Crafting malevolent characters
I can explain and apply the key conventions a writer uses to craft a malevolent character.
Crafting malevolent characters
I can explain and apply the key conventions a writer uses to craft a malevolent character.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- A writer can use key conventions to craft a malevolent character in their writing.
- These conventions include: physical description, dialogue, and other characters' reactions.
- The contrast between dialogue and action can be used to imply a character is malevolent subtly.
- Bram Stoker's Count Dracula is a classic malevolent character.
Keywords
Malevolent - having or showing a wish to do evil to others
Convention - a way in which something is usually done or a key feature
Craft - the deliberate and skilful process of creating a written piece of communication
Malicious - the desire to harm others
Common misconception
Malevolent characters are always obviously and outwardly evil characters.
Ask pupils whether they can think of any characters from literature where their malevolence is implied or not explicitly stated at first. These characters are often dangerously deceptive.
To help you plan your year 9 english lesson on: Crafting malevolent characters, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 english lesson on: Crafting malevolent characters, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 english lessons from the Malevolent characters: fiction writing unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need an extract from Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' which is available in the additional materials.