Short Story Analysis - Part 1 As you read each of the short stories: Skim-read the short story to get an idea of plot. Re-read the text as an active reader: jot notes, questions, underline words, and so forth as you read. Identify areas within the text for Understanding (U) and Analysis (A), during the second reading. Use the textual analysis organizers for connecting your notes. See "Fill in the Gaps" for an example. Summarize the text into your own words, using bullet-point notes. Don’t simply “transl************ pass************stituting one word for another — put it into your own words to show that you genuinely understand what is written. For four of the short stories: Transfer your close reading notes to the textual analysis organizer. See "Fill in the Gaps" for an example. Identify which Essential Question you think fits best for each of your chosen stories; use each Essential Question once. Each organizer has a cog for an Essential Question. Write a short analysis for each story's organizer of how the elements of character, theme, symbols, setting, and/or figurative devices are used within the text, exploring how each contributes to the story's exploration of an Essential Question. Explore a minimum of three elements. Short Story Analysis — Part 2 The next stage will be to write a comparative analysis, in which you will compare the treatment of an Essential Question in two short stories, based on the elements of theme, symbols, and irony. Review each of your textual analysis organizers, paying particular attention to the short written analysis exploring how the elements work together to create greater unity in the exploration of the Essential Question. Review the tutorials on theme, setting, symbols, and irony. Identify two short stories which address a similar Essential Question. In a minimum of two critical response paragraphs, analyse and compare the effectiveness of the elements of theme, setting, symbols, and/or irony in each of the two short stories in expressing the associated Essential Question. Write a draft response. Review the material on Unifying Effect; revise and edit your paragraph. Prepare and submit a polished copy.