The Highwayman - Lesson 9 - Building Tension Worksheet

In Lesson 9 of 'The Highwayman' teaching series, students are given a worksheet focused on understanding and analysing the build-up of tension in the poem. The first task requires students to visually represent the crescendo of suspense through stanzas 8 to 13 by drawing a graph. This graph is meant to illustrate the fluctuating levels of tension as the narrative unfolds, providing a clear visualisation of the poem's pacing and emotional intensity.

The worksheet continues with a writing activity where students delve deeper into the literary techniques employed by Alfred Noyes to craft a tense atmosphere. To guide their analysis, students are prompted to consider specific word choices, phrases, and sentence structures that contribute to the growing sense of unease. The provided sentences serve as starting points for the students to elaborate on how these elements work together to heighten the reader's anticipation and engagement with the poem's dramatic events. This exercise not only aids in the comprehension of the poem's thematic elements but also hones the students' skills in literary analysis and critical writing.