aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	English
What age group	Year or Grade 10
What topic
Quantity	1
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Engaging Introduction to an English Lesson

Lesson Title: The Power of Persuasion

Objective:

To explore persuasive writing techniques and understand their impact on the audience.

Activity: "The Persuasive Elevator Pitch"

Step 1: Setting the Scene

Begin the lesson by dimming the lights and playing a 30-second audio clip of an energetic TED Talk. Choose a speaker known for their persuasive abilities, such as Simon Sinek or Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

Step 2: Discussion Prompt

After the clip, ask the students to jot down their immediate reactions. Pose the following questions to initiate a brief group discussion:

• What emotions did the speaker evoke?
• Were you persuaded to think differently about the topic?
• What techniques did the speaker use to grab your attention?

Step 3: The Challenge

Introduce the concept of the "elevator pitch." Explain that in the next part of the lesson, each student will write their own persuasive pitch on a topic of their choosing, designed to convince a hypothetical audience in the brief amount of time it takes for an elevator ride.

Step 4: Group Work

Divide the class into small groups, and challenge each group to brainstorm topics they are passionate about. Encourage them to think outside of the box, considering social issues, technological innovations, or innovations in their local community.

Step 5: Reflection

Conclude the session by asking students to reflect on what makes an argument compelling. This will lead into the next aspect of the lesson, where they will analyse famous speeches and identify the techniques used by the speakers.

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Additional Notes:

• Ensure students understand the importance of ethos, pathos, and logos in persuasive writing.
• Encourage creativity and personal expression in their pitches, emphasising that persuasion goes beyond mere facts; it’s about connecting with the audience.

By starting the lesson in this dynamic and interactive way, students will be more engaged and ready to dive into the deeper content of persuasive writing.