Engage your high-school students in a chilling exploration of guilt, isolation, and the mind’s descent into madness.

This 17-page psychological horror unit pairs Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart” with a real-world psychological case study inspired by Ed Gein, encouraging deep comparative analysis between fictional and real portrayals of madness.

Designed for Grades 10–12 / B2–C1 ESL, this resource blends literary analysis, creative writing, and ethical reflection to promote empathy and critical thinking.

What’s Included

• Teacher Overview Page with learning objectives and content disclaimer

• Materials & Lesson Sequence (no charts!)

• Defining Psychological Horror activity + Fear Map

• Case Study: Ed Gein – The Real Monster (classroom-safe summary)

• Close Reading: Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart with guided annotation

• Comparative Analysis: Real vs. Fictional Madness

• Creative Writing Task: “Write from the Mind Within”

• Critical Essay Prompt with scaffolded planning questions

• Reflection & Socratic Discussion Prompts

• Teacher Tips + Answer Ideas (2 pages)

• Credits & Thank-You Page with Soliloquy & Swag branding

Skills Covered

• Literary & psychological analysis

• Comparative essay writing

• Voice, tone, and perspective in narrative

• Critical thinking and ethical reasoning

• Creative expression through first-person voice

Content Note

This unit references real-world psychological material related to Ed Gein.

Teachers are encouraged to preview all media and select age-appropriate excerpts.

The focus is on psychological understanding and literary connection, not graphic detail.

Details

• 17 pages | PDF Print | Soliloquy & Swag Education

• Ideal for Grades 10–12 ELA, C1/B2 ESL, or Literature & Psychology electives