Short Story Poster Project – Theme and the Elements of Fiction
You will select one of the short stories we have studied in class (except for The Veldt)
and create a poster representing the theme. If you wish to select a short story that we
have not studied, you need to check with me first.
1. Select a story that you understand well.
2. Analyze this story the way we analyzed “The Veldt.”
Look at
- Brainstorm big ideas dealt with in the story
- Character – summaries, how we are meant to feel about them
- Conflicts – how are they resolved?
- Symbolism
- Imagery – strong examples and effect of this
- Irony
- Foreshadowing – effect of this?
- Allusions – are there any important allusions? Why are they important?
After analyzing each element, and considering how they link to the big ideas, write a
theme statement for the 4 most important big ideas you brainstormed. Be sure to go into
the right level of detail.
Determine the theme statement that you feel is the most important for the story.
3. On a posterboard, create a visual representation using images and quotes to show how
the various aspects of the short story work together to reveal the theme.
Your poster should have
- The title and author
- The theme of the story (the one you feel is the most important)
- Quotes and examples from the brainstorm – use the terms (character, conflict, etc)
to identify the significance of your examples
- BRIEF explanations of the quotes and examples as necessary to make the
connection to theme clear
- Illustrations that connect to the story and / ideas.
You will be marked on the 6 point scale, using the attached rubric.