This unit will review the major elements of fiction – plot, character, setting, point of view, language and style, theme, and irony and symbol – through the analysis of seven different stories. The elements of fiction begin on page 43 of your text. Each major element of fiction corresponds with a short story; each story is followed by Questions for Reflection with a focus on that particular element of fiction.
Begin by reading page 41 and 42 of the text outlining the types of fiction with a focus on short stories. Then read the information for each element of fiction and the corresponding story.
Complete the Questions for Reflection to help focus your thinking on the use of each element within the story. Below is a list of the readings:
Day 1: Plot for “Guests of a Nation” by Frank O’Connor
Day 2: Character and “Astronomer’s Wife” by Kay Boyle
Day 3: Setting and “Shiloh” by Bobbie Ann Mason
Day 4: Point of view and “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
Day 5: Language and Style and “Araby” by James Joyce
Day 6: Theme and “The Worn Path” by Eudora Welty
Day 7: Irony and Symbol and “The Rocking Horse Winner” by D.H. Lawrence
After reading the story and prior to completing the Questions for Reflection, complete a journal of your reflections on the story, including the author’s purpose, and the issues that arise from your thoughts. At the beginning of each class you will meet in a predetermined group of other students to first share your journals, and then to discuss the Questions for Reflection.
In each class, a group of students will be assigned to present their responses to the Questions for
Reflection and then to lead a class discussion based on the story. The first discussion will be lead by me for “Guests of a Nation”.
Aside from the journal responses and group discussion, you will also be expected to complete a critical response based on one of the stories studied in this unit. You will have one day to plan this response and one day to write it. One day will be spent reviewing the expectations of a critical

response. Information on critical analysis and thesis statements can be found on pages 1545-1549 of the text.
A reading comprehension test will be the final assessment for this unit.
Adapted from J. Metzner
Wed. Feb. 3 rd : Reading Comprehension Goal Setting
Close Reading and Application
“Plot for “Guests of a Nation” by Frank O’Connor
Mon. Feb. 8 th : Story 1 Discussion
Complete Character and “Astronomer’s Wife” by Kay Boyle
Tues. Feb. 9 th : Story 2 Discussion
Complete Setting and “Shiloh” by Bobbie Ann Mason
Wed. Feb. 10 th : Story 3 Discussion,
Complete Point of view and “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
Thurs. Feb. 11 th : Story 4 Discussion
Complete Language and Style and “Araby” by James Joyce
Fri. Feb. 12 th : Story 5 Discussion
Complete Theme and “The Worn Path” by Eudora Welty
Tues. Feb. 16 th : Story 6 Discussion
Complete Irony and Symbol and “The Rocking Horse Winner” by D.H. Lawrence
Wed. Feb 17 th : Story 7 Discussion
Complete Reading Comprehension Practice and Strategies
Thurs. Feb 18 th : Reading Response Journals Due
Critical Response Review
Fri. Feb. 19 th : Field Trip: Wuthering Heights
Mon. Feb. 22 nd : Critical Response Planning
Tues. Feb. 23 rd : Critical Response in class
Wed. Feb. 24 th : Reading Comprehension Unit Test