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Lesson 6

" Writing A Suspenseful Narrative "
Topic Area Reading and Language Arts
Grade Level 7th & 8th Grade
Developed by DaNeil Olson, Reading & Language Arts Instructor
Time Frame One - two class periods
Content Standards Goals

http://www.state.sd.us/deca/dacs/ContentStandards

SD Writing Standards: # 1, 2, 3, 8, 13, 21
   Indicator 1: 6-8 Benchmarks: a., b., c.
   Indicator 2: 6-8 Benchmarks: a., b., c.
   Indicator 3: 6-8 Benchmarks: a., b.
   Indicator 4: 6-8 Benchmarks: a., b.

SD Listening and Viewing Standards: # 1, 3, 13
   Indicator 1: 6-8 Benchmarks: b.
   Indicator 2: 6-8 Benchmarks: a., b.

SD Speaking Standards: # 2-4, 6-12
   Indicator 1: 6-8 Benchmarks: c.
   Indicator 2: 6-8 Benchmarks: a., c.
Enduring Understandings

   1.   Understand the creating of suspense by slowing down a moment 
   2.      Understand the creating of suspense by using sensory details
   3.   Understand the creating of suspense through movement and gestures
Essential Questions

1.       How do movie writers, short story writers create suspense?

2.       When was the last time you found yourself clenching your teeth at a movie?

3.       What made the scene so suspenseful? 

4.       How did the movie director slow down the scene to create suspense? 

5.       How does a great mystery writer “hook and hold” the reader? 

6.   How can you pattern mystery writer techniques?
Knowledge and Skills Students will be able to analyze and assess real-world historical concepts
Students will be able to explore and research topics for further information
Students will be able to demonstrate what they know and can do
Students will be able to be responsible for their own learning
Acceptable Evidence

            1.   Students will participate in group discussion and brainstorming.

  2.   Students will write a short scene packed with suspense.

3.       Students will peer edit with rubric.  ( Excel  created rubric)

4.       Students will proof and make final copy for portfolio.

5.       Students will give oral presentation of final.

 
Learning Experiences     1.   Brainstorm methods to create suspense: (Examples: characters working against a deadline; conflict; readers/viewers knowing more than the characters; characters experiencing moments of doubt or confusion; slowing down the moment when the main character is in doubt; using sensory details to create an air of mystery; adding an element)

     2.   Provide students with the following prompt: “Your character thought he heard someone in the house.”  Prompt writing with these suggestions: 

·        What was the disturbing sound he heard? 

·        What was the character thinking?  Write down a question that was going through his mind. 

·        What did the character smell that was out of the ordinary? 

·        What memory did the scent remind him of? 

·        Connect that memory to the present moment. 

·        Have the character notice something different in the house, something also out of the ordinary. 

·        Raise another question in the character’s mind. 

·        What does this character really want to do now?  Perhaps he is afraid to do it… 

·        Have the character do something – take action. 

·        Put an obstacle in his path; make him retreat fro a breath. 

·        Go back to the memory again and let it give him the courage to go forward. 

·        Let the character move closer to the disturbing sound/scent/sight. 

·        Let the character discover what’s really going on.  Perhaps it’s nothing to sweat about, or maybe it is… 

      3.   Have students share every so often so everyone is clear on the purpose of the prompts. 

     4.   Have students exchange papers and use the rubric to give each other feedback. 

     5.   Let students revise; let them grade themselves, justifying their score with the rubric. 

     6.   Assign as homework: 

·        Write another suspenseful scene for homework, using sensory details to create an air of mystery. 

  • Present orally to class