OWHL TEDx_Phillips Academy: Frequently Asked Questions

When is the application due? 

• No later than 10:00 PM on 2/9/24 (no exceptions) 

How many people are you accepting? 

• Up to 8  

How long will the application take? 

• That depends. Many of the questions have a word limit or another requirement, and you must upload a video of yourself. We recommend carving out 1-2 hours to work on it so that you put your best foot forward.  

What do I do if I do not have a title for my TEDx talk? 

• Your application is a pitch! If you are accepted, you will continue to work on your presentation. That process may change the title of your TEDx talk. Consider this title a “working” title. 

Is this a group TEDx talk or are there individual TEDx talks? 

• These are individual TEDx talks that will be connected by our theme "The New Normal: Youth Voices in a Fractured Age." 

Why does my topic have to fit into the theme? How can I make it fit into the theme? 

• There should be a theme uniting all the presentations given on 4/27. However, it is intentionally broad for us to get a diverse group of voices and presentations. You can interpret the theme in many ways to make it work for your topic.  

What should I include in my 1-minute video? 

• This short pitch should show your passion for creating your TEDx talk. Try to demonstrate that you can express your main point/idea succinctly and engagingly! Additionally, practice, practice, practice. This video will show the committee your potential to convey your idea while being recorded. 

Who will decide if my application is accepted? 

• The Selection Committee. The Selection committee members include members from the OWHL Student Advisory Board, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Denby, and Ms. Torres Hoven. 

• The Selection Committee will use the guidelines and content requirements outlined by TED to guide our decision. 

What are you looking for in my application? 

• We are looking for a demonstration of your interest, your commitment, and your big idea! Your application should give us a strong sense of what your TEDx talk would be like if you were accepted. 

What is the difference between TEDx Talks and TED Talks? 

• TED talks are events that the TED organization pays for and produces. TEDx talks are community organized talks that are supported by TED but are independent. 

Is the TEDx Event on 4/27 a live event? 

• Yes, the TEDx presentations will be recorded and live on TED’s website on 4/27. 

• The Polk will have the ability to edit and make camera angle adjustments for the final upload to the TED website. 

Can I use index cards for my presentation? 

• No. You will need to practice and memorize your TEDx talk.  

If accepted, how much time do I have to spend working on this? 

• Giving a TEDx talk is a significant time commitment. If accepted, you will be required to attend mandatory meetings, receive coaching, and practice, practice, practice with the organizing committee.  

• Additionally, some dates cannot be changed. If you cannot attend the dress rehearsal on 4/26 or the live recording on 4/27, then you should not apply.  

What happens if I cannot make a meeting? 

• Certain absences will be excused (i.e., illnesses with documentation from Sykes) but you will need to treat this like a class regarding absences.  

How long can my TEDx talk be? 

• It can be no longer than 18 minutes. We recommend 12-15 minutes. 

What type of TEDx Talks/topics are you interested in? 

• We are interested in hearing about what your big idea is! Topics should be innovative and exceptional, and they should be something you care about. You will spend a lot of time researching, drafting, and presenting your topic. Make it something you are passionate about!  

• Topics should loosely fit into our theme, "The New Normal: Youth Voices in a Fractured Age." We welcome your unique, thought-provoking, fun, and inspiring ideas on what this theme means to you. 

I was thinking of doing a TEDx talk on [X]. Do you think that sounds good enough and that other students on campus would be interested? 

• Are you interested in this topic? Do you want to spend time researching, drafting your talk, and presenting on this topic? Then you should make a pitch! 

• One important note though: This is not a history lesson or explanation of this topic. You should have a great, well-formed idea. What is a great, well-informed idea? (See below.) 

What is a great, well-formed idea? (From TEDx)

• It can be one of two things: 

• Something that is new and surprising; an idea or invention that your audience has never heard about. 

• A great basic idea (that most people have heard of) with a compelling new argument behind it that challenges beliefs and perspectives. 

• NOTE: your great, well-informed idea is not a story, list of facts, or a lesson. You should be innovative AND synthesize your evidence or observations to draw a larger conclusion. 

• For more information: read “TEDx Basics” on the libguide and review other TEDx talks online. 

• “TEDx Basics” gives examples of the big idea, the small idea, the artist’s statement, etc. 

Why does my topic have to fit into the theme? How can I make it fit into the theme? 

• There should be a theme uniting all the presentations given on 4/27. However, it is intentionally broad for us to get a diverse group of voices and presentations. You can interpret the theme in many ways to make it work for your topic. 

What do you recommend I do to prepare for this application? 

• Read through all tabs of the TEDx libguide, review the TEDx content reviews, and study other TEDx talks! 

• Reach out if you have any questions. 

The content guidelines state that my topic should not be political, but I want to talk about Climate Change. How do I make that non-political? (Answers from TEDx)

• Politics, social issues, and policy are key parts of the global conversation. However, TEDx stages are not the place for partisan politics, nor for extremist or inflammatory positions. Speakers must not attack or advocate for parties, party platforms, and political leaders in their talk. They must not advocate for violence or oppression. Speakers should focus on discussing concrete problems and solutions.  

• Special care should also be taken with politically divisive subjects (e.g., abortion, gun control) so as to avoid polarizing “us vs. them” language. Instead, speakers should focus on consensus-building and nuanced discussion. Consideration should also be given to any content that may carry negative connotations for other parts of our global audience. 

One of the content guidelines states that I cannot have a religious agenda. I want to talk about why being an [X] matters to me. Can I do that?  (Answers from TEDx)

• TEDx will not accept speakers who attempt to prove or persuade the correctness of a single religion, deity, or other belief system (such as atheism or agnosticism), whether through rhetoric or "scientific proof."  Speakers can be honest about their beliefs but should not use the stage to promote them or to denigrate those who do not share them. 

Citations for answers above: 

“What is a TEDx Talk?” TED: Ideas Worth Spreading. TED. Access date: January 9, 2024. https://www.ted.com/participate/organize-a-local-tedx-event/tedx-organizer-guide/speakers-program/what-is-a-tedx-talk. 

“TEDx Content Guidelines” TED: Ideas Worth Spreading. TED. Access date: January 9, 2024. https://www.ted.com/participate/organize-a-local-tedx-event/tedx-organizer-guide/speakers-program/what-is-a-tedx-talk.