Literature Online--English 112

Understanding Fiction:The Short Story

Reading and Responding to
"A Rose for Emily"

LITONLINE HOME | Course Info |Genres| Syllabi| Fiction Contents
For Previous Page Use Browser BACK Button

Now that your professor has a sense of your prior experiences with and attitudes towards short stories from the survey you completed, let's read one specific short story as a class to share some strategies for responding to and analyzing short stories.

To begin, read the title "A Rose for Emily" and the first several paragraphs of the story in your text or electronically by clicking on the rose.

Assignment:
In the box below type your predictions for the rest of the story. What do you think this story will be about?

To save the this writing, resize your browser's window to reduce it to a section of your screen, open your word processor, and copy and paste the writing into the word processor BEFORE turning the page. Browsers, such as Netscape, clear typing areas as soon as you click to turn the page. Other browsers, such as Internet Explorer, do not clear typing areas until you leave the whole lesson. Be sure you include your name, college and campus, and date in the top left corner of the box.

Now read the entire story "A Rose for Emily" in your text.

Assignment:
In the box below type your first impressions of the short story. Capture in writing what about this short story left a lasting impression on you and why.

Reminder: To save the this writing, resize your browser's window to reduce it to a section of your screen, open your word processor, and copy and paste the writing into the word processor BEFORE turning the page. Browsers, such as Netscape, clear typing areas as soon as you click to turn the page. Other browsers, such as Internet Explorer, do not clear typing areas until you leave the whole lesson. Be sure you include your name, college and campus, and date in the top left corner of the box.

Recording your first impressions about a short story is the first step to understanding the meaning of a short story. As readers, you bring your own prior knowledge and experiences to the readings of others. First impressions are affected by such information, often shaping attitudes and beliefs about the subjects, issues, and concerns developed in the short stories.

Next Page