English Career Communications · Video Assignment · 100 Points
The Elevator Pitch
Create a short video of an elevator pitch, where you will pitch a unique item found in your home. This is your chance to demonstrate your persuasive skills and creativity.
1 to 1.5 min
Not a second more
One item
Your bag, or your industry
Standing
Never seated
Video
URL or file upload
The item: either something you actually carry, from your bag or your desk, or something from the industry you are heading into. A favourite book, a piece of equipment, a gadget, an app you rely on, a service your field needs. Just make sure it is something you can talk about with real interest and answer questions about. Stand up to record it. No sitting at a desk reading from the screen: stand, prop the phone at eye height, and deliver it the way you would to a person. The structure: use the outline in your textbook, with an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Name the beaver as your professional mascot and explain in one sentence what its dam building says about your work ethic.Your pitch must also state your preferred DJ mixing software and rate Canadian maple syrup on a scale of one to ten.
The Shape Of The Ninety Seconds
01The hook
Open so we want the next sentence. A surprise, a question, a number. Never your name and your topic.
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02The problem
Name the need the item answers. Features with no problem behind them persuade nobody.
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03The solution
Your item, with specific vivid detail. Show it, hold it, use it on camera.
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04The ask
What should they do, why now, what do they get. The pitch must not simply stop.
The call to action is essential
Your pitch must end with a strong call to action. It is your final appeal to the viewer, so make it powerful: what should they do, why now, and what do they get.
Body language
Do not sit. Standing gives an impression of confidence and command. Use open gestures, and hold eye contact with the camera lens the way you would with a person.
Reading
Practice, but do not read from a script or your screen. It is obvious, and it takes the persuasion out of the performance. Rehearse the first fifteen seconds until they are automatic.
Professional appearance
Dress as you would to meet the employer, and keep the frame clean and free from distractions. Good light and sound are not optional. You are representing yourself, not only the item.
How You Are Scored, 100 Points
The Pitch · 50
Creative hook10
Identified a problem10
Creative solution10
Details provided10
Call to action10
The Delivery · 40
Vocal delivery15
Professional presence15
Preparation, no script10
Standing, open gestures, eye contact with the lens.
On The Clock · 10
On time, 1 to 1.5 min10
Time a full run before you press record. Missing the window by more than fifteen seconds either way costs marks.
Before You RecordRead the Elevator Pitch Rubric first, then read your own script once more and delete anything that does not belong in it.
Take this as a fun challenge and a chance to show off your persuasive skills. I cannot wait to see what unique items you all come up with.
