SCHOOL COMPETITION: SCARY STORY

These are the phrases and tips we discussed in class with intermediate-level students in order for them to write a successful ghost story and, thus, participate in the competition of the school. The scariest story will win a surprise prize which is to be awarded to the winner next week. If students do not know a word or phrase,  they can double-click on it or look it up on www.dictionary.com  

1) WHAT I HEARD…
Sounds causing fear when heard in the night:
a creak, a whisper, a scream, footsteps, a bang, a cry, a shriek

Adjectives describing the loudness of a sound:
deafening, loud, noisy, faint

2) HOW I FELT… When I saw the ghost,
I felt frightened
I turned pale
it gave me a fright
my blood froze
it gave me the creeps
I was driven mad with fear
I was seized with fright/ panic/ terror
I felt fear
I was scared/ frightened/ terrified to death
I was overtaken by fear
I was paralysed by fear

3) HOW I REACTED…
I ran away
I shook with fright
I trembled with fear
I screamed with fear
I ran in terror
I ran like the wind
I ran at full speed
I was rooted to the spot
My eyes nearly popped out of my head
My eyes were wide open.
I shook from head to toe.
I ran as fast as my legs could carry me.
My hair stood on air.
My face became tense and drawn.
My teeth chattered.
My heart thumped.
A shiver ran down my spine.

STEPS TO WRITING A STORY:
1) Think carefully about the title.
2) Plan your story by writing down notes.
3) Write the first draft of the story using your notes.
4) Write the final draft of the story.
5) When you have finished, check/ edit your story by reading it and making corrections (in spelling, grammar, syntax) or additions.

MAGIC TIPS:
a) Use the previous expressions to make the story vivid.

b) Use these linking words to join your ideas and make the story flow:

Suddenly (all of a sudden), although (though, even if), after a while (some time later), to my surprise/ horror, fortunately (luckily), a few seconds/ hours later, then (next, after that), at first, soon, immediately (at once), finally (in the end/eventually)

c) Use mostly the Past Simple, the Past Continuous and the Past Perfect.

PLAN:
Paragraph 1: Setting (who, where, when)
Paragraph 2: Events (what I heard, what happened)
Paragraph 3: How the story ends (how I reacted)