Learning how to speak powerfully about critical educational issues is an essential skill for educators and advocates for students. RESULTS [1], an international organization that advocates for preventing poverty, has designed a practical format for creating powerful laser talks. A laser talk is a structured way to communicate a message succinctly and powerfully – highly focused, targeted and effective like a laser. Another name for a laser talk is an “elevator speech” – brief enough to deliver to that key stakeholder you meet during the few moments you happen to share on an elevator. The idea is that you have a talk prepared in advance and memorized so that you can deliver it whenever the opportunity presents itself. Having a planned presentation makes it easier to avoid the wandering, rarely convincing, and sometimes boring “lecture”.
To help remember the laser talk format, use the simple acronym, EPIC, as you craft and deliver your talk. The letters inEPIC stand for:
Engage;
State the Problem;
Inform about the solution; and
Give the Call to action.
E for Engage Your Audience
Start with getting your listener’s attention with a dramatic fact or short statement. Limit this opening statement to one sentence if possible. Example:
As educators, it is our responsibility to help all children succeed in school and with the appropriate supports teachers can and will accomplish dramatic student results.
P for State the Problem
Next, present causes of the problem introduced in the first section. Briefly explain how widespread or serious the problem is.
Our state has not seen growth in reading achievement in nearly two decades and there were large achievement gaps in reading and math across race and ethnic groups last year. We know that increased achievement can be accomplished through improving teaching practices.
I for Informing about Solutions
Inform the listener about a solution to the problem just presented. Develop your solution with examples of how and where it has worked, how it is proven and cost-effective and how it has benefited the population you serve. You could cite a recent study or report or tell a first-person account of how the solution has impacted you or others you know.
Every additional dollar spent on more highly qualified teachers netted greater increases in student achievement than any other uses of school resources. Teacher quality is improved when teachers are provided with well designed, supported and sustained professional development. The Model was developed with expertise from national experts and input from stakeholders representing all the major education groups across the state. Pilot schools and other districts that have all the components of the model in place are now reporting impressive gains in student achievement. Implementing professional growth plans that follow this model for every teacher in the state will result in increased learning for thousands of students
C for the Call to Action
As soon as the listener is fully engaged and informed about the problem and solution, describe what you want him/her to do. Make the action specific so you will be able to follow up with them. Present the action as a yes or no question.
When district and building administrators work collectively with their faculty to develop and implement meaningful professional growth plans, teachers will develop skills and put new practices into place in their classrooms. Increased student learning will follow. Can I visit your faculty and district leaders about ways to get started with implementing effective professional growth plans sometime this month?
Privately rehearse your laser talk a few times before practicing in front of another person. Ask a friend for feedback and revise your talk as needed. Memorize as much as possible so you don’t need to rely on notes. Deliver your talk without stopping, even if you make a few errors initially. As you practice, you’ll discover where more rehearsal is necessary or where changes are needed. Keep your talk fresh by updating it as you learn new information and collect relevant data.
I have used the EPIC format in workshops with school leaders to help them craft a talks on important issues they are addressing in their work. After presenting the process, we divide into groups of two or three. Time was provided for practicing and generating feedback in the small groups. Participants refined their laser talk and were invited to share a copy with their peers. Talks were developed to share with school board members, legislators, and community members on a range of highly relevant issues related to school reform.
What is on your mind that you may need to share with an important listener? Are you ready to deliver your points concisely and convincingly when you have the chance? Try EPIC!