Topic Three (1.3): Tension and suspense

Introduction Icon.png Introduction

In this topic, you will be examining how features of writing can be used to create suspense and tension in an adventure story. You will also explore the effects of writing in the first person.

Interact Icon.png Working through your course book

  • Begin by reading pages 20-23 in your course book. Complete the activities as you come to them. It is important to learn how to compare and contrast when writing essays, as this is a skill used throughout Key Stage 3 and IGCSE.
  • Use Worksheet 1.2 Download Worksheet 1.2 to help compare and contrast and use the suggested structure below to help plan your answer for Question 4.

 

Robinson Crusoe

Nation

The events (what happens)

 

 

The thoughts of the characters

 

The actions of the characters

 

 

The way punctuation is used

 

 

The way paragraphs are used

 

  • Now read and do the activities on pages 24-25. It is important when writing to imagine the different effects of narrative styles. Just to recap: writing in the first person uses I, the second person uses you and the third person uses he/she. Each style can be effective but in different ways.
  • Use the suggested structure below to help you answer Question 1 to see how the writer conveys the danger of the situation in ‘Adventures in Mind’. Add some others of your own too.

Words/phrases conveying danger

Effect

‘hit the water’

Suggests great height

‘A wave of realisation’

 

‘drags me down’

 

‘hanging around on high mountain crags’

 

‘the sound of the karabiner hitting the sea was all it took’

 

 Interactive Kerboodle Activities

Log onto Kerboodle and complete the following activities:

COMPLETE - Robinson Crusoe continued worksheet Links to an external site.

Read this after completing question 5 on page 21 to compare your own story.

Bridge Icon.png Support activity for this topic

If you need some extra help when imagining a dangerous situation to write about, watch the trailer for Touching the Void Links to an external site.. 

Read Icon.png Reading for pleasure

What are you reading at the moment? To complement this topic you may like to try reading the full novels of Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe or Nation by Terry Pratchett. If you've enjoyed a book lately, why not leave a book review for other students?