English 10A
Study guide: Ambrose Bierce & “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” p.602
Part I: Author Information
1-2. Bierce was born in the year _____, in Megis County, _______ .
3. Bierce was primarily educated by ___________________________________.
4-5. Bierce was a hero in the _________ War, though he eventually became
disinterested and joined his brother working at _________________.
6. Define muckraking.
7-9. After he got married, he moved to ___________, but eventually settled in
California in the city of ___________________ and began working as a
_______________.
10. Bierce’s most successful work is entitled ______________________________.
11-12. Bierce supposedly died in the year ______, but it is unconfirmed because
________________________________.
Part II: Vocabulary
1. List the 3 variations of point of view used in Bierce’s story AND define each
one.
A)
B)
C)
*Find the vocabulary word from the list below that answers each of the
following questions:
Sentinel
Pivotal
Encompassed
Oscillation
Malign
Gyration
Abrasion
Perilous
Deference
Appalling
19. What word is a synonym for rotation?
20. What word is an antonym for safe?
21. What word is a synonym for lookout?
22. What word is a synonym for crucial?
23. What word is an antonym for disrespect?
24. What word is a synonym for scratch?
25. What word is a synonym for shocking?
26. What word is a synonym for encircled?
27. What word is an antonym for harmless?
28. What word is a synonym for vibration?
Part III: the story  “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”
**Answer the following questions in your journal!!
1. Sketch the scene in Part I of the story.
2. Who is the main character in the story? (first & last name)
3. Explain who visits him in Part II and what plan he conceives as a result of
the visit.
4. If he had been successful, what purpose would such an act have served?
5. Summarize in one sentence what he imagines in Part III.
6. What point of view does the writer use in Part III of the story, and why is
this point of view particularly appropriate?
7. Explain why Bierce chose to write the events of the story out of
chronological order.
8. Do you think the outcome of the story was credible and powerful, or do you
think the surprise ending cheated the reader? Support your answer with
textual evidence.