Analysis
Here are the elements that will help you with your analysis of the TED Talk “The Issues of Youth Censorship” by Olivia Orlewicz.
The rhetorical situation is that the speaker is Canadian student Olivia Orlewicz. She is delivering a TED talk about her experience with censorship in school, which is a topical issue especially in North America. The circumstances are connected to the increasing ban of books in the US, especially of those that discuss topics that are considered uncomfortable or inappropriate.
The composition of the talk is relatively straightforward. Orlewicz starts by presenting a personal anecdote of her experience with censorship, then moving into a broader discussion about censorship, and then presenting an alternative to her audience and issuing an appeal to them.
The style of language is informal and the talk maintains a conversational tone. Orlewicz mostly uses short sentences and easy-to-understand words, though she sometimes also uses more advanced vocabulary when explaining complex concepts.
The main rhetorical devices used in the talk include rhetorical questions and direct address. Orlewicz’s speech is also structured around a personal anecdote which she uses to share how censorship personally affected her.
The main modes of appeal in the talk are pathos and ethos. Orlewicz primarily relies on appeals to the audience’s emotions but she also builds credibility for herself when she shares that she has firsthand knowledge of the issue of censorship in an educational setting.
’s argumentation is clear and well-structured, as she presents her own personal experience with censorship, as well as explaining why censorship might be harmful. Orlewicz’s clear arguments against censorship make her presentation convincing and easy to follow.
The intention of Orlewicz’s TED talk is to inform parents and teachers on the dangers of youth censorship. As well as this. Orlewicz’s talk is an appeal to the parents and schools to encourage uncomfortable topics, instead of banning them.
You can find a full analysis on the following pages.
