ted talk chimamanda ngozi adichie we should all be feminist

She enunciated “police” in a firm tone, slightly raising her voice to emphasize the undue strictness imposed on young girls. What made her an effective speaker is how seamlessly she weaved humor into serious, often painful topics.Īdichie argued that people raise girls as competitors for male attention and police them for trying to be as sexual. Adichie spoke confidently and determinately, pacing appropriately, and varying her tone throughout.

An effective speaker can engage the audience by presenting one’s ideas with confidence, determination, and passion. Being a good writer does not always mean being an effective speaker and vice versa Adichie manages to be both. Showing that the subject matter was personal to her increased her credibility in the audience’s eyes as if saying, “I am one of you.” Both techniques kept the audience engaged for the duration of her speech.Īdichie did not use visual aids or a microphone, as her speech alone was enough to keep the public’s undivided attention. From the beginning, Adichie put the listeners at ease by employing humor. Thirdly, she gave the public a clear understanding of who she was as a person, gaining its trust. Secondly, she signaled to the audience that her talk would contain humor, rather than being strictly serious or preachy. Firstly, she summarised the main idea of her talk. With this introduction, the speaker achieved multiple goals that set the tone for the rest of her speech.

The audience immediately understood her main argument – being a feminist is often perceived as a negative act, almost equal to terrorism. She recalled that one time, as they passionately argued, Okuloma suddenly looked at her and said: “You know, you are feminist.” “It was not a compliment.”, Adichie adds with a smile, “I could tell from his tone, the same tone that you would use to say something like ‘You are a supporter of terrorism.’” Her ironic tone and the look of genuine concern as she pronounced those last words evoked laughter. Adichie began her speech with an anecdote about a childhood friend, Okuloma.

Ted talk chimamanda ngozi adichie we should all be feminist