Year 8 - English
Using figurative language to create a gothic atmosphere
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 use figurative language to establish a foreboding atmosphere in your Gothic writing.
Key Notes
- Figurative language is words or phrases that are meaningful, but not literally true.
- Figurative language can be used to create vivid imagery.
- When choosing an object for comparison, you need to consider the atmosphere you are trying to create.
- For Gothic descriptions, try to compare your setting to an object of fear or disgust so that you can unsettle the reader
- Always choose vocabulary that contributes to the atmosphere you are trying to create.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Figurative language: words or language that are meaningful, but not literally true
- Foreboding: a feeling that something bad will happen
- Ethereal: extremely delicate and light in an otherworldly-way
- Gnarled: knobbly, rough and twisted with age
- Angular: having sharp angles or corners
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils do not understand that they have to think carefully about their use of figurative language and plan it before they begin writing.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Figurative language is words or phrases that are meaningful, but not literally true. Figurative language can be used to create vivid imagery.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'Figurative language'
words or language that are meaningful, but not literally true.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils do not understand that they have to think carefully about their use of figurative language and plan it before they begin writing. Correction: Students need to consider carefully what kind of atmosphere they are trying to create. When comparing their setting to something else, the 'something else' needs to fit with the atmosphere they are aiming to create.
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 'Jane Eyre' to inspire our use of gothic vocabulary Study Guide
- Using description in functional writing 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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