Lesson Plan: Creating a Gothic Character

Year Group: Year 8

Learning Objectives:

 Understand the key characteristics of Gothic literature.

 Create a detailed Gothic character using descriptive language and Gothic conventions.

 Develop creative writing skills by crafting a character profile.

Materials Needed:

 Whiteboard and markers

 Copies of Gothic character description worksheet

 Examples of Gothic characters (e.g., Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster)

 Writing materials (notebooks, pens)

Lesson Outline:

1. Introduction to Gothic Literature (10 minutes)

 Starter Activity: Begin with a brief discussion on what students know about Gothic literature.
Ask questions like:

o What comes to mind when you think of Gothic stories?

o Can you name any Gothic characters or settings?

 Mini-Lecture: Provide a short overview of Gothic literature, highlighting its key features such
as dark settings, supernatural elements, and complex characters. Use examples like Dracula
and Frankenstein to illustrate these points.

2. Analyzing Gothic Characters (15 minutes)

 Group Activity: Divide students into small groups and give each group an example of a
Gothic character. Ask them to analyze the character based on the following questions:

o What are the physical characteristics of the character?

o What are the character’s personality traits?

o How does the character fit into the Gothic genre?

 Class Discussion: Have each group share their findings with the class. Write key points on the
whiteboard.

3. Creating a Gothic Character (25 minutes)

 Guided Practice: Hand out the Gothic character description worksheet. Go through the
sections with the students, explaining what they need to include:

o Name and Background: Create a name and a brief backstory for the character.
 o Physical Appearance: Describe the character’s physical traits using vivid and
descriptive language.

o Personality and Traits: Outline the character’s personality, including any fears,
desires, or secrets.

o Setting and Role: Describe the setting where the character lives and their role in a
Gothic story.

 Independent Writing: Allow students time to work on their character profiles. Encourage
them to be creative and use the descriptive language discussed earlier.

4. Sharing and Feedback (10 minutes)

 Pair and Share: Have students pair up and share their Gothic characters with each other. Ask
them to provide constructive feedback on each other’s work.

 Class Sharing: Invite a few students to share their characters with the class. Provide positive
feedback and highlight effective use of Gothic conventions.

5. Plenary (5 minutes)

 Reflection: Ask students to reflect on what they learned about creating Gothic characters.
What was challenging? What did they enjoy?

 Exit Ticket: Have students write down one thing they learned about Gothic literature and
one thing they want to improve in their character description.

Homework:

 Extension Activity: Ask students to write a short story or a scene featuring their Gothic
character. Encourage them to use the setting and traits they developed in class

Lesson Plan: Developing Gothic Characterisations

Year Group: Year 8

Learning Objectives:

 Refine and develop previously created Gothic characters.

 Enhance descriptive writing skills using Gothic conventions.

 Collaborate with peers to improve character profiles.

Materials Needed:

 Whiteboard and markers

 Copies of students’ initial Gothic character descriptions

 Gothic character development worksheet

 Writing materials (notebooks, pens)

Lesson Outline:

1. Recap and Introduction (10 minutes)

 Starter Activity: Begin with a quick recap of the previous lesson. Ask students to share one
thing they remember about Gothic characters.

 Mini-Lecture: Briefly review the key characteristics of Gothic literature and the elements that
make a character Gothic. Highlight the importance of detailed descriptions and the use of
Gothic conventions.

2. Peer Review and Feedback (15 minutes)

 Pair Activity: Have students pair up and exchange their initial Gothic character descriptions.
Each student should read their partner’s work and provide constructive feedback using the
following questions:

o What do you like about the character?

o What could be improved or added to make the character more Gothic?

o Are there any details that are unclear or need more description?

 Class Discussion: Invite a few students to share the feedback they received and discuss
common areas for improvement.

3. Character Development (25 minutes)

 Guided Practice: Hand out the Gothic character development worksheet. Go through the
sections with the students, explaining how they can expand and refine their characters:

o Physical Appearance: Add more specific details about the character’s appearance,
focusing on Gothic elements (e.g., pale skin, dark clothing, eerie eyes).

o Personality and Traits: Develop the character’s personality further, including fears,
desires, and secrets. Emphasize the use of Gothic themes such as madness,
obsession, and the supernatural.

o Backstory and Motivation: Create a more detailed backstory for the character,
explaining their motivations and how they became who they are.

o Setting and Role: Describe the setting in more detail and explain the character’s role
within a Gothic story.

 Independent Writing: Allow students time to work on their character profiles, incorporating
the feedback they received and the new details they brainstormed.

4. Sharing and Refining (10 minutes)

 Group Activity: Form small groups and have students share their developed characters. Each
group should discuss how the characters fit into a Gothic narrative and suggest any final
improvements.

 Class Sharing: Invite a few students to present their refined characters to the class. Provide
positive feedback and highlight effective use of Gothic conventions.
5. Plenary (5 minutes)

 Reflection: Ask students to reflect on how their characters have evolved. What changes did
they make? How did the feedback help them?

 Exit Ticket: Have students write down one new detail they added to their character and one
thing they learned about developing Gothic characters.

Homework:

 Extension Activity: Ask students to write a short scene or story featuring their developed
Gothic character. Encourage them to use the setting and traits they refined in class.

This lesson plan builds on the previous one by focusing on refining and developing Gothic characters,
enhancing students’ descriptive writing skills, and encouraging collaboration and peer feedback.