Short Stories Grade 10
Be sure to read the notes and links on the first page of Short Stories.
Practice: (If you weren't in class, you should do this on your own.)
The Chaser by John Collier- This is a great story to help you think about how to read short stories. Every word in every story has some deeper underlying meaning. The author never writes anything by accident. They are foreshadowing, using irony, creating mood, or trying to convey a message, often about human behaviour and beliefs. Click on the title link and read through the story and the notes beside it to help you illustrate the complexity of well written short stories.
Here's another link, in case you didn't get all the deeper meanings.
Here's another link, in case you didn't get all the deeper meanings.
"Flowers" by Alice Walker- Here's another short one to practice on. Not my favourite but short and quick to read. Some short stories can be 10 pages long, or take an hour to read. See if you can identify any short story elements or devices. Then click on this analysis (one of many) to see what other people thought. Although I previously mentioned that there are deeper meanings to short stories, we don't really know what message the author was trying to convey. Many of us guess at the deeper meanings, so opinions vary greatly.
Irony- this is one of the most important devices in a short story. It also appears in sit coms, movies, and real life. There are 3 kinds. Below are a couple links to define the 3 types of irony and a worksheet on irony. There are many more on the internet if you want to search for them.
Here's a link to some practice identifying the 3 types of irony.
Here's a song that demonstrates Irony very well. Remember that all these poetic and short story devices are a major part of song writing that you listen to everyday.
Ironic by Alanis Morissette
Ironic by Alanis Morissette
Assignment: Irony #1
Assignment: Irony #2
Point of View- 1st, 2nd, 3rd person. Read the link on the first Short Story page if you haven't already done so.
Assignment: Point of View worksheet
Plot- Story structure- Freytag's Pyramid
Assignment: Short Story- "The Window" by Saki
1. Read the story once for enjoyment
2. Read the plot diagram notes on the "Plot" link above.
3. If you want, here's a very simple example for plotting a short story (in words, not on a diagram).
4. Here's one example in a diagram, though it's not very clear, you'll have to zoom.
4. Complete Freytag's Pyramid for plotting the short story "The Open Window". You'll have to print it out, draw one of your own, or come get a copy in class.
Assignment: Short Story- "The Window" by Saki
1. Read the story once for enjoyment
2. Read the plot diagram notes on the "Plot" link above.
3. If you want, here's a very simple example for plotting a short story (in words, not on a diagram).
4. Here's one example in a diagram, though it's not very clear, you'll have to zoom.
4. Complete Freytag's Pyramid for plotting the short story "The Open Window". You'll have to print it out, draw one of your own, or come get a copy in class.