Rhetorical Analysis Of Johnny Weng's TED Talk

Breaking Down Stereotypes: A Rhetorical Analysis of Johnny Weng’s TED Talk on the Social Issues of Stereotyping

Jordan R. Brown
Department of Communications, Biola University
COMM 200: The Rhetorical Act
Professor Chase Andre
April 21, 2023
Abstract
This analysis examines the rhetorical strategies used by Johnny Weng in his TED Talk titled "Stereotyping." The presentation seeks to challenge the audience's preconceived notions about stereotypes and encourage them to think critically about categorizing and judging others. This study highlights Weng's techniques, including humor, and emotional appeals, to engage and persuade the audience.
Weng begins his talk with a personal story describing being stereotyped as a math genius because of

One study found that Black adolescents who endorsed racial stereotypes had a lower academic engagement, growth mindset, and academic performance than those who did not support such stereotypes. In contrast, white adolescents' endorsement of stereotypes was not significantly associated with these outcomes (Wang et al., 2022). This highlights the detrimental impact that stereotypes can have on individuals, particularly those who belong to marginalized groups. Implicit bias education programs can help mitigate the effects of stereotypes, and it is essential to continue raising awareness about this issue in society. Weng's use of statistics and research studies in his talk on stereotypes highlights the importance of addressing implicit bias in society. By using a variety of evidence and engaging storytelling techniques, Weng effectively communicates his message and inspires his audience to take action against stereotypes. His use of personal stories and analogies also helps make stereotypes more relatable and understandable to the audience. These strategies are consistent with the principles of effective implicit bias education programs, which emphasize the importance of engaging individuals emotionally and cognitively to promote lasting attitude change (Hawkins et al., 2023).
Overall, Weng's use of evidence in my rhetorical artifact

They argue that the media portrayal of young people with psychosis can perpetuate negative stereotypes and stigmatization. The authors suggest that the media should take more responsibility in portraying young people with mental illness more accurately and positively. They also offer that society as a whole can work to combat stereotypes by increasing awareness and empathy towards people with mental illness. This study supports the importance of Weng's TED Talk on stereotyping and the need to combat negative stereotypes. Weng's strategies of acknowledging the negative impact of stereotypes, presenting achievable steps to fight them, and empowering the audience to be agents of change align with the recommendations of Delahunt-Smoleniec and Smith-Merry and support the need for a more accurate and empathetic portrayal of people with mental illness in the media. As stated previously, he uses inclusive language such as "we" and "us" to create a sense of shared responsibility and encourage collective action. Weng's rhetoric empowers the audience by creating a sense of urgency and possibility, offering definite actions that individuals can take to combat stereotypes and presenting them as agents of change. By inspiring and motivating the audience to take action, he helps them believe they can make a difference in combating unjust