Get journals out and PAIR up to share the orange textbooks under the desks. Together, pairs of students
should read “The Sniper” (page
______). When done, INDIVIDUALLY answer the short story worksheet questions in
your own journal. You can discuss answers, but must have your own answers
in your journal. Return the textbooks under the desks.
“Little Brother TM”: Read this one aloud as a class. Afterwards, complete the same worksheet
questions (attached/taped in journals) for this story, individually
(10-15 min).
Reflection on Craft questions -- thoughtfully answer them for these two short story examples and then reconsider
your OWN three short story ideas in light of the techniques used by these two
authors. We will discuss their ideas/understanding of technique on Monday, so
you must have answers written down.
Reflection on Craft
Questions
(after reading “The
Sniper” and “Little Brother TM”)
1)
How are the endings of “The Sniper” and “Little
Brother TM” similar?
What made these plot twists effective (be as specific as
you can)?
2)
Looking back on each story, where were there
hints (foreshadowing) of the ending?
How can you “steal” these techniques in
your own story?
3)
What is useful/entertaining about a surprise
ending? When can a surprise ending fail?
4)
How does the lens of historical fiction or
sci-fi/futuristic fiction change your
reaction to the story? Consider what this
means as you plan your own short story—the
audience will react in specific ways
to different genres.
5)
Pay close attention to the KINDS of details each
story employs (and the different
levels of detail between the two stories). How
can you learn from their description and what
style more closely resembles what
you want to use in your own story?