when you leave the stage. It starts in the audience's lives.
"Presentation is anything but just reading slides. It's about moving the soul."
Rule #1: Hook 'Em Fast
The Visual Hook
A shocking image or a silent physical prop can scream louder than words.
The Direct Question
Make them work. Force them to think about their own lives immediately.
The Counter-Intuitive
Start with a fact that contradicts what they think they know.
The Power of Choice: Rhetoric
ETHOS
"I am one of you."
Share a shared struggle. Use your senior status. Be the voice of the hallway.
PATHOS
"I feel what you feel."
Use humor about graduation stress or the fear of the unknown. Connect emotionally.
LOGOS
"It just makes sense."
Show the logic behind your idea. Use data relevant to a 17-year-old's world.
Visual Design: Simple = Strong
No Bullet Points
If they are reading, they aren't listening. Keep text to a bare minimum.
High Impact Images
One high-quality photo > 100 words. Let the image support your mood.
IGNITE
The Audience Mind
Physical Staging
The Power Stand
Feet shoulder-width apart. Open chest. No crossing arms.
The Triad Walk
Move with purpose. Walk when you transition your topic.
Eye Lock
Hold eye contact for a full sentence before moving on.
The 3-Second Pause
After a big point, stop. Let the silence do the work.
The Call to Action
What is the very first thing you want your audience to do when they walk out of this room?
NOT: "Be Kind"
BUT: "Say 'Hello' to a Freshman"
Standing Ovation Rubric
The Standing Ovation Rubric
Presentation Assessment: 100-Point Scale
Student: ____________________________________
Date: _____________________________________
| Criteria | The "TED" Standard (Adv) | Effective (Proficient) | Developing |
|---|
| Idea Worth Spreading | Unique, provocative, and highly relevant. Reframes a problem for seniors. | Clear and interesting idea. Relevant to peers but lacks a "wow" factor. | Generic topic or lacks a focused "angle" for the audience. |
| Engagement & Hook | Masterful hook (30s). High energy. Keeps peers focused throughout. | Clear hook. Maintains interest. Good eye contact across the room. | Weak hook. Low energy. Heavily reliant on reading notes or script. |
| Rhetorical Impact | Sophisticated use of Ethos, Pathos, or Logos tailored to peer reality. | Uses at least one rhetorical strategy effectively to influence the room. | Informational only. No clear attempt to persuade or move the audience. |
| Visual Design | Stunning visuals. Images only. Slides support, never distract from the speaker. | Clean slides. Minimal text. Visuals help explain complex points clearly. | Text-heavy slides. Cluttered design. Low-quality or irrelevant images. |
| Physicality & Staging | Intentional movement. Open posture. Dynamic gestures that aid meaning. | Stands with confidence. Some movement. Avoids nervous swaying/tics. | Hiding behind podium. Closed posture. Static or distracting movements. |
| The Call to Action | Concrete, immediate, and achievable step. Logical end to the talk. | Clear step suggested. Follows logically from the main idea of the talk. | Generic ("Think about it") or missing. No clear "Next Step." |
| Professionalism | Professional attire. Zero verbal fillers (uh, like). Polished demeanor. | Neat attire. Occasional filler words. Generally professional demeanor. | Casual dress. Excessive filler words. Lacks professional focus. |
| Time Management | 4–8 minutes. Pacing is perfect; neither rushed nor dragged. | Within 1 minute of time limit. Generally good pacing. | Significant time violation. Pacing issues distract from the message. |
Score Summary
Idea Worth Spreading ____ / 15
