Unveiling the Secrets of 'The Tell-Tale Heart'

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3

Unveiling the Secrets of 'The Tell-Tale Heart'

It's Halloween, and in the spirit of spookiness, we're going to craft our very own horror stories. The catch is that your bone-chilling narrative must be condensed to just two sentences!

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to identify the story elements of 'The Tell-Tale Heart' and create your own 2-sentence horror story.

What makes a text or story spooky?

Edgar Allen Poe 

• Who was he?
• What did he write about?
• 5 fun facts

Which fact is true?

1. Poe's father abandoned him while he was young
2. Poe's parents where in the quote 500 of that time
3. Poe's mother had 12 other children with 3 different men
4. Poe's was left at a strangers door when 3 weeks old

Which fact is true?

1. Poe died of old age
2. Poe died a mysterious death
3. Poe was murdered
4. Poe attempted suicide 4 times

Which fact is true?

1. Poe's stories were the main inspiration for the Sherlock Holmes story
2. Poe was called dracula by other writers
3. Poe wrote plays about dark themes such as genocide
4. Poe's stories always concluded someone he loved

Which fact is true?

1. Poe had a cat named catterina
2. Poe had a bird named birdy
3. Poe had a dog named god
4. Poe had a rat named patty

Which fact is true?

1. People suspected him from child abuse
2. He killed his wife when she was 24 years old
3. He married his 13 year old cousin
4. Poe was gay

Character

The main characters in 'The Tell-Tale Heart' are the unnamed narrator and an old man. The narrator is described as having an obsession with the old man's eye.

Setting

When & where something happens

The story takes place in a house, primarily in a dimly lit bedroom. The setting enhances the eerie atmosphere and adds to the suspense.

Conflict

The narrator's internal conflict is his obsession with the old man's eye and his growing madness. This conflict drives him to murder the old man.

Solution

The conflict is resolved when guilt consumes the narrator, leading him to confess his crime to the police.

Brainstorming

Who will be the characters in your own horror story? What will be the problem they face? Think of a chilling plot that will captivate your readers.

Example 1

After my twin brother's funeral, I noticed his reflection in the mirror was still there, but he had no eyes, just empty sockets. He whispered, "Why did you bury me alive?"

Example 2

The babysitter texted me, asking, "Is it normal for your children to stand in a circle, chanting in a language I don't understand?" I replied, "Get out of the house now. We don't have children."

Writing Task

Compose a 2-sentence horror story with a setting, characters, and a descriptive plot. Make it as spine-chilling as possible! 

Use the handout and provide peer feedback

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.