2007-2008 SPEECH
Prose Selections for Extemporaneous Reading
From: IMPACT Fifty Short Short Stories – Second Edition
Edited by:
Jennifer Osborne, Sally Ahearn
Cost:
Hardcover: $31.75
Published by:
Holt, Rinehart, and Winston
Copyright:
1996
To:
Speech Directors
From: Barbara Seng, MSHSL Consultant
Re:
Allowable "cutting rule" for prose readings
"Allowable cutting would include the elimination of "he said" and "she said", once a character has been
established, and the omission of objectionable language."
Remind students that in reading a passage, a few word infractions, may occur, but overall the student
must adhere to the words of the text.
In preparation:
 Review the rules for this event, particularly the rule relating to the use of a "teaser".
 Read Introduction to the Second Edition pp. XI – XII.
 Read introduction to each story (could use as “prompt” for you).
 Review study questions at end of each story.
 Read author’s biographical sketch when included.
 Note all word pronunciations.
 For foreign language words in stories, consult with foreign language teacher in your school for
correct pronunciation (this is essential).
 In speaking the foreign phrase, also give the translation.
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Selection
“A Tiger in the House”
“The Panther”
“Three Wise Guys”
“The Trout”
“I Confess...”
“The Man to Send Rainclouds”
“The Bracelet”
“Who's There?”
“The Interlopers”
“Gentleman of Río En Medio”
“Thank You, M'am”
“Charles”
“The Sniper”
“Too Soon a Woman”
“Zlateh the Goat”
“The Lady, or The Tiger?”
“Just Lather, That's All”
“A Game of Catch”
“The Return”
“Half a Day”
Author
Ruskin Bond
Pinckney Benedict
Sandra Cisneros
Sean O'Faolain
Wei Wenjuan
Leslie Marmon Silko
Yoshiko Uchida
Arthur C. Clarke
Saki (H.H. Munro)
Juan A.A. Sedillo
Langston Hughes
Shirley Jackson
Liam O'Flaherty
Dorothy M. Johnson
Isaac Bashevis Singer
Frank R. Stockton
Hernando Téllez
Richard Wilbur
Ngugi wa Thiong'o
Naguib Mahfouz
page #
page 1
page 14
page 39
page 48
page 64
page 92
page 108
page 139
page 148
page 159
page 166
page 194
page 213
page 221
page 256
page 280
page 325
page 355
page 363
page 413