Twisting Expectations: Horror Short Stories

Lesson 3
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ELA

Unit 16

8th Grade

Lesson 3 of 20

Objective


Explain how author Neil Gaiman develops suspense in "Click-Clack the Rattlebag."

Readings and Materials


  • Short Story: “Click-Clack the Rattlebag” by Neil Gaiman 

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Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

How does Neil Gaiman use perspective to build suspense in this story? Provide evidence from the text and carefully explain your thinking. 

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Key Questions

  • What is the setting of this story? Provide evidence from the first 25 paragraphs of the text.

  • How does the mood of the text change when the boy and the narrator walk from the kitchen into the hallway? How does this build suspense? Provide evidence from paragraphs 1–25 and carefully explain your thinking. 

  • How does setting the story on a staircase help to develop suspense? Provide evidence and carefully explain your thinking.

Exit Ticket

Assess student understanding and monitor progress toward this lesson's objective with an Exit Ticket.

Vocabulary


Literary Terms

mood

n.

the emotional "atmosphere" of a scene or moment in a text, which often evokes feelings in the reader.

suspense

n.

a literary device where the author makes the reader feel both excited and anxious to find out what will happen next.

setting

n.

the physical location (geography, neighborhood, house, etc.) time period, time of day, season, weather, social context where the action of a story takes place.

literary perspective

n.

the narrative perspective through which a story is told; most commonly first person, second person, third person omniscient, or third person limited.

Text-based

unrelenting

adj.

extremely determined; never weakening or ending (Click-Clack the Rattlebag)

Homework


To ensure that students are prepared for the next lesson, have students complete the following reading for homework. Use guidance from the next lesson to identify any additional language or background support students may need while independently engaging with the text.

  • Short Story: “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson  — paragraphs 1–42

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • Where does this story take place?

  • What is happening during these paragraphs?

  • Who are the primary characters introduced in these paragraphs?

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Common Core Standards


  • RL.8.3 — Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.
  • RL.8.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
  • RL.8.6 — Analyze how differences in the points of view of the characters and the audience or reader (e.g., created through the use of dramatic irony) create such effects as suspense or humor.

Supporting Standards

L.8.6
RL.8.1
RL.8.2
RL.8.10
SL.8.1
SL.8.6
W.8.1
W.8.1.a
W.8.1.b
W.8.4
W.8.9
W.8.9.a
W.8.10

Next

Analyze the impact of the lottery tradition on the mood and actions of townspeople in Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery."

Lesson 4
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