Gothic Creative Writing Homework

Year 8

6 week project

This term, you will be working on a creative writing project for your homework tasks.

At the end of the project you will have drafted, edited and completed your own atmospheric story

using all the features of the Gothic genre.

You will be aiming to develop the following skills:

Creating a powerful opening Using engaging and ambitious vocabulary Punctuating for effect Creating effective tone and style Drafting and editing

Week 1:

KEY WORDS Draft: to create a version of a storyS.P.I.T.E.: An acronym (a word made from the first letters of a list) that helps you to plan and analyse a piece of writingAnnotate: to make notes on a piece of textsProtagonist: the main character in a storyAntagonist: typically the villain in a story

A detailed plan is really important when you write. Using the headings below (S.P.I.T.E.), make detailed notes for each of the elements of your story.

Setting:

People:

Ideas (what themes will you try to convey in your writing?):

Tone: (In the case of a Gothic story, aim to include lots of tension and atmosphere).

Events:

Week 2:

Completed

A handwritten plan by J.K. Rowling for the start of the Harry Potter novels.

STARTER TASK: Read this extract describing the house, ‘Wuthering Heights’. Which Gothic features can you identify? How do they create an atmospheric tension? Annotate the extract with your ideas.Extract 1:

Hint : look out for references to: weather, trees (fir), building, windows, stones.

Extract 2:

The spirit of the house had rescued itself by sleeping in the walls, by retreating into the

welcoming wood away from the dust. It stayed there with the memories of its birth, of the

hugs and laughter that once were its colours and music, for that is the way of spirits. So

though the floors were bare and the paint was in need of loving care, though the furniture

lay still without the warmth of its family, it stood all the same, strong beneath the flakes

and dirt of years.

Wuthering Heights is the name of Mr. Heathcliff's dwelling. 'Wuthering' being a

significant provincial adjective, descriptive of the atmospheric tumult to which its

station is exposed in stormy weather. Pure, bracing ventilation they must have up

there at all times, indeed: one may guess the power of the north wind blowing

over the edge, by the excessive slant of a few stunted firs at the end of the house;

and by a range of gaunt thorns all stretching their limbs one way, as if craving

alms of the sun. Happily, the architect had foresight to build it strong: the narrow

windows are deeply set in the wall, and the corners defended with large jutting

stones.

Before passing the threshold, I paused to admire a quantity of grotesque carving

lavished over the front, and especially about the principal door; above which,

among a wilderness of crumbling griffins and shameless little boys, I detected the

date '1500,' and the name 'Hareton Earnshaw.'

The walls stood firm, the window frames strong, glass triple

glazed and whole. All in all, it looked like a movie-set, a place

waiting for life to come. The only give-away was the odour,

well, that and the dust. It was musty and dry, but nothing opening the doors and windows

couldn't solve. A spring clean, some fresh flowers, perhaps the house would enjoy the

luxury of company.

Hints: Look out for: personification, juxtaposition, description, senses.

TASK: DRAFT the opening of your story by describing your setting. Make sure that you have a powerful and engaging opening line. You should write at least 100 words.

Week 3:STARTER TASK: Find an exciting new adjective to use in your work. Write the word and its definition below.Helpful hint: try to find a different word for: dirty, cold, loud, quiet, bright, shining.

TASK: Edit your story opening USING A DIFFERENT COLOUR PEN. Use these EBIs to help you:

Check your basic punctuation. Have you used capitals, full stops and commas? Now consider where you might punctuate for effect. Can you use punctuation to

change the pace or create tension? Have you used a range of sentence structure for clarity and effect?

Challenge your vocabulary. Look at your description – can you make it more powerful and effective?

Check the FLOW of your work. Read it out loud – does it make sense? Are there ‘clunky’ phrases that you can improve?

Challenge:Try to in corporate the following sentence types within your writing:

WORD:

DEFINITION:

Completed

Example:WORD: bedraggled

DEFINITION:Limp and soiled, as with rain or dirt

Week 4: TASK: WRITE! Continue your story. You should write at least 400 words. Use lined paper if you need more space.

Completed

Week 5: STARTER TASK: Draw a picture of your setting. Include any other features which use the Gothic.

Completed

TASK: Edit your story USING A DIFFERENT COLOUR PEN. Use these EBIs to help you:

Check your basic punctuation. Have you used capitals, full stops and commas? Now consider where you might punctuate for effect. Can you use punctuation to

change the pace or add emphasis? Have you used a range of sentence structure for clarity and effect?

Challenge your vocabulary. Look at your description – can you make it more powerful and effective?

Check the FLOW of your work. Read it out loud – does it make sense? Are there ‘clunky’ phrases that you can improve?

Week 6: STARTER TASK: Create a title for your story. Write a paragraph explaining why you have chosen this title. It should be:

Attention grabbing Memorable Informative Intriguing (your reader should want to find out more!)

The title of my story is: _______________________________________________________

I have chosen this title because

Completed

TASK: Write up the final draft of your story on lined paper and give it a catchy title.

Completed

Extra tasks Create a book jacket for your story Research other famous Gothic stories. Choose one of your favourite stories.

Write a paragraph explaining why you think this story is so famous and why it is effective.

Extension / development ideas Structure: How does the ‘arc’ of your story influence the reader, or impact the

narrative? Contrast: Does your story have ‘light and shade’? Contrast can be used to

highlight key events or emotions. Can you develop your story with this technique?

The senses: Using sight, sound, smell etc. can be a powerful way to add atmosphere to your work.