“Saving Sourdi” (pg. 130). Setting (182-184). “Soldier's Home” (pg. 185). “
Christmas 1910” (pg. 210). Point of View (218-223). “The Jilting of Granny
Weatherall” ...
AP Literature Short Story Boot Camp Our goal with this unit is to explore the elements of fiction to understand how they influence the overall meaning of a work. Short fiction presents all these elements in a concentrated, intense environment with minimal distractions. We get right to the heart of things pretty quickly. At the end of this unit, you will have written six short (250-500 words) papers and one longer paper, read 13 short stories, and discussed literature to your heart’s content. I understand that analyses of some of these works may be available to you via the Internet or other sources; however, parroting someone else’s thinking or analysis does not prepare you to do your own. Careful reading and thoughtful, attentive writing will. Be your own “Spark.” Please review the information below in order to have a successful boot camp! Stories and Literary Elements: All page numbers refer to your Bedford text. You can access the handouts on my website. BRING YOUR BOOK TO CLASS. Emphasized Short Story Element Plot/Structure (pg. 67-76) Characterization (123-129) Setting (182-184) Point of View (218-223) Symbolism (270-273) Theme (304-308) Tone/Style/Irony
Short Story “A Rose for Emily” (pg. 95) “Everyday Use” (pg. 757) “Saving Sourdi” (pg. 130) “Soldier’s Home” (pg. 185) “Christmas 1910” (pg. 210) “The Jilting of Granny Weatherall” (Handout) “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” (Handout) “Young Goodman Brown” (pg. 398) “Clothes” (pg. 273) “The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky” (pg. 308) “Miss Brill” (pg. 317) “A Good Man is Hard to Find’ (pg. 445) “Barn Burning” (pg. 498)
Schedule: Please pay attention to our reading schedule—you may read ahead, but remember to focus on the appropriate emphasized short story element for the stories. Short Analyses: (See page 129 for a sample response.) For most of the emphasized short story elements, you’ll have to write a short analysis on one of the selected stories (your choice) for that element. These analyses should be between 250-500 words and typed. While the specifics you will discuss are open, you must analyze the short story element we are concentrating on in that story—not only how it develops in the text, but what effect it has on the work as a whole. To help you with this task, keep this definition of an analysis in mind. An analysis, instead of trying to examine all the parts of a work in relation to the whole, selects for examination one aspect or element or part that relates to the whole…A literary work may be usefully approached through almost any of its elements…so long as you relate this element to the central meaning of the whole (1373).—Perrine’s Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense
The structure of your analysis does not need to be a five-paragraph essay. You’ll want a brief introduction that ends with your thesis statement. (No “hook” is necessary.) The body paragraphs are the most important—how well do you analyze the emphasized element? Remember to stay focused on the element and your selected text. End your analysis with a clear Adapted from various AP resources, including AP Teachers Judy Motika and Katie Martin
conclusion. Think of these mini essays as polished timed writings. Please pay attention to the rules of good writing. For example, some errors to avoid include: informal pronouns and phrasing such as “I think,” “you” or “we,” not double-spacing your paper, incorrect spelling and usage, improper punctuation of quotes, etc. Turnitin.com: All drafts must be typed in MLA format and uploaded to turnitin.com. Date Thurs. 9/29 Mon. 10/3
Activities Assign boot camp; Plot notes/lecture; Discuss “A Rose for Emily”; Draft plot analysis Writing workshop: Thesis statements Work in writing groups—Ask, don’t tell. Explain and practice CRISP revision process Characterization notes/lecture.
Weds. 10/5
Discuss “Saving Sourdi” and Everyday Use” Writing workshop—embedding quotes Begin drafting character analysis
Fri. 10/7
Work on character analysis in writing groups—Ask, don’t tell Setting Notes/Lecture Independent Reading Discussion—Be sure to bring your completed role sheets
Tues. 10/11 Thurs. 10/13
Discuss “Soldier’s Home” and “Christmas, 1910” Point of View notes/lecture Writing workshop: Selecting details for support Writing group conversations (setting analysis).
Mon. 10/17 Weds. 10/19
Discuss POV stories
Fri. 10/21
Discuss YGB and Clothes (symbols) Independent Reading Discussion—Be sure to bring your completed role sheets. Your group should plan
Writing group conversation (POV analysis) Symbolism notes/lecture; in class practice
Homework Write Plot Analysis DRAFT – bring this to class on Monday Revise Plot Analysis; CRISP your Plot Analysis. Final due on Turnitin.com by 8:50 AM, 10/5 Read the intro to Characterization and the stories. Complete your draft character analysis—bring your draft to class Friday. CRISP your character analysis. Final Character Analysis due on Turnitin.com by 8:50 AM, 10/11. Read the introduction to setting, “Soldier’s Home,” and “Christmas, 1910” Complete the setting analysis chart. Draft setting analysis—bring this draft to class on Thursday Revise then CRISP your setting analysis. Final setting analysis due on turnitin.com by 8:50, 10/17. Read the introduction to Point of View in your text and “The Jilting of Granny Weatherall” and “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” handouts. Draft POV analysis—bring this to class on Wednesday. Revise and CRISP POV analysis. Final POV analysis due on turnitin.com by 8:50, 10/21 Read introduction to symbols; “Young Goodman Brown” (Chart the symbols you find--handout) “Clothes” Draft symbol analysis—bring this to class on Tuesday.
Adapted from various AP resources, including AP Teachers Judy Motika and Katie Martin
Tues. 10/25
Thurs. 10/27 Weds. 11/2 Fri. 11/4
Tues. 11/8
your book talk and settle on your food/beverage item for our banquet Writing groups—symbol analysis feedback Theme notes/lecture
Revise and CRISP your symbol analysis. Final symbolism analysis due on Turnitin.com by 8:50, 10/31. Read the introduction to theme, “A Bride Comes to Yellow Sky,” and “Miss Brill” How is theme revealed in “ABCYS” and “Miss Brill”? Read introduction to tone, style, Notes on Tone, Style, Irony and irony and the accompanying short stories (AGM and BB) Discuss AGM and BB. Draft style analysis—bring this to class on Friday. Writing groups—discuss style analysis CRISP your style analysis. Final Reminder: Be sure to follow the +/-/x/÷ approach we’ve style analysis due on been working on. Don’t slack here. Turnitin.com by 8:50 AM, 11/8 Writing Workshop: Analyzing your style Boot Camp final essay: Choose one story from your Bring a draft of your final essay text we have not read in class. Analyze one of the to class on Tuesday, 11/15 for elements we’ve studied. writing group work. Final Due on Turnitin.com by 11/17 at Exploring elements of fiction in Frankenstein (new 8:50 AM. syllabus to come!)
Short Story Boot Camp
Short ANALYSIS ESSAY GRADING SHEET __________ Introduction (5 points) Introduction includes the title of the story and the full name of the author; it is brief and free of padding. ___________ Thesis (10 points) Thesis is clearly and concisely written and focuses on a narrowed, sub-topic of the element we are studying. Your thesis should clearly state the point of analysis (plot?, characterization?, etc.) and your perspective on that point (meaning, the effect).
__________ Examples / Support / Analysis (20 points) Each paragraph makes a specific claim. The Element is analyzed in relation to how it affects the central meaning of the story. Ideas are supported by specific evidence from the text, properly quoted and documented. No plot summary. Evidence is analyzed/examined for its relevance to the claim AND the thesis. 200-500 words.
__________ Concluding Statement (5 points) Concluding statement is meaningful and does not simply restate key points from the essay. Answers “So what?”
__________ Quality of writing/Mechanics / Grammar / Punctuation (10 points) (_________) MLA Formatting Requirements A maximum of 20% will be deducted for failure to adhere to MLA guidelines. margins double spacing original title title format header 12pt Times font overall spacing proper heading (content / format)
________/50 TOTAL Adapted from various AP resources, including AP Teachers Judy Motika and Katie Martin
