Across The Causeway – Exploring Setting Inquiry Question: How can I create an effective Gothic Setting?

The Importance of Setting… Using the following images discuss what has happened in each of these pictures. What would you experience using your senses? What is unusual or out of place?

Setting literally sets up a narrative. Your imagination runs wild! Remind me – What is effective about the setting of Eel Marsh House? How does it fit into the genre? Setting literally sets up a narrative. Your imagination runs wild!

Ingredients for successful descriptive writing: The five senses: Hear Smell Touch See Taste Simile Metaphor Synonyms Pathetic fallacy Adjectives and verbs Personification Alliteration   Varied sentence lengths Varied punctuation Varied and interesting vocabulary Create atmosphere by writing about: What is hidden What is dangerous What looks unusual What is out of place

A Description of a Gothic Setting… Slowly, James pushed the weary, weather-beaten door open and peered inside the house. The stale smell of dust greeted him as he scanned the gloomy hallway. It was like an old friend. Undisturbed dust meant there weren’t any strangers here. As his eyes adjusted to the dim interior he remained alert. Cautiously, carefully James edged into the house. The soft breeze leapt into the hallway from behind him, disturbing the torn up and discarded newspapers that had been scattered across the splintered wooden floor. Flustered, they scuttled across the ground, whispering angrily, waking a thick layer of dust. The peace had been disturbed. James surveyed the room to the right of him. The usual. Broken bottles, a heap of dark ash, empty tins and stained mattresses. The heavily boarded windows let little light into the house. Thin beams pushed through gaps in the wood creating eerie shadows on the walls. Edging towards the snaking banisters James craned his neck to see up onto the second floor. Instinctively he tightened his grip on the cool metal pole in his hand. The steel soothed him.

Think about your level and how you need to improve. Now it’s your turn! Write a short descriptive paragraph for one of the settings we have looked at. Remember to use the ingredients we’ve discussed. Think about your level and how you need to improve.

Success Criteria: What will make your writing successful? Refer to the following Assessment Criteria: Criterion C: Producing Text Criterion D: Using Language Can you come up with a checklist for successfully creating a Gothic Setting through a piece of writing?

Home learning: Write a further two paragraphs for your location. Be as descriptive as possible!