07. Speech Breakdown: TED Talk by Joe Smith "How to Use One Paper Towel"

Jun 11, 2019

Delve into the art of engaging presentations! Discover how Joe Smith’s unique use of a simple prop—paper towels—transforms a mundane topic into an insightful and interactive experience. Learn strategies for audience involvement and the power of non-verbal persuasion. Hear why statistics can be impactful and how humor enhances retention. This breakdown showcases the strength of demonstration techniques and leaves you rethinking your approach to public speaking.

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ANECDOTE

One Paper Towel Demonstration

Joe Smith's TED Talk demonstrates how to use just one paper towel.
He uses physical props and audience participation effectively.

ADVICE

Building Intrigue

Start presentations with a large, intriguing number, presented slowly.
Explain the number's relevance and preview the presentation's direction.

ADVICE

Audience Involvement

Engage your audience through interactive elements like assigning them words.
This encourages active participation and makes key messages memorable.

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Here we are at episode seven of The Presentation Boss Podcast! Your hosts Kate and Thomas are experienced not only as speakers, but as presentation coaches. They love finding the strengths and weaknesses in a presentation and explaining why they work or need to be considered. And so, here's another episode where we listen to a TED Talk and break down what is great about it! This time Kate has picked a demonstrative talk from retired US politician Joe Smith and his 2012 TED Talk 'How to Use One Paper Towel'. This is a great example of how to best leverage the use of physical props! What You'll Learn • One of the most powerful ways we know to continually improve your speaking • Something Kate thinks about every time she washes her hands in public • How to use paper towels (obviously!) and reduce your paper consumption • A introduction method for building intrigue in your presentation • Why a physical prop can be far better than slides • A beautiful example of getting the audience involved in the delivery • Persuasion through demonstration Mentioned In The Show • Joe Smith | How to Use a Paper Towel: https://www.ted.com/talks/joe_smith_how_to_use_a_paper_towel Resources and Links • Presentation Boss on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/presentationboss/ • Presentation Boss on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/presentation-boss • Kate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-norris/ • Thomas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-krafft/ • The Presentation Boss Podcast: https://presentationboss.com.au/podcast/ • Email us! podcast@presentationboss.com.au Quotes From This Episode • "He's added where we're going to land in this presentation.. so now we know the [direction] of the rest of his talk" • "What a beautiful example of audience involvement" • "People love that!" • "He's made the key [message] of his presentation really obvious and memorable" • "There are so many rhetoric devices about persuasion" • "A beautifully thought out closing line"