Big Picture: 19 Days & Counting…

In 19 days, each of you will stand up and deliver a 3 – 5 minute pitch– inspiring your course-mates about your topic/issue. This week you’ll draft your pitch, using a structure & process we provide (and your mind map as a guide!). To help you craft a pitch that sticks, read at least the first page of this article called “Teaching that Sticks”; if it sticks, read the rest.

Keep in mind:

• Your Audience: Your course-mates.
• Your Purpose:  To communicate (1) what matters most about the topic/issue you’ve been exploring and (2) the degree of your passion for your topic / issue and what you’re looking for.
• Your Medium: Similar to a TED talk, you’ll stand up before the group. We’ll provide a presentation tool that allows you to work your way through a set of 5 – 10 slides that show what it is you’re describing.

Your Pitch will answer these Three Key Questions:

     1. Why is this topic/issue important?

• How might you hook your audience with a compelling anecdote or image that conveys what’s at stake with this topic / issue?

     2. What’s the story with this topic / issue?

• What are the main conflicts?
• Who are the characters/groups/organizations involved?
• What’s specifically at stake for these people?

     3. What are you seeking?

• Some of you are on fire about your topics, so you’re seeking to persuade others to join you. So: make an impassioned case for your issue or topic, a calling for others to join you. Define the changes you’d like to see.
• Some of you are lukewarm about your topics. So: you be clear that you’re open to shifting to another, more promising topic / issue, and / or considering taking a different approach with someone / others who see promise in your topic / issue.

Blog Post Directions:

• Text: Write concise responses to the Three Key Questions. Keep in mind that your answers will become what you say during your pitch. Your pitch will be 3-5 minutes, so keep your answers brief while conveying as much as you can.
• Link to Slides: Prepare 5-10 slides to show what it is you’re describing to your course-mates. Use this set of 10 slides to scaffold your own. These include prompts designed to help you show the message you’re describing. Include a live link to your slides in your blog post that anyone with the link can view.

(Due by the end of Sunday October 23rd)

Continue to Respond to Others

Respond to those who have commented on your posts to continue conversations with them. View the post #6 mind maps from the peers you are paired with; begin statements with “I noticed…” and “I wondered…” See this document for groups; last week I shifted a couple of groups.

(Due by the end of Sunday 10/23)

IMPORTANT Blog Organization Reminders:

1. Categories: Check just YOUR NAME only; uncheck “Uncategorized.”
2. Titles: Include a specific and engaging title, that begins with “#7:”
3. Tags: You might include specific words that have to do with your topic. Examples: “Mental Health,” “Homeless.”
4. Featured Image with a proper citation: Please use a Featured Image; the option is on the lower, right when writing a blog. See the example citation at the end of this post that includes the person’s name who created the image, hyperlinked to the original image.

Featured Image from Kristin M.