Introduction to English Literature
4-year Evening College
Senior students
2 hours, 18 weeks
Spring semester
Textbook:
Famous Short Short-Stories
ISBN 978-957-445-175-3
Professor:
Ludmilla Cawdrey
"It is no use saying, 'We are doing our best.' You have got to
succeed in doing what is necessary.“
W. Churchill
"A book is like a garden carried in the pocket.“
"A book holds a house of gold.“
"If you do not study hard when young you'll end up bewailing
your failures as you grow up."
Chinese proverbs
"To climb steep hills requires slow pace at first.“
W. Shakespeare
OBJECTIVES
 To bring the best of the English stories to the language
learners
 To help students to see reading as an interesting activity
 To improve reading and comprehension skills
 To learn summarizing and reviewing, the plot of the story,
useful vocabulary to describe a story
Learning Activities
 Preview a short-story
 Prepare a biography of the author
 Find the main idea of the short-story
 Retell the story
 Do character drawing
 If possible: describe weather conditions, settings, and people’s
appearance
 Write a summary review
Course Methods
 Preview a short-story at home

Home work


Teacher’s explanations
Pair-or group-work in class
 Do character drawing

Pair- or group-work in class
 If possible: describe weather

Pair- or group-work in class

Pair-or group-work
 Learn a biography of the author
 Find the main idea of the short-
story
 Retell the story
conditions, settings, and people
appearance
 Write a summary review
Instructions for a group-work
Prepare the author’s bio in written form
2. Write a summary of the short story
1.
Both are home- and classroom activities
 Hand-in both papers to the teacher
 Classroom activities:
Do discussions with your classmates
and the teacher
Requirements and Grading
For Midterm and Final Tests the following is adjusted:
 Attendance (presence in class) – 25%
 Participation (classroom activity, homework) – 25%
 Midterm test – 20%
 Final test – 30%
Lesson plan in weeks
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Preview of the course
Washington Irving. The Wife
Edgar Poe. The Oval Portrait
Charles Dickens. The Pair of Gloves
Herman Melville. The Fiddler
Mark Twain. The Five Boons of Life
Mark Twain. A Fable
Midterm.
Lesson plan (continued)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Lafricadio Hearn. The Boy Who Drew Cats
Oscar Wilde. The Selfish Giant
Oscar Wilde. The Happy Prince
O. Henry. After Twenty Years
O. Henry. The Romance of a Busy Broker
O. Henry. October and June
Jack London. The Leopard Man’s Story
James Joyce. Eveline
Final Test.
Introduction of the Story
Activities:
1. Introduce the author of a short-story
2. Define the main idea of the story
3. How does the author use the language?
4. Retell the story
5. Do character drawing of the main heroes
If possible: describe
 weather conditions
 settings and
 people’s appearance
1. The Author’s Biography
1. Who is the author of the story?
2. When did the writer live?
3. Give a short characteristics of his literary creative
activity.
4. What are the peculiarities of his style?
(see sample descriptions in Chinese, pp. 198 – 219)
1. The Author’s Biography:
Useful Vocabulary
 I have read the story entitled …
 The title of the story is …
 The author of the story is …
 He was born in …
 He lived in …
 His language is abstract (concrete), colorful, bright, vivid,
precise, …
1. The Author’s Bio:
Sample Description. Mark Twain
 Samuel Langhorne Clemens (November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910), known
as Mark Twain, was a famous and popular American humorist, novelist,
writer and lecturer.
At his peak, he was probably the most popular American celebrity of his
time. William Faulkner wrote that Twain was “the first truly American
writer, and all of us since are his heirs”.
In his life he worked as a steamboat pilot, a secretary to the governor of
Nevada, a miner, a journalist in the newspaper in Virginia City, - he
reported about his journey there. In 1865, Twain had his first literary
success. He published his story "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras
County," that was reprinted nationwide, and called by Atlantic Monthly
editor James Russell Lowell "the finest piece of humorous literature yet
produced in America." After his success he started his lectures and soon
Mark Twain was traveling up and down the state, lecturing and
entertaining to packed houses. His first book The Innocents Abroad put its
author in a spotlight he never willingly relinquished for the rest of his life.
Author’s Bio:
Advanced
Later he wrote as an avid critic of American society. He wrote about politics
with his Life on the Mississippi. Twain's greatest contribution to American
literature is generally considered to be the novel Adventures of Huckleberry
Finn. As Ernest Hemingway himself said: "All modern American literature
comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn. ...all American
writing comes from that. There was nothing before. There has been nothing as
good since."
Also popular are The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Prince and the Pauper, A
Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court and the non-fictional Life on the
Mississippi.
Twain began as a writer of light humorous verse; he ended as a grim, almost
profane chronicler of the vanities, hypocrisies and acts of killing committed by
mankind. At mid-career, with Huckleberry Finn, he combined rich humor, sturdy
narrative and social criticism in a way almost unrivaled in world literature.
Twain was a master at rendering colloquial speech, and helped to create and
popularize a distinctive American literature, built on American themes and
language.
2. The Main Idea of the Story
 Here you have to answer questions like that:
1. Why has the author written his story?
2. What does he want to say?
3. What message does he want to deliver?
4. What were his intensions?
5. What does the author think about the reason of…?
6. Does the author see any way of solving the problem?
7. What does the author recommend to do?
2. The Main Idea of the Story:
Useful Vocabulary
 The story deals with …
 The story reveals…
 The story rises up a question …
 The story is devoted to the problem …
 The author
a) …surveys, covers, discusses, presents, views, revises, emphasize,
clarifies, suggests, comprises, wonders, handles, mentions,
argues, summarizes, etc.
b) …is interested in, undertakes some steps, undertakes attempts,
does not underestimate, pays attention to, gives ideas,
illustrates with examples
According to the author of the story…
3. Language use in the short story
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
How precise is the language?
How that reinforces the diction?
Does the author try for variety or consistency of stylistic
means?
Are the sentences short or long? How does that reinforce
the diction?
Look at the use of repetition or the lack of it. Does he or she
try for variety or consistency. Why?
Is the feeling elevated or mundane?
How would you describe the tone of the story?
Name words that reinforce that emotional coloring.
3. Language use in the short story:
Useful vocabulary
 Feeling:
Grandiose, pompous, fanciful or down-to-earth, drab, literal
 Tone:
Serious, Solemn, Light, Bantering, Nonchalant, Matter-of-fact,
Dramatic, Gloomy, Dry, Tense, Excited, Nervous, Calm, Ironic,
Sarcastic, Supercilious, lyrical, merry, cheerful,
 The language is:
Comprehensive, exclusive, deep, original, profound, rich,
successful, clear, adequate, various, up-to-date
4. Retelling of the Story
 What is this story about?
 Mind the structure of the story.
 What is the Introduction, Plot and Conclusion of the






story?
How is the story introduced?
What is the plot of the story?
What is the subject matter?
What is the climax (the moment of highest interest)?
What is the denouement (anticlimax, the moment of
relaxation)?
Describe the main characters of the story?
4. Introduction
Useful Vocabulary
 The story begins with…
 It rises up a question…
 The author intends to discuss the questions (problems)…
 The author wonders…
 The author is curious about…
4. The Body of the Story
Useful Vocabulary
 From my point of view…
 Advantages:
Extensive cover of the material, a great variety of, a wide and
intelligent grasp of, at the high level, in addition to…
merits, achievements, contribution, grasp, coverage, depth,
foundation, consideration, success, survey, treatment, starting
point
 Disadvantages:
unfortunately, regretfully difficult, disappointing, erroneous,
generalized, inadequate, outdated, regretful, scarce, tedious,
unpardonable
It is to be regretted, etc.
4. Conclusion
 Does the author give any recommendations?
 What does the author propose?
 What are the main arguments?
 What comes in the conclusion?
4. Conclusion:
Useful Vocabulary
 In conclusion it can be said that…
 It is an outstanding piece of writing…
 Valuable as it is, it is of even greater value to…
 The most valuable aspect of the story is…
 It is highly recommended…
 It’s an outstanding achievement…
 It is difficult to overestimate this text…
 It is to be warmly welcomed…
 In spite of minor faults, it should be recommended for reading
 An invaluable aspect of the story is…
 Incidental mistakes in no way prevent…
5. Character drawing
 Appearance Description
 Age
 Positive Characteristic features
 Negative Characteristic features
For the useful vocabulary see handouts
Written papers:
Group work
 Summarize your point of view on each short story following
the scheme of analyses:
1. The story under review is entitled
2. The author of the story is
3. The main idea of the story is
4. The main characters are
5. The action takes place in
6. The summary of the story is as follows:
Don’t forget to write your English names
students numbers and
the date
Washington Irving. The Wife pp.13 - 24
1. Introduce the author of a short-story
2. Define the main idea of the story
3. How does the author use the language?
4. Retell the story
5. Do character drawing of the main heroes

If possible: describe weather conditions and settings

Home Work: Read the following short story:
Edgar Poe. The Oval Portrait (pp. 33 – 38)
Edgar Poe. The Oval Portrait pp. 33 - 38
1. Introduce the author of a short-story
2. Define the main idea of the story
3. How does the author use the language?
4. Retell the story
5. Do character drawing of the main heroes

If possible: describe weather conditions and settings

Home Work: Read the following short story:
Charles Dickens. The Pair of Gloves (pp. 39 – 46)
Charles Dickens. The Pair of Gloves pp. 39 - 46
1. Introduce the author of a short-story
2. Define the main idea of the story
3. How does the author use the language?
4. Retell the story
5. Do character drawing of the main heroes

If possible: describe weather conditions and settings

Home Work: Read the following short story:
Herman Melville. The Fiddler (pp. 47 – 58)
Herman Melville. The Fiddler pp. 47 - 58
1. Introduce the author of a short-story
2. Define the main idea of the story
3. How does the author use the language?
4. Retell the story
5. Do character drawing of the main heroes

If possible: describe weather conditions and settings

Home Work: Read the following short story:
Mark Twain. The Five Boons of Life (pp. 59 – 62)
Mark Twain. The Five Boons of Life pp. 59 - 62
1. Introduce the author of a short-story
2. Define the main idea of the story
3. How does the author use the language?
4. Retell the story
5. Do character drawing of the main heroes

If possible: describe weather conditions and settings

Home Work: Read the following short story:
Mark Twain. A Fable (pp. 63 – 66)
Mark Twain. A Fable pp. 63 - 66
1. Introduce the author of a short-story
2. Define the main idea of the story
3. How does the author use the language?
4. Retell the story
5. Do character drawing of the main heroes


If possible: describe weather conditions and settings
Home Work: Get ready for Midterm exam
 2 semester begins with the story
Lafricadio Hearn. The Boy Who Drew Cats (pp. 91 – 96)
Midterm
 Make a presentation of one of the short stories from the book
“Famous Short Short Stories”
(except the ones from the lists on slides 6 – 7)
 In your presentation pay attention to the following:
1. Introduce the author of a short-story
2. Read bits of the story
3. Define the main idea of the story
4. How does the author use the language?
5. Retell the story
6. Do character drawing
 If possible: describe weather conditions and settings
Lafricadio Hearn. The Boy Who Drew Cats pp. 91 - 96
1. Introduce the author of a short-story
2. Define the main idea of the story
3. How does the author use the language?
4. Retell the story
5. Do character drawing of the main heroes

If possible: describe weather conditions and settings

Home Work: Read the following short story:
Oscar Wilde. The Selfish Giant (pp. 103 – 110)
Oscar Wilde. The Selfish Giant pp. 103 - 110
1. Introduce the author of a short-story
2. Define the main idea of the story
3. How does the author use the language?
4. Retell the story
5. Do character drawing of the main heroes

If possible: describe weather conditions and settings

Home Work: Read the following short story:
Oscar Wilde. The Happy Prince (pp. 111 – 126)
Oscar Wilde. The Happy Prince pp. 111 – 126
1. Introduce the author of a short-story
2. Define the main idea of the story
3. How does the author use the language?
4. Retell the story
5. Do character drawing of the main heroes

If possible: describe weather conditions and settings

Home Work: Read the following short story:
O. Henry. After Twenty Years (pp. 127 – 132)
O. Henry. After Twenty Years pp. 127 – 132
1. Introduce the author of a short-story
2. Define the main idea of the story
3. How does the author use the language?
4. Retell the story
5. Do character drawing of the main heroes

If possible: describe weather conditions and settings

Home Work: Read the following short story:
O. Henry. The Romance of a Busy Broker (pp. 133 – 140)
O. Henry. The Romance of a Busy Broker pp. 133 – 140
1. Introduce the author of a short-story
2. Define the main idea of the story
3. How does the author use the language?
4. Retell the story
5. Do character drawing of the main heroes

If possible: describe weather conditions and settings

Home Work: Read the following short story:
O. Henry. October and June (pp. 141 – 144)
O. Henry. October and June pp. 141 – 144
1. Introduce the author of a short-story
2. Define the main idea of the story
3. How does the author use the language?
4. Retell the story
5. Do character drawing of the main heroes

If possible: describe weather conditions and settings

Home Work: Read the following short story:
Jack London. The Leopard Man’s Story (pp. 157 – 162)
Jack London. The Leopard Man’s Story pp. 157 – 162
1. Introduce the author of a short-story
2. Define the main idea of the story
3. How does the author use the language?
4. Retell the story
5. Do character drawing of the main heroes

If possible: describe weather conditions and settings

Home Work: Read the following short story:
James Joyce. Eveline (pp. 163 – 170)
James Joyce. Eveline pp. 163 – 170
1. Introduce the author of a short-story
2. Define the main idea of the story
3. How does the author use the language?
4. Retell the story
5. Do character drawing of the main heroes

If possible: describe weather conditions and settings

Home Work: Get ready for the Final test
Final Exam
 Make a presentation of one of the stories of English or
American writers.
 In your presentation pay attention to the following:
1. Introduce the author of a short-story
2. Read bits of the story
3. Define the main idea of the story
4. How does the author use the language?
5. Retell the story
6. Do character drawing
 If possible: describe weather conditions and settings