Short Story Presentations
You will engage the class in a discussion/presentation of the short story assigned to you. As you do the tasks below, also think of questions to ask your peers, including excerpts to read aloud. Your peers should have a thorough understanding of the story by the time you complete your presentation. Expect to answer questions. You may also consider adding some creative activity (other than what is listed below) if you feel so inclined.
You and your partner(s) are responsible for completing the written items listed below. You may divide the work up in whatever way you deem fair. When you turn in your assignment, you should include a page explaining who in your group was responsible for the individual assignments; be very clear and specific about the roles each member of your group was supposed to fulfill. This listing of responsibilities should be the first page of the project paper which you turn in (Be sure someone in your group creates this listing of responsibilities and the explanation of the division of work.) Please staple (or clip) all group work together into one packet. Label each section appropriately so that the assignments below are very clear.
Summary—Write a 2-paragraph summary of your story. Include at least 2 quotes with cited page numbers. You will begin your presentation by summarizing and explaining the plot.
Structure—Write a 2-paragraph analysis of the structure of your story. Include at least 2 quotes with cited page numbers. Explain/elaborate on how the structure of the story adds to its effectiveness. Was it successful in your opinion? Why did the author make the choices he/she did? Can you envision the story being structured differently? See the chapter on structure in your textbook for assistance (115).
Imagery/Symbolism—Write a 2-paragraph analysis of the imagery and/or symbolism within your story. Include at least 2 quotes with cited page numbers. Was the imagery/symbolism successful? Can you conceive of other symbols or types of imagery that would add to the story? Elaborate. See the chapter on imagery/symbolism in your textbook for assistance (134).
Setting/Atmosphere/Mood—Write a 2-paragraph analysis of how the setting/atmosphere/mood add to the story. Include at least 2 quotes with cited page numbers. Remember that each element of fiction helps enhance and support other elements. For example, setting/atmosphere/mood can contribute to plot, characterization, and theme. How would you describe the setting/atmosphere/mood? Cite specific examples. How do these elements support/contribute to/reinforce other elements of the short story? See the chapter on setting/atmosphere in your textbook for assistance (171).
Point of View—Write a 2-paragraph analysis of how the point of view contributes to the effectiveness of the story. Include at least 2 quotes with cited page numbers. From whose point of view is the story told? How would the effect of the story be different if told from another point of view? See the chapter on point of view in your textbook for assistance (158).
Characterization—Write a 2-paragraph analysis of characterization in the story. Include at least 2 quotes with cited page numbers. How does the writer effectively develop personality/motivation/traits of the characters? Characterization is developed through description, actions, and dialogue, as well as other characters’ (or the narrator’s) comments about a character. Which characters were most successfully developed? Which were not? Whom do you like/sympathize with most? Why? Could you conceive of getting rid of one of the characters, or even adding another character? Or would you give a particular character a larger role in the story? Why? How? Elaborate. See Chapter 6 in your textbook for assistance (109).
Theme—Write a 2-paragraph analysis of the theme(s) within the story. Include at least 2 quotes with cited page numbers. What is the major theme? What are some minor themes? Was the author effective in establishing theme? Why or why not? See the chapter on theme in your textbook for assistance (188).
Opinion/Reflection/Reaction—Write a 2-paragraph reflection on your story. Did you like it? Why or why not? Elaborate/explain. Mention specific details/parts of the story to support your response.
Visual Element—Include 2 visuals with your assignment. The visuals should capture some element of the story. Be creative. The visual could be something you create, or something you print out from the Internet or cut out from a magazine. You should include an explanation of at least a paragraph for each visual, elaborating on why you chose it for your story.