The Hitchhiker Character and Suspense If you saw
- Slides: 8
The Hitchhiker: Character and Suspense If you saw a hitch-hiker, would you pick them up? Why/Why not? Discuss with the person next to you. A hitch-hiker is someone who stands at the side of the road and asks for a lift.
As you read, mind map how the writer describes the hitchhiker. What are your overall impressions of him? Select evidence to back up your impressions.
What do you think the hitchhiker’s profession is? • What clues does Dahl offer? • Why doesn’t Dahl tell us straight away? • Make a prediction. ‘I think the hitchhiker is a…’ ‘I think this because…’
Story Structure Divide the story into five sections. Explain what happens in each section of the story.
TITLE: Hitchhiker Story If you were in the writer’s place, who would be an interesting hitchhiker?
Planning your own hitchhiker story. 1. Pick the profession of your character. 2. Draw and label a picture of them. How does their appearance give clues to their profession? 3. Write 4 clues that slowly give away what they do. 4. Plan 5 key events in your story. Bullet point these five events. 5. Write your hitch-hiker story. - Build Suspense. - Describe in Detail. - Offer Clues/Hints.
Planning your story Opening – What kind of car are you driving? Where are you going? How will you show the reader what kind of person you are? Picking Up the Hitch-hiker – What does the hitch-hiker look like? Why do you pick them up? What impression do they make on you? What clues are there to their profession? The Dilemma/Crisis – What goes wrong? Police? Crash? Flat tyre? Argument? This is the main event in the story. The Reveal – This is where you find out their profession. How do they tell you? How do you find out? What skills do they have? How do you react? The Ending/Finale – How does their profession/skill help your character? How does the story end? Do you arrive at your destination?
Self-Assess – Copy and Complete the Sentences (in your own book) The best thing about the story is… The best line is, ‘…’ It’s good because… Another good point is… The story would be even better if… Another improvement would be…
