We are learning:
- To identify the features of short stories
- To compare similarities and differences between stories
- To consider the language choices and stylistic features used by authors
Why:
- To improve reading skills, particularly drawing comparisons between texts
- To improve writing skills by considering techniques used by published authors
- To practise drafting and proofreading skills
Short Stories
Short stories share many of the same features of longer narratives – characters, plot development and use of dialogue to name a few.
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe is a well known writer who is famous for his short stories and poetry. Poe is considered by many to be the founder of the detective story and is known for his atmospheric prose. To learn more about Poe’s life, click here or watch the video below. Visiting the website allows you to watch a longer film of Poe’s life, or explore several short films focusing on different aspects of his life and writing.
‘The Tell Tale Heart’ is one of Poe’s most well known short stories, exploring a murderer’s guilt. Click here to read the story.
‘The Oval Portrait’, one of Poe’s shortest stories, also deals with the theme of death in exploring a tragic love affair. Click here to read the story.
There are many other Poe short stories, including ‘The Black Cat’ and ‘The Murders in the Rue Morgue’ which explore similar themes and give an insight into Poe’s writing style. Many of his short stories can be accessed here.
To download audiobooks of selected Poe stories, click here.
Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl is perhaps most well-known as an author or children’s books, including ‘James and the Giant Peach’ and ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’. He was also a prolific writer of short stories. To learn more about Roald Dahl, click here.
One of Dahl’s most well known short stories is the very aptly named ‘Lamb to the Slaughter’. Click here to read the story.
‘The Landlady’ is another well known Dahl story. Click here to read it or to listen to an mp3 recording of the story.
To access some more of Roald Dahl’s short stories, including ‘Beware of the Dog’ and ‘Man From The South’, click here.
Comparing Texts
Activity One: Venn Diagram
Once you have read several stories, complete this online Venn diagram to compare similarities and differences between the stories. Consider themes, character, events, resolution and stylistic features.
Activity Two: Comparative Essay
Write a 600-800 essay comparing at least two short stories. Click on the links below to access a copy of the assessment task and rubric.
AusVELS Comparative Essay Rubric
