How to Read and Analyze a Short Story Short pieces of fiction can challenge a reader’s comprehension as much as an epic novel. Even a concise short story might require multiple readings before a reader can fully understand and appreciate every aspect of the piece. Applying a few strategies before, during and after you read, can improve how you comprehend a short story.

Responding to text Giving opinions Justifying opinions Recalling knowledge of text features Applying knowledge to writing Responding to characters Responding to plot Responding to themes Using reading skills: Inferring Summarizing Visualizing Predicting Connecting Parts of Short Story Analysis

Traditional stories “flat” characters unspecified settings simple and fast moving plot ending is clear and usually happy formulaic language simple past tense third person narration Modern stories “round” characters setting may be described in detail may not be much background at beginning ending may be inconclusive present tenses may be used first person narration can be used

Elements of a story 5 Elements Characters The people & their relationships Setting Location & time Style Writing techniques Theme Main or recurrent idea (could also be a lesson to learn) Plot/ story line Actions and events

Pre - Reading StrategiesHow do I do This? Connect – what does this text/topic make you think about? (other texts, your experiences, the world…) Previewing the Text - Look at the author, title, visuals, bolded terms: what clues do they give you about what you’re going to read? Ask Questions – what do I already know about this topic? Why am I reading this? Why did the author write this piece? Who is the audience for this piece? Research the author and his/her purpose in writing the story Research the historical period in which the story was written Use a dictionary to reinforce vocabulary Take notes Building up knowledge of the topic

During Reading Strategies Visualize – picture important events and characters in your mind to help you better understand what you’re reading Stop and Question – ask yourself questions about what you have just read to check that it makes sense to you Infer – use clues in the text and your own knowledge to fill in the gaps and draw conclusions Take notes while you read – jot down the main ideas, words, characters and themes or highlight/underline Re-read – if you didn’t understand it the first time, read it again Understanding the details

Post-reading Strategies Find the main ideas/summarize – now that you’ve read the whole selection, makes notes that summarize only the main ideas so they are easy to remember Think about the text – the message of this text is…? Ask questions – e.g. “What have I learned? I wonder if…? What does the author mean by…?” Integrating and applying

Stages in working with the text Pre- reading While-reading Post- reading Building up knowledge of the topic Understanding the details Integrating and applying Plot Language Characters Theme

Pre-reading stage When?  In class --- use classroom resources How?  Recall previous knowledge and experience  Make predictions about the setting of the story  Provide background information Building up knowledge of the topic What activities?  Brainstorming  Research  Predicting from titles, pictures etc

While-reading / Post-reading stage When?  In class How?  applying reading strategies  connecting the story to reader’s mind and experience  responding to the writer Understanding the details What activities?  Engaging in peer discussions  Annotate your reading  Identifying story elements using story organizer  Summarizing events

John Updike “A&P” James Joyce – “Araby” Kate Chopin – “The Story of an Hour” D.H. Lawrence – “The Rocking- Horse Winner

mspapalambropoulos.weebly.com Visit our class weebly for the full text of each story Print a copy for yourself to annotate as you read Have fun reading!