Short Story Unit 2012 – Tasks
As an individual:
Part 1. Complete enough stories to gather 40 points. Three a week
Complete a mini-summary for each story that you read. This is a standard set of
questions found below. Value 40. One due every 2 days, starting April 30th.
Part 2. Complete a Story Promotion Sheet for 3 stories that you read. One a week
In paragraph format, it should:
-introduce the reader to the plot
-introduce the main character
-summarize the main conflict, but not the conclusion, of the plot
-establish the setting for the story.
-identify the genre
Comparisons to events, shows, or media with similar conflicts, characters, or settings are
encouraged. Be prepared to present one to the class. Length: 1 page maximum each.
Value 15. Due dates May 3rd, May 11th, May 18th.
Part 3. Produce a Story Analysis Package for your favorite story you read that includes one
exercise from each of: Category 1 or 2
Category 3 or 4
Category 5 or 6
Or write a personal short story that will be presented, discussed and reviewed in class. It
is to be 2 to 8 pages in length.
Value 15. Due May 24th.
Story Point Values are based on the length and difficulty level of each individual story.
Length►
Short
Medium
Long
Difficulty▼
Easy
Moderate
Challenging
Penny in the Dust
The Faceless Thing
Stains C
A Day’s Wait 1 point each
A Child’s Dream of a Star
The Overcoat
The Old Man at the Bridge
The Cat in the Rain
Blue Against White C
Svayamvara C
2 points
A Clean, Well Lighted Place
The Coup de Grace
3 points
The Street that got Mislaid
A Chilly Evening in March
Araby
2 points
Snow White
Among the Paths to Eden
The Happy Prince
Cinderella
The Tell Tale Heart
Sunrise on the Veld
3 points
Owl Creek Bridge
The Summoner’s Tale
Hill’s Like White Elephants
4 points
The quality of work requires you to:
-accurately edit your work (Writing ELPA)
-use full sentences and paragraphs that support your claims (Writing ELPA)
-use reading strategies to ensure understanding of the stories (Reading ELPA)
The Clearing
Earthquake C
3 points
The Little Mermaid
Two Kinds C
4 points
The Old Chief Mshlanga
The Wife of Bath’s Tale
The Pardoner’s Tale
5 points
Analysis Package Exercises
Category 1 – Knowledge – Recall facts, terms and concepts.
Construct a plot diagram that
identifies key events as
specific parts of the plot.
Explain why the physical
setting strengthens the story.
Write a well developed three
paragraph character sketch.
Identify and explain an
important theme or truth that
the author uses to relate to the
audience.
Category 2 – Comprehension – Organize, compare and interpret main ideas.
Make an artistic drawing that
represents a main event,
character, or setting in the
story.
Explain the details of the
setting that are linked with
values, ideals, or attitudes in
the story.
Explain the importance of
something that the main
character fails to realize for
most of the story.
What concepts or ideas about
relationships does the author
use to make the story realistic?
Category 3 – Application – Problem solve by using knowledge in a different way.
Explain what you believe
would be the best solution to
the conflict in the story.
Present and explain ideas for
other settings that would work
well for the story.
Construct a flow chart that
shows and explains other
options that are open to, but
not taken by, the main
character.
Describe how one of the minor
characters in the story would
have a different view of
events.
Category 4 – Analysis – Identify motives and triggers through supporting evidence.
Make a flow chart that shows
how events in the story are
related by cause and effect.
Using the setting of the story
as evidence, conclude what
beliefs the society at that time
likely had about the issues in
the story.
Think about the actions of the
main character. Why do they
do, or believe in, what they
do?
Explain why the point of view
used in the story is important.
Category 5 – Synthesis – Combine details in new ways or propose different solutions.
Create an artistic collage of
images that represents a key
element of the plot.
Transpose this story into the
setting of one of the others.
How would this affect your
understanding of the story?
Predict what tomorrow will
bring for the main character as
a result of the climax.
Explain how your family
would react if the situation in
the story was your own.
Category 6 – Evaluation – Presenting and defending judgments about information and ideas.
How realistic are the events of
the story in terms of intensity
and complexity?
Explain whether it would be
realistic to find these events
happening in real life in the
setting of the story?
Identify the strengths and
weaknesses of the main
character. Why do you find
them realistic or unrealistic?
Do people take better truths
from the real life stories of
others as opposed to fictional
ones? Explain your reasoning
Story Promotion Sheet
Your Name:
Story:
In creative and enthusiastic complete paragraphs and sentences:
-introduce the reader to the plot
-identify the genre
-summarize the main conflict
-identify the character
-identify how the setting the story is created
-identify the point of view
Comparisons to shows or movies with similar conflicts, characters, or settings are encouraged.
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Mini Summary for the story____________________
Student Name:________________________
What is this story about?
Who is the main character and what are they like?
What is the challenge, or conflict, that they must face?
What did you like about the story?
What did you not like about the story?