Stranger Things Structure

• English
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

What does structure mean?

On your post-it note, write down what you think structure means.

Development:

In terms of books and/or TV shows - how would they be structured? Why is structure important?

Stranger Things 

Paper 1 Question 3 - 

Analysing structure

Lesson Aims

1. Recap what structure means and refresh our knowledge of structural devices
2. Analyse atmosphere and contrast in two clips from Stranger Things
3. Write an exam-style answer for Paper 1 Question 3 (the structure question)

Paper 1 Question 3: How has the writer structured the text to interest you as a reader?

1. Clear and accurate use of subject terminology
2. A range of relevant details/quotes from the text
3. Clearly explains the effects of the writer’s use of structure
   

You may notice that this is very similar to the language analysis question we did last week (Question 2).

So how are they different?

Language device

Structure device

Simile

Metaphor

Flashback

Foreshadowing

Repetition

Contrast

Focus shift

Tension

Atmosphere

Personification

Pace change

Example 1:  (an extract from my novel about the Titanic)

Jack and Rose laughed happily as they stood on the deck of the unsinkable ship, the Titanic. "Wow", Rose said, "Not even crashing into a giant iceberg could ruin my mood right now!"

Discuss in pairs: what structural device is this an example of? 

Example 2:  (an extract from my novel about life as an English lecturer at Peterborough College)

As I strolled down the corridor, I wondered why I was feeling so stressed. Perhaps it was the strange event that had taken place this morning...

It was 7am, and I was taking a sip of my coffee when a UFO parallel parked outside my house.

Discuss in pairs: what structural device is this an example of? 

Atmosphere

Definition: The atmosphere in a text is the way the writer uses setting, objects, or internal thoughts of characters to create emotion, mood, or experiences for the reader.

00:52

How would you describe the atmosphere at the beginning?

01:28

How would you describe the emotions Joyce is feeling?

01:53

How has the atmosphere changed?

03:29

If the episode ended here, what structural technique would it be? What atmosphere does it create?

Contrast 

Definition: an obvious difference between two or more things.

00:31

How would you describe the atmosphere at the beginning of the scene?

00:45

There has been a focus shift. How would you describe the atmosphere now?

02:38

This is an example of contrast! What is the effect of this on the audience?

Recap - structural terminology we can use in the exam

1. Beginning, Middle and End - what kind of atmosphere/mood is created at each point? Do we start in media res (in the middle of the action)? Is there a cliffhanger at the end?
2. Flashback/Flashforward
3. Foreshadowing
4. Focus shift
5. Repetition
6. Short/long sentences and paragraphs 
7. Pace
8. Contrast 

Model Answer - 7-8 marks 

From the opening of the extract, the writer establishes a sense of loneliness and vulnerability, which lays the groundwork for the growing tension. The text immediately places the character, Will, alone on an "empty forest road." The repetition of this state of isolation with the phrase "All alone" emphasizes his vulnerability. This immediately creates unease in the reader as we are made to feel that Will is without protection. The writer describes the environment as "unnervingly" quiet. This  detail foreshadows that this quiet is not a peaceful one, despite the "sound of cicadas" and the "gentle breeze" but rather the calm before a storm. The warning sign adds to this by suggesting that something is hidden or forbidden nearby, transforming the atmosphere of the forest into one of mystery and threat.

Analysing structure in a text

1. Beginning, Middle and End - what kind of atmosphere/mood is created at each point? Do we start in media res (in the middle of the action)? Is there a cliffhanger at the end?
   
2. Flashback/Flashforward
   
3. Foreshadowing
   
4. Focus shift
   
5. Repetition
   
6. Short/long sentences and paragraphs
   
7. Pace
   
8. Contrast

Identify any of these structural features in the text from Stranger Things and annotate the text.

In your workbook: How has the writer structured this text to interest the reader?

Success Criteria:

• Clear and accurate use of subject terminology
  
• A range of relevant details/quotes from the text
  
• Clearly explains the effects of the writer’s use of structure

Optional sentence starters:

At the beginning of the text the writer focuses on…

The writer states, “.....”

The use of the structural device…… shows…

This opening interests the reader because...

How confident are you currently feeling about answering Paper 1 Question 3?

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