Monster Mayhem

The Horror Genre Horror fiction is intended to frighten,

scare, or startle its readers by inducing feelings of horror or terror. It creates an eerie and frightening atmosphere. Horror can be either supernatural or non-supernatural.

Can you give me some examples of books that would fit this definition?

Turn to Your Writer’s Notebook

Do not put your name on your paper. Write a one-page description of the

scariest monster you can imagine. In your description, please include

every detail, color, smell, or whatever else you can think of to help the reader visualize the monster.

Draw the Monster Read through your mystery monster

description. Use the details of the description to

help you form a visual representation.

Show and Tell:Can you identify which picture is YOUR monster?

Why Did We Do This?

Why is it important to use a lot of detail in our writing?

Pick Two Numbers and a Letter…

Select any two numbers between 1 and 7. Record those numbers in your Writer’s Notebook.

Now, select one letter between A and D. Record this letter in your Writer’s Notebook by the numbers you selected.

The Numbers Reveal Your Characters

1. Disco Dean is a 64-year-old security guard who breaks out singing disco oldies at the top of his lungs. He also dances very enthusiastically while singing.

2. China is an 81-year-old Cajun voodoo priestess.

3. Vlad is a 22-year-old video store clerk who is an avid member of a Goth wanna-be vampire club. He’s also a chronic narcoleptic.

4. Ophelia is a 33-year-old librarian who randomly and compulsively kisses her fingers and whispers to her hands.

Characters 5-75. Morgul is a 51-year-old man who believes (and dresses like) he is Death. He constantly walks the streets, touching people as he walks past them, hoping they will die.6. Cat is a 24-year old fashion model who believes that she turns into a cat at night. After dark, she meows loudly and constantly, purrs randomly, and claws people without warning.7. Dr. Lycan is a 31-year-old zoologist who believes he is a werewolf. When the moon is full he impulsively runs about howling like a wolf and biting people at random.

Letters are Your Settings

A. Nighttime with a full moon at an old, abandoned church in the woods

B. Nighttime with a full moon at an old, forgotten summer camp with a small, overgrown lake, deep in the woods

C. Nighttime with a full moon at an old, forgotten cemetery in the woods

D. Nighttime with a full moon at a hidden cave on the California coast

Rules: Stories must include your monster creation,

your two characters, and your setting! All stories must attempt to be descriptive

and entertaining. No killing is allowed in the story. (You can

creatively lead the readers to make their own conclusions without actually writing the act.)

Gross-out writing is acceptable for this assignment. (Leading readers to make their own conclusion is often more effective in being gross.)