Click here to read, "The Sniper" by Liam O'Flaherty or read the paper copy provided by your teacher.
Step One:
Activity One : Open a word document and define the following words. Make sure you have a good understanding of these words.
Ascetic
Draught
Parapet
Paroxysm
Wadding
Click here for an Online Dictionary.
Step Two: Setting
Setting is important because it establishes the tone and atmosphere of a story.
Activity Two:
- Re-read the first paragraph. In your word document, create a list of FIVE phrases (quote them) that establish the tone and atmosphere of this story.
- HINT: these phrases will describe the setting.
- For each phrase, find a picture that represents the phrase.
For example:
"The long June twilight faded into night"
Step Three: Conflict
There are two types of conflict:1) External - A struggle with a force outside one's self.
2) Internal - A struggle within one's self; a person must make some decision, overcome pain, quiet their temper, resist an urge, etc.
There are four kinds of conflict:
1) Man vs. Man (physical) - The leading character struggles with his physical strength against other men, forces of nature, or animals.
2) Man vs. Circumstances (classical) - The leading character struggles against fate, or the circumstances of life facing him/her.
3) Man vs. Society (social) - The leading character struggles against ideas, practices, or customs of other people.
4) Man vs. Himself/Herself (psychological) - The leading character struggles with himself/herself; with his/her own soul, ideas of right or wrong, physical limitations, choices, etc.
Activity Three:
- IDENTIFY and EXPLAIN TWO CONFLICTS presented in the story.
- You must identify the type and kind of conflict as well explain your choices.
The main character experiences external conflict. His conflict is physical (man vs. man). This conflict is demonstrated when...
Step Four: Characterization
We learn about characters through two different ways:
1. Direct Characterization: The author describes the character and tells the reader information about the character.
2. Indirect Characterization: The author reveals details about the character through what they say and do. The author 'shows' the reader what the character is like.
Activity Four: Create a table and give three examples for each column of the different characteristics of the sniper.
For Example:
Step Five: Theme Statement
- A successful theme statement must be general enough to capture the overall meaning of the work, but specific enough so that it conveys your unique interpretation.
- Every literary work makes a statement or has a point. When you create a theme statement, you're substituting your single sentence for the entire short story.
- Write the title and a very brief statement about the plot of the story.
- Write what the topic of the story is, without reference to the characters or plot.
- Write a theme statement sentence for the story.
- Give a two sentence explanation using evidence from the story to support your statement.
Star Wars: Luke defeats Darth Vader (original Star Wars)
Topic: Good defeats evil
Theme statement: We cannot defeat external evil until we acknowledge our own dark side.
Evidence: When Luke discovers he is Darth Vader's son, he has a moment of questioning where he has to come to terms with the fact that his father is evil. He is forced to make a choice between the evil and good that exists inside of him.
Step Six: Print your work and hand it in to your teacher.
Check list: Make sure you have included the following activities.
- Activity 1: Definitions
- Activity 2: Setting
- Activity 3: Conflict
- Activity 4: Characterization
- Activity 5: Theme statement.
