GCSE AO2'How is tension built' 2 lessons with A3 extract sheet

Two lessons, second a continuation and with peer assessment. All activities included including literary bingo starter and original publisher and PDF version of extract to analyse how tension is built. Sheet 'chunks' devices/terminology for the pupil to find either individually or in a pair.

Lesson 1:

Objective: To revise how to answer an AO2 question using subject terminology.
Outcomes: To respond to an exam style question analysing the effects of techniques.
Literacy objective:
Adding an ‘e’ to a word lengthens the vowel sound. E.g. hate, cape, ride, pane, kite, site, gripe, cute.

Literacy starter task, whole school literacy. Then literary bingo starter, 22 individual tiles for the game. Teacher reads out 'bang!' etc, pupils tick 'onomatopoeia'. This worked great with the class.

Then going over 'how' questions for their exam. E.g. ‘How is suspense and tension created throughout this extract?’ TEE acronym introduced:
Technique device or method e.g. short sentences
Evidence quotes
Explain how tension is created and the effect on the reader.

Then interactive element to the lesson, YouTube video embedded 'Annabelle' horror film. How does the director build tension? Mind map in books.

Then pupils read through the extract on their A3 worksheet to see how the writer has created tension and what effect this creates. Then add to their mind map (4 minutes) - ambitious punctuation, cliff hangers, powerful verbs, etc.

Then back to the A3 sheet, the boxes 'chunked' around the extract to allow pupils to select evidence.

Pupils then answer a 5 mark question (Eduqas exam is usually 10 marks - first lesson on AO2) this can be bumped up to 10, more points/paragraphs etc. Success criteria with TEE acronym, connective bank to allow their writing to flow and emotion word bank so pupils don't write 'scared/sad' etc.

Peer assessment plenary and post-it - write an aspect of AO2 you have practiced today, write an idea you wish to improve on.

Lesson 2:

Objective: To revise how to answer an AO2 question using subject terminology.
Outcomes: To respond to an exam style question analysing the effects of techniques and self-assess this question.

Another literacy starter, then definition match up, e.g. personification/metaphor.

Recap of how questions and what causes tension. 10 more minutes to finish their A3 sheet - focusing on different success criteria: short sentences, powerful verbs, cliff hanger, changing perspectives, ambitious punctuation.

Model responses on the board (three) and discussion with partner the best AO2 response to how tension is created. Extension - can you improve on the worst model?

Further 5 points (splitting up 10 mark question). Peer assessment and plenary again.