Year 8 - English
Using 'Jane Eyre' to inspire our use of gothic vocabulary
A monster within: reading and writing Gothic fiction
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Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils explore the Gothic. They start by learning what the Gothic is, before reading extracts from 'Frankenstein' and 'Jane Eyre', practising descriptive writing and reading 'The Tell-Tale Heart'. They finally learn how to write opinion articles and then write their own.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to use new vocabulary accurately and creatively in gothic writing to create a desired effect.
Key Notes
- It can be useful to take vocabulary from texts you have read to use in your own work.
- Selecting the right vocabulary when trying to create atmosphere is really important - every word counts.
- Use new vocabulary because it is the most specific word and not just because you think it sounds fancy.
- All of the words in a description must 'fit' with the atmosphere or impression you are trying to create.
Vocabulary To Learn
- antiquity: relating to the past/ age
- insalubrious: run-down
- dank: unpleasantly-damp and cold
- desolate: isolated/remote
- enclosed: surrounded on all sides
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Students often make the mistake of using a new word they have just learned inaccurately, in an attempt to show off their knowledge.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
It can be useful to take vocabulary from texts you have read to use in your own work. Selecting the right vocabulary when trying to create atmosphere is really important - every word counts.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'antiquity'
relating to the past/ age.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Students often make the mistake of using a new word they have just learned inaccurately, in an attempt to show off their knowledge. Correction: The point of learning new vocabulary is to give students options and choices so that they can select the most specific and useful word in their writing. Sometimes, the most specific word choice isn't the new vocabulary.
More Lessons In This Unit
- 'Frankenstein' and the Gothic context Study Guide
- A written analysis of 'Frankenstein' Study Guide
- A written analysis of 'The Tell-Tale Heart' Study Guide
- An introduction to 'Jane Eyre': Analysing an unseen extract Study Guide
- Analysing effective opinion articles Study Guide
- Analysing the atmosphere at Thornfield Hall in 'Jane Eyre' Study Guide
- Context for Gothic literature: science and religion in the 19th century Study Guide
- Editing descriptive writing based on 'A monster within' Study Guide
- Exploring the character of Victor Frankenstein in Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' Study Guide
- Frankenstein's reaction to his creation Study Guide
- Frankenstein's regret and the scientific revolution Study Guide
- Identifying features of the Gothic genre in the plot of 'Frankenstein' Study Guide
- Improving your opinion article on Gothic literature Study Guide
- Lowood Institution: Gothic settings in 'Jane Eyre' Study Guide
- Organising our gothic writing to build tension Study Guide
- Planning a cohesive argument about 'The Tell-Tale Heart' Study Guide
- Planning a Gothic description inspired by 'A monster within' Study Guide
- Planning a written analysis of 'Frankenstein' Study Guide
- Planning an opinion article about Gothic literature Study Guide
- Reading 'The Tell-Tale Heart' Study Guide
- Reading an extract from 'Frankenstein': A fateful night Study Guide
- Reading an extract from Charlotte Brontë's 'Jane Eyre' Study Guide
- Regret in Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' Study Guide
- Symbolism in 'The Tell-Tale Heart' Study Guide
- The creation of suspense in 'The Tell-Tale Heart' Study Guide
- The structure of an opinion article Study Guide
- Using description in functional writing Study Guide
- Using figurative language to create a gothic atmosphere Study Guide
- Using semantic fields to create a gothic atmosphere Study Guide
- Writing a gothic description Study Guide
- Writing an opinion article on Gothic literature Study Guide
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