Creating precise and attractive titles: didactic ideas

The instructor reads a short story to the class and then asks what kind of title would be suitable for the text. Each student writes one or two title suggestions on a strip of paper. The suggestions are then discussed: which titles are attractive and why? Which ones are rather boring, and why?
The instructor then presents a (fictitious) project of creating a poster or flyer for tourism in their native country (its capital city or areas of natural beauty, etc.). What would be an attractive title or eye-catching slogan for this poster? (If there is time to complete the task, the idea should naturally be implemented.)
The instructor distributes a picture story, a newspaper report, or a short story without a title to the class. The students should consider clear, attractive titles for the story, either in pairs or as individuals. The suggestions are then written on strips of paper and discussed.
Discussions (whole class or at group level) of the question: to which given title would you like to write a text? Think about exciting titles and topics! The suggestions are then discussed, collected, and put into practice, if possible.
From the 4th grade on: the instructor collects examples of attractive book titles (with the class, if at all possible), and invents a few boring titles, such as (“Susi, the lovely girl”, “Flower poems”). The titles are then discussed and the students try to determine what makes a title boring or exciting.

20 minutes

1st – 3rd grade 4th – 6th grade 7th – 9th grade

Materials: Picture book stories, newspaper reports or similar (see right).

Explanations, abbreviations
First language	Also mother tongue or family language: the first language a child has learned and speaks at home. Some children have two first languages.
School language	The language that is spoken in the schools of the host country. In addition, the local dialect may count as an environment language.
Abbreviations	S: Student T: Teacher (instructor)

Legend for indications referencing organizational form, class, time requirements concerning teaching proposals:
	IW = Individual Work
	WP = Working with a partner
	SG = Small Groups
	WC = Whole Class
2nd – 4th grade	Suitable for... to... (e.g. 2nd – 4th grade). Keeping in mind that this designation may vary according to the requirements of the individual students.
20 minutes	Approximate time requirement, e.g. 20 minutes. (Estimated time varies, must be determined by the instructor according to the level and the requirements of the class).

1. Creating precise and attractive titles: didactic ideas