Detailed Analysis of a TED Talk: Climate Change and Mental Health

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of a TED Talk by Britt Wray, focusing on how climate change affects mental health. The analysis evaluates the speaker's objectives (to inform and persuade), credibility, and the effectiveness of her introduction and conclusion. It examines the organization of the speech, including transitions, focus, and support for arguments. The report also assesses the speaker's delivery, including eye contact, preparation, use of visual aids, voice, and body language. The analysis concludes that the speech was well-structured and delivered, effectively conveying the urgency of the issue and advocating for audience action. The report references the TED Talk available on YouTube as the primary source for the analysis.

Running Head: SPEECH ANALYSIS 1
Speech Analysis
Name
Institution

SPEECH ANALYSIS 2
Speech Analysis
How climate change affects your mental health-Britt Wray
The TED speech on the effects of climate change on mental health was both informative
and persuasive. The speaker relays informative knowledge about research and statistical
findings which point at the stressful effects of climate change on mental health. The speaker
uses persuasion to convince the audience of the importance of the topic, including the steps
needed to combat the same. The speaker is emotional in her delivery, especially since she is
tackling a controversial topic, and is also seemingly passionate about it. This is evident in her
body language and the manner in which the speaker seems to identify with the topic.
Objective
Identify if the speaker’s objective is to inform, or to persuade
The main objective of the speech was to relay important information and to persuade the
audience to take action.
Introduction
How the speaker drawn audience in, what ‘hook’ is used
The speaker draws in the audience by speaking about a topic that is as interesting and
personal to many, as it is controversial. The speaker uses simple stories that the audience
resonates with to stir an emotional response to the topic.
Has the speaker established credibility for the subject?
The speaker establishes credibility by affirming her knowledge of the topic being
discussed. The speaker makes known her profession although she makes regular use of
external evidence to reinforce her ideas about the topic.
Did the speaker clearly identify the purpose of the speech?
The speaker identifies clearly the purpose of her speech at the beginning, which is to
inform the audience about a specific topic.

SPEECH ANALYSIS 3
Did the speaker give a preview of the speech?
She uses a statement that summarized the topic as a preview of the speech, which sets the
pace for the same.
Body
Were the transitions between sections/ points in the speech clear?
The transitions between sections/points in the speech were clear, with the speaker often
pausing prior to moving on to the next point. She also used transition words and commenced
a new point with a statement that provided an overview of the point.
Was the speech focused?
The speech was focused as evident in the manner in which the speaker was relaxed and
maintained eye contact with the audience. Also, there were no deviations from the topic of
the speech.
Were the arguments supported?
The arguments in the speech were supported by findings from credible research, stories of
real-life events and personal interviews and workshops conducted by the speaker. There was
also support from the speaker’s professional knowledge as she showed immense passion for
the topic.
Was the speech well organized?
The speech was also well organized, evident in the manner in which the speaker
comfortably transitioned between points. The points delivered in the speech were concise and
relevant to the topic. The speaker was relaxed implying she had been well prepared for the
speech.
Conclusion
Did the speaker signal the end of the speech?

SPEECH ANALYSIS 4
The speaker signalled the end of the speech by reiterating the introduction made at the
beginning of the speech. The speaker used a hook to draw the audience’s attention before she
delivered the closure to the speech. The speaker also thanked the audience at the end,
signalling a conclusion to her speech.
Was the conclusion concise?
The conclusion was both clear and concise. The speaker relayed information in a brief
manner yet it was comprehensive at the same time. The speaker did not waste time
summarizing the entire speech, which would have risked deviating the attention of the
audience from the topic.
Did the conclusion reinforce the purpose of the speech?
The conclusion definitely reinforced the purpose of the speech. From the beginning the
speaker had intended to inform and persuade the audience to see the importance of the topic.
This was reiterated at the end of the speech where the speaker reminded the audience of
points made earlier.
If appropriate was there a call for a decision/ action
Other than reinforcing the introduction, the conclusion was also a call for action and
better decision making from the audience. Having provided the audience with information on
the topic which was also backed by extensive evidence, the speaker, in her conclusion, urged
the audience to accept the urgency of the challenges posited in her speech, while still calling
for action.
Delivery/Overall impression
Did the speaker maintain eye contact with audience (camera)?

SPEECH ANALYSIS 5
Throughout the delivery of the speech, the speaker managed to maintain eye contact with
the audience. This norm was only broken when the speaker turned to point at and explain
content on a visual aid. This implies that she was relaxed and well prepared for the speech.
Was the speaker prepared?
The speaker was definitely prepared. This is evident in her body language, which was
composed as she appeared comfortable in front of an audience and cameras. Also, the flow of
her speech indicated thorough research into the topic and proper thought organization. The
manner in which the speaker spoke also denoted preparedness, as she did not fumble with
words or appear confused.
Was there effective use of visual aids?
Although limited, there was effective use of visual aids. The speaker used a visual aid to
show the audience evidence crucial to the topic. However, the use of visual aids was not
extensive and there was room for the speaker to use more. This did not, however impede her
delivery of the speech.
Did the speaker use distractive phrases or mannerisms?
At no point did the speaker use distractive phrases or mannerisms. As earlier mentioned,
the speaker was composed, which in turn inspired a calm disposition among the audience.
This helped in enhancing the attention the audience gave to the speaker.
Did the speaker use voice effectively (appropriate volume, rate, emphasis)
The speaker was audible and often paused to give emphasis too her points. It was evident
that the audience was listening to her keenly. There was also use of tonal variations, most
likely for emphasis.
Did the speaker use body language effectively?
The speaker used body language effectively. The speaker did not appear tense, evident in
her posture and constant use of gestures, perhaps to drive her points further home. Based on

SPEECH ANALYSIS 6
the topic being relayed in the speech, the speaker’s facial expression could be said to denote
fear. It is evident that she seemed emotional about the topic.

SPEECH ANALYSIS 7
References
YouTube (2019). How climate change affects your mental health. [video] Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IlDkCEvsYw [Accessed 27 Sep. 2019].