Duration 25–35 minutes
Grouping Individual + class discussion
Strategy Exploration
Materials
- Narrative or reflective mentor text
- Highlighters or coloured pens
Teacher Instructions
- Select a narrative or reflective mentor text appropriate for your class.
- Read the text aloud or have students read independently.
- Ask students to identify words and phrases that resonate with them – words that stand out, that create strong images, or that evoke emotions.
- Students record these resonant words and discuss why they chose them.
- As a class, discuss the language choices the author has made and how they contribute to the overall effect of the text.
Teaching Tips
- This activity can be adjusted for other disciplines – identifying key words in maths problems, science articles, or historical sources.
- Encourage students to think about why certain words resonate – is it the sound, the imagery, the emotion?
- This activity builds vocabulary and an awareness of authorial craft.
Student Handout
Read the mentor text carefully. Identify words and phrases that resonate with you – that stand out, create images, or evoke emotions.