Skellig Lesson 1: Predictions and pre-reading - Narrative Hooks Worksheet

In the initial lesson focused on "Skellig," students are tasked with exploring the concept of narrative hooks, which are techniques authors employ to captivate readers from the very beginning of a story. The lesson includes a worksheet where students must identify five different narrative hook techniques, explain the impact each one has on the reader, and locate an instance of each technique from the first chapter of the book. This exercise not only familiarises students with literary devices but also encourages them to consider how these devices influence their engagement with the text.

The worksheet guides students to delve into the craft of writing, prompting them to think critically about the author's choice of narrative hooks and their intended effects. For example, students might examine the use of suspense, vivid descriptions, intriguing characters, or thought-provoking questions. By analysing examples from "Skellig," they learn how these hooks create curiosity, build emotional connections, or set the tone for the story. The activity, designed by a teacher of English, serves as both a pre-reading exercise to pique interest in the novel and a tool to enhance comprehension and analytical skills.