Short Stories Assignment
Introduction
Over the past few lessons you’ve read stories from the Short Stories Reader themed “Crime”. In class
we’ve analyzed some of these stories using various literary concepts. Through this assignment you
show that you understand these concepts and that you’ve learned how to apply them to literature.
The Assignment
In this assignment you will analyze The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allen Poe using the four literary
concepts we’ve discussed in class: Plot, Point of View, Character and Irony. The results of your
analysis are presented in writing through a report. The length of your report is at least 600 words,
because any less is hardly possible, and below 1,800 words, because your teacher has a life too. The
specific requirements for each of the concepts are listed below. Read them carefully, because you
are expected to include all of the listed points.
Plot
Identify all seven elements of Freytag’s Pyramid in the story (if possible) and explain your choices,
using scenes or phases in the story. If one of the elements is not present in the story, make sure you
mention that.
Point of view
Explain what point of view is used in the story, using at least one quote to prove your point.
Character
Identify the protagonist and the antagonist and explain for each of them whether they are round or a
flat characters and whether they are static or a dynamic characters. Make sure you explain your
choices using at least one quote for each character.
Irony
Find an example for each of the three types of irony we discussed in class and explain why that
specific example matches the type of irony you assigned it to. Then explain what effect they have on
the reader.
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Checklist
Exposition
Inciting incident
Rising action
Climax
Falling action
Resolution
Dénouement
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What point of view is
used?
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Protagonist
Antagonist
Verbal irony
Situational irony
Dramatic irony
Effects on the reader
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PLOT
scene(s)
scene(s)
scene(s)
scene(s)
scene(s)
scene(s)
scene(s)
POINT OF VIEW
first person / third person omniscient / third person
limited omniscient / third person objective
quote(s)
CHARACTER
who?
round / flat
dynamic / static
quote(s)
who?
round / flat
dynamic / static
quote(s)
IRONY
example(s)
example(s)
example(s)
LENGTH
600 – 1,800 words
Grade
You will not be graded for this assignment, but your report will need to meet all the criteria listed
above to pass as sufficient. Failure to hand in will result in a 1,0 counting towards the third period
with a weight of 20%. Failure to meet all the requirements will result in a 5,0. In other words, go at it,
include all the required points and hand it in.
Deadline
Tuesday, June 16th, 2015, during English class
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