aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	English
What age group	Year or Grade 9
What topic	Structural devices for AQA GCSE English
Quantity	1
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Engaging Lesson Starter: Exploring Structural Devices

Objective

Today’s lesson aims to deepen your understanding of structural devices in literature, focusing on how these elements shape meaning and enhance a text's impact.

Lesson Starter: The "Before and After" Challenge

What You’ll Need:

• A whiteboard or flip chart
• Sticky notes or slips of paper

Step 1: Set the Scene

Begin the class by displaying an evocative image on the board related to a theme in literature (such as "struggle," "transformation," or "identity"). For example, an image of a winding road leading to a distant mountain can represent a journey or struggle.

Step 2: Quick Write

Ask students to take one minute to jot down their initial thoughts about the image. Prompt them with questions like:

• What story could this image be telling?
• Who are the characters involved?
• What might happen next?

Step 3: Share and Stick

Invite students to share their thoughts with the class. As they share, encourage them to think about how they structured their ideas. Write key phrases or sentences on sticky notes and have students place them on the whiteboard under the image.

Step 4: Introduction to Structural Devices

After a few students share, guide the discussion to the idea of structural devices. Ask:

• How does the way we arranged our thoughts affect the story's impact?
• What techniques can writers use to structure their narratives for maximum effect?

Conclusion

Transition into the main lesson by explaining that today, we’ll explore how structural devices—like foreshadowing, flashbacks, or shifts in perspective—can create tension, surprise, and emotional depth in storytelling.

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By starting the lesson with an engaging visual stimulus and a collaborative activity, students can actively participate in the exploration of structural devices, making the learning experience interactive and relevant.