Name_________________________________

SHORT STORY READING ASSIGNMENT:

READING LIKE A WRITER (25 pts)

One of the best ways to learn how to write an effective short story is to read stories like a writer.
For this assignment, I’d like you to choose a short story you enjoy, either an old favorite or a
new one you’ve just discovered, and fully analyze it for structure and effectiveness. If you
haven’t read many stories before, here are two good websites for you to browse:

http://www.classicshorts.com/ OR http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/indexframe.html

And here is a list of some tried and true stories that have been popular throughout the years:

V8 Music, Charles Maekivi

The Open Window, Saki
The Swan, Roald Dahl
Exit, Harry Farjeon
No-one Spoke, Russell Oakes
The Drover’s Wife, Henry Lawson
Shark Bait, Colin Thiele
Grandad’s Gifts, Paul Jennings
All Summer In A Day, Ray Bradbury
The Hitchhiker, Roald Dahl
The Necklace, Guy De Maupassant
Through The Tunnel, Doris Lessing
The Tower, Marghanita Laski
Lamb To The Slaughter, Roald Dahl
The Tell-tale Heart, Edgar Allan Poe
The Sniper, Liam O’Flaherty
An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge, Ambrose Pierce
Sixty Minutes, Brian Caswell
Wednesdays and Fridays, Elizabeth Jolley

Read your chosen story carefully and answer the following questions as you do. You are no
longer reading just as a reader, but also as a writer, so in addition to enjoying the story on an
entertainment level, I want you to observe and learn from the techniques the author uses in the
story.

1. Who is the author, and what is the title and length of the story in pages?

2. Copy and paste the first line of the story. Is it effective? (Memorable, compelling, so-
so, beautifully written, intriguing?) Why or why not?
3. What is the setting of the story (time and place)? Be specific. Copy and paste one line
that effectively describes this setting. How does it help set the mood/tone of the story?

4. Who are the main characters? Copy and paste 3 examples of strong characterization
(could be direct characterization where the author tells you directly about a character or
indirect characterization where the author reveals character through actions, thoughts, or
dialogue). What does each example reveal about the specific character?

5. What is the point of view and tense of the story? (1st or 3rd person AND past or
present) Do these choices seem appropriate for the intention and mood of the story?
Explain.

6. If you had to break the story down into these 5 key components, what would they be?
a. Conflict(s) (Also identify if each example is Man vs. Man, Man vs. Self, Man vs.
Nature or other type of conflict)

b. Inciting incident – event that gets the story rolling

c. Rising complication—another event that builds or leads to the climax

d. Climax (turning point or point of highest action)

e. Resolution—how the conflict is solved

Are there any of the story parts missing? Which part does the author spend the most time
developing? Explain.

Note: If the story you chose has an unconventional structure, please explain that here:

7. Find an example of each of the following techniques. If not used, just write N/A.
a. Foreshadowing

b. Flashback

c. Allusion

d. Simile or metaphor

e. Personification

f. Irony

8. Would you say, overall, that the story is more plot-driven or character-driven? In other
words, which is more important to the story: action and events or characters and their
interactions? Do the characters change or grow by the story’s end, or do only their
circumstances change? (Please answer all parts of the question.)
9. Choose a few apt adjectives to describe the author’s tone and style. Think, is the writing
objective or subjective? Cynical or heartfelt? Conversational or formal? Straightforward
and simple or lush and romantic? How much time is devoted to dialogue versus
narration, and what impact does this have on the story’s style? Explain why you do or do
not like this style of writing.

10. Copy and paste the last few lines of the story. Is this a fitting end to the story? Explain.
What is the moral or theme of the story? Is this theme or message obvious or subtle?

11. Having completed the story, look back at the title. Is it a good title for the story? Does it
add anything to your understanding or enjoyment of the story? Explain.

12. Personal Response: Would you recommend this story to a friend? Why or why not?