Year 10 - English
Considering and emulating Tolkien's use of a cliffhanger in 'The Two Towers'
Fiction: ending stories
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils look at four different story ending types and practise emulating them. They look at resolution in 'Moriaty', cliffhanger in 'The Two Towers', anti-climax in 'Hera' and plot twist in 'Atonement', before then crafting their own effective ending.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to consider how Tolkien uses onomatopoeia, sentence fragments and short sentences to craft an effective cliffhanger.
Key Notes
- A writer might use a cliffhanger to create tension or subvert the reader's expectations around resolutions.
- Tolkien uses sentence fragments and simple sentences to create an abrupt tone.
- Furthermore, Tolkien uses onomatopoeia and plosive sounds to add to the tension.
- By ending on the provocative word "Enemy", Tolkien leaves the reader with a heightened sense of unease.
Vocabulary To Learn
- cliffhanger: a plot device in which an element of a story is left unresolved
- tension: mental or emotional strain
- unresolved: not settled, solved or brought to resolution
- provocative: likely to arouse a strong reaction
- abrupt: sudden and unexpected
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- That cliffhangers are only designed to make the reader carry on reading.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
A writer might use a cliffhanger to create tension or subvert the reader's expectations around resolutions. Tolkien uses sentence fragments and simple sentences to create an abrupt tone.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'cliffhanger'
a plot device in which an element of a story is left unresolved.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: That cliffhangers are only designed to make the reader carry on reading. Correction: Cliffhangers can entice the reader to continue reading, but they can also create tension and subvert the reader's expectations.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Crafting an effective ending Study Guide
- Emulating Anthony Horowitz's use of resolution in 'Moriarty' Study Guide
- Emulating Ian McEwan's use of a plot twist in 'Atonement' Study Guide
- Emulating Saint's use of an anti-climax in 'Hera' Study Guide
- Identifying and analysing Anthony Horowitz's use of resolution in 'Moriarty' Study Guide
- Identifying and analysing Ian McEwan's use of a plot twist in 'Atonement' Study Guide
- Identifying and analysing Saint's use of an anti-climax in 'Hera' Study Guide
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