Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

What factors contribute to the mood of a novel or movie? What tactics are used in movies or books to create fear and suspense?

Teaching Suggestion: When the Monroe family adopts a new bunny after watching the movie Dracula, the family’s other pets, Chester and Harold, are suspicious of the rabbit’s origins. When Chester realizes the bunny is sucking the juices from vegetables, the cat is convinced the members of the Monroe family are in danger. The novel uses descriptive language and setting to create an eerie mood in the book. Consider first watching the 3-minute video to explore the definition of mood, before using the 5-minute resource to analyze characteristics of the horror and mystery genres. Students may find it beneficial to consider the ways in which the video uses atmosphere and setting to implicitly convey suspense. One way to pose the second question to students is to allow them to brainstorm words and settings they believe create an atmosphere of fear and suspense. Consider posting their ideas in a visible location to use as a comparison to the elements that are used in the novel.