Ted Talk: Looks Aren't Everything

Ted Talk: Looks Aren't Everything, Believe Me I'm a Model
Talk By: Cameron Russell
Year Filmed: 2012

Summary:
This talk is about how being a model is not exactly what the average person may think it is cracked it up to be. The speaker Cameron Russell talks about winning the "genetic lottery" and benefiting from the way she looks while also acknowledging all the people who have the exact opposite happen to them based on the way they look. She argues that image is powerful and superficial and how we look has a huge impact on our lives. The photos she shows and the honest with which she speaks gives the viewer a new perspective on the modeling industry.

Qualitative Analysis:
This Ted Talk could be categorized as Slightly Complex. As far as organization, the talk is quite clear and follows one simple story line. The purpose for the talk is easy to predict from the beginning. The examples are relatable and easy to understand. All vocabulary is familiar and conversational. The meaning is clear and consistent throughout the lecture. The life experiences are common to almost all viewers. The media-content is basic as the message is easy to follow and analyze. The media literacy is presented as a live filming of a speech so there is no editing.

Content Standards:
This show connects well with anything related to current events - this could be a life skills course, an English course, or a social studies course. This talk could really be tied to pretty much any subject and/or topic.

CCSS Grades 6 - 12 Standards for Speaking and Listening
Comprehension and Collaboration:
1. Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively
2. Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally
3. Evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric.

Personal Response:
I believe this is a unique, interesting Ted Talk. It is very short and the speaker is engaging and relatable. The topic covered would definitely be one students (particularly females) find relevant. I think Ted Talks could be used daily as a warm-up activity or just occasionally. I personally have never used Ted Talks in the classroom but think they could be very effective teaching tools, specifically at the high school level. I think the various talks could lead to great discussions and analysis.