1. (10 minutes) Analyze this short story by an unknown author. For sale: Baby shoes, never worn.

2. Total Recall  Remember BY THE WATERS OF BABYLON  You finished reading it, right?  RIGHT?!  You did the homework because it is worth a lot of points.  RIGHT?!!!? GOOD JOB! I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT!! RIGHT?!

3. Don’t stop total recalling  Write down on a piece of paper (in complete sentences like ALWAYS)  What was the setting?  Who were the characters?  What did the main character want and what was standing in his way?  Then QUICKLY summarize the main plot.  Why do you think only a priest can visit the Dead Places?

4. The Gods Must Be Crazy  Watch this video.  Then, with your elbow partner compare and contrast this film with the story. Think about THEME. Discuss with your partner. What was the Theme of “Babylon?” What do you think the Theme of “Gods” is?

5. There Will Come Soft Rains There will come soft rains and the smell of the ground. And swallows circling with their simmering sound; And frogs in the pools singing at night, And wilf plum-trees in tremulous white; Robins will wear their feathery fire Whistling their whims on a low fence-wire; And not one will know of the war, not one Will care at last when it is done. Not one would mind, neither bird nor tree If all mankind perished utterly; And Spring herself, when she woke at dawn, Would scarcely know that we were gone.

6. How does the world described in the poem “There Will Come Soft Rains” compare with the world described in “By the Waters of Babylon?”

7. Privacy vs. Security  Do you think it is dangerous for a person or a society to have too much knowledge? Support your opinion. VICE TIME?

8. What makes a short story?  One or more complex major characters with any minor characters necessary.  A definite, well-described setting.  A standard plot line that has a beginning, conflict, rising action, climax, and denouement.  A consistent point of view  Narrative that develops dialogue, suspense, specific actions, movement, gestures, and expressions.  Precise vocabulary and effective word choice.  Short! Between one sentence and 150 pages.

9. Today…  I want you to come up with ideas that you may or may not use in your short story.  We will discuss and use different techniques that can be used that will help you brainstorm your story.  Any idea you have today may be used in your story, or you may decide it is trash and throw it away. That is OKAY.  In the following days we will use these wet, soggy ideas and begin to mold them together, step by step, into something whole.  Do NOT write or begin your short story. Just think.

10. Can be done with—  Freewriting (Let your thoughts flow as they will, putting pen to paper and writing down whatever comes to mind. You don’t judge the quality and you don’t worry about style, spelling, grammar, or punctuation.)  Bullet Points (What I’m doing right now.)  Mind Mapping (On the next page.)  Discuss it (With someone who won’t just say, “I like it. It’s good.”)  Or whatever works best for you. And most importantly, at home after you finish… Take a break! Take a nap, a bath, a shower, eat a snack, be alone, work on something else, sleep on it, and come back… fresh.

11. Mind Map

12. Title: Characters: Setting: Detail 1: Detail 3: Problem: Solution 1: Outcome 1: Outcome 2: Outcome 1: Outcome 2: Details: Character 1: Character 2: Characteristics Want Characteristics Want

13. HOMEWORK Significant progress has been made with the brainstorming of my short story. and… ACTION! At Home: Have a good idea about what your story is going to be about. Write your idea in one sentence. In Class: Brainstorm your short story individually or in a small group.