Short Story Elements

Lesson Adapted from Film English

The lesson is designed around an Oscar-winning short film called The Man Who Planted Trees and the subjects of short stories and the meaning of life. Students read a short story, watch short video about writing a short story, write a short story, watch a short film, and speak about the meaning of life. The lesson should be done over 2 90 minute classes.-Film English

Language level: Upper Intermediate– Advanced (C1)

Learner type: Teens and adults

Time: 2 90 minute classes/May Vary depending on adaptation

Activity: Reading a short story, watching short video about writing a short story, writing a short story, watching a short film, and speaking

Topic: Short stories and the meaning of life

Language: Language related to elements of a short story

Materials: Short story, video and short film

Downloadable materials: the man who planted trees lesson instructions the 5 elements of a short story how to write a great short story the man who planted trees short story the man who planted trees discussion questions-Film English

Lesson 1

Step 1

Ask students the following question:

Have you ever read any short stories?

Can you remember the plot of any short stories?

What makes a good short story?


Step 2

Write the following words on the board:

Character

Setting

Plot

Conflict

Theme

Tell your students that these are generally considered the 5 essential elements of a short story. Put your students in pairs and ask them to discuss what each of the 5 elements means. Give them 5 minutes to discuss the 5 elements and then get feedback.

Step 3

Give students the 5 Elements of a Short Story handout and ask them to read it and then compare their answers with the information in the article.

The 5 Elements of a Short Story

Step 4

Ask your students the following question:

How can you write a great short story?

Put them into small groups and give them 5 minutes to come up with advice for writing a great short story.

Step 5

Tell your students they are going to watch a short video in which the writer Kurt Vonnegut gives 8 tips on how to write a short story. Ask students to watch the film and then try to discuss the advice he gives.

How to Write a Great Short Story

For advanced students you can read the short story The Man Who Planted Trees. Tell them they will need to use a dictionary as there is a lot of difficult vocabulary.

AUDIO LINK for The Man Who Planted Trees

If you use The Man Who Planted Trees Lesson Two use Film English

Or

You can use Thank You Ma'am by Langston Hughes

AUDIO LINK for Thank You Ma'am by Langston Hughes

Now, students will plan their own short story using the plot diagram and following the advice they learned in the lesson. They should choose their own title.

LESSON 2

If you use The Man Who Planted Trees instructions for Lesson Two are found on Film English

If you use Thank You Ma'am by Langston Hughes use the links below and the additional resources on The Things You Can Read.

Plot Diagram for Thank You Ma'am by Langston Hughes

Free Lesson Plan for Thank You Ma'am by Langston Hughes

Questions for Thank You Ma'am by Langston Hughes

Audio for Thank You Ma'am by Langston Hughes

Slide Show to Introduce and Teach Thank You Ma'am by Langston Hughes

Now, Start Scribbling!
Happy Writing!

The Writing Whisperer

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of the Written Word!

Writing Prompt: Original Story Outline Inspired by The Distance of the Moon Video

The Distance of the Moon: Beautiful Short Film Based on the Italo Calvino Classic

“Ahh… we went to collect the Moon milk.”

The Distance of the Moon by Italo Calvino

One of the many books we are currently reading is Why Read the Classics? by the Italian writer Italo Calvino (1923-1985), who is famous for his classic essay that addresses the fourteen criteria which answer the question: What Makes a Classic?.  Take a peek at the animated short film by Israeli children’s book author, and illustrator Shulamit Serafy, based on Calvino’s short story The Distance of the Moon.  Calvino's short story is rich with spectacular language, playful expressions, and capricious fancy.  

Now, since the video is not in English, here is your prompt. write your own original story or story outline inspired or based on the video.  Remember to include: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution/Conclusion. 

Have a Creative Weekend!

The Writing Whisperer

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of the Written Word!

Writing Prompt: The Future of Storytelling-Updated Janaury 24, 2014

Image Credit:  The Future of Storytelling

Which of the following emotions best describes how you feel after hearing Ben's story?

A.  Distress
B.  Empathy
C.  Both Distress and Empathy

Don't know what distress means: click here
Don't know what empathy means: click here

Watch the videos before answering:

"Stories are powerful because they transport us into other people’s worlds but, in doing that, they change the way our brains work and potentially change our brain chemistry — and that’s what it means to be a social creature."

Include in your answer why?  Your answer must be written in complete sentences.  A minimum of five sentences is required.  Start Scribbling!

More Recent Research on the Benefits of Reading Good Literature:

Can reading Chekhov or Alice Munro improve your social skills? According to a study published yesterday in the journal Science, researchers "found that after reading literary fiction, as opposed to popular fiction or serious nonfiction, people performed better on tests measuring empathy, social perception and emotional intelligence--skills that come in especially handy when you are trying to read someone's body language or gauge what they might be thinking," the New York Times reported. 

The researchers, social psychologists at the New School for Social Research in New York City, suggested the reason for this is that literary fiction "often leaves more to the imagination, encouraging readers to make inferences about characters and be sensitive to emotional nuance and complexity," the Times wrote.

"This is why I love science," said author Louise Erdrich, whose novel The Round House was used in one of the experiments, adding that the researchers "found a way to prove true the intangible benefits of literary fiction. Thank God the research didn't find that novels increased tooth decay or blocked up your arteries.... Writers are often lonely obsessives, especially the literary ones. It's nice to be told what we write is of social value. However, I would still write even if novels were useless.”-Shelf Awareness

 

The Power of Empathy:  Brene Brown

 

 

Answer the following Questions:

1. What does Ms. Brown say is the difference between sympathy and empathy?
2. Give an example when you showed empathy toward someone.
3. Do you agree with Ms. Brown's conclusions about empathy?

Start Scribbling!

Happy Writing!

The Writing Whisperer

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of the Written Word!