* First-person narration: The story is told from the perspective of Scout Finch, a young girl, which gives the narrative a childlike and innocent tone. This allows for a more personal and immediate connection with the reader.
* Setting the stage: The first chapter introduces the town of Maycomb, Alabama, and establishes the social and cultural context of the story. The description of Maycomb's history, its inhabitants, and the "slow Southern pace of life" sets the stage for the events that will unfold.
* Foreshadowing: The story starts with the introduction of Boo Radley, a mysterious figure who is shrouded in rumors and fear. This early introduction foreshadows his eventual role in the story and the importance of understanding the complexities of human behavior.
* Direct address: Scout directly addresses the reader in the opening line ("When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm broken at the elbow"), which creates a sense of intimacy and invites the reader into the story.
While these devices are not all explicitly used in the very first sentence, they are all present in the opening paragraph and contribute to the overall effect of the beginning of To Kill a Mockingbird.