Speech Critique: Jacqueline Novogratz @ TED (Flashback Friday #40)

On Fridays, we dip into the Six Minutes article archive in search of one of the most memorable articles. We’ll dust it off, shine a light on it, and consider it from a new perspective.

Today’s Flashback Article

This week, we’re reaching back to June 2010 for a speech critique of a TED talk by Jacqueline Novogratz, who offers so many lessons for every speaker.

This is an excellent short speech — just 7.5 minutes — which is wonderfully crafted and delivered. Eight years ago, I wrote about several strengths of this speech:

• A direct opening which immediately captures interest and provokes curiosity;
• Contrast as a rhetorical device;
• Relating to the audience;
• Complementary visuals; and
• Masterful delivery

As I watch the speech today, I still see all of those strengths, but I also see one more strength that may be more important than all of those. The storytelling techniques exhibited by Ms. Novogratz are world-class! She tackles a complex and emotional topic — escaping poverty — almost entirely by telling a series of stories.

Watch the video, read the full article, and share your thoughts:

• Speech Critique: Jacqueline Novogratz (TED 2009)