Week 12 Discussion: TED Talk 10 | Quick Homework Help

I’m trying to learn for my English class and I’m stuck. Can you help?

Initial post due Wednesday by 11:59pm
Response to TWO classmates due Friday by 11:59pm

This week we are going to watch the TED Talk “How the Teddy Bear Taught Us Compassion” by Jon Mooallem. While you are watching this TED talk, think about the concept of Monsters (which will be the topic for Essay 4), and how the stories that we tell about them shape our reactions and understanding.

Click here to read the transcript of Mooallem’s speech.

Questions

1. What is the speaker’s main argument? Or what is his thesis?
2. Name at least 3 specific examples/pieces of evidence he uses to support his argument?
3. What was the biggest takeaway that you had from this video? What interested you the most?
4. What kind of evidence/stories is Mooallem telling his audience in the speech?
5. How does Mooallem organize his speech? In connection with Question 4, when does this evidence show up in her speech? When does he give that evidence? Is the placement of the evidence successful? Is there any pattern you can discern or figure out from where he places those pieces of specific evidence?
6. What is Mooallem’s purpose? What does he want from his audience?
7. What is Mooallem’s tone? Is his tone successful in connecting with his audience?
8. What examples of ethos, pathos, or logos does Junger use in his speech? Are they effective or not? “How the Teddy Bear Taught Us Compassion” | Jon Mooallem