The Horror Story Genre - teaching resource

The Horror Story Genre – KS3 Teaching Resource 

This engaging teaching resource introduces pupils to the conventions of the horror genre while developing key reading analysis skills in preparation for English GCSE. The resource is built around two short stories by Anthony Horowitz – The Hitchhiker and The Man with the Yellow Face. These texts provide an accessible yet engaging way for pupils to practise analytical reading and explore the language and techniques that make horror writing effective.

The complete unit includes a 48-slide editable PowerPoint presentation, 12 worksheets, and a unit overview with teacher guidance.

Students will:

• Study the conventions of horror and how writers build atmosphere and tension

• Analyse Horowitz’s use of character, setting, and suspense

• Practise key reading skills such as inference, deduction, and identifying language techniques

• Take part in discussion, comprehension, and structured written activities

• Apply their learning to exam-style tasks to build GCSE readiness

Designed to last 2–3 weeks of teaching (depending on lesson frequency), this resource provides a flexible, fully resourced introduction to the horror story genre, perfect for bridging KS3 and GCSE.

Get access to thousands of pages of resources. Find out more about membership here.