“Artists, writers, and movie directors sometimes organize the path of their work using storyboards. It’s a way to put story events in order using illustrations or notes so you can get a clear picture of the path ahead. This process can help you make sure that each section of your Talk serves a critical purpose and that you’re including just the right amount of information: no more, no less. You can use sketches to visually organize your Talk arc.”

Activity 1 - What is storyboarding?

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Activity Tasks

1. Define - What is storyboarding? Read the quote above then in your own words, share a shorter definition with your group. How would you explain it?
2. Identify - What are the key elements or parts of a story? Complete the table on page 24 of your ideas journal by writing in your own words what each part is:
   1. Hook - You have to engage the listener from the very beginning! After watching the first 2 minutes of this Talk, ask: How did it begin? How did it draw you in?
   2. Perspective - Audiences connect to ideas when they feel connected to the speaker. How does this speaker connect us to who they are and what their perspective is?
   3. Tension - Great Talks tell us a story of something you learned or discovered or experienced. But first we need to know the build-up that led to that discovery. Did you run into a problem you couldn’t solve? Have an encounter you couldn’t make sense of? Tell us about it so we feel the tension you felt!
   4. Closing - This is where you recap for your audience the journey you’ve taken them on and connect the dots for them so they fully understand your main idea.
3. Discuss - Watch one of the three videos here. Does your talk have all four parts?

Activity 2 - Create your own storyboard

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Activity Tasks

1. Consider - Consider the following questions to begin thinking about your own storyboard:
   1. What is the one idea you want people to walk away with?
   2. How do I want to start and end my talk to make sure people are on the journey with me?
   3. What is the logical sequence of events to get from the beginning to the end of my talk?
2. Create - On 6-8 sticky notes or index cards, try to draw or sketch out the different parts of your talk.  Thing about having a beginning, middle, and end. Do your 6-8 parts include: the hook; perspective; tension; and closing?
3. Transfer - Now transfer what is on your sticky notes into the storyboard section on your ideas journal on page 25.
4. Share - Once finished, try sharing your storyboard with the group for feedback! Partners should be sharing feedback on the flow of the story as well as whether the storyboard takes into account the elements of a good story.

Further Explorations

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THINGS TO REFLECT

1. I’ve defined how hook, perspective, tension and closing are important parts to consider in the arc of a Talk or presentation.
2. I've identified which stories and pieces of information I want to include in the beginning, middle and end of my Talk.

THINGS TO DO

1. Be sure to share your storyboard with a critical friend or family member. Describe to them the arc of your Talk.

THINGS TO SHARE

1. Share updated Idea Journals with TED-Ed at tededstudents@ted.com and via social media with #TEDEdStudents

previous exploration - build your throughline

next exploration - research and support your idea