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Name: ____________________ Block: ____

Short Story Unit

You will use this packet during class as we work through this unit.

If you miss class, you are responsible for completing the tasks in this packet on your own.

Short Story Prezi Notes Directions: Fill in the blanks below as we go through the Prezi presentation in class. SHORT STORIES…

1. Are forms of ___________, like novels

2. Focus on one major ___________

3. Can be read in one sitting

4. Have one main ______________ that keeps the

story moving

THE FIVE MAJOR ELEMENTS OF SHORT STORIES:

1. Plot

2. ____________________

3. Conflict

4. ____________________

5. Setting

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“Harrison Bergeron” KURT VONNEGUT, JR.

Pg. 34-40 Directions: Respond to the following questions as you read “Harrison Bergeron.” Pg. 34

1. Reread lines 1-17. List three details that describe society in 2081.

2. What is your opinion of this society so far? Pg. 36

3. What is a wince? Why does George wince in lines 31-36?

4. Based on what you have read so far, what behavior do you think might be seen as strange or illegal in this society?

Pg. 37

5. Do you agree with George’s decision to not lighten his handicap bag? Why do you think so?

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Pg. 38

6. How tall is Harrison?

7. List a few of Harrison’s handicaps. Why do you think Harrison has been so handicapped by the government?

Pg. 39

8. How does Harrison view himself compared to the other people? How does this view conflict with the view of the government?

Pg. 40

9. Reread lines 177-188. How does the narrator view this breaking of the laws? What words or phrases lead you to this conclusion?

10. Why do George and Hazel react in the way they do to their son’s death?

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Name ____________________________ Block _____

“HARRISON BERGERON” Vocabulary Practice

WORD LIST

consternation cower neutralizing synchronizing vigilance wince

PART A. Fill in each blank with the correct word from the list.

1. If you were cornered by a wild beast, you might __________________. 2. If you burned your finger on a hot stove, you might ________________. 3. If a series of burglaries occurred in your neighborhood, you might increase your

__________________. 4. f you never found time to eat dinner with your family, you might suggest that your

schedules needed ________________________. 5. If you found your mother reading your diary, you might feel __________________. 6. If you had a rash from poison ivy, your doctor might suggest _________________ the

effect with a special cream. PART B. Think about the meaning of each phrase in the first column. Then find the phrase in the second column that is closest in meaning. Write the letter of that phrase on the blank line.

_____ 1. yelps of confused amazement A. unceasing vigilance _____ 2. cringe and conceal B. cries of consternation _____ 3. unending alertness C. synchronizing watches _____ 4. flinch from soreness D. cower and hide _____ 5. coordinating timepieces E. neutralizing the enemy _____ 6. deactivating the foe F. wince in pain

PART C—WRITING OPTION. Harrison Bergeron rebelled against the laws of society that regulated equality. Write a note that Harrison might have written to his parents explaining his reasons. Use at least two words from the box in your note.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

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Name ____________________________ Block _____

“HARRISON BERGERON” 11-SENTENCE PARAGRAPH OUTLINE

PROMPT: What three things about Harrison Bergeron’s character make him a leader to the people?

I. Topic Sentence: Harrison Bergeron is a good / bad (CHOOSE ONE) leader because: _________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

A. Main Idea #1:

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

1. Example from text:

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

2. Explanation of example:

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

B. Main Idea #2:

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

1. Example from text:

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

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2. Explanation of example:

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

C. Main Idea #3:

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

1. Example from text:

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

2. Explanation of example:

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

II. Conclusion:

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

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“By the Waters of Babylon” STEPHEN VINCENT BENET

Apocalyptic Fiction Prezi Notes

Directions: Fill in the blanks below as we go through the Prezi presentation in class.

1. Apocalyptic fiction is _______________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________.

2. Many stories have been written about a post-apocalypse world.

3. This genre became popular ________________________________________________________,

and often regains popularity during ________________________________________________.

4. Authors of this genre often rely on ___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________.

Figurative Language Prezi Notes WHAT IS FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE?

1. Language that communicates meanings beyond the __________ meanings of the

words.

2. Authors use figurative language to create ___________,

_________________ ideas, and to evoke _______________.

WHAT IS A SIMILE?

1. A comparison of two __________ things using the word

________ or _____

• EXAMPLE:

“I felt small and naked as a new-hatched bird.”

~Stephen Vincent Benet, “By the Waters of Babylon”

WHAT IS PERSONIFICATION?

1. Figure of speech in which human _____________ are given to an object, animal, or idea

• EXAMPLE:

“There was the great river below… It could eat all the

streams we know and still be thirsty.”

~Stephen Vincent Benet, “By the Waters of Babylon”

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“By the Waters of Babylon” STEPHEN VINCENT BENET

Book Cover Project

Directions: Imagine that “By the Waters of Babylon” is being published as its own book. What

would the cover of the book look like? Design and color a neat book cover that fulfills the requirements listed below. Don’t forget the written element of the project!

Requirements:

ü Title AND author of the story (spelled CORRECTLY!) ü Three different visual elements from the text ü One quote from the text that is relevant to the visuals you choose ü Finished product should be neat, fully colored, and reflect the effort you put into it

Written Element: On the back of your book cover, write a paragraph (at least FIVE-TEN

complete sentences!) in which you explain what each of your visuals are, what they mean, and why you chose them. Also, please explain why you chose the quote you included on your book cover.

Description Point Value Requirements Finished product meets all of the

assigned requirements _____ / 10

Neatness Finished product is neat and reflects the time and effort the student put into the assignment

_____ / 10

Color Finished product is fully colored and is pleasing to the eye _____ / 5

_____ / 25

Comments:

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“To Build A Fire” JACK LONDON

Naturalism Prezi Notes

Directions: Fill in the blanks below as we go through the Prezi presentation in class. 1. Naturalism is defined as _______________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Characters are often:

2. ____________________________

3.____________________________

Characters often live in:

4.____________________________

Characters’ lives are often governed by outside forces such as:

6.____________________________

7. ____________________________

8. ____________________________

Themes within naturalistic writing:

10. Nature is _______________________________________________________________________

11. The forces of heredity and environment __________________________________________

12. The futile attempts ______________________________________________________________

13. Three other themes include: ________________________, ___________________________,

and __________________________________

14. Man against ________________________

15. Man against ________________________

Famous naturalist writers include:

17. ________________________________

18. ________________________________

19. ________________________________

20. ________________________________

5. Create a cityscape here (for setting):

9. Create an illustration of a family here (for heredity):

20. Illustrate writing instruments here, such as a pen and a book (for writers):

16. Illustrate two men fighting (for man vs. man):

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“To Build A Fire” JACK LONDON

Pg. 76-91 Directions: Respond to the following questions as you read “To Build A Fire.” Pg. 76

1. Describe the setting. Include at least five details from the text.

2. Reread lines 1-24. What mood is created by the description of the setting? Pg. 78

3. Reread the descriptions in lines 25-40. Do you think the man understands the severity of the cold? What details lead you to this conclusion?

4. Describe the conflict between the setting and the man. What type of conflict is this? (Remember internal vs. external conflict?)

Pg. 79

5. How does the dog’s knowledge differ from the man’s impressions of the weather?

6. At this point in the story, what do you think the man and dog will do?

Pg. 80

7. Reread lines 111-120. What is the new problem the man has? How does he view this problem?

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Pg. 81

8. Describe the man’s actions in lines 121-135. Why is he doing this?

9. Why is it so important that the man keep his feet dry? Pg. 82

10. What does the man notice right after he smashes his fingers against his leg? Pg. 83

11. Why is the man “a bit frightened”?

12. Who seems more knowledgeable about what to do in this situation—the man or the dog? Why do you think so?

13. Why is the man forced to build a fire? Pg. 84

14. Why must a man with wet feet not fail in his first attempt to build a fire?

15. Reread lines 216-258. What new conflict with the setting is the man experiencing?

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Pg. 85 16. What pattern can you see in the man’s attitude and behavior in lines 259-276?

17. What happened to the man’s fire?

18. At this point in the story, do you think the man will be able to build a fire quickly enough to save his feet? Why do you think so?

Pg. 86

19. Describe the man’s actions in lines 338-344.

20. Why does the man think that he is “no better off”? Pg. 87

21. How does the man’s attitude toward the old-timer’s advice change? Pg. 88

22. Why does the man’s fire go out?

23. What idea comes into the man’s head in lines 388-391?

24. How does the dog respond to the man? Why does the animal act this way?

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Pg. 89

25. Why can’t the man kill his dog?

26. What has the man’s struggle become? Pg. 90

27. Reread lines 473-482. What has the man decided to do? What does his decision tell you about his character?

Pg. 91

28. Do you think the dog will share the man’s fate? Why do you think so?

29. Is the title of this story appropriate? If so, explain why “To Build A Fire” is a good title. If you disagree, what would be a better title for the story?

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“To Build A Fire” JACK LONDON

Survival Kit Project

Directions: Imagine that you are going to embark on a journey through the Yukon. What are the top TEN most important things for you to pack in your survival kit? Using a piece of paper, draw and label each of the items you imagined.

Requirements:

ü Title of your work… try for a title more original than “My Survival Kit”! ;-)

ü Title AND author of the story (spelled CORRECTLY!)

ü Include ten different visual elements ü Finished product should be neat, fully

colored, and reflect the effort you put into it

Description Point Value Requirements Finished product meets all of the

assigned requirements _____ / 10

Neatness Finished product is neat and reflects the time and effort the student put into the assignment

_____ / 10

Color Finished product is fully colored and is pleasing to the eye _____ / 5

_____ / 25

Comments:

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