Short Stories and Poetry

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Engels - Period 4

What?

• 2 short stories - 'The Lottery' and 'The Black Cat'

• Poetry - Theory , 'Mort Aux Chats' and 'In Flanders Fields'

• Vlog - Choose a poem, perform it and give your opinion in English
  

Why?

It will help your reading skills, expand your vocabulary and give you an opportunity to practice speaking. 

VWO 4 -  The vlog and test together are 20% of your English mark (5% Vlog and 15% Test)

HAVO 4 - The vlog and test together are  25% of your mark this year and 25% of your  School Exams. (Vlog 8% and Test 17%)

HAVO and VWO 4

-    Vlog about a poem you chose - Hand in before Monday 14 June
-    Test in Test week 4 –
       o    Questions about Private Berlin
       o    Questions about the short stories from the lessons/homework

       o    Questions about the poetry from the lessons/homework

- You can use an English/Dutch dictionary in the test to help you.

What makes a short story?

Types of short stories

•    The ‘Story’ type (begin - middle - end)
•    The ‘Atmosphere’ or ‘Impression’ type
•    The ‘Idea’ or ‘Political’ type
•    The ‘Mystery’, ‘Mild horror’ or ‘Suspension’ type

No story will only fit into one category. It may contain elements of one or more of the types mentioned.

9 detailed characteristics in most short stories

1.    Subject matter - about daily doings, dramas and dreams of common people.
2.    Element of surprise – no predictable ending.
3.    Creating a ‘single effect’ - leaves the reader with a one main feeling
4.    Compactness, briefness – no irrelevant details or words.
5.    One or two main events – often beginning in the middle of things and ending abruptly.
6.    Concentration on one or two main character(s).
7.    Concentration on action rather than on description.
8.    Classical unities of time, place and action (24 hours max., single place, single action).
9.    Criticism on characters by the writer.

Now answer the questions in your stencil while watching the following short film about writing stories

The Lottery - follow the text in your reader

9 detailed characteristics in most short stories

1.    Subject matter - about daily doings, dramas and dreams of common people.
2.    Element of surprise – no predictable ending.
3.    Creating a ‘single effect’ - leaves the reader with a one main feeling
4.    Compactness, briefness – no irrelevant details or words.
5.    One or two main events – often beginning in the middle of things and ending abruptly.
6.    Concentration on one or two main character(s).
7.    Concentration on action rather than on description.
8.    Classical unities of time, place and action (24 hours max., single place, single action).
9.    Criticism on characters by the writer.

Now answer the questions about the Lottery in your stencil?

Missed some answers?

Read the text again in your own time and check your answers with the answer sheet:

Magister.me > Engels Studiewijzer > Poetry and Short Stories > Bronnen

The Black Cat - follow the text in your reader

Now answer the questions about The Black Cat in your stencil?

Missed some answers?

Read the text again in your own time and check your answers with the answer sheet:

Magister.me > Engels Studiewijzer > Poetry and Short Stories > Bronnen

What makes a poem a poem?

Answer the questions on page 13 of your stencil