Year 8 - English
Planning an opinion article about Gothic literature
A monster within: reading and writing Gothic fiction
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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 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 write brilliant topic sentences to convey your argument.
Key Notes
- When planning an opinion article, the message needs to be consistent - your opinion is your message.
- You should identify between 3 and 4 reasons or examples to support your opinion.
- Topic sentences help you to maintain a cohesive and convincing argument.
- Aim to make your topic sentences as engaging as possible, as they introduce each new section of your argument.
- Rhetorical devices (such as direct address) can be used to elevate your topic sentences.
Vocabulary To Learn
- escapism: seeking distraction or relief from unpleasant or tiresome realities
- conservative: traditional or resistant to change
- vicariously: experiencing something through someone else's lived experience
- hyperbole: exaggerating something for effect
- provocative: something that causes a strong reaction from people or incites debate
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Students often don't think to include rhetorical devices within their topic sentences.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
When planning an opinion article, the message needs to be consistent - your opinion is your message. You should identify between 3 and 4 reasons or examples to support your opinion.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'escapism'
seeking distraction or relief from unpleasant or tiresome realities.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Students often don't think to include rhetorical devices within their topic sentences. Correction: Just because the topic sentences introduces the main idea for the paragraph, that does not mean the topic sentence can't be really creative and engaging. It's crucial that it is engaging to motivate the reader to learn more about the topic.
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
- 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 'Jane Eyre' to inspire our use of gothic vocabulary 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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