Weekly Agenda: October 25-28

Wednesday, October 26
Discuss “The Fall of the House of Usher” (handout) and homework responses
- outline plot
- discuss characterization
- identify key gothic horror conventions
- analyze diction ←→ mood and atmosphere
Journal Prompt:
In “The Fall of the House of Usher” we get an immediate introduction to the story’s setting, written to immediately inspire dread, fascination and fear in both the narrator and the reader. In your journal, imagine your own gothic setting. Then, drawing on aptly chosen description, diction and gothic detail, write a first-person account of a traveler’s arrival at the place. Try to create a sense of dread, fascination and fear.
HW: Read “The Monkey’s Paw” and underline/highlight and label all instances of Gothic horror conventions that you find (use your slide notes as a reference).

Friday, October 28
Discuss “The Monkey’s Paw”
- identify gothic horror conventions at work
- characterization
- mood and atmosphere ←→ diction
Journal prompt:
1. Read aloud the excerpt from “Colour Out of Space” (handout)
2. Many horror stories are told by supposed witnesses of the story’s events who have themselves lived to tell the tale (like in “The Fall of the House of Usher” and the excerpt from Lovecraft’s “The Colour Out of Space”). For the rest of this period, write the tale you imagine Ammi to have told the narrator, explaining the devastated heath near Arkham and the eerie atmosphere that remains. Remember, whatever tale he told convinces the narrator that he must never return to that part of the world.
3. Think about characters, setting, plot, atmosphere, and sensory details while writing.
4. Apply gothic horror conventions!
HW: None, unless you still need to finish today’s in-class writing

Weekly Agenda: October 17-20

Tuesday, October 18
Literary Fiction First Draft DUE
Peer Workshop:
- Trade stories with partners of your choice
- Complete draft feedback forms, then discuss
In-class revision time & optional teacher conferencing (for additional feedback and assistance with plot development)
HW: Complete typed final draft. DUE Thursday, 10/20

Thursday, October 20
Literary Fiction Story DUE
Introduction to genre fiction (see Powerpoint slide notes)
Overviews of:
- gothic/horror
- science fiction
- fantasy
- mystery
Elements of gothic/horror writing
Read “The Fall of the House of Usher” (handout)
-annotate gothic conventions wherever you find them
HW: Complete annotations and be ready to discuss/share