TED 7: The 18-Minute Rule
Keep talks short and tight; if you have an hour, break it into short blocks with a change of pace.
The 18-minute limit is a TED editorial choice; claims that attention drops sharply after 10 to 15 minutes rest on weak evidence.
Why it works
Short limits force you to cut weak material, which makes the talk clearer. Listeners do tire over long talks, but not on a fixed clock. Changing pace every few minutes helps more than any single number.
How to do it
- Set a hard limit shorter than your slot.
- Cut to three main points.
- Every 8 to 10 minutes, change something: a story, a question, a demo.
- End on time, even if the host gives you more.
What to say
I'll take 15 minutes and leave the rest for your questions.
Three points, and then I'll stop.
Avoid
Treating 18 minutes as science. The aim is tight content, not a magic number.
Example
Given 45 minutes at a dairy conference in Karnal, Vandana spoke for 18 and took questions for the rest. The organiser said it was the most useful session of the day.
Practise it
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