Starter quiz
- Stories typically include an exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and a resolution. This structure is typically referred to as a narrative ...
- arc. ✓
- squiggle.
- curve.
- circle.
-
- Which definition best describes the resolution in the structure of a story?
- where the problems are introduced and tension rises
- where the writer describes the setting and characters
- the high point of the action and tension
- where the problems are resolved ✓
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- Which word best describes the overall tone of the Gothic genre?
- excited
- mysterious ✓
- dark ✓
- boring
-
- What is an inference?
- a guess without any evidence
- a direct statement from a text
- a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning ✓
- a summary of a text
-
- Which of the below are reasonable synonyms of the word 'jeering'?
- taunting ✓
- mocking ✓
- sharing
- swearing
-
- The Gothic as a genre first appeared in the ______ century.
- 17th
- 18th ✓
- 19th
- 20th
-
Exit quiz
- What is tension?
- a happy feeling from knowing something good will happen
- a feeling of nervousness or worry ✓
- a feeling of sadness about a loss
- a feeling of anger or rage usually about an injustice
-
- What is one way writers create tension?
- by making everything predictable
- by ending the story early
- by describing happy scenes
- by introducing uncertainty ✓
-
- Writers can introduce tension by adding time pressure, uncertainty or conflict. Match these to examples from 'The Twisted Tree'.
- uncertainty⇔Stig and Gandalf have been attacked, potentially lethally ✓
- time pressure⇔Mormor must return to the underworld before the portal closes ✓
- conflict⇔Martha defeats the draugr with the help of the ravens ✓
- Which word describes a style of writing with dark, mysterious and supernatural themes?
- romantic
- adventure
- Gothic ✓
- Norse
-
- Throughout the story of 'The Twisted Tree' the tension ...
- increases. ✓
- decreases.
- stays the same.
- increases and decreases equally.
-
- In 'The Twisted Tree', the twisted tree itself is described as 'jeering' at Martha. What device is this?
- personification ✓
- metaphor
- simile
- alliteration
-
Worksheet
Presentation
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- The novel gets more frightening and tense as it progresses, because of the increasing threat to Martha's life.
- Writers often raise tension by introducing uncertainty, conflict or time pressure into stories.
- Inferences should be developed to include additional interpretations.
- Burge uses elements of the Gothic to raise the tension when Martha enters the twisted tree for the first time.
Common misconception
Pupils might believe that tension in a story is only created through dramatic events or actions.
Tension can also be built through subtle elements like descriptive language, sensory details and the anticipation of what might happen next.
Keywords
Inference - a conclusion you reach by applying logic to the evidence you are given
Tension - a feeling of nervousness or worry when reading a text
The gothic - a style of writing that involves dark, mysterious and supernatural themes
Time pressure - introduction of a deadline or time limit for characters to achieve their goals
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