Quarter 1 Outside Reading - Horror Novels
Scroll down to find you class and assignment requirements.
HONORS requirements:
due:
Based on our reading of the excerpt from Stephen King's article, "Tales of the Hook", determine whether the novel you have read evokes terror, horror, or revulsion. Your assignment is to write a 5 paragraph formal essay) on which states the author achieves. Your essay must have a clear, strong opening paragraph with a clear topic statement, at least 3 clearly defined and distinct supporting paragraphs, and a strong concluding paragraph. You must also include at least one example from the novel, properly cited.
Basic Outline
Opening paragraph:
-well written and thoughtful
-clearly states the topic of the paper
-avoids "opinion" words
-acknowledges source of fear classifications; explains what makes this person an expert ("Tales of the Hook")
-defines the three types of fear
Each supporting paragraph:
-contains a distinct idea
-strongly supports the main idea of the paper
-transitions smoothly between paragraphs
Concluding paragraph:
-sums up the supporting ideas of the essay.
-states clearly how the supporting ideas prove the theme.
-does not introduce any new arguments.
Citation:
-is correctly credited.
-directly supports the theme of the paper.
-is explained in a clear and thoughtful way.
Grammar, spelling, punctuation and presentation:
-The paper meets length requirements.
-The paper follows all rules of grammar and spelling; no contractions,
no “I” or “you” statements!
-The essay is presented in a well-organized manner.
-The essay should be typed
-The paper should reflect a sense of pride taken in the work.
(See the bottom of this page for an example of a complete paper)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
CP1 requirements:
due:
Based on our reading of the excerpt from Stephen King's article, "Tales of the Hook", determine whether the novel you have read evokes terror, horror, or revulsion. Your assignment is to create the foundation for an essay on what types of fear the author achieves. This will include a properly formatted heading, a complete introductory paragraph, and an outline for the entire paper (intro paragraph included).
The outline must
-follow the template that you have been given (see the website for details)
-be clear and concise
-adequately create a foundation from which to construct a paper
-contain specific detail and explanation
The opening introductory paragraph must be
-well written and thoughtful
-clearly states the topic of the paper
-avoids "opinion" words
The opening paragraph also MUST answer the following questions- Who wrote the book you read? What is the title? Who wrote the essay you are using to assess the work? What makes this person (Stephen King) an expert? What are the three types of fear, and how can you tell them apart? Also, the structure of this paragraph is extremely important. It should contain a clear motivator to hook the reader, a claim that explains the paper’s argument, and a blueprint that plots out the evidence used to prove that argument.
The Rules
Grammar, spelling, punctuation and presentation:
-The paper follows all rules of grammar and spelling; no contractions,
no “I” or “you” statements!
-The essay is presented in a well-organized manner.
-The essay should be typed
-The paper should reflect a sense of pride taken in the work
(See the bottom of this page for an example of a complete paper)
________________________________________________________________________________________
CP2 requirements:
due:
Based on our reading of the excerpt from Stephen King's article, "Tales of the Hook", determine whether the novel you have read evokes terror, horror, or revulsion. Your assignment is to answer a series of questions regarding what types of horror the author achieves. Your answers must be clear, strong, complete sentences, with specific details that support your answer. This assignment will be worth one test grade.
Questions:
The Basics:
1. Who wrote the book you read, and what is the title?
2. Who wrote the essay you are using to assess the work (see the requirement section above), and what makes this person an expert?
3. What are the three types of fear, and how can they be defined and identifiedt?
In Depth:
4. Describe a scary event or sequence of events. What type of fear is illustrated in your example? How can we tell?
5. Describe a second scary event or sequence of events. What type of fear is illustrated in your example? How can we tell?
6. Describe a third scary event or sequence of events. What type of fear is illustrated in your example? How can we tell?
In Conclusion:
7. Which type of horror is the most prevalent/dominant in the book? Explain how you know this.
8. Answer one of the following:
a. Which moment in the story was scariest, and why was it so scary?
b. Would the story be different if it focused on a different type of horror? How?
c. Based on this novel and your experience so far, which type of horror is the most effective at frightening people?
The Rules/FCAs
Proper grammar, spelling, punctuation and presentation:
-The paper follows all rules of grammar and spelling; no contractions,
-The answers are presented in a well-organized manner.
-The answers are typed in 12 point Times New Roman font only!
-The paper should reflect a sense of pride taken in the work
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Below you will find an outline you can use to assist you in writing your essays. Under that is a glossary defining what the various elements of the outline are. Lastly, the essay from which the examples in the glossary are derived is presented as a model.
Mr. McLean’s Easy 5 Paragraph Outline Template
Name:________________________________________ Date/Period:___________
Title of your essay:_______________________________________________________________________________
I. Introductory Paragraph
A. Motivator: ____________________________________________________________________________
B. Claim/Thesis statement: _________________________________________________________________
C. Blueprint: _____________________________________________________________________________
II. First Body Paragraph
A. Topic sentence: ________________________________________________________________________
B. Specific detail/support: __________________________________________________________________
C. Specific detail/support: __________________________________________________________________
D. Specific detail/support: __________________________________________________________________
E. Transition sentence: _____________________________________________________________________
III. Second Body Paragraph
A. Topic sentence: ________________________________________________________________________
B. Specific detail/support: __________________________________________________________________
C. Specific detail/support: __________________________________________________________________
D. Specific detail/support: __________________________________________________________________
E. Transition sentence: _____________________________________________________________________
IV. Third Body Paragraph
A. Topic sentence: ________________________________________________________________________
B. Specific detail/support: __________________________________________________________________
C. Specific detail/support: __________________________________________________________________
D. Specific detail/support: __________________________________________________________________
E. Transition sentence: _____________________________________________________________________
V. Conclusion
A. Reworded thesis statement: ______________________________________________________________
B. Summarized evidence: ___________________________________________________________________
C. Clincher: ______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Outline Elements Defined
Motivator- the very first line of the essay; must be captivating to motivate the readers to read on. It should be attention gripping and may be a fascinating fact, important or surprising information or anything which works to hold the readers’ attention.
Example : Ever since the supposed UFO crash in Roswell, New Mexico in 1948, people have been fascinated with the idea of extraterrestrial intelligence.
Claim/thesis statement- the argument your essay is making
Ex.: The film Signs by M. Night Shyamalan contains all three types of fear as defined by Stephen King.
Blueprint- a brief outline of the evidence presented in the essay
Ex.: By examining the scene in the film when Graham first finds crop circles in his field, the scene when the alien’s reflection is seen, and the scene when Graham cuts off the alien’s fingers, it is clear that all three types of fear are present in the film Signs.
Topic sentence- the first sentence of the paragraph; uses keywords or phrases from the thesis to indicate which part of the thesis will be discussed; tells the reader what concept will be discussed and provide an introduction to the paragraph; links the subject of the present paragraph to that of the previous paragraph; signals to the reader where the essay has been and where it is headed through signposting words such as "first," "second," or "finally."
Ex. Much of the film plays with the minds of the audience by using terror.
Specific detail/support-
Ex.: A perfect example of this occurs in the first scene of the movie.
Ex.: As the film opens, the protagonist, Graham, hears his daughter screaming in the distance.
Ex.:He and his brother Merrill runs out to the cornfield to see why she is screaming, only to discover strange symbols flattened into the crops.
Ex:It is unclear what has caused the crop circles to appear, which leaves the mind of the audience to ponder what has made them.
Transition sentence- helps papers read more smoothly; allows the reader to flow more smoothly from one point to the next; improves connections between paragraphs
Ex. While terror is focused upon for the majority of movie, the type of fear shifts once the audience’s questions are answered.
Reworded thesis statement- repeats the claim of the paper in a rephrased manner to solidify argument
Ex. Though it is clear that terror is used the most to frighten the audience in this film, it is obvious that Signs also possesses the elements of horror and revulsion
Summarized evidence-rephrases the blueprint to reiterate the points made in the paper
Ex. By examining the first scene of the film, the alien’s appearance on the TV screen, and the severing of the alien’s fingers, it is clear that all three types are present
Clincher- a final thought that ‘ties your essay closed’; it extends the argument past the boundaries of the paper, relates it to the real world, provides another anecdote, etc., in order to bring the essay to its conclusion
Ex. Because the human mind is the best at scaring itself, Signs allows its audience members to frighten themselves. Since the extraterrestrial is an unknown force that much of humankind wonders about, the film captures the fear of the unknown perfectly.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
SAMPLE OUTLINE
Name:_________Student J. Scholarson________ Date/Period:__10/31/13, P.5___
Title of your essay:__________________Signs of Fear_____________________________
I. Introductory Paragraph
A. Motivator: 1948 UFO crash in Roswell, New Mexico; people by the idea of extraterrestrial intelligence.
B. Claim/Thesis statement: three types of fear are present in the film Signs.
C. Blueprint: scene in the film when Graham first finds crop circles in his field, the scene when the alien’s reflection is seen, and the scene when Graham cuts off the alien’s fingers
II. First Body Paragraph
A. Topic sentence: The film has an example of terror
B. Specific detail/support: Merrill hears daughter screaming, goes to investigate out in the cornfield.\
C. Specific detail/support: He discovers strange symbols flattened into the cornstalks; the family has no idea what has caused them.
D. Specific detail/support: terror b/c the source of the symbols is unknown. The imagination is activated
E. Transition sentence: once the cause of symbols is identified, fear changes to horror
III. Second Body Paragraph
A. Topic sentence: There is a scene of horror when the alien is seen.
B. Specific detail/support: aliens are reported to have left Earth; Graham wheels tv into room to watch news
C. Specific detail/support: shapeshifting alien seen behind him in reflection of television
D. Specific detail/support: This is horror b/c the audience sees a frightening image instead of being teased with clues about it
E. Transition sentence: there are only a few examples of horror; there are even less examples of revulsion
IV. Third Body Paragraph
A. Topic sentence: Revulsion is also present
B. Specific detail/support: Graham enters a neighbor's house after hearing him say he trapped an alien
C. Specific detail/support: Graham grabs a knife to look under the pantry door.
D. Specific detail/support: He leans down to look, an alien hand suddenly grabs for him, and Graham cuts off some of its fingers
E. Specific detail/support: This is an example of revulsion because the sight of the severed fingers is more disgusting than it is startling or scary.
V. Conclusion (Don't write "In Conclusion")
A. Reworded thesis statement: Signs clearly features all three types of fear as identified by Stephen King
B. Summarized evidence: first scene of the film, the alien’s appearance on the TV screen, and the severing of the alien’s fingers, it is clear that all three types are present
C. Clincher: The film appears to harness terror the most because, in this way, the audience is allowed to ponder about the horrors they cannot see. Because the human mind is the best at scaring itself, Signs allows its audience members to frighten themselves.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SAMPLE ESSAY
Student J. Scholarson
Mr. McLean
10/31/12
Period
Signs of Fear
Ever since the supposed UFO crash in Roswell, New Mexico in 1948, people have been intrigued and frightened by the idea of extraterrestrial intelligence. The film Signs, directed by M. Night Shyamalan, portrays this fear of aliens quite nicely, and expresses it in many different ways. According to best selling horror author Stephen King, there are three forms of fear: terror, or fear of forces unseen; horror, or fear of dangers that can be seen; and revulsion, disgust of things that are grotesque. By examining the scene in the film when Graham first finds crop circles in his field, the scene when the alien’s reflection is seen, and the scene when Graham cuts off the alien’s fingers, it is clear that all three types of fear are present in the film Signs.
Much of the film plays with the minds of the audience by using terror. A perfect example of this occurs in the first scene of the movie. As the film opens, the protagonist, Graham, hears his daughter screaming in the distance. He and his brother Merrill runs out to the cornfield to see why she is screaming, only to discover strange symbols flattened into the crops. It is unclear what has caused the crop circles to appear, which leaves the mind of the audience to ponder what has made them. While terror is focused upon for the majority of movie, the type of fear shifts once the audience’s questions are answered.
Though very little is actually shown to frighten the audience, there are a few key points in the film where an alien is shown. Towards the end of the film, when the aliens are deemed to have left Earth, Graham brings the television back into the living room to show his children the news broadcast. In the reflection of the screen, an alien is shown. The unexpected sight of something extremely dangerous and terrifying is what frightens the audience at this point. Though horror seems to only be present a pivotal parts of the movie, a third type of fear, revulsion, is used at an even lesser degree.
There are only a few points in the film where the scene plays with the gross-out factor. For instance, the first time Graham encounters an alien, it is trapped behind a door in a locked room, and Graham tries using a kitchen knife to see what it looks like by holding the knife under the door. At this point, the alien reaches out from under the door and Graham, in self-defense, cuts off the alien’s fingers. At that moment, it is not so much a feeling of fear that strikes the audience, but a feeling of disgust. The audience is not pondering about any unknown terror, or scared for Graham’ safety, but they are startled by the repulsive image of the alien’s severed fingers and damaged hand.
Though it is clear that terror is used the most to frighten the audience in this film, it is obvious that Signs also possesses the elements of horror and revulsion. By examining the first scene of the film, the alien’s appearance on the TV screen, and the severing of the alien’s fingers, it is clear that all three types are present; each of the scenes above illustrates a different type of scare, which matches closely to King’s theory. The film appears to harness terror the most because, in this way, the audience is allowed to ponder about the horrors they cannot see. Because the human mind is the best at scaring itself, Signs allows its audience members to frighten themselves. Since the extraterrestrial is an unknown force that much of humankind wonders about, the film captures the fear of the unknown perfectly.
HONORS requirements:
due:
Based on our reading of the excerpt from Stephen King's article, "Tales of the Hook", determine whether the novel you have read evokes terror, horror, or revulsion. Your assignment is to write a 5 paragraph formal essay) on which states the author achieves. Your essay must have a clear, strong opening paragraph with a clear topic statement, at least 3 clearly defined and distinct supporting paragraphs, and a strong concluding paragraph. You must also include at least one example from the novel, properly cited.
Basic Outline
Opening paragraph:
-well written and thoughtful
-clearly states the topic of the paper
-avoids "opinion" words
-acknowledges source of fear classifications; explains what makes this person an expert ("Tales of the Hook")
-defines the three types of fear
Each supporting paragraph:
-contains a distinct idea
-strongly supports the main idea of the paper
-transitions smoothly between paragraphs
Concluding paragraph:
-sums up the supporting ideas of the essay.
-states clearly how the supporting ideas prove the theme.
-does not introduce any new arguments.
Citation:
-is correctly credited.
-directly supports the theme of the paper.
-is explained in a clear and thoughtful way.
Grammar, spelling, punctuation and presentation:
-The paper meets length requirements.
-The paper follows all rules of grammar and spelling; no contractions,
no “I” or “you” statements!
-The essay is presented in a well-organized manner.
-The essay should be typed
-The paper should reflect a sense of pride taken in the work.
(See the bottom of this page for an example of a complete paper)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
CP1 requirements:
due:
Based on our reading of the excerpt from Stephen King's article, "Tales of the Hook", determine whether the novel you have read evokes terror, horror, or revulsion. Your assignment is to create the foundation for an essay on what types of fear the author achieves. This will include a properly formatted heading, a complete introductory paragraph, and an outline for the entire paper (intro paragraph included).
The outline must
-follow the template that you have been given (see the website for details)
-be clear and concise
-adequately create a foundation from which to construct a paper
-contain specific detail and explanation
The opening introductory paragraph must be
-well written and thoughtful
-clearly states the topic of the paper
-avoids "opinion" words
The opening paragraph also MUST answer the following questions- Who wrote the book you read? What is the title? Who wrote the essay you are using to assess the work? What makes this person (Stephen King) an expert? What are the three types of fear, and how can you tell them apart? Also, the structure of this paragraph is extremely important. It should contain a clear motivator to hook the reader, a claim that explains the paper’s argument, and a blueprint that plots out the evidence used to prove that argument.
The Rules
Grammar, spelling, punctuation and presentation:
-The paper follows all rules of grammar and spelling; no contractions,
no “I” or “you” statements!
-The essay is presented in a well-organized manner.
-The essay should be typed
-The paper should reflect a sense of pride taken in the work
(See the bottom of this page for an example of a complete paper)
________________________________________________________________________________________
CP2 requirements:
due:
Based on our reading of the excerpt from Stephen King's article, "Tales of the Hook", determine whether the novel you have read evokes terror, horror, or revulsion. Your assignment is to answer a series of questions regarding what types of horror the author achieves. Your answers must be clear, strong, complete sentences, with specific details that support your answer. This assignment will be worth one test grade.
Questions:
The Basics:
1. Who wrote the book you read, and what is the title?
2. Who wrote the essay you are using to assess the work (see the requirement section above), and what makes this person an expert?
3. What are the three types of fear, and how can they be defined and identifiedt?
In Depth:
4. Describe a scary event or sequence of events. What type of fear is illustrated in your example? How can we tell?
5. Describe a second scary event or sequence of events. What type of fear is illustrated in your example? How can we tell?
6. Describe a third scary event or sequence of events. What type of fear is illustrated in your example? How can we tell?
In Conclusion:
7. Which type of horror is the most prevalent/dominant in the book? Explain how you know this.
8. Answer one of the following:
a. Which moment in the story was scariest, and why was it so scary?
b. Would the story be different if it focused on a different type of horror? How?
c. Based on this novel and your experience so far, which type of horror is the most effective at frightening people?
The Rules/FCAs
Proper grammar, spelling, punctuation and presentation:
-The paper follows all rules of grammar and spelling; no contractions,
-The answers are presented in a well-organized manner.
-The answers are typed in 12 point Times New Roman font only!
-The paper should reflect a sense of pride taken in the work
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Below you will find an outline you can use to assist you in writing your essays. Under that is a glossary defining what the various elements of the outline are. Lastly, the essay from which the examples in the glossary are derived is presented as a model.
Mr. McLean’s Easy 5 Paragraph Outline Template
Name:________________________________________ Date/Period:___________
Title of your essay:_______________________________________________________________________________
I. Introductory Paragraph
A. Motivator: ____________________________________________________________________________
B. Claim/Thesis statement: _________________________________________________________________
C. Blueprint: _____________________________________________________________________________
II. First Body Paragraph
A. Topic sentence: ________________________________________________________________________
B. Specific detail/support: __________________________________________________________________
C. Specific detail/support: __________________________________________________________________
D. Specific detail/support: __________________________________________________________________
E. Transition sentence: _____________________________________________________________________
III. Second Body Paragraph
A. Topic sentence: ________________________________________________________________________
B. Specific detail/support: __________________________________________________________________
C. Specific detail/support: __________________________________________________________________
D. Specific detail/support: __________________________________________________________________
E. Transition sentence: _____________________________________________________________________
IV. Third Body Paragraph
A. Topic sentence: ________________________________________________________________________
B. Specific detail/support: __________________________________________________________________
C. Specific detail/support: __________________________________________________________________
D. Specific detail/support: __________________________________________________________________
E. Transition sentence: _____________________________________________________________________
V. Conclusion
A. Reworded thesis statement: ______________________________________________________________
B. Summarized evidence: ___________________________________________________________________
C. Clincher: ______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Outline Elements Defined
Motivator- the very first line of the essay; must be captivating to motivate the readers to read on. It should be attention gripping and may be a fascinating fact, important or surprising information or anything which works to hold the readers’ attention.
Example : Ever since the supposed UFO crash in Roswell, New Mexico in 1948, people have been fascinated with the idea of extraterrestrial intelligence.
Claim/thesis statement- the argument your essay is making
Ex.: The film Signs by M. Night Shyamalan contains all three types of fear as defined by Stephen King.
Blueprint- a brief outline of the evidence presented in the essay
Ex.: By examining the scene in the film when Graham first finds crop circles in his field, the scene when the alien’s reflection is seen, and the scene when Graham cuts off the alien’s fingers, it is clear that all three types of fear are present in the film Signs.
Topic sentence- the first sentence of the paragraph; uses keywords or phrases from the thesis to indicate which part of the thesis will be discussed; tells the reader what concept will be discussed and provide an introduction to the paragraph; links the subject of the present paragraph to that of the previous paragraph; signals to the reader where the essay has been and where it is headed through signposting words such as "first," "second," or "finally."
Ex. Much of the film plays with the minds of the audience by using terror.
Specific detail/support-
Ex.: A perfect example of this occurs in the first scene of the movie.
Ex.: As the film opens, the protagonist, Graham, hears his daughter screaming in the distance.
Ex.:He and his brother Merrill runs out to the cornfield to see why she is screaming, only to discover strange symbols flattened into the crops.
Ex:It is unclear what has caused the crop circles to appear, which leaves the mind of the audience to ponder what has made them.
Transition sentence- helps papers read more smoothly; allows the reader to flow more smoothly from one point to the next; improves connections between paragraphs
Ex. While terror is focused upon for the majority of movie, the type of fear shifts once the audience’s questions are answered.
Reworded thesis statement- repeats the claim of the paper in a rephrased manner to solidify argument
Ex. Though it is clear that terror is used the most to frighten the audience in this film, it is obvious that Signs also possesses the elements of horror and revulsion
Summarized evidence-rephrases the blueprint to reiterate the points made in the paper
Ex. By examining the first scene of the film, the alien’s appearance on the TV screen, and the severing of the alien’s fingers, it is clear that all three types are present
Clincher- a final thought that ‘ties your essay closed’; it extends the argument past the boundaries of the paper, relates it to the real world, provides another anecdote, etc., in order to bring the essay to its conclusion
Ex. Because the human mind is the best at scaring itself, Signs allows its audience members to frighten themselves. Since the extraterrestrial is an unknown force that much of humankind wonders about, the film captures the fear of the unknown perfectly.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
SAMPLE OUTLINE
Name:_________Student J. Scholarson________ Date/Period:__10/31/13, P.5___
Title of your essay:__________________Signs of Fear_____________________________
I. Introductory Paragraph
A. Motivator: 1948 UFO crash in Roswell, New Mexico; people by the idea of extraterrestrial intelligence.
B. Claim/Thesis statement: three types of fear are present in the film Signs.
C. Blueprint: scene in the film when Graham first finds crop circles in his field, the scene when the alien’s reflection is seen, and the scene when Graham cuts off the alien’s fingers
II. First Body Paragraph
A. Topic sentence: The film has an example of terror
B. Specific detail/support: Merrill hears daughter screaming, goes to investigate out in the cornfield.\
C. Specific detail/support: He discovers strange symbols flattened into the cornstalks; the family has no idea what has caused them.
D. Specific detail/support: terror b/c the source of the symbols is unknown. The imagination is activated
E. Transition sentence: once the cause of symbols is identified, fear changes to horror
III. Second Body Paragraph
A. Topic sentence: There is a scene of horror when the alien is seen.
B. Specific detail/support: aliens are reported to have left Earth; Graham wheels tv into room to watch news
C. Specific detail/support: shapeshifting alien seen behind him in reflection of television
D. Specific detail/support: This is horror b/c the audience sees a frightening image instead of being teased with clues about it
E. Transition sentence: there are only a few examples of horror; there are even less examples of revulsion
IV. Third Body Paragraph
A. Topic sentence: Revulsion is also present
B. Specific detail/support: Graham enters a neighbor's house after hearing him say he trapped an alien
C. Specific detail/support: Graham grabs a knife to look under the pantry door.
D. Specific detail/support: He leans down to look, an alien hand suddenly grabs for him, and Graham cuts off some of its fingers
E. Specific detail/support: This is an example of revulsion because the sight of the severed fingers is more disgusting than it is startling or scary.
V. Conclusion (Don't write "In Conclusion")
A. Reworded thesis statement: Signs clearly features all three types of fear as identified by Stephen King
B. Summarized evidence: first scene of the film, the alien’s appearance on the TV screen, and the severing of the alien’s fingers, it is clear that all three types are present
C. Clincher: The film appears to harness terror the most because, in this way, the audience is allowed to ponder about the horrors they cannot see. Because the human mind is the best at scaring itself, Signs allows its audience members to frighten themselves.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SAMPLE ESSAY
Student J. Scholarson
Mr. McLean
10/31/12
Period
Signs of Fear
Ever since the supposed UFO crash in Roswell, New Mexico in 1948, people have been intrigued and frightened by the idea of extraterrestrial intelligence. The film Signs, directed by M. Night Shyamalan, portrays this fear of aliens quite nicely, and expresses it in many different ways. According to best selling horror author Stephen King, there are three forms of fear: terror, or fear of forces unseen; horror, or fear of dangers that can be seen; and revulsion, disgust of things that are grotesque. By examining the scene in the film when Graham first finds crop circles in his field, the scene when the alien’s reflection is seen, and the scene when Graham cuts off the alien’s fingers, it is clear that all three types of fear are present in the film Signs.
Much of the film plays with the minds of the audience by using terror. A perfect example of this occurs in the first scene of the movie. As the film opens, the protagonist, Graham, hears his daughter screaming in the distance. He and his brother Merrill runs out to the cornfield to see why she is screaming, only to discover strange symbols flattened into the crops. It is unclear what has caused the crop circles to appear, which leaves the mind of the audience to ponder what has made them. While terror is focused upon for the majority of movie, the type of fear shifts once the audience’s questions are answered.
Though very little is actually shown to frighten the audience, there are a few key points in the film where an alien is shown. Towards the end of the film, when the aliens are deemed to have left Earth, Graham brings the television back into the living room to show his children the news broadcast. In the reflection of the screen, an alien is shown. The unexpected sight of something extremely dangerous and terrifying is what frightens the audience at this point. Though horror seems to only be present a pivotal parts of the movie, a third type of fear, revulsion, is used at an even lesser degree.
There are only a few points in the film where the scene plays with the gross-out factor. For instance, the first time Graham encounters an alien, it is trapped behind a door in a locked room, and Graham tries using a kitchen knife to see what it looks like by holding the knife under the door. At this point, the alien reaches out from under the door and Graham, in self-defense, cuts off the alien’s fingers. At that moment, it is not so much a feeling of fear that strikes the audience, but a feeling of disgust. The audience is not pondering about any unknown terror, or scared for Graham’ safety, but they are startled by the repulsive image of the alien’s severed fingers and damaged hand.
Though it is clear that terror is used the most to frighten the audience in this film, it is obvious that Signs also possesses the elements of horror and revulsion. By examining the first scene of the film, the alien’s appearance on the TV screen, and the severing of the alien’s fingers, it is clear that all three types are present; each of the scenes above illustrates a different type of scare, which matches closely to King’s theory. The film appears to harness terror the most because, in this way, the audience is allowed to ponder about the horrors they cannot see. Because the human mind is the best at scaring itself, Signs allows its audience members to frighten themselves. Since the extraterrestrial is an unknown force that much of humankind wonders about, the film captures the fear of the unknown perfectly.