The purpose of this assignment is to familiarize you with the process of analyzing a short story. Along the way, you will also be gaining practice in critical thinking, oral presentation, writing, and research. The key to remember is that this exercise will be as enjoyable as you make it.
The process you will follow is:
Choose a story (get it approved so there will be no duplicates)
Read it.
As a group, analyze it.
Go to the library and research the author, the genre, and look for the works of other critics on the author, the story, or the genre.
Prepare study materials for your classmates.
Prepare a presentation.
Encourage and lead class discussion about the story.
Choosing a Story:
You may choose from the following:
Edgar Allen Poe, "The Cask of Amontillado@ p. 149
Kate Chopin, AThe Storm.@ P. 108
James Joyce, AAraby,@ p. 295
D.H. Lawrence, AThe Rocking Horse Winner,@ p.299
Katherine Anne Porter, AThe Jilting of Granny Weatherall,@ p. 309
Ernest Hemmingway, AHills Like White Elephants,@ p. 321
Frank O=Connor, AMy Oedipus Complex,@ p. 346
Shirley Jackson, AThe Lottery,@ p. 74
Flannery O=Connor, AA Good Man is Hard To Find,@ p. 392
John Updike, AA&P,@ p. 421
Toni Cade Bambara, AThe Lesson,@ p. 457
Please rank your top four choices. (1 = top choice). Make certain that you do not choose by length of the story alone. It=s tough to fill an hour if the story had nothing to say.
Read it.
Discuss it.
As a groupYanalyze it. Determine the narrative components of the story. Isolate its meaning. Look up critical essays written about your story; about the genre of literature your story is from; and about the author. All of these may provide critical insight into the story.
Research it. Head to the library and look for supporting material about the story, the author, and the genre. Use the works of others to support your ideas, to encourage discussion or to provide new insight into the text you=ve chosen.
Prepare study materials for the classYProvide a TYPED list of study questions for the class. Indicate, to them, the areas and ideas you want them to pay special attention to. (note: I must have these at least 24 hours before you are to provide them to the class.
Prepare your presentationY Your presentation should include the following:
Information about the author (more than the 1 line bio in the lit book!).
Information about the genre.
A plot/narrative structure synopsis.
An explanation of the themes and main ideas of the story.
An identification of the main characters and the archetype they represent.
Discussion/Debate with the class.
A movie poster that isolates the theme of the story (I won't grade on quality of art!)
Do more than just reciting your answers for these six points. The more creative your presentation, the higher your grade will be.
What you will turn in to meY
A typed paper summarizing your research and conclusions (written in the format we=ve been using all along. Include a works cited page!). Be sure to cite your sources in the text as well (footnotes, endnotes, or parenthetical...as long as you use the correct form).
The paper and presentation will receive grades and both will serve to replace a timed essay grade.
What the paper will contain:
The three Body sections will be discussions of:
Author and Genre
Plot and Characters
Conflict and Theme
The paper will contain footnotes, endnotes, or parenthetical citation (see LBH) as well as a "works cited" page.
To receive a good grade:
1.the paper must be thorough.
2.the presentation must be creative.
3.All aspects of your analysis must be addressed in both the paper and the presentation.