Reviewing is an important skill. A review gives your reaction to a short story, a book, a play, a poem, a movie, or a television show. It includes not only your opinion, but it also includes concrete reasons and support for your views. Support your reactions and opinions about each of the elements of the story with quotes (2-3 for each) and examples from the story.

Your assignment is to review a short story from one of the following web sites:

Suggested Reading:

• The Door E.B. White
• Haircut Ring Lardner
• Hunters in the Snow Tobias Wolff
• The Ransom of Red Chief O Henry

 

Presentation:

• fold a bristol board in half
• cut it so as to make a frame for loose-leaf size pages
• front title page: title; illustration; student name; date (unlined paper)
• page 2: Setting; Character;
• page 3: summary of Plot
• page 4: Impact

 

The Setting

• Describe the setting of the story. (time, place, context)
• What is the mood of the story?
• How does the author create this mood? (use quotes from the story)

The Character(s)

• Who are the personalities developed in the story?
• Give a brief description of the role of each character. (hero, heroine, villain)
• Are the characters believable as people? Why or why not?

Plot

• What problem does the main character face?
• Describe the turning point in the story. (where you sense how the story will end)
• How is the problem solved?
• How does the author use suspense?

Impact

• Describe what you liked and did not like about the story.
• Does the story say anything about humans?
• Sum up what message or lesson the author is trying to say through the story.