“An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce
PreReading: Author Info (page 516)
Please record two specific and substantial notes from each section of author information.
1.
6.
2.
7.
3.
8.
4.
9.
5.
10.
PreReading: Making Predictions
Make two thoughtful predictions about the story based on the title, author information, and SCOUTING the PASSAGE.
Prediction #1: _________________________________________________________________
Based on: _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Prediction #2: _________________________________________________________________
Based on: ____________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
PreReading: Literary Elements (Use Literary handbook pages R10-R19)
Element:
Limited Third-Person Point of View
Usable information: ____________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Element:
Flashback
Usable information: ____________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Element:
Alliteration
Usable information: ____________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Element:
Personification
Usable information: ____________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
1
“An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”
PreReading:
Vocabulary
Exercise A: Working with -ly
Define each adjective. Then correctly spell the word while adding an –ly ending, and define it as an adverb.
definition
of a good or benevolent nature
kind
add -ly
new definition
kindly
in a benevolent way
convulsive
ceremonious
evident
apparent
vigorous
immeasurable
ineffectual
Exercise B: Use your text book to define the following words:
etiquette
deference
imperious
dictum
summarily
effaced
oscillation
apprised
malign
ineffable
Use the definitions in Exercise B to answer the following questions. Each word can only be used once.
1.
Which four words best relate to a book entitled Lady Windmer’s reliable Guide to Manners?
____________________, ____________________, ____________________,
____________________
2. Which two words best relate to an unspeakably vicious comment?
____________________, ____________________
3. Which three words best relate to a court clerk who hastily interrupts a judge to inform her that audio
taped evidence had been accidentally erased?
____________________, ____________________, ____________________
4. Which word relates to a table fan that revolves to cool a room?
____________________
2
“An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”
Reading: Guided Reading, Vocabulary Study, and Study Guide Questions
Study Guide Questions
1.
What event is about to take place on the bridge?
2. What thoughts and sensations does Farquhar experience just before the sergeant steps aside?
3. What information is revealed in section II (flashback)?
4. What unusual event happens upon Farquhar’s hanging?
5. What keeps Farquhar traveling through the forest, even though he is tired, hurting, and hungry?
6. What do we learn at the end of the story? How does Bierce foreshadow this ending?
7. Ambrose Bierce interrupts the hanging scene with a flashback that gives the reader important
information about Peyton Farquhar and the reason he is being put to death. By using a flashback, Bierce
temporarily suspends the tension he created in Part I. Fill in the chart to show the major events from
the selection in chronological order.
Chronological Sequence of Events:
3
“An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”
Reading: Vocabulary Study
Using the format below, provide the requested information for at least two new and challenging vocabulary terms found
during your reading. (No pre-selected vocabulary terms can be used.)
Write the word and its part of speech in the top oval. In each of the other four ovals, record a synonym (synonyms must be
the same part of speech) with which you are familiar. Next, write a true statement about the text that correctly uses the
word.
Complete a web and sentence for each of your chosen terms.
Sentence: ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Sentence: ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
PostReading: Application of Literary Terms
Please record two specific examples of the application of each Literary Element.
Limited 3rd Person PoV
Alliteration
Personification
Example #1
Example #2
Post Reading: Composing Theme Statements
General Themes/Topics of the story:
Following our rules for theme, select one topic from above, and compose a thoughtful theme statement about
the story.
Theme Statement #1:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
4