Unit One: Exploring the Inner Self (1.2)

Students Will: Identify and apply a variety of appropriate reading strategies to make sense of a variety of print texts, to understand the human experience, and to develop ideas in written/oral responses.

Task: Go to the identified website(s) and locate the following short stories. Read and analyze each story as it relates to the literary term it represents.

http://www.bnl.com/shorts/

http://www.kingkong.demon.co.uk/gsr/gsr.htm

Based on the readings completed, answer the following questions in sentence/paragraph form or complete the writing that the question calls for.

1. A typical story will follow this format: a conflict or problem is established early; a pattern of events then strengthens the conflict; either a main character or the situation itself brings about climax, a peak of action; the conflict is resolved. Describe how this format is used in either "The Most Dangerous Game" or "Split Cherry Tree". (open response question)
2. Think of all the characteristics necessary to the setting of "The Open Window". Write an essay discussing these characteristics. Your aim is to convince readers that the setting chosen by Saki is ideal for the story. Begin by describing the setting. Then, contrast the setting with the other possible settings, explaining why they would be unsuitable. At the end, write a conclusion about the effectiveness of the setting of this short story. Be sure to construct a persuasive essay.
3. It is now the day after Christmas. What will Jim and Della from "The Gift of the Magi" do? Will they laugh at the turn of events? Will each regret the sacrifices made? Might Jim decide to sell the chain to get money to try buying his watch back? Write down your predictions of how Jim and Della are likely to react to their gift-giving once Christmas is over. Base your predictions on the character traits they revealed in the story. Then write a 3^1/2 page short story that begins the day after Christmas and base the events on your predictions about Jim and Della Make certain your story has a conclusion, uses dialogue and includes a setting, time and conflict. Remember, you are writing the story about what happens with Jim and Della the day AFTER Christmas. You may need to refer to events that happened in the story you just read in order to clarify your own story.
4. You are a good friend of one of the main characters in "The Lady or the Tiger?" This character has contacted you because you are a newspaper reporter and he wants the "real story" told about what happened that day in the courtyard. Write a 4-6 paragraph newspaper account of the events following the opening of the door. Be sure to include which door was opened and how did the man choose that particular door. Use the standard newspaper format of answering the questions who, what, where, when, why and how in the first sentences of the story. Include an appropriate headline.