LO: To analyse and evaluate how rising
action and effective endings can be created
in short stories.
In pairs,
discuss:
1. What contributes to create
engaging rising action or tension in a
story?
Tension
2. What makes an effective ending in
a short story?
Time
We are going to read
the first section of
‘Anil’ (up to where it
says, ‘A star
shimmered above him
in the dark sky’).
Think about how rising
conflict (or tension) is
created in this
opening section.
Choose one of the following sections. As a group re-read
your chosen section and discuss the following questions:
1. What is happening in your section?
2. How would you describe the mood?
3. What techniques are used to create rising action
or tension?
Section One
Lines 45-52
Section Two
Lines 53-61
Section Three
Lines 62-73
Section Four
Lines 74-84
Section Five
Lines 85-95
There are various types of ending you can use as a denouement in
your short story. Some of the most common include:
Uplifting ending
Depressing ending
Suspense ending
Plot-twist ending
Epiphanic ending
As we read the rest
of ‘Anil’, see if you
can spot what type
of ending Noor uses
and decide whether
it is effective.
‘Anil’ actually ends with two final short paragraphs that
we have not read yet.
Write your own version of how you think ‘Anil’ might end.
Use one of the following ending techniques:
Uplifting ending
Depressing ending
Suspense ending
Plot-twist ending
Epiphanic ending
As we read the last two
paragraphs of ‘Anil’,
decide whether you
think it is a more or
less effective ending
than yours.
Write a few
sentences that
explain whether
yours or Noor’s
ending is more
effective.