Short Story Seminars
The Task
One of your culminating tasks (this seminar will help you to know how to prepare for your individual seminars) for
the short story unit is to present a seminar in which you discuss the literary techniques and an interpretation of the
short story you have been assigned. In preparation for your seminar it is suggested that you do a close reading
(annotations/6 traits of writing chart) of your short story. You should look specifically at what the author is trying to
call their reader’s attention to through language, technique, and events.
Another facet of your seminar will be to use at least one lens of literary criticism (feminist, archetypal, Marxist, etc.)
to further examine your short story. Your seminar should show your understanding of the form of literary criticism
that you have chosen and also your ability to offer evidence to prove your interpretation. There will be ____ groups
of _____ members each.
Conducting a Seminar
By definition, a seminar is a group discussion organized around analysis of a specific issue or idea. An obvious
difficulty associated with participation in a seminar is the inability of some students to feel comfortable speaking out
and expressing their ideas and having these ideas challenged by other students. There is a tendency for the most
talkative to dominate the discussion. It is the responsibility of the student presenters (and the teacher if things get
disorganized) to ensure that all students have an opportunity to participate and that the discussion focuses on the
viewpoints that can be supported by literary or other evidence rather than just upon opinions.
In addition to managing the discussion, your group will also be responsible for assigning a preparatory task to your
classmates. In total (including reading the story), preparatory tasks should take no longer than thirty minutes to
complete.
Consult the “Components of a Seminar” handout for more information on structuring and planning your seminar.
Completion and Evaluation
On the day that your group has been assigned to present their seminar, you will provide a package of the
information you have gathered as you prepared for your seminar. This package should include planning notes,
additional resources, a work cited, a copy of your close reading, and finally a complete and detailed seminar plan.
In order to ensure that you have everything you need, it is required that all requests for technology (overhead, CD
player, projector) are made at least one day prior to your presentation. Anything which you require to have copied
must be in my hands the day before you present.
Texts
Look at my school website and peruse the short stories listed therein. With your group, choose ONE of the short
stories. All short stories will be provided by the teacher and should be returned at the end of the unit:
ENG4U1-04
“Night Face Up “
“A & P”
“Arrangement in Black and White”
“A Rose for Emily”
“The Firing Squad”
“By the Waters of Babylon”
“The Garden Party”
ENG4U/4UA
“Yellow Wallpaper”
“By the Waters of Babylon”
“The Firing Squad”
“The Garden Party”
“Night Face Up”
Rubric
Knowledge of
Literary Devices
Knowledge of
Literary
Criticism
KU
/25
Analysis of the
Independent
Short Story
T
/25
Theme Analysis
AP
Level 1
Students use
vague references
Level 2
Students show a
limited
understanding of
literary devices,
some effort has
been made to
connect with the
short story
Level 3
Students
understand
literary devices
as they are
evidenced within
the short story
Level 4
Students’
understanding of
the short story is
obviously
improved by
their use of
literary language
and devices
Students mention
a type of literary
criticism, they
show a limited
understanding of
what literary
criticism is able
to do
The students
have created a
simplified and
limited
description
Students are able
to provide a
definition for the
literary criticism
style chosen
Students are able
to provide
examples which
they connect to
their literary
criticism
The students
have an
understanding of
the short story.
They have
developed
limited theories
concerning the
short story
The group can
relate their short
story to a theme
and make some
generalizations
The students
have analyzed
the short story to
uncover meaning
and larger truths
Students can
demonstrate
some
preparation.
Confidence is
flagging
The group has
prepared notes
but organization
is still a
challenge
The students
appear
comfortable,
prepared, and
organized
Students show a
clear connection
between the
literary criticism
and their story.
Example
highlight their
understanding.
The students
have carefully
considered
language, voice,
symbolism etc.
to develop a
thorough theory
regarding the
short story
The group has a
clear
understanding of
their theme and
can speak to how
their short story
relates to both
that theme and
literary culture.
The students are
able to move
through their
presentation with
ease – the focus
is on content
The group moves
fluidly from
member to
member. The
content is
enhanced
The group has
developed only
brief thoughts
concerning their
theme
/25
Presentation
Skills
The students lack
confidence and
has limited
prepared content
The group lacks
organization and
communication
C
The group is
focused on a
broad literary
truth and can
connect it to their
short story
/25
The group works
together well and
communicates
their points
effectively