Short Stories
By studying short stories, we have the opportunity to learn about the ways writers tell their tales, develop their plots and communicate their ideas in a far more condensed form than that of a lengthier novel. The knowledge, practice and experience you gain here will help you better comprehend, engage in and enjoy other forms of literature and media, such as novels, plays and movies!
Important Short Story TerminologyBefore beginning to study short stories and literature in general, it's necessary to become familiar with some of the key terms used to discuss them. Please refer to the accompanying handout to become familiar with some of the most important ones for this unit.
|
Short Story Journal Topics
Remember that you are to complete ONE (1) journal entry per story. The journal topics can be found in the link above (these will be collected at the end of the unit).
Following are links to the short stories you will be reading and discussing as a class, along with the notes, activities and assignments to be completing for each (these stories can also be found in the SightLines 9 textbooks assigned in class):
Following are links to the short stories you will be reading and discussing as a class, along with the notes, activities and assignments to be completing for each (these stories can also be found in the SightLines 9 textbooks assigned in class):
Types of Conflict
The story "Gore" is a good example of several different types of conflict. Use the attached document to learn about them, and try to identify some instances within the text.
The story "Gore" is a good example of several different types of conflict. Use the attached document to learn about them, and try to identify some instances within the text.
"Gore" Questions
After reading the story, apply the terminology and lessons taught in class to help you analyze the text and answer these questions.
After reading the story, apply the terminology and lessons taught in class to help you analyze the text and answer these questions.
The Plot Graph
Becoming familiar with the components of the plot graph will allow you to divide a story into sections to understand the purpose of each plot device and element. This will give you a better appreciation of how an author develops and tells a story and will help you comprehend each narrative a little bit better!
Becoming familiar with the components of the plot graph will allow you to divide a story into sections to understand the purpose of each plot device and element. This will give you a better appreciation of how an author develops and tells a story and will help you comprehend each narrative a little bit better!
"The Interlopers" by Saki
(Sightlines 9, pp.33-37) |
Rhetorical Devices
The use of rhetorical devices allows one to better control the words he/she uses, particularly in a creative context. Writers employ them to direct their stories and better communicate with their audiences. Make sure you become familiar with these terms and techniques, as you will be using them throughout most of your high school English career!
The use of rhetorical devices allows one to better control the words he/she uses, particularly in a creative context. Writers employ them to direct their stories and better communicate with their audiences. Make sure you become familiar with these terms and techniques, as you will be using them throughout most of your high school English career!
"The Interlopers" Questions
After reading the story, apply the terminology and lessons taught in class to help you analyze the text and answer these questions.
After reading the story, apply the terminology and lessons taught in class to help you analyze the text and answer these questions.
"Lamb to the Slaughter" by Roald Dahl
(SightLines 9, pp.10-18) |
Characterization
For the purposes of telling a story, an author needs to introduce and develop his/her characters to make them believable. Usually, the ways in which we "get to know" these fictional figures are similar to the ways we become familiar with individuals in real life. Understanding these methods of character introduction and development is essential to fully comprehending a text along with its meaning and purpose.
For the purposes of telling a story, an author needs to introduce and develop his/her characters to make them believable. Usually, the ways in which we "get to know" these fictional figures are similar to the ways we become familiar with individuals in real life. Understanding these methods of character introduction and development is essential to fully comprehending a text along with its meaning and purpose.
"Lamb to the Slaughter" Questions
After reading the story, apply the terminology and lessons taught in class to help you analyze the text and answer these questions.
After reading the story, apply the terminology and lessons taught in class to help you analyze the text and answer these questions.
YouTube Links
There are a number of video representations of "Lamb to the Slaughter" on YouTube. Feel free to check them out on your own time!
There are a number of video representations of "Lamb to the Slaughter" on YouTube. Feel free to check them out on your own time!
"Once Upon a Time" by Nadine Gordimer
|
"Once Upon a Time" Questions
After reading the story, apply the terminology and lessons taught in class to help you analyze the text and answer these questions.
After reading the story, apply the terminology and lessons taught in class to help you analyze the text and answer these questions.
"The Taste of Melon" Questions
After reading the story, apply the terminology and lessons taught in class to help you analyze the text and answer these questions.
After reading the story, apply the terminology and lessons taught in class to help you analyze the text and answer these questions.
Short Story Paragraph Assignment
Now that you've read and analyzed several short stories, you're going to combine this knowledge with some of the skills you developed in the previous unit and write about them! However, before doing so, you need to learn about "Integrating Quotations" and "Using Quotations in an Essay." These handouts and the lessons associated with them will help you prepare for incorporating these skills into your essay writing!
|
While writing your "Short Story Expository Paragraph," make sure you complete all the stages required to plan and organize a successful assignment:
When you're finished your assignment, make sure you structure it according to MLA Format requirements!
Some documents to assist you with this writing assignment:
- brainstorming
- outline
- rough copy
- peer-editing
- good copy
When you're finished your assignment, make sure you structure it according to MLA Format requirements!
Some documents to assist you with this writing assignment:
Tips For Writing Formal Essays
Most, if not all, of your essays in English will be written using formal structure and guidelines, so please use the "Tips For Writing Formal Essays" document to learn about them.
Most, if not all, of your essays in English will be written using formal structure and guidelines, so please use the "Tips For Writing Formal Essays" document to learn about them.
Transition Words
In order to write a successful essay, one must transition smoothly between paragraph and sentences. In order to do so, a writer needs to select his/her words carefully and purposefully. Use the attached document to help you make effective decisions in this regard.
In order to write a successful essay, one must transition smoothly between paragraph and sentences. In order to do so, a writer needs to select his/her words carefully and purposefully. Use the attached document to help you make effective decisions in this regard.