Gothic Fairytale Rewrite

Learning Objectives

Aligned with the National Curriculum for England (Year 7 English), this lesson enables students to:

• Develop imaginative and creative writing skills by adapting a known fairytale with a Gothic atmosphere (English Writing - Composition: NC PoS 1a, 1c).
• Read critically and analyse narrative structure and vocabulary to understand how tone and mood are created (Reading - Word Reading and Comprehension: NC PoS 2a, 2d).
• Use a range of descriptive devices and vocabulary to create effects including Gothic themes such as eerie settings, suspense, and emotion (Writing - Vocabulary, Grammar and Punctuation: NC PoS 3b, 3d).
• Plan, draft, and evaluate their writing showing increasing independence (Writing - Composition: NC PoS 1d, 1e).
• Engage confidently with speaking and listening tasks by sharing their ideas and peer reviewing (Spoken Language: NC PoS 4a, 4c).

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Curriculum References

• English Key Stage 3 Programme of Study (Years 7-9)
  • Pupils should be taught to "write imaginative, interesting and thoughtful texts" (NC 2014).
  • "Increase their familiarity with a range of fiction from classic literature and modern texts" and "draw on new vocabulary and grammar from their reading and listening to enhance their writing."
  • "Use narratives, descriptions and other forms of writing to develop characters, settings, and atmosphere."

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Lesson Overview (45 minutes)

Time	Activity	Description	Learning Focus	Resources
0-5 min	Starter Discussion	Introduce Gothic genre - what makes a story Gothic? Show examples: dark, eerie settings; suspense; supernatural elements; mystery. Recall a familiar fairytale.	Activate prior knowledge, build engagement, activate vocabulary.	Images of Gothic settings; list of Gothic vocabulary.
5-15 min	Modelled Analysis	Read an excerpt from a classic fairytale (e.g. Cinderella) and then a Gothic rewrite excerpt. Analyse differences in tone, vocabulary, setting and mood.	Develop analytical skills; identify how language creates atmosphere.	Printed excerpts; highlighters.
15-25 min	Planning Activity	Students select a fairytale to rewrite. Using the worksheet, identify key story elements and brainstorm Gothic twists (characters, setting, mood).	Planning narrative; using imagination to transform a text.	Worksheet: Fairytale Rewrite Planning Sheet.
25-40 min	Independent Writing	Students write the opening 1-2 paragraphs of their Gothic fairytale rewrite using their plan. Encourage use of Gothic vocabulary/devices.	Creative writing applying textual features; drafting skills.	Writing paper; pencils; dictionaries for vocabulary support.
40-45 min	Sharing & Feedback	Peer sharing of openings; highlight effective Gothic features used. Teacher feedback focused on vocabulary and atmosphere.	Speaking/listening; peer assessment; formative feedback.	Students’ work; feedback prompts.

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Worksheet: Fairytale Rewrite Planning Sheet

Part 1: Choose Your Fairytale
(Name your chosen fairytale)

Part 2: Key Elements of the Original

• Main characters:
• Setting (where & when):
• Plot summary (in 2-3 sentences):
• Mood and tone of the original story:

Part 3: Gothic Twist Brainstorm

• How can you make the setting Gothic (dark forests, old castles, fog)?
• How could the characters be changed to fit a Gothic theme (mysterious strangers, ghosts, cursed)?
• What Gothic vocabulary or imagery could be used? (e.g., shadows, moans, moonlight, decay)
• What mood will your story have (eerie, suspenseful, tragic)?

Part 4: Plan Your Opening Paragraphs

• Describe the setting:
• Introduce a character or event:
• What feeling do you want to create for the reader?
• List 5 Gothic adjectives or phrases you will use:

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Differentiation

• Support: Provide word banks with Gothic adjectives and phrases. Offer sentence starters for the rewrite opening.
• Challenge: Encourage use of complex sentences and figurative language (similes, metaphors) to deepen Gothic atmosphere.
• Extension: Suggest experimenting with narrative perspective or unreliable narrators to enhance suspense.

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Assessment Criteria (Formative)

• Use of Gothic vocabulary and imagery.
• Clear transformation of original fairytale elements into a Gothic style.
• Ability to plan and draft coherent, creative writing.
• Engagement in peer discussion and ability to provide constructive feedback.

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Resources Needed

• Printed excerpts from original & Gothic-style fairytales (teacher-prepared).
• Fairytale Rewrite Planning Sheet (one per student).
• Writing materials.
• Gothic vocabulary display or handout.
• Images/slides showing Gothic settings for visual stimulus.

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Teacher Notes

• Prior to lesson, choose a well-known fairytale and prepare an example Gothic rewrite excerpt to model effectively.
• Encourage students to think about atmosphere over gore—Gothic does not mean violent; it’s about creating mood and suspense through language and setting.
• Promote collaboration but maintain individual creative responsibility.
• Use formative assessment notes to inform next lessons on narrative writing or genre studies.

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By integrating structured analysis with creative writing, this lesson meets statutory requirements while engaging students inventively, promoting deeper genre awareness and imaginative composition skills in line with the national curriculum objectives.