“Reading” Multimedia Texts
1) Visit TED.com. Take a few minutes to closely browse the site based on your interest and
assignment guidelines below. TED.com is an excellent resource of talks by some of the world’s
most innovative thinkers. This site is especially relevant during our time when “thinking outside the
box,” “thinking beyond borders and boundaries,” and making new connections is so crucial.
2) Click on Speakers or Themes to get a listing of categories. There are several ways to navigate this
site. At this point, your task will be to choose 1 talk from 3 different categories.
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Technology
Entertainment
Design
Business
Science
Culture
Arts
Global issues
Featured
Click on one of those links. Then browse the talks that relate to one of the categories you have
chosen. Choose 1 talk that piques your interest. You will listen to this talk in its entirety and
write a 2 page guided typed response about it.
3) You are free to view as many of these talks as you like. There are many captivating speakers who
are sharing some insightful, provocative, creative ideas for all of us to consider. For your
assignment, you will be responsible for viewing 3 talks from 3 separate topics/categories.
4) As you view a talk, it is best to take notes while listening to build your comprehension.
Formatting wise, make the notes useful to you so that you can use them to construct your response.
Writing about Multimedia Texts
Formatting details for your assignment before and after choosing your specific talks
Double Spaced
MLA heading
Name of Speaker:
Category:
Title of Talk:
Minutes of Talk:
Website Address of Talk:
1) 5-7 Sentence Original Summary of Talk (5pts)
In your own words, provide a concise summary of the talk you selected. What was the topic and
overall argument of the talk? What key points was the speaker attempting to address? What was
the conclusion of the talk?
2) List of Key Terms, Phrases & Expressions from Talk (bullet point list will suffice) (5pts)
As you listened to the talk and took notes, list at least 10 key terms, phrases, expressions that are
particular to this speaker and his/her topic. What specific language does the speaker use to discuss
his/her idea? What specific concepts and key terms or expressions are a part of the speaker’s
message? Try to define or explain the terms in context.
3) Critical Response After Listening to the Talk (10pts)
(Should be at least 3 well-written paragraphs showing “a mind at work”)
• Engage with the ideas of the speaker, the “text” you have “read”
• What do YOU have to say after having “read and comprehended” this text?
 What does your mind want to add to the conversation / perspective / topic initiated by the
speaker?
• Constructively and responsibly comment on key ideas presented by the speaker
• Support, expand upon, challenge and/or qualify ideas presented by the speaker
• Choosing specific quotes, points, or expressions shared by the speaker often times makes a
response more readable instead of dealing in generalities.
4) Present ONE to the class (10pts)
 Post on Google Doc which clip you will be presenting (and attach link) so that we don’t
have repeats in class
 Introduce the clip/speaker/topic. Give concise background context.
 Show no more than a 30 second clip to the class so we can have a “taste” of the speaker/clip
 Orally present your findings—but you can’t read from the script! Try to be as engaging as
the speakers you have evaluated.
ASSIGNMENT SUMMARY: Building Background Knowledge ~ Memory
1) Closely view (“ critically listen to and read”) 3 different talks from TED.com taken from 3
different categories of your choosing. In other words, you will choose 1 talk from a specific
category and then choose two more from two other distinct categories. You might want to preview
the talks first before jumping in and selecting one. Listen to the talks entirety.
2) Take relevant notes. Keep these "prewriting notes" to turn in with your typed response.
3) Construct a 2 page typed response for each talk you selected.
4) Present one to the class.
70 points total
I am looking for accuracy, comprehension of the talk and critical thinking in your response
Assignment from Mr. Salunga, M.Ed., Morse High School, San Diego, CA