1. Why are we fascinated by the supernatural?
Do you believe in ghosts?
Why are we fascinated by the supernatural?

2. The Woman in Black Objectives: To explore a writer’s intentions.
By Susan Hill
Objectives:
To explore a writer’s intentions.
To explore the characteristics of a particular genre.

3. Why do we like to be scared?
“As Halloween approaches, many of us who have outgrown trick-or-treating will watch a horror film - an altogether more bizarre indulgence. 
Replete with bloody gore, tales of paranormal beasts and terrorised characters, our brains should arguably be programmed to avoid horror films. So why do millions of people scare themselves for entertainment?
Beneath the caked fake blood and prosthetics, horror films have a soft centre: they have the power to unite us and can boost our confidence.”
“To me, being frightened in a controlled way is almost like an extreme sport or roller coaster ride.
I think it’s the same feeling as anyone gets when they get to see, watch or hear a piece of art that they’re particularly into.  For me, I get the biggest kick out of watching a film that affects me emotionally and is loaded with twists and surprises. I like to leave the cinema or sofa still thinking about what I’ve just seen for hours on end!
This attraction to controlled fear is the key to the appeal of horror, and one which the genre shares with adrenaline-fuelled pursuits like extreme sports.”
- The Independent (Gander)

4. Susan Hill and ‘The Woman in Black’
Whilst watching the next video clips, answer the following question:
What were Susan Hill’s intentions for her novel ‘The Woman in Black’?

5. ‘The Woman in Black’- a Pastiche
Susan Hill claims that she wanted her novel to be a classic, chilling ghost story.
Susan Hill’s ‘The Woman in Black’ can be seen as a PASTICHE of the Gothic novel, as it has many obvious Gothic features…

6. Exploring Modern texts examination .
1hour and 30 minutes.
40% of the total GCSE English Literature grade.

7. Choice of two questions. Select one to answer.
45 minutes.

8. Extract.
Part a will ask pupils to respond to a specific: theme or character in the extract.
Extract.
Part will be a question about how the specific theme or character is explored in the text as a whole.
45 minutes

9. What is the Gothic genre?
Books, films, plays and art which combine elements of horror and romance.
Copy this definition onto the centre of a double page..
At the end of the lesson we will be able to add to this basic definition.

10. Copy this chart into your exercise books.
Text
Elements which you think make this text belong to the Gothic genre.
Sleepy Hollow
The Corpse Bride
Batman Returns
Copy this chart into your exercise books.

11. Sleepy Hollow
Whilst watching this clip write down what elements make this text belong to the Gothic genre.

12. The Corpse Bride
Whilst watching this clip write down what elements make this text belong to the Gothic genre.

13. Batman Returns
Whilst watching this clip write down what elements make this text belong to the Gothic genre.

14. What are Gothic Features?
You many have found some of the following:
wild and remote places
dark and gloomy settings
graveyards, tombs and corpses
family curses and dark secrets
supernatural powers
mysterious and frightening creatures, people or ghosts
old, ruined, isolated castles and mansions, often with secret
passages and mysterious towers
nightmares, madness and mental torment
science used for evil or disastrous purposes
worrying and unusual natural events (storms, full moons, etc.).

15. Why does this trailer belong to the Gothic genre?
After watching this trailer answer the question

16. What is the Gothic genre?
Books, films, plays and art which combine elements of horror and romance.
Now you have five minutes to add to your Gothic definition .

17. Objectives: To explore the characteristics of a particular genre.
Objective Met?
Objectives: To explore the characteristics of a particular genre.