To help Mercer understand the concept of onomatopoeia and generate interest in the topic, I began by explaining that onomatopoeias are popular in comic books and graphic novels because they are words that sound like what they describe. We addressed the basic concept and how onomatopoeias are also a literary device used for poetry and prose when they encompass strings of words that together produce an associated sound effect. We discussed the root word from which its meaning, 'word-making,' is derived. Mercer was then invited by his peers to participate in a game of basketball and was permitted to do so with the understanding that there will be a follow up component/exercise in tomorrow's class when he will asked to demonstrate his understanding of onomatopoeia by using it in his writing.