Thursday, September 17, 2009

Short Stories - Fiction Homework #1

Please read the following 10 short stories and answer the ?'s below.

"Brilliant Silence" by Spencer Holst
"Pumpkins" by Francine Prose
"The Stones" by Richard Shelton
"The One Sitting There" by Joanna Wos
"Crossing Spider Creek" by Dan O'Brien
"The Lampshade Vendor" by Allen Woodman
"Roseville" by William Heyen
"Pendergast's Daughter" by Lex Williford
"Ponderosa" by Kent Thompson
"Gold Coast" by Stuart Dybek

For each short story answer these questions in standard written format (use textual support in your answers):
1. In a sentence or two summarize the plot of the story.
2. Examine the first sentence for each story. How does the first sentence attempt to draw you into the rest of the story. For example, look for how the reader is "surprising" us.
3. How does the ending support or enhance the rest of the story?
4. Explain how the title highlights or showcases an important theme, character, setting, or plot element of the story.
5. What was your opinion of the story? Did you enjoy or not enjoy the story? Describe what you did like or not like. Try to support your opinion using appropriate literary device vocabulary (for example, if you liked the metaphor or parallel structure or climax in the story...mention that).

This homework is due next class: Sept. 21.

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About this course!

This course stresses understanding the characteristics & techniques in the literary genres of fiction, poetry, and dramatic writing. This course will continue to build on students’ reading and writing skills begun in previous creative writing classes. Readings and discussions of works by major writers in the field will be examined as inspiration and models of fine writing. This educational blog is designed for the use of the students at the School of the Arts in Rochester, NY.