Unraveling The Sniper: Exploring Short Story Elements

Unraveling The Sniper: Exploring Short Story Elements

Learning Targets

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to identify and analyze the key elements of the short story 'The Sniper'.

What do you already know about short story elements and 'The Sniper'?

Introduction to Short Stories

Short stories are brief fictional prose narratives that can usually be read in one sitting. They often focus on a single character, event, or theme.

Understanding Story Elements

Elements of a short story include characters, setting, plot, conflict, and theme. These elements work together to create a compelling narrative.

Introducing 'The Sniper'

Written by Liam O'Flaherty, 'The Sniper' is a short story set during the Irish Civil War. It follows a Republican sniper on a rooftop as he engages in a deadly game with the enemy.

Character Analysis

The protagonist of 'The Sniper' is a young and skilled Republican sniper. His actions and decisions drive the story forward, revealing his inner conflict and determination.

Exploring Setting and Atmosphere

The story is set in war-torn Dublin, where the atmosphere is tense and dangerous. The setting plays a crucial role in shaping the mood and events of the narrative.

Unraveling the Plot and Conflict

The plot revolves around the sniper's intense conflict, both external and internal, as he faces life-and-death decisions amidst the chaos of war.

Exploring Themes

Themes in 'The Sniper' include the futility of war, the dehumanizing effects of conflict, and the personal cost of violence.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.