Vivid Imagery and Figurative Language
Without a doubt, vivid language that allows students to visualize more clearly what we're trying to express during a lecture. I use anecdotes and metaphors whenever possible, because I do believe it makes lectures more memorable for students.
This was a good module. It is important to give students a clear sense of where each class is going, and key points need to be repeated and reinforced.
I had a teacher once in a history class who thought he was Teddy Roosevelt and jumped up on a table, a la charging up Kettle Hill, and I don't go to that extreme, but I do think students like to see a "personality" in front of the room, rather than a droning lecturer.
Without a doubt, how you say something can have just as much (or more) impact on a classroom as what you say. Imagery and figurative language will aid you in conveying material, and at times, you may want to be almost absurd or obtuse in your examples, if only to aid in contrast and comparison.
I am reminded of those charts in natural history museums that show the relative size of creatures - from a blue whale down to a mouse; naturally, it is absurd that a blue whale and a mouse would be next to each other, but the image is memorable and impressive in teaching size and scale of diversity in living creatures.
I agree vivid language engages students in the conversation though expression and enthusiasm.
You've made a "vivid image" in my mind just by sharing the Teddy Roosevelt example! :)
