HOW TO RANT LIKE RICK
Laura Kirby-McIntosh, O.C.T. ©
For classroom/training purposes only
Do not reproduce without permission
WHAT MAKES A GOOD RANT?
A rant is usually
done with wit
and humor,
while at the
same time
expressing an
opinion, a
position, or just
something that
you think is
important.
A TOPIC THAT IS CURRENT /
A SHOT THAT IS FAIR
 A good rant responds to something that is in
the news right now; an event/issue that lots
of people are talking about
 Your topic should not be threatening, include
profanity or malign an individual or
organizations’ reputation.
 There’s a difference between fair criticism
and slander!
A VERY CLEAR STRUCTURE
 Intro – Establish the topic of the rant, quickly.
 Middle – Provide a challenging statement
which makes the listener/viewer think….The
“AHA!” moment.
 End – Wrap up with a strong, powerful
statement that leaves the listener/viewer
with an understanding of the topic, i.e. a
summary with a catch. The catch should
include content but could also be a facial
expression/movement.
AN INTERESTING USE OF MOVEMENT
 Rick’s rants are usually
filmed as he walks down
an alley covered in
graffiti/street art
 The moving camera and
the shifting angles add
emphasis to his words,
and add to the sense of
urgency
 The movements are
carefully rehearsed, with
split-second timing
FUN FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
 Rick’s facial expressions
often communicate his
emotions—shock,
outrage, disgust, anger,
etc.
 Rick also makes direct
eye contact with the
camera throughout most
of his rant and uses
varied intonation
END STRONG
 Rick’s rants usually end
with a biting one-liner,
delivered with him
looking straight at the
camera.
 The conclusion leaves
us thinking...which,
after all, is the whole
point!
Helpful Links
 http://www.youtube.com/user/MercerReport
 http://www.mun.ca/rant/winners2010.php
 http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/09/21/why-irant/