They highlight and separate what is most important from the rest of the material. Dramatics, like enthusiasm, are known to enhance retention. Humor, self-disclosure and other dramatic behaviors may not come naturally and can cause a lecturer unaccustomed to using them to feel awkward and uncomfortable. It just takes practice and willingness to try new approaches in order to improve. Be positive, Nussbaum warns, because thinking you are being trivial or not funny can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Instructors can begin incorporating dramatics into their classrooms by doing something simple.
Creativity will grow with confidence. For example, have the students change seats when the section on demographic trends is introduced. Later in the semester turn the first 10 minutes of class into a television game show, with the questions coming from the assigned reading. The personal side of effective lecturing can be complemented by the use of audio-visual aids. Nussbaum advocates using many media forms.