Next steps: take a closer look at how different effects are created by say humour, imagery, word play and poetic language.
Ideas | |
| 1. | Ask pupils to choose a poem where the author creates and diffuses tension, e.g. 'What's That?' (page 4), 'The Night Visitor' (page 6). Ask them to write a poem where scary sounds or shapes have everyday explanations. |
| 2. | Notice the use of questions in 'The Shadow Man'. Ask pupils to explain their effect. Write 'What if?' questions to express anxiety and create tension on another subject, e.g. bullies, school. |
| 3. | Read 'The Haunted House' (page 2). Ask pupils to find examples of alliteration and discuss its effect. List verbs that describe noises, then use them to write alliterative phrases. |
| 4. | Ask pupils to explain why 'Ghostly Lessons' and 'Who's Afraid' are funny. Write poems where a character differs from expectations, e.g. a fussy crocodile. |