| aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type | Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson |
| Which subject | English |
| What age group | Year or Grade 11 |
| What topic | |
| Quantity | 1 |
| Any other preferences |
To understand the components of persuasive speech and analyze how rhetoric can influence an audience's thoughts and actions.
As students enter the classroom, dim the lights and play a short video clip of iconic speeches—think Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream," Malala Yousafzai's UN speech, or even a contemporary pitch from a well-known TED Talk. Ensure the video snippets are no longer than 2-3 minutes, allowing students to grasp emotional and rhetorical impacts without losing their attention.
Once the video is over, ask students to write down their immediate reactions.
Instruct them to keep their thoughts brief—just a few sentences—aiming for spontaneous responses.
Break students into small groups to discuss their individual answers. Encourage them to share ideas and build upon each other’s responses. After about 5-7 minutes, regroup as a class to share insights, emphasizing how different rhetorical strategies influenced their emotional reactions.
Introduce the day’s topic by reflecting on the shared observations. Highlight that rhetorical strategies—ethos, pathos, and logos—play significant roles in shaping effective speeches. Pose the question:
Transition into the core of the lesson by acknowledging the importance of persuasive communication in various aspects of life—from academic writing to social activism and even everyday conversations.
Prepare students for a comprehensive analysis of famous speeches, and signal that they will not only analyze but also create their own persuasive speeches by the end of this unit.
This engaging start will not only captivate students’ attention but also set a collaborative tone for the exploration of rhetoric and persuasive techniques through various mediums.