1. The Sniper
The Sniper
Liam O’Flaherty

2. “The Sniper” Bellringer
Make the Connection: Under Pressure
What qualities enable people to perform well when facing heart-pounding fear or stress?
Think about your own experiences or those of someone you know, as well as news stories or fiction you’ve read. Then, jot down your thoughts about people taking action when the stakes are high.

3. “The Sniper” Background
This story is set in Dublin, Ireland, in the 1920s, during a time of bitter civil war. On one side were the Irish Republicans (IRA); they wanted all of Ireland to become a republic, totally free from British rule.
On the other side were the Free Staters; they had compromised with Britain and had agreed to allow the English to continue to rule six counties in the northern province of Ulster.

4. The Two Irelands Orange (Northern)=
Protestant
Part of United Kingdom (Britain)
Green (Southern)= Republic of Ireland
Catholic
Independent from Britain

5. Conflict in Ireland today

6. Setting of “The Sniper”

7. “The Sniper” Meet the Author: Liam O’Flaherty
Liam O’Flaherty ( ) was born to a large, poor family on Inishmore, one of Ireland’s rocky Aran Islands.
As a young man in his 20s, he witnessed and participated in the Irish Civil War.
O’Flaherty took inspiration from his experiences, writing frequently about the political conflicts in Ireland.
Irish Civil War Video

8. Elements of Plot

9. Plot There are 5 elements of plot that form the plot of a story
When you hear the word plot, how would you define it?

10. Plot
The timeline of events that make up a story (like a short story, fiction novel, plays, etc.)
There are 5 pieces to the plot of a story:

11. Exposition (Piece #1)
Background information that introduces the conflict of the story
Provides the reader with information that is helpful to understanding the story
Setting – the time and place that a
story occurs

12. Rising Action (Piece #2)
The first main events of the current story (after the background information is given) that happen before the climax

13. Climax (Piece #3)
The turning point that leads to the outcome of the conflict
The highest point of tension

14. Falling Action (Piece #4)
Events that happen after the climax
The story is beginning to come to a close and begin to resolve conflicts

15. Resolution (Piece #5)
The point when the outcome of the conflict is known; the conflict has been resolved

16. Plot Development Chart

17. Now, let’s practice!
Using the plot development chart on the bottom of your note sheet, you will practice identifying elements of plot in a children’s story that you know well (think Disney movies, fairy tales, fables, etc.).
You and your partner need to choose a story, complete the chart, and be prepared to share your chart with the class!