Looking for a spooky and engaging way to teach literary analysis this October?
Engage students with spooky short stories while teaching literary analysis, theme, and author’s craft.
This Middle School Halloween ELA Writing Activity uses spooky short stories to guide students step-by-step through analyzing theme, literary elements, and author’s craft — with editable organizers and cheat sheets included!
Perfect for grades 6–8, this resource builds confidence in literary analysis writing — all while tapping into students’ love of spooky stories. 🎃
What’s Included:
✅ Editable PowerPoint and Google Slides versions (some elements not editable due to TOU)
✅ Non-editable PDF print version
✅ Student directions with choice of spooky short story or whole-class option
✅ Checklist and grading option
✅ Spooky short story suggestions list
✅ Writing in the Margins strategy cheat sheet
✅ Thesis writing & technique selection graphic organizer
✅ Theme topics and statements cheat sheet
✅ Author’s craft/technique cheat sheet
✅ Intro paragraph and essay graphic organizers
Skills Covered:
Literary Analysis
Theme and Thesis Development
Analyzing Author’s Craft
Close Reading Strategies
Essay Structure and Organization
Benefits:
💡 Perfect for a Halloween-themed ELA unit
💡 Aligned with middle school writing standards
💡 Supports student choice and differentiation
💡 Great for sub plans, essay prep, or writing stations
💡 Provides structure + support with step-by-step scaffolding
Questions? Please contact me!
Copyright © Annotated ELA, Melissa Burch
Permission to copy for single classroom use only.
Please purchase additional licenses if you intend to share this product.
Looking for a spooky and engaging way to teach literary analysis this October?
Engage students with spooky short stories while teaching literary analysis, theme, and author’s craft.
This Middle School Halloween ELA Writing Activity uses spooky short stories to guide students step-by-step through analyzing theme, literary elements, and author’s craft — with editable organizers and cheat sheets included!
Perfect for grades 6–8, this resource builds confidence in literary analysis writing — all while tapping into students’ love of spooky stories. 🎃
What’s Included:
✅ Editable PowerPoint and Google Slides versions (some elements not editable due to TOU)
✅ Non-editable PDF print version
✅ Student directions with choice of spooky short story or whole-class option
✅ Checklist and grading option
✅ Spooky short story suggestions list
✅ Writing in the Margins strategy cheat sheet
✅ Thesis writing & technique selection graphic organizer
✅ Theme topics and statements cheat sheet
✅ Author’s craft/technique cheat sheet
✅ Intro paragraph and essay graphic organizers
Skills Covered:
Literary Analysis
Theme and Thesis Development
Analyzing Author’s Craft
Close Reading Strategies
Essay Structure and Organization
Benefits:
💡 Perfect for a Halloween-themed ELA unit
💡 Aligned with middle school writing standards
💡 Supports student choice and differentiation
💡 Great for sub plans, essay prep, or writing stations
💡 Provides structure + support with step-by-step scaffolding
Questions? Please contact me!
Copyright © Annotated ELA, Melissa Burch
Permission to copy for single classroom use only.
Please purchase additional licenses if you intend to share this product.
