11th Grade Short Story Presentation Project
Directions: You will choose one of the short stories we have read in our Short Story Unit this year
and complete the following project demonstrating your deep and scholarly understanding of the
story, its author and the devices employed therein. DUE DATE__________________________
Choose ONE of the following short stories:
“Everyday Use” by Alice Walker (textbook)
“First Confession” by Frank O’Connor (class set)
“Hills Like White Elephants” Ernest Hemingway (class set)
“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates (class set)
“A Good Man is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor (class set)
“A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner (textbook)
“Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin (textbook)
“An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce (textbook)
“Cathedral” by Raymond Carver (class set)
“Barn Burning” by William Faulkner (video/short film; full text online)
“Ambush” by Tim O’Brien (textbook)
“The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe – from first semester (class set)
“A&P” by John Updike (class set)
Project Criteria and Components
1. You must re-read the story in its entirety – taking notes about characterization, archetypes,
symbols, motifs and author’s tone and style.
2. Artistically display the story’s title in quotation marks at the top of the display board along with
the author’s full name – SPELLED CORRECTLY!
3. You will create/draw a complete a Plot Chart Diagram for your chosen short story
documenting all components starting with Exposition, Conflict (Internal and External), Rising
Action, Climax, Falling Action and also Resolution/Denouement.
a. See chart to the right -------------------------------------------------
b. Also indicate the protagonist and antagonist by
name on the chart, at the bottom (spelled correctly!)
4. Choose a combination of at least 3 items, objects, places and/or characters that have symbolic
and abstract meaning. You will provide ( type or handwrite) a visual analysis of the story’s
symbolism by visually drawing or finding an image of the item, object, character, etc. and
stating directly what it represents and/or symbolizes. You will also provide 3 or more sentences
that fully explain how the symbol functions in the story as well as how it connects to the theme
of the story as a whole. Example: In James Hurst’s short story “The Scarlet Ibis,” the The
Scarlet Ibis bird itself symbolizes a loss of innocence and the frailty of youth.
5. Visually represent the action and plot events in the story with images and pictures. Designate a
spot on your display board where literal images of the plot and action are depicted. Absolutely
NO stick figures and no pencil! If you’re not artistically inclined, use outside resources that
aren’t your parents’ or a friend’s artistic ability! This must be your own original work.
6. You will write (or type) a thematic statement for the entire story and provide 3 properly cited
quotes as evidence to prove your assertion/thematic statement.
a. Use your “Writing Thematic Statements” and “Abstract Topics” handout to do this
7. Visually illustrate and explain in writing (or typed) at least 4 motifs and/or archetypes that the
story contains. Spell each motif and/or archetype correctly and explicitly state how it functions
in the story. Each motif and/or archetype must include 3-4 sentences of explanation and
should completely divulge how the motif functions in the work as a whole. Consider: why did
the author include this? For what purpose? What is this motif and/or archetype trying to
achieve? How does it function? How does it affect the plot? The characters? Don’t just say
“rain=rebirth in the story.” You would want to explain who the rain is affecting, where is it
happening in the story and why, why the author may have included it in the story at all and for
what bigger purpose?
8. You will complete a typed “one word analysis” of the entire short story.
a. Find ONE word in the text that best explains what the short story is about.
b. Cite the actual sentence and the page where this one word was found.
c. Explain (in a fully developed paragraph) how and why you chose this particular word,
including passages that support your choice
d. This typed response must be 150+ words in length and MUST be analysis of the work as a
whole and should NOT include a re-telling of the plot!
Example: From “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell
One Word: STRONG
Quote where word is found:
“Life is for the strong, to be lived by the strong, and, if needs be, taken by the strong’” (75).
Zaroff’s philosophy is a distortion of Darwin’s theory of survival of the fittest in which Zaroff shows no
respect for human life. This idea of strength and the two classes of humanity is shared in the beginning by
Rainsford, who divides the world into “two classes – the hunters and the huntees” (68). The external conflict is
generated by this flawed promise when Zaroff hunts Rainsford – a battle of physical and intellectual strength.
The conflict for Rainsford is compounded by his own internal conflict as he struggles to maintain mental
strength. “His hands were tight closed as if his nerves were something tangible that someone in the darkness was
trying to tear from his grip” (81). In the end, it is ironic that Rainsford’s efforts to survive the game have
transformed him into something for which, initially, he had little respect –an animal “I am still a beast at bay”
(83).
9. Type 5 sentences/bullet points of biographical information about the author
that clearly illustrate the components of their background, childhood, upbringing and
beliefs that might have influenced their writing style or content of their stories.
10. Using an outside source* (a topic of connection, visual, etc.) find something that connects to
the story’s themes, motifs and/or genre. Either print this item out, draw it, and/or create it
yourself. Explain in 7-10 (typed) sentences how the visual or connector topic connects to the
abstract ideas and/or theme(s) of the story. DO NOT choose something that is merely a
LITERAL connection to the story or plot. You will not receive credit for drawing a picture of
another symbol, either. This portion of the project requires some research in which you must
provide the proper citation of the source you used. Use easybib.com to properly cite your
source, if need be.
a. *You may use the Internet and online resources for this portion of the project
b. DO NOT plagiarize; cite your sources properly.
c. Example: If you have chosen a story about hunting wild animals on a tropical island in
the 1920s, you might research hunting laws all over the world and what was allowed at
this time. You might also research what animals were popular to hunt, what has now
happened to the population of this animal and what is now allowed to be hunted in
various parts of the world that pertain to the story itself. You would want factual articles
from newspapers, encyclopedias, magazines, etc. that give credible information that can
be attributed to a single source.
d. DO NOT USE Wikipedia! It’s not a fully credible source…yet!
e. Use Google Scholar or even Nettrekker (through the library) to find full-text, scholarly
articles. BE VERY WARY of a basic “Google” search…you don’t know what you’re
getting and if it’s even of decent quality!
11. Refer to the grading rubric below to ensure that you have all components of your project
completed thoroughly and accurately. You will not be excused from penalty simply because
you didn’t read the directions carefully! Read carefully and ask questions, if you have them.
Short Story Presentation Project Grading Criteria
You must turn in the rubric below the day you turn in and present your project!
1. Story title in quotations and author’s name spelled correctly
2. Drawn and fully completed Plot Chart Diagram
3. 3 (or more) drawn symbols and 3 full-length explanations of each
4. Images and visual associated with literal plot events in the story
5. Fully visible thematic statement and 3 properly cited, supporting quotes
6. Explanation and visual representation of 4 (or more) Motifs/Archetypes
7. 5 sentences of Author’s Background Information
8. Fully-completed and typed “One-Word Analysis” of the Short Story
9. Fully-completed and typed Visual and/or Connector Topic with sources
10. Visually appealing, no pencil and effort is apparent
11. Verbal presentation to the class
TOTAL
Additional Notes
_____/5
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_____/15
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_____/15
_____/10
_____/15
_____/15
_____/5
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______/100