Day 4/5 Activity: Stories For All Time
Tuesday/Thursday, February 2/4, 2010
Stories of Plot
TUESDAY
Today’s Assignment: Read “The Interlopers”
Today’s Objectives:
Understanding the Elements of Plot
Applying the Elements of Plot to a Short Story
Understanding the Open-ended Story
Using Critical Thinking Skills to Answer Questions.
30 Minutes.
Reading Check—“The Interlopers”
Review plot of “The Interlopers”
Review characterization techniques: Indirect Characterization
Small Group Work: Study Guide “The Interlopers”
 Vocabulary
 Literal Comprehension
 Suspense
 Conflict
 Antagonist/Protagonist
 Characterization
5. Looking critically at a story:
One criticism of Saki’s short story “The Interlopers” is “…Both men have a complete
change of heart without any real explanation by the writer.”)Douglas Dupler. “The
Interlopers: Saki’s Use of Literary Device”) “Despite the efficiency and excitement in
his story-telling, Saki’s reliance on literary trickery…ultimately detracts from the depth
of the story, and keeps the story from being a truly great work of literature.” “Saki does
not spend any time examining (both characters’ motive) and internal thoughts, because of
his style of moving the story along quickly.”
1.
2.
3.
4.
Small group discussion: Do you agree or disagree with the critic? Discuss your reasoning
by looking closely at the storytelling.
Pre-reading: “August Heat” Story #3 in booklet.
Assignment for Thursday :
Read “August Heat”
THURSDAY
Today’s Assignment: Read “August Heat?”
Today’s Objectives:
Understanding the Elements of Plot
Applying the Elements of Plot to a Short Story
Understanding the Open-ended Story
Using Critical Thinking Skills to Answer Questions.
30 Minutes.
1. Reading Check—“August Heat”
2. Reviewing suspense-keeps the reader guessing what is going to happen next
and how will the story end.
3. List 5-10 elements of suspense in “August Heat” and explain the suspense each
creates. Examples:
a. “oppressively hot”-sounds like something bad is going to happen because
it is oppressive
b. “criminal…after judge had pronounced sentence.” Sounds as if this
person must have done something very bad and that his sentence is harsh.
What did he do and to whom???
60 Minutes
4. Share your suspenseful details with the class.
5. Based on these details, what do you think happened next? List four things that
could happen to conclude this open-ended story
a.
b.
c.
d.
6. Share your ideas with the class.
7. Read one of the sample story endings.
8. Write your own 1-2 page ending for this story. Make sure that it has been hinted
at in some way in the story. Create interesting detail that brings your ending to
life.
Assignment for Monday : Revise and edit your ending. (20 pts)